I’m 26 with a wife and a house. We live very comfortably due to my wife’s frugality which will play into my question. She owns a 2018 Kia Forte LX she got in high school brand new which I tried to convince her otherwise but she listened to her parents/owner of the dealership whom their family knows. She has it paid off now and 36k miles. I own a 2013 VW Jetta 2.5L with 101k miles that I paid off (given to me by my mother to take over the payments, she’s the best). It has no mechanical issues besides headlights going out more often than normal (in my opinion).
My question is does Scotty or anyone else for that matter think it would be wise to move on from the VW Jetta considering the negatives surrounding the brand? I was given a “good deal” from a local Mazda dealer who (with the help of my dad) will order me a new 2023 Mazda 3 for $1000 off MSRP. We can afford the payments easily. Anyone think I should make the change? Any advice would be appreciated.
I would definitely get rid of the jet. I'm not a Korean car fan but that's very low mileage and they don't have problems still quite some time after that. But the Volkswagen they all turn into endless money pits as they age
Thanks a bunch Scotty. Pretty much the answer I expected but I’m glad to hear it straight from you! I appreciate your work.
Id get out of the Jetta, that's typically when they start needing all different kinds of crap. Just road test the Mazda first. It'll probably feel alot different compared to your Jetta, you may not like the way the Mazda 3 drives.
I did road test it to be sure and I enjoyed the ride a lot actually. Thanks for the advice!
2018 Kia Forte LX (...) She has it paid off now and 36k miles
I'm guessing that's the 2nd generation Forte with the safety refresh, the 2.0L G4NH MPi and 6 speed conventional automatic?
If so, she hit the Kia lottery! Other than some glitches with the ECM, that's one of their best powertrains.
If she drives 6,000-7,500 miles a year, just keep it - you can probably get much more out of it.
(if it's the T-GDi, GDi, iVT - then yeah consider getting something better before that one hits 60k)
2013 VW Jetta 2.5L with 101k miles that I paid off
It's not too bad either, not one of those newer piles of garbage with TSI and DSG.
But definitely consider replacing it with something Japanese at some point down the line.
move on from the VW Jetta (...) 2023 Mazda 3 for $1000 off MSRP
I mean sure ~$21k is not bad,
personally I'd recommend a Corolla hybrid but eh the Mazda3 drives and feels better even if you're trading off reliability.
Just make sure you test drive it, some people really dislike Mazda's 6 speed automatic.
Thanks a lot, Dan! After digging on the internet with her VIN# I believe she has a 2.0L L4 DOHC 16V whether or not that is the same engine you suggested, I’m not too sure. Hopefully it is so it can give me peace of mind rather than begging her to consider moving on to a Japanese manufacturer.
Also, I test drove the Mazda 3 and loved it.
It’s funny you mentioned the 21k price point because I forgot to mention it would be the Preferred trim level. So I’m moving from 26k price range down to the 25k price range.
Luckily we have no kids and not a lot of debt and half of the money down. So I feel comfortable with that price range! The corolla would have been my first choice but I cannot get over the CVT. I was really stuck between the two for about a month of researching/test driving and deciding whether or not to sell my Jetta.
Appreciate the feedback!!
I stand corrected, her engine is the 2.0L 1999cc 122ci GAS MFI vin 7 - 4 valve DOHC*
Well it depends a lot, the G4NA is pretty crappy, while the G4NH is pretty good - both are 1999cc.
On these models the engine model is written where the starter is mounted, near the transmission bell housing.
The main thing to be concerned about is if it has an iVT (pure crap) or the 6 speed automatic is a very good transmission - the easiest way to check is looking under the car. The 6AT has a black plastic front while the iVT has a black metal bottom (but if you had the CVT, you'd probably know)
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Anyhow, it's time to replace the fluid in the AT.
Thanks Dan!