i currently own a 2000 VW New Beetle TDI.
but I have had a LOT (grrr) of maintenance problems with it in the last couple months, and frankly am ready to turn it in for a more reliable, fun, speedy car.

i am going to the dealership tonight to look at 2003 WRX Wagon (so glad wagons are cool again). and was wondering what WRX owners out there have been paying for scheduled maintenance (oil changes, etc). also, how expensive are common repairs (ie new brakes, etc).

any one had any problems with this car? from what i hear, it's VERY reliable. what's your experience been? i'd love to know.

also, what are people near detroit paying for the WRX wagon? would i be laughed out of the dealership if i asked for a couple hundred over invoice?

p.s. i saw the new 2004 impreza WRX wagon and the STi at the Detroit autoshow today and it rocks! woohoo. i almost climbed the barrier to sit in the STi but decided jail = bad.

 

I have a Jetta TDI and although I haven't had problems with it like you have, I would like to get a WRX as well. What kind of problems/mileage/ and mods to you have?

 

i've had my beetle tdi three years.
i've got 55,000 miles on it.

as for problems: i've had the airbags replaced in the car six times since i got it three years ago due to "high resistance". this has been under warranty, but still, that's 2-3 days every time that i'm without a vehicle, and inconvenienced.

and in the past three months, the glovebox broke ($200 to repair/replace), the window switch broke ($100), the rear brakes needed replaced ($400), the rear shocks needed to be replaced ($500), the front brakes needed to be replaced ($400).

i don't know...the brakes i can understand. that's normal wear for my miles. but the rear shocks? that's a bunch of bunk. everyone i've talked to said that is crazy.

so for a car that i still have two years left to pay on, i just think the amount of repairs (and the high cost of them!) is a little hard to take.

so that's the story.

p.s. i went to a subaru dealer last night and they only offered me $7500 for my VW Beetle TDi. that's seems very low to me and they weren't willing to budge at ALL. (i have a 5-speed, heated leater seats, power moonroof, 6 disc changer, alloy wheels). does that seem like crap? kbb says i should get about $8200 for my trade-in.

 

I changed the stock shocks on my Jetta TDI and put in Bilstein HD's. They've been great. The rear brakes on our cars are known to wear fast, but I think if you got 55,000 miles out of them its not too bad.

Take the price you paid for the car subtract the trade-in value and divide that number by the number of months you've owned the car. If you're happy with that number then trade it in. If it's too high then you might want to keep the car for another 2 years. The money you save on gas with the TDI will more than pay for all the repairs you need. Don't forget that the WRX will probably need similar services at 50,000 miles too.

I'm in the same situation as you. For example I paid 22,000 for my Jetta and I've owned it for 24 months or so. If I get 10,500 for a trade that means it actually cost me $480 a month to drive that car for 2 years, that seems a bit high to me and it's making me want to wait. Especially since the WRX is getting remodeled soon and the STi is comming out. I bet if we hold off for another year or so it will make more sense. But I really want a WRX!!!!!

Decisions....