Here we go again - It's time for the same old dance, with a new twist.
Well, it is that time again. My current lease on my 2007 VW Passat sedan will be coming to an end in May. New cars are starting to roll out, and not all of them fill my needs. Most either don't have a big enough trunk or don't have a big enough opening from the trunk into the passenger compartment to accommodate my equipment for my work. My current vehicle filled that very well as I could load a 6-ft ladder and the rest of my equipment and it would fit. The Passat gave me great handling, seating, carrying capacity, and the turbo 4 had great gas mileage and power. Alas, in 2011, the Passat will no longer be offered. Volkswagen will offer an enlarged Jetta to replace the Passat. It will come out at the end of September, but no turbo is offered at this writing. It is supposed to be offered next spring, and I will be out of my current lease by then, so the 2011 Jetta won't be considered at this time.
So, I am forced to adapt to something else. I went to the VW dealer in my town, not known for stellar deals and talked to a salesman there. He did not show me any other models. He had no 2010 Passats on the lot, and I probably won't get as good a deal on them if he did. Current year leases, under normal circumstances will get the best prices.
I went to the dealer in the next town over and started the dance anew. I started by looking at the 2010 Tiguan. It had a $40K sticker price and would not fit the bill of a sub-$300 lease payment. Also, the high mileage rating is 24 mpg, way below my current Passat at 30. So, an automatic pass.
I then thought about either the current Jetta (2010) or a GTI (2010 or 2011) with a Turbo and DSG Auto stick shift trans. We sat in a current Jetta and although my wife fits in the front seats, she hits her head on the ceiling in the back seats. We took a 2011 GTI for a ride and it handles great, and has lots of power. My wife fits front and back. It is offered in both a two- and four-door configuration. Even though the length of the car is the same for both models, the four-door will work better for me. However, that adds $2k to the price of the car, and cuts one mile off the higher mileage (increased weight). I will not be able to put a 6-ft ladder in this car. I also sometimes use a 4-ft ladder, and that will fit. It looks to have a great deal of carrying capacity, and although it is hard to hide my equipment in the car, it offers a much larger opening to put things in.
I told the salesperson I would buy (lease) the four-door GTI, either 2010 or 2011 (really the same car), for a maximum of $250/mo on a 36 mo lease before taxes with no down payment. My wife leased a 2008 Passat from them in Nov 2007 for $247! The salesperson did the old dance of going to her manager and coming back with a price of $357/mo + tax. I told her no, and said it was $250 or less per month, or no sale. She came back and said no deal. We left.
I have an 8-month window. A long time-frame. Lots of dealers to choose from. I will keep you posted as I work to get the car I want for the price I want to pay.
So, I am forced to adapt to something else. I went to the VW dealer in my town, not known for stellar deals and talked to a salesman there. He did not show me any other models. He had no 2010 Passats on the lot, and I probably won't get as good a deal on them if he did. Current year leases, under normal circumstances will get the best prices.
I went to the dealer in the next town over and started the dance anew. I started by looking at the 2010 Tiguan. It had a $40K sticker price and would not fit the bill of a sub-$300 lease payment. Also, the high mileage rating is 24 mpg, way below my current Passat at 30. So, an automatic pass.
I then thought about either the current Jetta (2010) or a GTI (2010 or 2011) with a Turbo and DSG Auto stick shift trans. We sat in a current Jetta and although my wife fits in the front seats, she hits her head on the ceiling in the back seats. We took a 2011 GTI for a ride and it handles great, and has lots of power. My wife fits front and back. It is offered in both a two- and four-door configuration. Even though the length of the car is the same for both models, the four-door will work better for me. However, that adds $2k to the price of the car, and cuts one mile off the higher mileage (increased weight). I will not be able to put a 6-ft ladder in this car. I also sometimes use a 4-ft ladder, and that will fit. It looks to have a great deal of carrying capacity, and although it is hard to hide my equipment in the car, it offers a much larger opening to put things in.
I told the salesperson I would buy (lease) the four-door GTI, either 2010 or 2011 (really the same car), for a maximum of $250/mo on a 36 mo lease before taxes with no down payment. My wife leased a 2008 Passat from them in Nov 2007 for $247! The salesperson did the old dance of going to her manager and coming back with a price of $357/mo + tax. I told her no, and said it was $250 or less per month, or no sale. She came back and said no deal. We left.
I have an 8-month window. A long time-frame. Lots of dealers to choose from. I will keep you posted as I work to get the car I want for the price I want to pay.
posted by archphoto at
9:13 AM
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