Category Archives: Volkswagen – DO NOT USE

New Passat is larger, cheaper, than previous model

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Posted in Volkswagen - DO NOT USE

Volkswagen has unveiled their 2012 Passat, set to debut in the fall, and it appears that the vehicle will be selling at a much cheaper price point than its predecessor.

With an expected MSRP of around $20,000, the new Passat represents a major change for the German automaker – the midsize sedan is nearly $7,000 less expensive than the previous version. This should help the car compete in the highly-competitive midsize segment, which includes best-sellers like the Toyota Camary, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata.

In addition, Volkswagen has also made the car quite a bit bigger, taking into account the criticism leveled at the previous model for being a bit too snug. The car is now three inches longer, with the wheelbase sporting an extra four inches (presumably they shortened the front or rear end to get to three inches total). The result is an extra six cubic feet on the interior, making the car quite roomy.

"The 2012 Passat is a true Volkswagen, offering German engineering, class-leading standard features, and superior fuel economy, all for a remarkable value," said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO of Volkswagen's American branch.

The new Passat might be cheaper than its predecessor, but drivers who are really looking for value would do well to wait until the model hits the used car market. In the meantime, New Jersey State Auto Auction offers a wide variety of cars for sale at reasonable prices.

The cars women love

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Posted in General Auto News, Honda - DO NOT USE, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen - DO NOT USE

Although making up over 50 percent of the US population, women only account for 36% of new car sales. A recent study by TrueCar.com revealed what women are looking for when they buy a car.

The answer appears to be a mix of style, fuel efficiency, affordability and space, according to the Los Angeles Times. Although the top seller for women was the Volkswagen Beetle, small crossovers led the way in the rest of the study – the Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, for example.

Stereotypically, cars are still thought of as a “male” interest, and in many ways they are, especially among exotic car buyers. The study put most pickup truck purchasers at over 80 percent male, and brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini rise to around 95 percent male, with Bugatti actually at 100 percent.

The study looked at the registrations of over 13 million new US vehicles to determine the statistics. Other popular models among women included the Nissan Sentra and Volvo S40. The top female brand was Kia with 45.8 percent, followed closely by Suzuki and Mini, clearly illustrating the desire for affordable vehicles.

Women who want to save on their vehicle purchase should look on the used market. Late-mode used Nissan models like the Rogue, for example, can be found at a steep discount off the manufacturer’s sticker price.

Volkswagen Touareg and Suzuki SX4: Two of the best winter cars of the road today

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Posted in General Auto News, Suzuki - DO NOT USE, Volkswagen - DO NOT USE

The recent snowstorms that have hammered the east coast are a nagging reminder that winter is still very much upon us. However, consumers in the market for a used car in New York or New Jersey should know that winter driving doesn’t need to be a bore.

The folks at AutoWeek.com recently unveiled their Top 10 Best Snow Cars list, reminding us all that with the right equipment, winter traveling can still be a safe, yet exciting adventure.

One of the cars at the top of that list is the Volkswagen Touareg TDI, the German automaker’s first entry into the sports utility vehicle segment.

The Volkswagen Touareg offers a unique mix of luxury, exceptional road performance and remarkable off-road capability. The 2006 model received a 3.6-liter FSI V6 engine, replacing the 3.2-liter V6 that came standard in the previous year, according to MSN Autos.

Those looking to do some off-road driving in winter conditions may want to check out the Touareg TDI, which is powered by a 5.0-liter V10 twin-turbocharged diesel engine that is capable of delivering 310 horsepower and 533 pound-feet of torque.

All Touaregs are equipped with an all-wheel-drive system that is designed for severe road conditions. Anti-lock brakes and an anti-skid system both come standard on each 2006 model. Also, each seating row includes front and curtain side airbags.

The 2006 Touareg possesses a strong physiology, say Edmunds.com. “Not strong in the old-fashioned, live-axles-at-either-end, give-me-your-worst sense, but strong as in carefully engineered using today’s technology to take on such conditions as rush-hour traffic in the city, steep off-road trails in the mountains and everything in between in an unflappable manner.”

For those car buyers that are looking for a smaller, less expensive used car that can handle the winter roads, the Suzuki SX4 might be the right vehicle for you.

The 2007 Suzuki SX4 replaced the previous year’s larger and more costly Aerio SX. It is equipped with a four-cylinder engine capable of producing 143 horsepower and 136 pound-feet of torque, making it one of the more powerful subcompacts in its class.

“For those on a tight budget, Suzuki happily points out that the SX4 is the least expensive new car you can buy with all-wheel drive,” said Edmunds in 2007. It also has plenty of interior room, a long powertrain warranty and available stability control.

Miata, Mustang and Beetle: The most affordable used convertibles on the road today

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Posted in Ford, Mazda - DO NOT USE, Volkswagen - DO NOT USE

With spring just around the corner, the national interest level in convertible vehicles is sure to rise. Consumers in the market for a moderately priced used convertible in New Jersey may want to take a look at the Volkswagen New Beetle, the Mazda Miata and the Ford Mustang Convertible, three of the most affordable drop top cars manufactured in 2003.

The Volkswagen Beetle is the most moderately priced car in its class. The long-awaited convertible version reappeared on the scene in 2003 after a 6-year hiatus. It features a power-folding cloth top, a rollover protection system and a six-speed automatic transmission, the first of its kind in convertibles costing less than $30,000, according to Edmunds.com.

The New Beetle is more of a cruising vehicle. With a standard 115-horsepower, ULEV-certified 2.0-liter V4 engine, it goes from 0-60 miles per hour in about 11 seconds, Inside Line reports.

For car buyers looking for a bit more power, the convertible can be purchased as a performance-oriented 180-horsepower Turbo S, which is available as a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic.

“The Beetle offers a unique combination of safety, fun and upscale features for its price range,” reports the news source. In 2003, a brand new Beetle convertible was priced at $21,025, making it the least expensive drop top on the market.

The 2003 Mazda Miata is a 2-seat sports car that comes standard with a manual folding soft top, although a removable hard top is available.

Introduced in the late spring of ’03 were three new versions of the Miata. The Club Sport, which is designed for racing enthusiasts, has no power steering or air conditioning. Mazda also rolled out the Shinsen version and the LS – two higher end models with unique trim.

All three Miatas come with a 142-horsepower 4-cylinder engine with a 5-speed manual transmission or an optional 4-speed automatic.

“It is more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow,” says Edmunds. “The Miata defines the spirit of the modern roadster.” In 2003, a new Mazda Miata cost $22,363.

Falling just behind the Miata in terms of price is the 2003 Ford Mustang Convertible, which is “an absolute hoot to drive,” says Automotive.com. “The Mustang is fun to drive, fun to be seen in, quick, fast, and pretty loud, with excellent handling.”

The base Mustang comes with a 190-horsepower 3.8-liter V6, but the higher end GT model is available with a 260-horsepower 4.6-liter V8, making it one of the most powerful convertibles in its class. Car buyers can choose from a five-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic.

The 2003 Ford Mustang Convertible is a bit dated in the interior and isn’t as easy on the eyes as the Miata or Beetle, but it offers a stronger on-road performance. Brand new Mustangs in 2003 cost just over $24,000.

Volkswagen unveils last edition of new Beetle

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Posted in Volkswagen - DO NOT USE

Used Volkswagen Beetles in New Jersey are sure to become collector’s items after last month’s LA Auto Show where the final edition of the vehicle was unveiled.

Volkswagen said goodbye to the current generation Beetle with the production of 1,500 models with “final edition” badges and individually numbered plates, according to Inside Line.

The new Beetle was introduced in 1998 and has attracted a strong audience over the last decade.

In 2006, Volkswagen made several improvements to the line including new front and rear bumpers and a totally redesigned console, according to Edmunds.com.

Under the hood, the ’06 Beetle has a 150-horsepower, 2.5-liter, five cylinder engine that was adopted from the Jetta. It can be purchased with either a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic.

The 2006 model is also available as a TCI hatchback, which comes with a 1.9-liter, four-cylinder diesel-fueled engine that gets approximately 40 miles per gallon.

Used Volkswagen models in New Jersey may become more popular following the recent news that the Beetle has been discontinued.

Passat earns prestigious award, used Volkswagen models in New Jersey may attract additional attention

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Posted in Volkswagen - DO NOT USE

The Volkswagen Passat has recently been named the Large Used Car of the Decade by the car valuation specialist CAP. This piece of news should greatly benefit used Volkswagen models in New Jersey.

The fifth generation Passat, produced between 1996 and 2005, set a new benchmark for refinement, style, performance and quality, according to EasierCars.com.

“The Volkswagen Passat is a byword for quality, and the model launched in 1996 was a quantum leap forward in every area most important to the trade and the used car buyer,” said Mark Bulmer of CAP Black Book, quoted by the news source.”Volkswagen’s attention to detail meant that this Passat offered the sense of a prestige vehicle but at a mainstream purchase price.”

The 2005 model is one of the more popular mid-size sedans in its class. According to Edmunds.com, it is fun to drive, has an upscale interior and a wide range of features. The ’05 Passat has terrific handling and comes with a diesel engine option that has a unique combination of performance and economy.

The Passat’s recent attention may increase sales of used Volkswagen models in New Jersey.

Used Volkswagen Touaregs in New York could benefit from Twitter

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Posted in Volkswagen - DO NOT USE

When car shoppers looking for used Volkswagen Touaregs in New York start reading Mark Miller’s tweets, the SUV could begin enjoying more attention.

Miller, VW’s driver for the Dakar Rally, will be tweeting all throughout the race according to Who?Won. The event, which many enthusiasts consider to be the Super Bowl of rally racing, begins on January 1 and ends on January 17, according to Dakar.com.

“I have been participating in off-road racing of various forms for most of my life, and there’s not a more prestigious or challenging race anywhere than the Dakar Rally,” Miller told the news source. “Volkswagen’s 1-2 finish last year was one of the proudest moments in my racing career, but this year, I’m hoping to land on top and take that feeling of accomplishment to the next level.”

News of Miller and his Touareg on Twitter could have a positive effect on sales of used Volkswagen models in New York. Many Americans enjoy watching the Dakar, so the SUV could become more popular elsewhere too.

VW expresses interest in F1 racing

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Posted in Volkswagen - DO NOT USE

Used Volkswagens in New York could benefit from the attention that VW has attracted by announcing it might be interested in the world of Formula One (F1) racing.

Volkswagen says it isn’t interested in partnering up with any F1 teams, although it was involved with Red Bull Racing several years ago, according to AutoBlog. Instead, VW would like to begin supplying different teams with engines for their cars.

The German manufacturer has been involved with racing in the past, reports the publication. Audi, a VW subsidiary, has a number of Le Mans wins under its belt, and a Touareg won the Dakar Rally in 2009.

The 2006 Volkswagen Touareg SUV was available with a 310-horsepower V8, according to Automotive.com. The 4.2-liter motor got 18 miles per gallon on the highway and 14 in the city.

Although VW has not yet made any sort of official announcement that it will soon be entering the world of F1 racing, enthusiasts of used Volkswagens in New York could be getting excited about the rumors that are beginning to form.

Safety rating could help sell used Jettas in New Jersey

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Posted in Volkswagen - DO NOT USE

A certain Volkswagen sedan has established a reputation of safety over the last few years, and recent praise from an authority in the matter could help sell used Jettas in New Jersey.

The 2010 Volkswagen Jetta is one of the 19 cars the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says is very safe, according to USA Today. This may not come as a big surprise to some, as this generation Jetta has been an IIHS favorite since its inception in 2005.

VW refers to its latest generation Jetta as the Mark 5 because this model has been redesigned four times since it was first manufactured in 1979. The Mark 5 began rolling out of the plant about four years ago, and IIHS has given the sedan its top safety rating in front, side, roof and rear crash protection every year since, according to the institute’s website.

Performance-wise, the Jetta is no slouch, either. The top trim level for the 2007 Mark 5 was the GLI – a Jetta that came with a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produced 200 horsepower and got to 60 MPH in about 8 seconds, according to Edmunds.com.

Another favorable rating from the IIHS could help sell used Jettas in New Jersey and elsewhere to people who see safety as a top priority.

Used Passats in New Jersey might enjoy VW’s recent success

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Posted in Volkswagen - DO NOT USE

Now that Volkswagen (VW) is the world’s largest car manufacturer, some auto buyers might start looking for used Passats in New Jersey instead of other makes.

On November 11, USA Today published an article that claims VW is now the world’s biggest car company. Toyota held the title last year and General Motors had it for 80 consecutive years before that.

VW went through a period during which consumer confidence was not working in its favor. People saw Volkswagens as relatively poorly-made cars that fell somewhere in between the Datsuns and Hondas of years ago. But now Volkswagen, Datsun (now Nissan) and Honda are some of the best cars out there.

The 2003 VW Passat W8 illustrates just how much progress the manufacturer has made since the 1980s. The alphanumeric label W8 comes from the configuration of this Passat’s motor. Many people have heard the term V8, which refers to an engine with eight cylinders whose bases come together and whose heads face apart. The W8 employs the same basic idea, except the engine resembles the letter W. Motor Trend says the W8 produces about 270 horsepower, attesting to the superior performance of the configuration.

The W8 Passat is only one of the used Volkswagens in New Jersey that might become more popular when people learn VW is the biggest name in the industry. If the manufacturer can hold on to its title next year, Volkswagens could enjoy even more success.