Help me pick out a used car

I'm looking at either a 1999 Jetta GLS or 1999 Honda Accord LX Sedan. Both are similar in price.


Which would you buy?

I think it would depend upon the features of the car though.

it's a fine vehicle and an excellent ride.







Tikki

Volkswagens, espically the Jetta have very poor reliability records according to Consumer Reports.

I drive a Jetta right now. Love it. I have driven a Honda before. It was good. The problem on the Jetta is I would not want to be driving it without the incredible service plan I have right now. Repairs on it are a bear when they are needed. Right now I do not have to pay for it. I like that.

If you can get the Jetta with service of some sort it is a great car. If not you may want to find out what service is like on the Honda.

However, I am prejudiced against VWs. Never met or drove one I liked, not for what they charge. YMMV.

My first car was an 89 accord. I got it when it was 9 years old and used it for 2 years with not a single problem. I know the person that has it now and it is still running like a dream. My second (and current) car is a 00 civic. I commute 70 miles a day 5 days a week and haven't kept up with maintenance as well as I probably should (those major mileage services are expensive for a college student), but I've never had any problems. I'm pretty sure I'll always drive a Honda- I'm starting the process of getting a Honda Insight (hybrid). Yes I'm biased in favor of them, but just because my whole family has driven them and none of us have ever had any major problems or complaints. :)

And it also has a much higher Consumer Reports quality rating. VW's are nice, but for the past ten years they haven't exactly gotten rave reviews for long term quality.

The theft rate for the 99 Accord is about one order of ten higher than the VW, but the cost of repair is also lower because there are more of them on the road. For total cost of ownership, you will spend less if you buy the Honda, unless the mileage is so high compared to the VW that it just doesn't make any sense.

Sorry, my first car was a VW rabbit convertible, and I loved it. They aren't making them like that anymore, and it pains me to recommend something else.

:thumbsup:

Cheaper to maintain and has a better record for longevity.

Have you paid the $20 or so to run CARFAX histories on the cars?

It's well worth the investment to know the reported history of the vehicle. If it's been wrecked, flooded, or the subject of serious repairs, it should show up on Carfax.

Of the two, I'd get the Accord. It's just a nicer, more reliable car and it's safer.