"new" car dilemma

[darknight]

Currently drive an early 2000's vw jetta (5 spd, TDI). Being a diesel it gets 40 mpg driving fast/slow doesn't matter. Only 150k miles on it, already have snow tires for it and have owned the car for 2 years. It's fun to drive, relatively safe. 2 things, it has a crunched in corner that gives it a "high schooler" look, and it has potential for 2-3k in repairs in the next year (slipping clutch and turbo is making a little noise). I use the car for work and always try to park the better looking side towards the office i'm visiting haha.

I love the car. So fun to drive. Easy to park. HOWEVER.. the coming repairs plus the 2 littles in the backseat are slowly running out of room make me think it's time to look for a "new" car. With the terrible market for used cars I haven't looked for one to replace the VW. However one of my clients is selling his used Cadillac (2008 DTS) and I could snag it below even blue book value. It's a 2008 (5 years newer than the VW), better safety ratings, better reliability than earlier Cadillacs, 70k miles on it, been parked under cover and retiree maintained/owned.

I would normally say "NO!!" but.. The VW is ready for re-registration this month, needs snow tires mounted, and won't get any bigger. I'm over 6 ft and can only scoot the seat up so far! The cadillac would cost $7500 and has new tires. I could sell my VW as-is for $3k (purchased 2 years ago for far less!), maybe more. I hate the idea of a fancy car, but it's fully depreciated, would look better showing up to business meeting not in a crunched VW, and has a lot more room.

Obviously it would be all cash no financing, liability only on the car.


TL:DR

Sell Diesel Jetta that is running small and may incur up to $3k in repairs in the next year with turbo and clutch (it already slips) - and buy a $7.5k cadillac that's in mint condition for below blue book?

Any feedback appreciated. I'm all ears

[alsoknownasDean]

That Caddy uses the Northstar engine, doesn't it? Hopefully the head gasket issues with newer models were fixed by 2008.

Sounds like it's time to replace the Jetta, but maybe something like a Camry is a better choice.

[HipGnosis]

My nephew had a caddi of that era - one of the computers for the dash went out - he spent 3 yrs trying to find one and ended up selling the car as-is.
My Ford Fusion hybrid gave me 130K trouble free miles.  The drive train was designed and made in a deal with Toyota. 

[volleyballer]

"No Dice", as they say on jalopnik. I wouldn't touch a GM from the aughts with a 10 foot pole. Not to mention a fancy one with more things to go wrong.

Signed, the former owner of a GM vehicle from the aughts.

I am still astounded by how much more reliable my Toyotas have been in comparison. Granted, my GM was the ecotec 2.0 supercharged and I drove it like a 20-something year old guy would, but still, I had so many problems such as wheel bearings (so, many, wheel bearings), timing chain pulley bolt sheared off (somehow luckily the engine didn't jump timing), leaky runroof, random engine blips that sent it into "limp mode" , it was getting ridiculous.

The Toyotas just run. My wife and I have had an 05, 13, and 14 cars, and they just run.

[Loretta]

I have a soft spot for Caddies so I’m a yes.  Your small pax will appreciate it and a Caddy screams success when you park!  :)

[RWD]

That Caddy uses the Northstar engine, doesn't it? Hopefully the head gasket issues with newer models were fixed by 2008.

Supposed to be fixed on 2000 model years and newer. The DTS in particular is supposed to have slightly higher than average reliability.

The DTS gets very bad fuel economy, twice the cost a 2001 Jetta TDI. Personally I would be looking for something cheaper to run if you're getting turned off by what appears to just be regular maintenance on your VW. Maybe an EV would be better (very little to go wrong on those).

I also noticed you said you've only had the VW for 2 years. Did you not anticipate running costs, the seating position, and your growing family when you bought it? Whatever vehicle you get next try to find something that would last you more than 2 years.

[yachi]

I had a 13 year old GM Fancy pants Oldsmobile car in high school and college.  After 6 years or so, the LCD speed display would not work most of the time, the horn was relocated to a button, the power driver seat was locked in place because of a short, the power antenna was taped into place and its motor disconnected (because it would only retract, not extend it anymore).  It was a good car that served me well, but I never seriously considered it an impressive car to show up in for meetings, just a normal college student car.

This, however, sounds very complainy pants:

needs snow tires mounted

If you use snow tires, this happens ever year.  It's like listing that your car needs vacuumed or the gas tank needs filled as a reason for a new car.  I used snow tires on a front wheel drive econocar, and it was awesome.  It handled great, but you shouldn't consider them a reason to get a new car.

[darknight]

I had a 13 year old GM Fancy pants Oldsmobile car in high school and college.  After 6 years or so, the LCD speed display would not work most of the time, the horn was relocated to a button, the power driver seat was locked in place because of a short, the power antenna was taped into place and its motor disconnected (because it would only retract, not extend it anymore).  It was a good car that served me well, but I never seriously considered it an impressive car to show up in for meetings, just a normal college student car.

This, however, sounds very complainy pants:

needs snow tires mounted

If you use snow tires, this happens ever year.  It's like listing that your car needs vacuumed or the gas tank needs filled as a reason for a new car.  I used snow tires on a front wheel drive econocar, and it was awesome.  It handled great, but you shouldn't consider them a reason to get a new car.

Good to know, thank you for the feedback and I personally don't find GM body cars "cool" maybe just not crunched in as my jetta.

I hate the complanypants! haha.

My angle was actually this- if I sell the Jetta this month I wouldn't have to pay the mandatory yearly relicense fee AND $50 to mount the tires. I already have them purchased.
I've personally replaced the skidplate, cabin and air filters, replaced the thermostat housing and thermostat, replaced the glass on the headlights, new complete suspension in the rear, wired in a flat 4 tow harness, added a towing hitch, replace the front axle shaft, drained the tank of gasoline (when wife filled it with 89 octane oops haha) fuel filter, 3 oil changes on it.

I'm not opposed to working on it, I also detailed cars for a couple years while going to school.. I love vacuuming the car!

[darknight]

That Caddy uses the Northstar engine, doesn't it? Hopefully the head gasket issues with newer models were fixed by 2008.

Sounds like it's time to replace the Jetta, but maybe something like a Camry is a better choice.

I bought the car to run for YEARS and it will, but it's just running out of room sooner than expected. I'd agree it's time to replace it, and a Camry would probably be perfect

[darknight]

That Caddy uses the Northstar engine, doesn't it? Hopefully the head gasket issues with newer models were fixed by 2008.

Supposed to be fixed on 2000 model years and newer. The DTS in particular is supposed to have slightly higher than average reliability.

The DTS gets very bad fuel economy, twice the cost a 2001 Jetta TDI. Personally I would be looking for something cheaper to run if you're getting turned off by what appears to just be regular maintenance on your VW. Maybe an EV would be better (very little to go wrong on those).

I also noticed you said you've only had the VW for 2 years. Did you not anticipate running costs, the seating position, and your growing family when you bought it? Whatever vehicle you get next try to find something that would last you more than 2 years.

I was very turned off by the idea at first. My grandpa had an early 2000's DHS that had headgasket issues. Sounds like 06 and newer had a much better head bolt system.

I bought needing a bit of TLC and for stupid cheap. I figured it would be a good run around car I could put a little elbow grease in and not lose money. Also, didn't think I'd run out of room so quick! I'll consider what would work for us for a long-term runner. Thanks for the feedback

[Askel]

Always remember: "The Japanese build a fine automobile, but GMs run like shit forever." 

Nobody exemplifies this more than Cadillac.   

If a preponderance of weird hard to solve problems that make the car annoying but not totally undriveable is your thing, you'll hit the jackpot with that Caddy. :D 

[BlueMR2]

IMO, the proper response to a used Caddy is the same as to a used BMW - "RUN AWAY!".  Very cool cars when new, but tend to accumulate all kinds of gremlins and are basically worn out after about 6 years.  Too much bleeding edge tech goes into them.

[darknight]

I appreciate the feedback, I'm going to re-arrange the kid's seating position (one going out of a 5 point) to the other side and it will buy us some time. Going to pass on the caddy, despite the cruising comfort (luxury is just another weakness)