Looking for a new daily commuter - Feedback welcome

[griz31]

Hey All,

I'm in the the market for a Daily Commuter as traffic in the DC area is just a nightmare. Really only looking for something with good gas mileage that gets me to work and back.

I have narrowed it down to the 2017 Civic LX (Likely sedan) and the 2017 Jetta S Automatic. Price being equal, what do you choose? Anyone in the same position or have one of these that can share some insight?

My Thoughts:

Interior: Civic felt like it had a slightly more sporty cockpit feel while the Jetta still felt very comfortable. Interior materials/features were better on the Civic - but I felt more at home in the VW being a German car. Verdict - Civic

Exterior: Im back and forth on the Civic, but ultimately I like the looks of the Jetta better. For a commuter though, exterior isnt a big deal. Verdict - Jetta

Performance: Jetta certainly had more punch and again was more familiar to me being a German car. I also liked they use real automatics not CVT. I was still impressed with the performance of the Civic and I know I can opt for the higher engine at a cost. Gas performance is comparable and will likely come down to how you drive it. Verdict - Jetta

So of the 3 categories, the Jetta wins out for me with the caveat being that Interior holds more weight given my purpose of the vehicle (commuter back and forth to work).

Anyways just wanted to gather your thoughts, thanks!

[KenB925]

You can get pretty killer deals on vws these days

A friend of mine has a new jetta, i've spent some time in it, it's nice, comfortable, i think i would take it over a civic, i'm not a fan of cvt either

[overcoil]

I sometimes drive a 2017 Honda HRV with CVT and I like the transmission.

[fbsm]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

I sometimes drive a 2017 Honda HRV with CVT and I like the transmission.

What do you like about it?

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by fbsm

What do you like about it?

The CVT is very smooth never senses it hunting for a gear.
I had read that CVT's wind out - that the rpm's build and the CVT makes buzz noise then the rpm's drop, but I don't notice anything like that.
This HRV is with cvt and awd, around 140 horsepower, gets great mpg and I think quiet.
Also when going up very steep inclines even reversing up steep inclines the car just has a sense that it needs very little throttle.

[CTinline-six]

My family has owned Hondas for years. With that said, I wouldn't buy a new one. Their current quality is a far cry from what it used to be. The new 1.5T engine in the Civic is also having fuel dilution issues with the oil. Some owners report so much fuel dilution their oil level actually rises on the dipstick. Honda basically tells them to pound sand. Combine all that with a CVT? F that. I'd get the Jetta.

[griz31]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

As it turns out - I was able to negotiate a much better deal on the Jetta so it was really no contest. In the end I'm happy the Jetta won out!

[KenB925]

[FriskyDingo]

My vote would have been Jettta, but I would have at least gotten an SE.

[Z K]

All the new Jettas have the 1.4 turbo engine. Unless you're getting a Civic EX-turbo, you will not have the same power as the Jetta.

I have a VW GLI ... basically a GTI in a Jetta sedan form. I chose it over the Civic because the Civic did not have lumbar support - and to get an equivalent sportiness in the Civic, I'd have to go for the Si... which only came in manual. The GLI comes with a twin clutch DSG transmission for getting through stop and go traffic jams. Not to mention it shifts super fast when you're pushing it.

I added a tune flash and it's now pushing 260hp with over 300 ft/lb of torque... makes for a fun commute and a sleeper for those stoplight getaways.

Only thing I don't like is, that the Jetta is looking pretty dated now with all the other cars being more updated and having upscale interiors. The Golf/GTI is way ahead of the Jetta/GLI in the interior. I think there will be a new model Jetta some time next year.

Oh, and remember resale values on VW suck... they lose 1/2 their value in 2 years. The only cars that drop faster in resale value are American cars.

[c1pher]

My only complaint with the GLI is it isn't on the MQB platform yet. Other than that it's a poor mans A3.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by MGM135is

My only complaint with the GLI is it isn't on the MQB platform yet. Other than that it's a poor mans A3.

Well, depends how you look at it. The GLI is larger than the A3. It's the same size as the outgoing B8 A4. Most of it is additional trunk space - it's huge and bigger than the A4 trunk. In terms of trim and cost, it's closer though (base A3 vs top trim GLI).

MQB will be coming soon. The current Jetta only has another year of production.

[c1pher]

Yeah I heard that! I have enjoyed Jettas in the past. Had an 07 GTI though. I am waiting on the new Golf R myself though so I can replace my Avalon.

[rickc007]

Can't really go wrong with a Honda, but I just a 2017 GTI
Get 40 MPG on highway, but it's peppy when you want

I absolutely LOVED my 2014 Jetta TDI before Dieselgate went down

Prefer VW styling to the Civic myself

[FriskyDingo]

Originally Posted by Z K

All the new Jettas have the 1.4 turbo engine. Unless you're getting a Civic EX-turbo, you will not have the same power as the Jetta.

I have a VW GLI ... basically a GTI in a Jetta sedan form. I chose it over the Civic because the Civic did not have lumbar support - and to get an equivalent sportiness in the Civic, I'd have to go for the Si... which only came in manual. The GLI comes with a twin clutch DSG transmission for getting through stop and go traffic jams. Not to mention it shifts super fast when you're pushing it.

I added a tune flash and it's now pushing 260hp with over 300 ft/lb of torque... makes for a fun commute and a sleeper for those stoplight getaways.

Only thing I don't like is, that the Jetta is looking pretty dated now with all the other cars being more updated and having upscale interiors. The Golf/GTI is way ahead of the Jetta/GLI in the interior. I think there will be a new model Jetta some time next year.

Oh, and remember resale values on VW suck... they lose 1/2 their value in 2 years. The only cars that drop faster in resale value are American cars.

I have a 2016 GTI, but have been giving thoughts to buying a GLI just because of how stupid cheap they are right now.

The GTI is much better dynamically, and my car has the E-LSD and upgraded brakes because it's Perf Pkg, but the GLI has full power seats standard, more rear seat room, and rides better.

With employee lease deal, I can lease a new GLI w/ $0 down for $240 a month w/ taxes on a 3yr/30,000 term. That's a lot of car for the money.

[griz31]

Originally Posted by Z K

Oh, and remember resale values on VW suck... they lose 1/2 their value in 2 years. The only cars that drop faster in resale value are American cars.

Originally Posted by FriskyDingo

With employee lease deal, I can lease a new GLI w/ $0 down for $240 a month w/ taxes on a 3yr/30,000 term. That's a lot of car for the money.

Residuals are crap but VW is making up for this by offering an almost negligible money factor. I went with the base model and got 15k/36months for 189. 0$ down (all fees/taxes rolled into cap cost) first month due at signing.

I like the GTI and the GLI would have been cool, but was really trying to minimize all costs for now having a second car. I'm not sure I could have come close to this deal with a Honda Fit much less the Civic.

I'm sure the Civic would have been great. The higher trim models would have been nice as well, but not necessary - and the base models tend to get better gas milage. So far - I am really happy with how it all turned out!

[Alfisti]

$189 all in???

That's a freakin steal.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

$189 all in???

That's a freakin steal.

A local dealer is offering this:

[Z K]

Originally Posted by FriskyDingo

I have a 2016 GTI, but have been giving thoughts to buying a GLI just because of how stupid cheap they are right now.

The GTI is much better dynamically, and my car has the E-LSD and upgraded brakes because it's Perf Pkg, but the GLI has full power seats standard, more rear seat room, and rides better.

With employee lease deal, I can lease a new GLI w/ $0 down for $240 a month w/ taxes on a 3yr/30,000 term. That's a lot of car for the money.

It's the Jetta's last year so they are trying to unload them. The performance package on the GTI has the real LSD which greatly improves performance. The GLI has the XDS which is the same as on the regular GTI... it works ok but nothing like a real LSD. The engine in the GTI is also different. The GTI engine puts out more power and torque stock and when tuned is a monster.

The interior quality is also much better on the GTI... the GLI has the same hard plastic interior panels as in the regular Jetta - except the GLI has a soft dash vs the hard plastic dash in the Jetta.

But as you said, the GLI is cheaper, roomier and has a softer ride over the GTI so it makes for a good every day car.

[griz31]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

$189 all in???

That's a freakin steal.

Yup all in - in Virginia too where they tax on full price. Thanks! I worked hard for this deal.

My first lease experience was with a BMW, and while I wouldn't say I got burned, I could have done much better. In the end I learned my lesson and really came prepared on this one. I probably saved myself over 3k from start to finish of negotiations.

All that to say there's deals to be had in the VW world as Z K also pointed out - though be careful as I came in on the 99$ for 1,000 down deal which in reality was nowhere close to the actual offer

[Alfisti]

$5 month?????????

You taking the piss or what?

Even with money down that's what, roughly $90 a month.

Strike me.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

$5 month?????????

You taking the piss or what?

Even with money down that's what, roughly $90 a month.

Strike me.

Well, if you look at the fine print, there's a bunch of fees and $500 more if you're not a recent college graduate. It works out to about $140 a month for 2 years all in. Still not bad!