18th Sep 2012, 22:16

Not to bash VWs. I have an 03 Jetta TDI for commuting, but I also have a 1995 (17 years old) Ford 1/2 ton 4x4 with a 300ci (4.9L), which Ford no longer makes, with a 5 speed. Had it since day one. Has 137,000+, still gets 16 MPG. A/C makes you want to put a coat on, even if it's 100 degrees. The parts that have been replaced: shocks, main drive shaft u-joints, brakes, serpentine belt (twice), steering linkage and upper and lower ball joints, battery (once), original went 11 years, of course tires and wipers, heater core (twice), headlights and cyclops (middle) brake light bulbs, thermostat. Has original bench seat with no holes and original FoMoCo glass, but needs a windshield. No cracks, just pitted. Has original brake light and turn signal bulbs. The original clutch is starting to go, so that the flywheel, TO bearing, and pressure plate will be replaced soon. Gonna be needing shocks again, along with complete suspension components, all springs. Never been hit, but my better half dropped a 30lb rock on the left bed rail while rock hounding, and it is starting to get cancer on the right front fender. I expect it to go another 100,000 or more.

Love the Jetta, but it has 180,000+ and needs an oil pan, fuel pump, turbo, MAF sensor. Still drives though and gets 43 MPG, which is why I keep it, since I commute 43 miles one way, and it burns about 2 gallons a day, as opposed to 6 that the truck would. The truck is my winter commuter vehicle.