crazyasiantl

iTrader: (7)

well, my TL is getting old, and the miles are adding up (168k), so its car shopping time

here are my choices

2006-07 Civic Si Coupe with navi

2006 VW GTI

2006 TSX Navi

kinda want something with a lower ownership cost, better mileage, ect. im not sure how reliable the new VWs are, and the TSX would kinda put me where i am now. i drove an 07 Si yesterday and was impressed, though i havent driven stick in 3 years, so i couldnt find 6th lol.

what do you guys think among these three? anything else i should consider?

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Dude, sorry to hear it's time for you to leave the group. But you could keep it in the family with the Civic. How many miles are on it?

crazyasiantl

iTrader: (7)

the civic has 54k on it (highway miles) . private owner. he wants 12xxx for it. its adult owned, strictly commuter car

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

All of your choices are good options. But, I'd go with a car that had both a manual tranny + navi.

crazyasiantl

iTrader: (7)

heres the GTI i found
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

combat mediC

iTrader: (1)

Trust me bro, stay clear of the civic, it'll be fun at first, but going from the 4door to a tiny 2 door after a while will bother ya. I say keep it in the family TSX ftw.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

I like Princely's idea about the MT and Nav.

gr8ness97

iTrader: (5)

+ 3 when it comes to Nav and 6MT

alexSU

iTrader: (3)

A 6MT TSX sounds like a great choice. You can enjoy the ride and still have 4 doors. I don't think I could ever go back to a 2 door after the TL.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

TSX.

I loved Si in the beginning as well, but it has no torque at all....

mrmako

Legacy GT?
Mazdaspeed 6?
Audi A4?
BMW 3 series?

All of those can be had with an MT, and Navi. They are a lot more sporting than an Si or TSX.

crazyasiantl

iTrader: (7)

im kinda looking for something thats more on the economical side (fuel, ownership costs ect)

based on family experience with BMW, im staying away, and the local subie lot is kinda shady based on personal experience with my brothers WRX

i really like the GTI, but its the whole reliability and ownership cost with it im concerned about.

you cant go wrong with a Honda either

so idk, just need to do some more research

crazyasiantl

iTrader: (7)

and at this point, im not too picky if its stick or has navi, the gf and i bought a tom tom awhile back, so we always have that

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

garmin ftw

Will Y.

If it's a TSX, you'll want the manual transmission because it changes the character and feel of the car.

Your insurance may be significantly lower with the TSX (but check!), which also will have more of the luxo goodies than the Civic and VW.

is300eater

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

Get the TSX.

It will have lower insurance costs than the Civic.

crazyasiantl

iTrader: (7)

well right now, im paying 103/month for full coverage through State Farm

the Civic would be 122/month

the TSX would be 107/month

the GTI/dunno yet



i originally wanted a truck like my dads new prerunner, but just didnt seem practical when im paying my way through school and looking for my own place.

Gfaze

Well if that's the case then I'd stick with the TL. Assuming you're taking good care of it you should be able to rely on it all the way through school and then some. You're looking to pay rent along with a car payment while going to school? I'd avoid a car payment so I could afford something other than Top Ramen and cereal as my main sources of food.

On a side note, I'd also shop around for a lower insurance rate. I've got full coverage on my 2000 TL for about $80/month through Ameriprise Insurance (Costco).

crazyasiantl

iTrader: (7)

well, im paying on the TL right now, so if i can find something where the total cost (payment + insurance) is the same or a little more, im gunna get it

JediMindTricks

i'd go with the tsx.

vas25tl

Tsx

phee

iTrader: (5)

ur paying the tl?

and u want to sell a car u dont own to buy another car and make payments on it because of less money?

unless u have a rediculous interest rate on the tl u wont save money getting a newer car.

crazyasiantl

iTrader: (7)

im actually leaning towards the GTI right now. any reason why i shouldnt? its a first year if the redesign. has anyone had experience with a newer vw? ownerships costs, maintainance, parts, and mainly reliability?

i checked consumer reports, but you have to pay to look at the reviews. any other sites i should look at?

crazyasiantl

iTrader: (7)

my rate is 4.6, its almost paid off. im just ready for a newer car. something where i can row my own gears again. everyone has an si, the gti seems like something different

iTimmy

I would go with the TSX or a Si, I've owned both, and I really liked my TSX, but the Si is cheaper to own, and is a bit more fun as a drivers car... then again my Si is a sedan. When I picked up the Si I was thinking about a preowned TSX but decided against it because it just feels a little dated to me, it was a great car in it's time, but I had mine in 04 and it's 6 years later and the market has changed a lot. I like the GTI but I also have a MKIV and it was... well a MKIV and would leave a bad taste in most peoples mouths, I think VW has pulled their head out of their ass but I would still move cautiously. I guess I'm a little older but my insurance on the Si is hair over $50/month, I prepay for 6 months which is a small savings. I liked both the TSX and the Si but I have no regrets about not getting another TSX.

Have you considered a Mazda 3?

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

dude you said you are trying to get rid of your debt.

don't go with GTI. I'd go with TSX, I'd still say "generally" Honda > VW in terms of long term reliability.

myron

iTrader: (4)

I'd go with a GTI, love those cars and modding is endless.

subinf

I like the GTI

imj0257

iTrader: (1)

Tough decision, all great quality cars and each better than the others in their own little way. But I personally would go with the TSX.

HBaJ

GTi, seems like a good fit for you

Moog-Type-S

Tempting, but personally, I would stay away from the FSI engine.
The TSI engine is sooo much better.

Not to mention that the TSI takes stage 1 flash upgrades without having to replace anything.....oil changes are bit tough on the FSI if you do them yourself......and the FSI engine has cam follower issues....not a major thing, but something that you will have to keep an eye on, and replace as required.

If you want a MkV, save some coin and get a 2008.5 and up...and make sure it's a TSI engine.

crazyasiantl

iTrader: (7)

i think the reliability of a vw will always be in question. its too bad, cuz the gti is a great looking car. theres not much gtis in my area.

i think i would be better off with a honda at this point, maybe even a used mazda 3 grand touring

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

if you can get a decently priced TSX, you should definitely go for it. It's just like the best luxury and sporty sedan in the segment, imo. you'll probably keep it for a longgggggg time just by doing oil changes.

crazyasiantl

iTrader: (7)

so the tsi was only 2008.5 and up? is this the 1.8 or 2.0? as far as a tranny, would you 6speed or dsg? im assuming by your avi that you have one?

any reliability issues?

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

2.0t

Moog-Type-S

ZERO reliability issues.

Both the TSI and FSI engines are 2.0T engines.

TSI is the new version...among the things changed TSI went to timing chain versus the old belt, new location for oil filter, new air intake, Balance shafts in the center of the block in either side, fuel pump driven off a 4 lobe exhaust cam, new engine management, improved PCV system (proved to be problematic in the FSI), down pipe change.....and a few more things...but you get the idea.

I love manual transmissions....but I own the DSG.....and I gotta say that I absolutely love it!

crazyasiantl

iTrader: (7)

hmm, i could sell my car and go car-less for a couple months just to save some extra funds. my girlfriend will be studying abroad in march, so i could use her camry for the 2.5 months shes gone.

the si, is nice, but the GTI seems more appealing. im picky about the little stuff, and i hate the wipers on the new civics. the digital guages would take some getting used to too

Costco

After owning an Integra and being in the Honda tuner scene I'll never get a Civic or Integra ever again. I don't even live in a shady area, but its hard to sleep at night or not have the car on my mind if its parked somewhere downtown or at a friend's house. If you keep it bone stock, no wheels or suspension mods even I guess it won't matter, but if you do mod it then beware.

I say get the 6MT TSX, and GTI second. I have yet to take a detailed look at newer VWs but after working on a few MKIVs (which is allegedly a POS compared to the MKV) and going at some of the things VW does, I'm a little wary of them/

Gfaze

I usually read reviews at edmunds.com. If there's any issues you'll see them throughout the user reviews. That's how I found out about the tranny issues with the TL.

As far as reliability is concerned, VW seems to be making strides in the right direction. I'd say go for the GTI.