Hey guys !

I've did some research but I'd like to get some input from you car people !

I'm looking for a new car, I want something that's cheap on gas (I currently drive a diesel smart fortwo, so pretty much everything is expensive on gas from my point of view), comfortable (the roads are HORRIBLE where I live... Here's a picture of your typical Quebec roads:



Our potholes are known to actually pop airbags.. Anyway

so I want something comfortable. Heated seats, sun roof, etc..

I'm also a tall guy, so I don't want anything too small (forget the Toyota Matrix, and I won't fit into a Nissan sentra)

I did a testdrive on a 2006 Mercedes B200 Turbo (fully equipped) and totally fell in love with it. and I could get price that I think is okay for it (100 000km/13000$CND) Inspection came back A+, and there's no rust at all on the car.

The main drawback that I see is the high dealer maintenance cost, but I know a Mercedes mechanic. He's basically a friend of my in laws, so labor isn't really an issue (i.e: I won't sell out for the 250$ glorified oil change)

So what do you guys think about this particular vehicule ?

Thanks !

As much as i hate to say, a diesel Golf might be exactly what you are looking for. Im 6'3" and wide, and i actually have 2 seat positions left on the rail until its all the way back. I think they have heated seats too.

About the Mercedes, i have no opinion. I wouldnt touch one until im at least 45 years old.

Posted by big dave As much as i hate to say, a diesel Golf might be exactly what you are looking for. Im 6'3" and wide, and i actually have 2 seat positions left on the rail until its all the way back. I think they have heated seats too. About the Mercedes, i have no opinion. I wouldnt touch one until im at least 45 years old.

Too many bad experiences with Volkswagen.

EVERYONE that I know who own or owned a Volkswagen HATES the thing !

that too bad, because i assume they owned older VWs which arent known for being great by any means.
The b200? I cant get past the looks to be honest. but we each have our own flavour. (i get harassed because i have a kia soul)
im sure its comfortable and drives well though based on my mercedes experience.

not a volks guy myself but they have a lot of specialized VW garages in the montreal area. in fact, in the 80s one guy had enough balls to open across the street from intermonde VW in chateauguay! so i would lean towards volks.

Most people who hate VW usually have only owned a MK2 which they bought brand new and/or maintained it half ass at a regular garage. It pays to go to VW specific garage, and does not cost more.

Plus in Montreal you have V.A.G., DM Motorsport, Rombotis, etc, which although they are all more oriented towards tuning and have done stupid crazy project cars in the past, they are all extremely competent with VW/Audi, probably some of the best guys in Canada.

My vote goes to a MK5 Jetta TDI or hands down a MK6 Golf TDI if you can afford it. It has everything you are looking for, and they are extremely reliable. the days of the 90's are over folks.

Diesel Volkswagen all the way. The B class is so ugly it could have been designed by Nissan, and from what I've read, for a Mercedes they really aren't that well built.

My diesel VW is currently sitting at 608,000 km with no major repairs, my girlfriend's is at 380,000 and I see at least one car in my shop a day with over half a million (I'm a VW mechanic)

As Professor Chaos just said, its not the 90s anymore.

I agree with the board. VW all the way. Take that over a Merc anyday actually. Only "luxury" brands I care for a BMW or Caddys. But with what your looking for, a TDI Golf seems to fit the bill.

My Jetta has just under 390,000 trouble free KM on it, gets better MPG than a Smart car, and doesn't look like it was styled by a blind man like the B class. Mercedes usually builds classy looking cars, and the B class isn't one of them.

i'm not a VW guy, having seen too many that sucked, BUT the diesel VW's are pretty rugged and reliable and get RIDICULOUS mileage. A guy at work has a TDI Beetle (and gets shit about it all the time), but is turning in 46mpg around town and 57mpg on the highway... that's just absurd mileage!

and look at the poll... 7 guys have so far told you to forget the Mercedes. There must be something to it.

Posted by Samurai i'm not a VW guy, having seen too many that sucked, BUT the diesel VW's are pretty rugged and reliable and get RIDICULOUS mileage. A guy at work has a TDI Beetle (and gets shit about it all the time), but is turning in 46mpg around town and 57mpg on the highway... that's just absurd mileage! and look at the poll... 7 guys have so far told you to forget the Mercedes. There must be something to it.

and with sam and i the GM guys saying go VW i think you should take the advice, or by a police surplus impala

While I am not a fan of VW Interiors, I do like their engines and say go for the VW.

Posted by Mickael facepalm

German-made VW diesel = bulletproof

Posted by yokes German-made VW diesel = bulletproof

Unless its made in the Mexico plant

Posted by Agent Skelly Unless its made in the Mexico plant

Those fall apart when you look at them from 10 feet away. Arent all turbo VW cars made in Germany?

Posted by Agent Skelly Unless its made in the Mexico plant

I'm not sure how it could be German made in Mexico.

Well, what Jettas and New Beetles are made in the Puebla, Mexico plant? Dunno if they do engines there or not.

However, don't worry...the new VW plant they are building in Chattanooga, TN will also have a diesel engine assembly line

Posted by Agent Skelly Unless its made in the Mexico plant

You make my head hurt. The engines are built in Germany, and the Mexican assembled cars are just as good as any other VW. That's where my Beetle was made... the one with 600,000 km. It's FINE.

We specialise in VW here too and they the parts really dont cost more then an import or domestic and theyre easy to work on. MK4 especially.

Also stay away from VAG, and rombotis is more specialised in audis