[superuser2]

I'm conflicted. What do people think about the ethics of buying (non-diesel) Volkswagen cars at this point? Obviously new cars pad VW's profits and reward bad behavior.

But what about used ones? Seems like prices will be plummeting. And if you like the cars, seems like a great time to buy.

[knieveltech]

I have one of the cars that will be impacted by the recall. Performance and fuel economy are both top notch. The cabin fit and finish are on par with vehicles three times the price. I'll certainly be holding on to mine. If the used vehicle price plummets I'd definitely consider getting a 2nd one for my wife.

[TheCondor]

Will you comply with the recall?

[knieveltech]

I would like to but it depends. I intend to wait a few weeks and see what impact other owners report before I decide. I would be willing to trade some performance or economy for better emissions but if the software/hardware changes turn these cars into either a Geo Metro or an F150 (shitty performance and economy, respectively) I'm going to opt out, then take the car down to the local tune shop and have a stage 1 kit put in.

[mikestew]

Performance and fuel economy are both top notch.

Considering it's doing the automotive equivalent of leaving a turd on the sidewalk everywhere it goes, I'd be really disappointed if its perf and mileage were merely average.

[knieveltech]

You're not the first to express this sentiment. It feels similar to having a random in a bar bitch at me about my carbon footprint when they hear I burn coal while blacksmithing on the weekend. I appreciate environmental awareness but are you sure you're maximizing your efforts? http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/07/article-2683735-1F...

[mikestew]

What do people think about the ethics of buying (non-diesel) Volkswagen cars at this point?

Hey, if you want to buy a shit car, I don't think ethics really factor into it.

All kidding aside, despite being in absolutely no danger of ever buying another VW, I would think of it like I think of buying from (to pick a recent popular whipping boy) Amazon: does giving money to the company vote for the world you want to live in? I like workers to be treated fairly and with respect, so no more Amazon for me. I like clean air and products that win because they're great products that don't rely on cheating to make them great, so no more VWs for me.

As for used ones (assuming non-diesel), I'll use another metaphor. I'm a vegetarian. What if my veggie pizza shows up with pepperoni (and assume I otherwise like pepperoni)? I eat it. Cow's already dead, I didn't request that it be killed for my meal, and they're just going to throw it away if I send it back. Might as well eat it. Used VWs? Money's already in the pocket of a crooked company, might as well buy one if it suits your needs. Just take it somewhere other than the dealer when it needs work. :-)

[superuser2]

What comparably priced cars would you consider competitive with the Golf on interior quality? I want to love the Mazda 3, but until the 2014 model year it looks like garbage to me. I'd be much happier with a 3-series, but that's 3x as much money as a 2012-2014 Golf.

[mikestew]

I don't mean to be a smartass, but does my post strike you as coming from a guy who pays much attention to VW these days? :-) VW had their chance several times, so they are now on my "don't even bother to look" list, right next to Fiat.

Besides, I spend my real money on motorcycles, so I'm truly not the guy to ask about compact cars regardless of brand. That, and the interior is low on my list of priorities when selecting a vehicle.

[superuser2]

My point is VW fills a niche that's not otherwise well served. If you like the German sportscar aesthetic and can't afford a BMW, it's kind of your only choice.

[gambiting]

Well, there is always the argument to be made that people wouldn't buy a new VW if they knew getting rid of it in 3 years is going to be really difficult. But that's not going to happen.

[alkonaut]

Was looking at a new diesel but will maybe go for the GTE hybrid instead. The Passat GTE the only full size hybrid wagon that I know of(?) and it's very reasonably priced at around $5-10k over the non-hybrid.

[CydeWeys]

I firmly believe in punishing companies that are unethical by personally boycotting them. VW doesn't even sell the best gasoline-powered cars for the price, so there's no way I'd be tempted.