Our Car Is Dead. Wrapped in Plastic.

No, we still don't know what caused our 2003 Passat to burn up a couple of weeks ago. Our insurance company, Liberty Mutual, hired an independent investigator to look at the car (they were careful to mention that they don't suspect us of torching it).

They officially totalled it a week and a half ago ("99% damaged," the claims agent told us on the phone). In the meantime, it's up in Arlington, wrapped in plastic to preserve whatever evidence didn't melt into the asphalt at 65th and Roosevelt.

They'll notify us when a cause has been determined, and if they decide to pursue Volkswagen or the local repair shop that replaced our axles because either of them was a contributing cause. Our post also caused some discussion on Passat World, a forum we hadn't explored before. Some participants suspect a manufacturing flaw -- our case was extra-dramatic, but other '02 and '03 Passat owners have had fuel leaks, though there's nothing like our experience listed in the NHTSA's recall database. We'll be reporting our experience to them, though, in the spirit of public service.

Yesterday, we got the official word: our settlement would cover the outstanding balance of our loan, plus some extra, including compensation for the new tires we'd bought, service work we'd had done, and our car seat. Yay, Liberty Mutual!

We've been researching new cars, and have gradually shifted our search from wagons to smaller SUVs. (The Dark Side offers lots of space in the back seat, apparently.) Janna, who'd helped us when we bought the Passat, apparently doesn't work at Auto Consultants Northwest anymore. We're probably going to start with USAA's auto buying service this time, since we're thinking we'll go new.

Yes, we would buy a Volkswagen again, but there were several niggling things about the Passat that we just never loved: sluggish acceleration, addiction to premium gasoline, too-close-to-battleship-grey color ("anthracite blue"). But engine fires? As the investigator said to us on the phone, "You're never going to experience that again." Flukes happen.

We're safe, including most importantly Little Miss Seattlest. We were shopping for hand lotion a week or so after our car burned up, and had an epiphany: we're lucky enough that a random act of catastrophic failure that deprived us of our car hasn't knocked us, financially, on our ass. We're grateful for that, and for all the good wishes that have come our way.

Our current dilemma: Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4? We love the look of Mazda's CX-7, but it's more expensive and less fuel efficient than either of those cars. Anyone want to weigh in?

Contact the author of this article or email tips@seattlest.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By James in Miscellaneous on February 16, 2007 12:00 PM

Comments [rss]

Sam

The RAV4, CR-V, Subaru Forester, and Subaru Outback are all wonderful machines (I own a 1998 Outback and my girlfriend is looking to buy a 2001ish RAV4).

A 2002-2004 version of any one of these machines should be good. The Subaru Outback is especially roomy compared to the other cars, considering that you have a little one.

gus

ive had my crv since it came out (1997). it isn't the best performing, most beautiful, or anything; however, this car is an heirloom. its very easy to drive, spacious interior (you never have to ask if the people in the backseat have enough leg room ever again.), and is just a great everyday car. 140k miles, and have never had anything go wrong that wasn't human related (accidents, stupid mechanics.) and its a honda.

Red

The next time someone puts down an insurance company, they should read your post. For all the flack they get, no one bothers thinking how much they do for society.

James Callan

Not only are we not getting a Subaru, we're not getting 4WD. If we must hang our heads in shame, so be it -- the Forester was vetoed for being "not that attractive," plus its consumer ratings don't beat the RAV4 or CR-V overall so high quality didn't save it. Sorry, Subaru fans.

We drove a Vibe in the midwest when we visited, and we considered it (and the Matrix) a little too small. Nice car, though.

Troy, your point about used cars is a good one. But we decided since we're planning on keeping the car at least 6 or 7 years we'd rather enjoy the first three under warranty this time. Generally we only buy new cars when their engine dies after 190,000 miles or when they hold their own Viking funeral.

We're test driving the final car today and will make our decision. Stay tuned.

Troy

The saying is dead on: every car on the road is a used car. Let some other schmoe eat 50% of the depreciation.

3-6 years old seems to be a sweet spot: ABS, side airbags, low maintenance, 40-70% devalued.

sportsracer5

If you can swing the extra dough, I'd recommend the Forester XT. With the turbo and the AWD, that is one cool ute.

But of the two you mention, I'd get the CR-V. The 269 hp V6 in the RAV4 is interesting, but I think it's too much power for this size of car. I like the overall design of the CR-V more than the RAV4.

Over all of those, though, I'd choose a new Legacy 2.5 GT wagon. Safe, fast, good space and more style than an SUV could ever hope to have.

steve g

I bought the new, and my first SUV-ish type car, CRV a few months ago.

I drive it around town and it's already been on a trip from Seattle to the Bay Area. It did great!

Eventhough it's a 4-cyl it has great pickup around town and it had done fine on the freeway. It might labor a bit with lots of people and a mountain road, but how often do you do that day in and day out?

When I had it pointed down I-5 on the flats at 70mph it was getting about 30mpg. Around town, stop and go, it's low-to-mid 20's on regular gas.

I got the AWD model with leather and sunroof and I'm quite happy with it.

Kevin

Subarus are great and so is Liberty Mutual.

Dave F.

The Honda Accord, while not an SUV, has plenty of back seat. We've had several over the years. If you really feel the need for the extra petrochemicals, then the CR-V is my vote.

Nate M

I gotta second the vote for a Vibe. I own one and love it, cause it's so damn versatile (hands down the best fold-down seats I've seen, plus well though t out tie-down points). My wife can fit her sit-on-top kayak in the car with all the windows and hatch-back closed! It comes in an AWD, blah-blah-blah, ohh-la-la option, but I went base model cause it gets the best mpg and still has decent pop.

Biggest downside? Not the smoothest ride.

Joe

How can you be the Seattlest and not own a Subaru? I'd add another vote for the Forreter, or even the Impreza wagon.

But of the two you listed, I think I'd go for the Toyota.

Anthony

I just bought an 07 Pontiac Vibe. I love it! It has amazing gas milage and tons of room for a little care. Best of all it is a Toyota. The Vibe and the Matrix are the EXACT SAME CAR just with a few cosmetic differences. It has a fantastic 5 year warranty. Not a SUV but more space than you would expect. High ceilings (great for getting the car seat in and out) and lots of leg room.

Jess

Check out the Subaru Forester. Just got one and it's great. We avoided turbo and leather, but got the premimum package on the base model so we have heated seats and a big sunroof. The base model comes with AWD and it sticks to the road like glue. We also spent less than I expected. Might not do as well on fuel as the CRV or RAV4 though.

KitKat

With Mazadas in general, the tranny will go out at 60-80k miles, so you need to trader in before 60k miles. Or make sure you buy an extended warranty if you plan to keep the car for a long time.

If you buy a Honda, go online to price the HondaCare Extended Warranties. If you have the little piece of paper in hand with the prices that they charge over the internet, then your dealership will generally meet the price. (Or you can tell them that you will buy it from another dealer!) The warranty is vaild at ALL Honda dealerships in the US (Except Florida I think). (They will try to BS you that you must buy it from their dealership. Horse hockey!) This is a vital piece of knowlegdge that will save you money. Also it helps to pick out the coverage level before you go to buy the car.

I would look dubiously at warranties from someone other than Honda, because they may go defunct before you need to use your warranty. I have less doubt that Honda will still be around in 5+ years.

Car loans from BECU are generally the lowest rate and most of the dealer are hooked into them directly for loan applications. But check all you lending sources. USAA? E-Loan?

Jeremy in Greenwod

If it were me, I'd get the Toyota. The new Rav-4 is so wonderful. My buddy just got a new one a few months ago and he cant stop talking about it.