[canadmos]

The VW is going to cost you a few thousand over the next few years effectively as well. But it's also going to be more to insure, finance costs, etc. etc.

On the other hand, if you have a desire for VW ownership and that outweighs rational decisions (which I get--see my swim spa on deck saga ) then that's that.

Good point about making a rational decision, definitely don't want to get that tunnel vision going on one certain car.

I need to start go kicking tires, I've just been perusing used listings from the warmth of home.

Who knows, maybe I'll walk into a miracle deal on a Mazda 3 with the 2.5l engine. Or maybe I'll win the lottery...

 

[StiHacka]

The VW is going to cost you a few thousand over the next few years effectively as well. But it's also going to be more to insure, finance costs, etc. etc.

On the other hand, if you have a desire for VW ownership and that outweighs rational decisions (which I get--see my swim spa on deck saga ) then that's that.

Curious what you're basing you assessment of VW on. True if you decide to drive something stupid like a Phaeton or a Touareg. The Golf/Jetta line is fine. My friend has a wagon Jetta and has had zero issues with it.

 

[Westy]

The VW is going to cost you a few thousand over the next few years effectively as well. But it's also going to be more to insure, finance costs, etc. etc.

On the other hand, if you have a desire for VW ownership and that outweighs rational decisions (which I get--see my swim spa on deck saga ) then that's that.

A new engine would cost $5,000 to $10,000 to end up with a car worth $2,500 per KBB. Unless he finds a known good engine from a junkyard and knows a good shade tree mechanic who can do the swap for beer, it is a foolish endeavor.

 

[Toshi]

Curious what you're basing you assessment of VW on. True if you decide to drive something stupid like a Phaeton or a Touareg. The Golf/Jetta line is fine. My friend has a wagon Jetta and has had zero issues with it.

I guess they have come a ways since the Mk IV. Westy's hasn't fallen apart.

but those were just garbage from all accounts, no? Coil packs, windows falling down, lights always out on the ones I'd see...

(also note that one of my co-workers was stranded near the Eisenhower Tunnel in the past few weeks by some issue with his within-last-5-years Golf R.)

 

[Toshi]

A new engine would cost $5,000 to $10,000 to end up with a car worth $2,500 per KBB. Unless he finds a known good engine from a junkyard and knows a good shade tree mechanic who can do the swap for beer, it is a foolish endeavor.

Complete Engines for Toyota Matrix for sale | eBay

Get the best deals on Complete Engines for Toyota Matrix when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. Free shipping on many items | Browse your favorite brands | affordable prices.

www.ebay.com

 

[Westy]

Complete Engines for Toyota Matrix for sale | eBay

Get the best deals on Complete Engines for Toyota Matrix when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. Free shipping on many items | Browse your favorite brands | affordable prices.

www.ebay.com

Do toyota engines install themselves? And a used ebay engine is just an unknown variable, you could be installing the same problem right back into your car.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

Complete Engines for Toyota Matrix for sale | eBay

Get the best deals on Complete Engines for Toyota Matrix when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. Free shipping on many items | Browse your favorite brands | affordable prices.

www.ebay.com

Oh, yeah, an engine through eBay will be guaranteed great.

 

[StiHacka]

Do toyota engines install themselves?

Allegedly.

 

[canadmos]

Maybe ChatGPT can install it for me?

 

[Sandwich]

I'd get yourself another toyota and drive it for another 335000km....

Sometimes people that make the dumbest decisions have the best advice, just sayin.

I'd grab a last-gen rav4 and drive it forever if it were me. Maybe a hybrid. Easily the most problem-free 25k miles in any car I've ever had. Boring as dirt, reliable as dirt as well. Everything else I've owned has given me trouble, but the prius and rav4 just kept on trucking boring mile after boring mile.

 

[Westy]

Maybe ChatGPT can install it for me?

I bet Toshi would do it for you if you asked nicely.

 

[Toshi]

I bet Toshi would do it for you if you asked nicely.

@stoney likes to be handy when he's not busy cutting baseboards

some of those listings have warranties fwiw. $2500 all in vs. a whole-ass "new" car.

 

[maxyedor]

I'd get yourself another toyota and drive it for another 335000km....

I'm inclined to agree with Mr Wich on this one. If you're not picky about what you actually drive, just buy something cheap with known reliability, ideally something you can pay cash for, and drive it until it ceases driving anymore. When it's getting tired, start looking for another good deal.

 

[mandown]

wake up music

Been spinning them today. Fantastic. Thanks for posting this.

 

[stoney]

@stoney likes to be handy when he's not busy cutting baseboards

some of those listings have warranties fwiw. $2500 all in vs. a whole-ass "new" car.

No. I'm done working on cars.

 

[eric strt6]

That hurts bro The body is actually rust free, somehow. The underbody though is rusty, as you'd expect with a car from 2007 from around here.



You're right, its not the best time. I just can't see how it would be worth tossing a few grand at the car, when I know its lifetime is limited.

The VW Golf Sportwagens that I've found don't seem to be too bad of a deal, better than looking at any Toyota or similar car (for good reason, probably). They seem to range from $25-28k Canadian with mileage around 40000 miles. These are 4motion trim levels as well.

We have the golf tdi sport wagon it's been a awesome car to own and drive

 

[AngryMetalsmith]

I'd get yourself another toyota and drive it for another 335000km....

Sometimes people that make the dumbest decisions have the best advice, just sayin.

I'd grab a last-gen rav4 and drive it forever if it were me. Maybe a hybrid. Easily the most problem-free 25k miles in any car I've ever had. Boring as dirt, reliable as dirt as well. Everything else I've owned has given me trouble, but the prius and rav4 just kept on trucking boring mile after boring mile.

Drove an 87 Tercel for 11 years, couldn’t kill the thing.

The new Rav4 doesn’t even get it’s first oil change until 10,000 miles.

 

[Sandwich]

Drove an 87 Tercel for 11 years, couldn’t kill the thing.

The new Rav4 doesn’t even get it’s first oil change until 10,000 miles.

yep. I loved my alfa but even the difference in maintenance between the alfa and genesis are night and day. Geni doesn't need belts until like 100k miles. Alfa needed it at 30k. Not to mention all the other trash. My rav4 had more frequent oil changes (like 5k miles?) but it also didn't burn coolant at 35k miles. It certainly didn't drive like the Alfa, but it's far more ammenable to American driving habits.

 

[jimmydean]

Golfing in 26 degrees. Brrr. I can still feel the vibrations from a bladed Top Flite running through my forearms.

The greens were a bit firm.

 

[Adventurous]

The greens were a bit firm.

View attachment 188672

Local muni I'm guessing? Lots of establishments won't even let you walk on the grass if there's frost, nevermind keep the greens open.

Also, talk about a Sunday pin.

 

[jimmydean]

Local muni I'm guessing? Lots of establishments won't even let you walk on the grass if there's frost, nevermind keep the greens open.

Also, talk about a Sunday pin.

Yes, a short 9 hole setup on the edge of town that was flooded out until last weekend and today was first open (we were 3rd out). 3 5's, 3 4's and 3 3's for $17. They ask you stay off the practice green, but the other greens are fine. That's 9 just on the other side of McKay Creek. It floods every year at least once.

 

[StiHacka]

Nothing turdy about the ride today - balmy 36F, frozen fast dirt, bike is finally quiet like a dead hooker in Westy's basement. Was real nice, would bang again, so that's nice.

 

[jstuhlman]

Nothing turdy about the ride today - balmy 36F, frozen fast dirt, bike is finally quiet like a dead hooker in Westy's basement. Was real nice, would bang again, so that's nice.

you're probably gonna want to wait for a few days until your wind chills get of the negative double digits...but maybe you like that?

 

[StiHacka]

you're probably gonna want to wait for a few days until your wind chills get of the negative double digits...but maybe you like that?

I am planning to have my balls turned into icicles on Saturday morning.

 

[stevew]

Do toyota engines install themselves? And a used ebay engine is just an unknown variable, you could be installing the same problem right back into your car.

not all of their engines are the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow that some would have you believe....

some of the V6's in the 4runners blew head gaskets like subaru and vw flat fours...

 

[jimmydean]

some of the V6's in the 4runners blew head gaskets like subaru and vw flat fours...

All the early V6's from 88-94 were garbage. The 22R and efi 22RE are amazing.

 

[HardtailHack]

Curious what you're basing you assessment of VW on. True if you decide to drive something stupid like a Phaeton or a Touareg. The Golf/Jetta line is fine. My friend has a wagon Jetta and has had zero issues with it.

I have whinged about them more than enough on here, but, from maybe 5-6 friends with golfs or polos in the last ~10yrs, pretty sure only one of them has had a car that hasn't needed either a new engine or transmission inside the warranty period. Some have had two transmission Changes.
One needed a third engine at 5yrs and the owner was a mechanic who also owns old beetles, he said he'd never have another modern VW after his Golf as it was such a lemon. Another friend's was worse and was bought back by VW under the no lemon law.

People I know with Amaroks have done okay but two from three have had the electric water pumps fail and one cost 20k in repairs.
My sister's Toerag is still going strong but the mech that looks after that sounds like he's a wizard, he repairs stuff rather than replacing.

 

[canadmos]

I have whinged about them more than enough on here, but, from maybe 5-6 friends with golfs or polos in the last ~10yrs, pretty sure only one of them has had a car that hasn't needed either a new engine or transmission inside the warranty period. Some have had two transmission Changes.
One needed a third engine at 5yrs and the owner was a mechanic who also owns old beetles, he said he'd never have another modern VW after his Golf as it was such a lemon. Another friend's was worse and was bought back by VW under the no lemon law.

People I know with Amaroks have done okay but two from three have had the electric water pumps fail and one cost 20k in repairs.
My sister's Toerag is still going strong but the mech that looks after that sounds like he's a wizard, he repairs stuff rather than replacing.

You're in the upsidedown land though, how do you folks keep the oil in the oil pan?

 

[6thElement]

You're in the upsidedown land though, how do you folks keep the oil in the oil pan?

I was about to ask the same question, the heads must be on the bottom of the engine??

 

[Westy]

You're in the upsidedown land though, how do you folks keep the oil in the oil pan?

The Australian models only share a few components with what the rest of the world gets.