BUYING A NEW CAR, PART TWO |
May 29, 2004, 8:45pm
This is a continuation of my car buying saga. Part One is here.
So today was another round of test drives. First up was me looking at Civics one more time.
I'll say this about Civics. They are probably the best econobox on the road today. Reliable to the point of being bulletproof. Good (not great) speed. A fair amount of amenities inside the car. Less options than most US (Canadian) built cars because many of the Big Three's options are standard on a Civic. Good range of colours. Even things like upgrades that don't suck, like better wheels, etc.
But today, while driving to the dealerships, I counted over 20 different Civics before I stopped counting.
That isn't me. Well, a Civic Hybrid would be me (rare car, makes a statement, only those paying attention would notice), but it's off my list. No oomph under the hood, and the gas mileage numbers are very deceptive - even more than a normal gas car - the numbers they post are for total optimal driving. I've read on some websites that some hybrid owners get 30%+ worse mileage than the claimed amounts. Depends on their driving skills.
I was gravitating back towards the Jettas. I had a talk with a friend yesterday and he didn't believe the claims I read about the Jetta TDI models being very emissions friendly, so I did more research. Turned up many things. This page has lots of hard and real facts about diesel and the TDIs especially. And it's based on the 2003 and earlier models - the 2004s have even better emissions.
And I read this quote: "The TDi emissions levels are among the lowest ever for Diesel powered engines. All TDi powered Volkswagens sold in the US meet so-called "Tier 1" emission limits. The TDi is often "cleaner" overall than gasoline powered cars. CO2 emissions are about 20% less than a conventional gasoline powered engine. CO, HC and NOx emissions are less than previous Volkswagen Diesels. Diesel fuel has lower evaporative emissions than gasoline. Diesel fuel also requires less energy intensive refining than gasoline."
So it's good all around. I want to find the EPA and Canadian Emissions numbers - haven't found them yet.
So today, I went and test drove two more Jettas. One was a TDi Sport Edition Tiptronic Automatic (with Electronic Stabilization Program (option), sunroof and side air bag curtains, both options as well), the other was the GLS TDi Stick. I'm totally sold now on the Sports Edition. Here's some thoughts from today's test drive. - Noise At idle, standing outside of the car, it doesn't sound deisel-ish, but it still makes a muted knocking noise. Told this was standard with all car deisels. In the cabin with the windows up, no noise, but you feel the engine vibration, especially on the sports-tuned suspension on the Sports Edition - the GLS model had less vibe.
- Seating in the Sports Edition is sweet - it's an upgraded seat with major lumbar and side roll support - the seat totally hugs you. Bonus for me and my girth - I fit... barely. I felt extremely comfortable in these seats - even more so than the GLS with its more open and "softer" seat.
- Controls I love the layout and controls in the Jetta. Everything's easy to see, identify and use, except for the cruise control (which I didn't even try using) and the wiper controls - both are on sticks behind the steering wheel, and you can't see the witing on them from the driver's position unless you move around. But the other controls and dials - stereo, environment, power windows, locks, etc - all easy to use and see. Smart design. The 3 spoke leather steering wheel on the sports edition model blows away the four spoke pedestrian steering wheel on the GLS.
- Power The sports edition isn't a different engine or tuning than the GLS model, but it doesn't matter. You can totally feel the 177 ft/lb torque and when the turbo kicks in, I couldn't hear it, but I sure could feel it, both in the pedal an in minor G forces as the car lurches ahead. On our test drive today, we took it to S.E Marine Drive and drove up the huge hill that Boundary Rd goes up. I was jetting, passing, not a single problem or complaint from the car. On 95, I was doing 110 in the right lane in fifth, doing 2100rpms, and decided to try a speed pass. I dropped to fourth, got it up to 4,300 rpms, quickly (as in within seconds) had it up to 145 to pass, dropped it back into fifth and cruised.
- Handling I had three things working for me in this department. The sports-tuned suspension is noticably different from the GLS model. The bigger tires made a difference. And I tried the car with ESP enabled and disabled - it makes a difference in speed turns and also in dippy highway turns. On Hwy95, there's a fairly hard turn on the highway that is meant to be driven at 90kms. I took it at 125, no problems at all - the car seemed to relish the challenge. I even accelerated out of the turn and it was like the car was saying "yes please, may I have some more!".
Lastly, gas mileage. This means nothing really, but I put about 70kms on the sports model today. The tank was registering just a hair under half full when I left the dealer. When I pulled back in? A hair under half full. Sweet :)
So... end of month. Best time to get a deal from a dealer - they have quotas and all. But the TDIs are in demand now, being efficient on the juice. What to do. Sat down with the sales rep, had a long talk, then wrote a number down on paper saying this is my absolute top end payment, everything included (incl. taxes, freight, etc); Said that was my top price for the fully loaded, all extras included Jetta TDI sports model in Platinum Gray, Tiptronic. It was about $2,900 below "list price". They hemmed. Hawwwed. Went to speak to the boss. Twice. Came back said "we can do it for $250 more than your price". I said "So, start telling me about your used cars...". Went back to the boss a third time. Came back "Cash deal?" the sales rep said. "Yep. Me coming in with a big fat cheque.".
Tentative deal.
I left a $1,000 deposit on the car, now it's time for them to get it in to PDI, for me to do one final test drive on *my* future car and a final inspection; then I go to the bank, get the final loan done, and head to the dealer, check in hand, and an hour later, walk out.
So, if all things work out, looks like I may have a new ride by Wednesday.
Sweet :)
Previous Ten Daily Rants |
Title |
Date |
Comments |
The continued fallout on auto gratuities |
5:35pm, 08/09 |
3 |
Final thougths on price gouging, auto gratuities coming soon |
12:50am, 03/04 |
1 |
The Real Reasons for Olympics Auto Gratuities |
7:20pm, 02/19 |
10 |
Vancouver Olympics - Nice Prices, Profiteer (gouger) Restaurant Listings |
12:15am, 02/18 |
9 |
More on Auto Gratuities |
6:45pm, 02/16 |
4 |
Price Gouging in Vancouver During Olympics (and Price Heroes!) |
12:20am, 02/16 |
25 |
Ideal Mac (or any pc) netbook.... |
8:05pm, 12/22 |
1 |
NetMacBook Hackintosh Update |
12:20am, 12/20 |
1 |
NetMac... er Hackintosh... er NetMacBook. Yeah |
5:20pm, 12/17 |
4 |
Balance Board Wii Game I'd like to see - Boxing! |
4:00pm, 07/26 |
0 |

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Mixelania Photos from Algonquin Park Photos from my trip to Algonquin Park this fall with my Mom and two brothers. War Stories Making Snow for the Fortress One of the worst jobs I ever had... till I got out. Webiffied Tools I Use The tools I use to build websites and lead a tech life.
iPod and iTunes Offline iMark's iTunes and iPod isn't iPlaying anything right iNow. Most Recent Songs Fiddlers Green by The Tragically Hip Around The Bend by Pearl Jam Here With Me (Rollo's Chillin' With the Family Mix) by Dido With arms open wide by Creed truffle pigs by Matthew Good Band
In the News
Burundi and Beyond - NY Times
Great article by Peter Meehan - provided some background.
St. Petersburg Times
Side mention in an article about good machines
AP Story on Espresso
Background and information provided
NY Times - Grinders Article
Especially proud of this one - got the reporter to focus on grinders
Globe and Mail
LOL - showing bad reporting, dude says I'm an American-based site!
The Olympian, WA
Talks about my love for the El Sal Siberia Pacamara
Seattle Times - Clover
Interviewed for comments on the Clover brewer
NY Times - How it Works
Background and information for various espresso machines
Time Mag Article
Just a brief mention, article about roasting beans.
NY Times
Front page article about consumers getting into specialty coffee.
Washington Monthly
Quoted reference to what I wrote in an article at CoffeeGeek.
USA Today - Barista Jam
Intereviewed for my thoughts on what the epitome of espresso is.
WSJ Article
The Wall Street Journal has interviewed me 3 times. This is the first time my name got in a story.
Reuters Interview
Interview with Reuters, Jan 2 - this is the USA Today version.
My Other Stuff
CoffeeGeek
Launched Dec 22, 2001, this is THE online community for espresso and coffee fanatics.
CoffeeKid Website
It's all new, as of March, 2002. My personal coffee obsession site.
WebMotif Services
My company's site - needs an update!
Amazon WishList
Hey, if you feel the need to buy me something, check here!
Daily Visits
enGadget
Great gadget site run by the guy who used to do Gizmodo.
Google News
This is how I get my daily news fix.
DPReview Forums`
The most active forums for digital photography online today.
Daily Zen
Need my Daily Zen fix!
Jalopnik
A blog about car stuff. Vroom Vroom.
MoCo Loco
An industrial design blog. Very cool stuff.
Friends and Family Plan
Beata Blog
Beata's got her own blog! She updates it most days.
Riddla on Flickr
Matt Riddle's flickr account, updated regularly
Irdy Photos
Irdy, my friend from Jakharta, on Flickr
Recent Acquisitions
Canon EF 24-105 f4 L Lens
The best lens I've ever owned. Super sharp and quick.
Canon 5D
A full frame dSLR, with luscious colour reproduction.
Alzo Digital Lights
Some amazing florescent cold lights for product photography
Canon Xsi dSLR
Amazing technology and image quality in a tiny package.
Canon 40D
Latest prosumer camera from Canon - a much better upgrade than the 30D
Fujitsu P1610
Great 2.2lb computer that does most of my travel / writing needs
28mm f1.8 Lens
A great lens for closeup work and full picture photography
Foodsaver Advanced
Finally got the right tools for freezing green coffee.
Canon 50mm 1.4
Most amazing lens I've ever owned. Produces stellar photos.
Canon 10-22mm
Super wide angle (full frame fisheye) zoom for my Canon 20D
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