Changing cars after a few months

mark2912

Hi all

I purchased a 2015 Passat back in February, having had an older Golf previously.

However, in the past few months since I've gotten the Passat, I'm starting to regret buying it more and more. The car itself is fine, its reliable and hasn't given any issues, but I do miss the Golf and its hatchback/compact styling.

Given where I live especially, I find parking the Passat that bit harder than the Golf, and struggle to get things in and out of the boot given that the saloon car's boot isn't as easily accessible than the hatchback.

I am contemplating trading my Passat in for another hatch, be it a Golf or perhaps the newer T-Roc model.

I paid €22,000 for the Passat and I don't want to trade it in for a dramatically lower figure, hence why I want to swap now while the car still has its value. Its spotless, only has 69,000kms on the clock, is a 1.4TSI automatic, and has many extras such as blind spot monitoring, front assist, lane trace etc.

Just wondering how I should go about this?

colm_mcm

How does €22k compare to other 2015 Passats for sale right now. I would suggest it’s very much on the high side.

FWIW I think the T-Roc will disappoint compared to the Golf too. I would see them as Polo quality in terms of interior.

mickdw

22k for a 15 passat?

Your only option is to hold that or take a big hit. You paid too much.

bazz26

22k for an 8 year old Passat? Hate to be the one to say it but I think you paid over the odds for it back in February. I cannot see you recovering anywhere near that money for it now as a trade in. Dealers are selling 2017 models for not much more so for a dealer to buy one that's two years older I'd say they will want to be buying yours for around 15k or 16k at most. You will probably get more for it by selling it privately but again I don't think your going to recoup most of what you paid for it.

alan partridge aha

Just bought 2016 Octavia TDI, 69k km on clock for €14900. Nice spec (style) and has the look of a saloon but the practicality of a hatch.

Not much smaller than a Passat and more room in the boot.

mark2912

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741264#Comment_120741264

According to CarZone, that's around what the car is worth. I'm assuming its because most Passats are diesel models that rack up high mileage.

Screenshot 2023-06-20 at 20.13.59.png

I do like the look of the T-Roc though, I've always liked SUV type cars and it really does look better than some other SUV models IMO such as the Qashqai, Duster, Peugeot 2008 etc. I've had a Golf already and would feel stupid going from Golf to Passat back to Golf again. My Passat is also a Japanese import hence the extra features and given this, its technically only had one owner in Ireland.

McGrath5

Did the dealership have big windows?

bazz26

Carzone's valuation is rubbish and I have no idea where they are getting it from other than plucking figures from the sky. Nobody is paying that for an 8 year old Passat.

Here is a 2017 being sold by a dealer for not much more:

https://www.carsireland.ie/3363005

mark2912

So what am I meant to do?

I really do just want rid of it, its too big for my liking, I feel I made a huge mistake buying it.

I don't want to have it for much longer otherwise I can see myself having a mental breakdown, the car drives me mad.

Buddy Bubs

I was selling a 2014 A6 S Line last year and there were some asking 22k but most would have been less....Passats wouldn't make as much as an A6 so I think you've paid over the odds but it looks like you've got a good car with low mileage and extras so I would think at this stage keep it for a few years to get some value out of it. At a guess you are looking at an 8k or so hit on it if you traded it in.

And it's a far nicer machine than a T Roc, that's for sure

mark2912

I don't like the thoughts of having to be trapped with it for the next few years, I'd gladly put another 10k towards a Golf or T-Roc if it meant getting rid of the thing.

alan partridge aha

Oh you've money to burn so

freshpopcorn

Do what makes you happy and don't overthink what others think.

Crossovers can get a hard time here.

I know of a lady who always had Golf's and she got a Passat one January and then switched back in July for some reason.

Switching from hatchbacks to saloons can be awkward especially if your somebody who's used to folding down the rear seats and loading up the car.

An estate might be a good option but you might find it difficult to park and an Octavia would be similar to the Passat for parking.

mark2912

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741373#Comment_120741373

Not quite, but if it means putting me out of my misery then why not? I know I don't necessarily need a new car, but why stick with what you've got if you don't like it?

alan partridge aha

Would 10k plus your car get you into a new nicely specced Golf or T-Roc. Suppose all you can do is have a look.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741377#Comment_120741377

My octavia is not as long as a Passat and has sensors and camera.

mark2912

Financially I know its probably not the best thing to do, but like I said if I have to stick with that car for much longer I honestly think its going to cause me to have a mental breakdown.

Psychedelic Hedgehog

If you're not going to be happy with it, then there's going to be a certain amount of financial pain associated with it in this instance I'm afraid. Still, there's nothing worse than a car you can't get on with so if it were me, I'd look to sell it privately myself.

Regarding the T-Roc, I had a T-Cross as a rental a couple of months ago and found the interior quality very poor indeed. Horrible plasticky dash, capacitive touch A/C controls etc., it felt built down to a price. I had a Kia Stonic a couple of weeks later which was miles ahead by comparison.

freshpopcorn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741408#Comment_120741408

I understand this but when your used to a Golf Octavias/Passats/etc all seem a bit awkward or a bit of getting used to.

Buddy Bubs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741417#Comment_120741417

I presume that's overly dramatic now but I suppose the only thing you can do is stick it up for sale for as much as you want to recoup for it and see what interest there is out there.

Also go to dealerships selling something you like and see what deal they will do for you.

mark2912

If I were to trade the Passat in, how would I go about haggling them to a decent trade in quote?

I want at least 20k for it, and would rather trade it in to the garage directly to save the hassle of having to sell it privately.

colm_mcm

Do you have reverse camera on the Passat, it makes a huge difference when parking.

alan partridge aha

I dunno, you might get 15/16k on a trade in and been an import it might go against you but I'm not sure.

mark2912

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741489#Comment_120741489

I do, but I don't find it all that much of a help

alan partridge aha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741488#Comment_120741488

Get that thought out of your head, you won't get the colour of it. A dealer has to service, valet and put some kind of warranty on it. He then has to pay vat on the profit. Come on 20k is crazy.

alan partridge aha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741495#Comment_120741495

I had no camera on my last car, it had sensors and park pilot which is excellent.

Buddy Bubs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741488#Comment_120741488

The most expensive passat 2015 for sale in the country is asking 20,500 euro from a dealer

By the time you get to the 5th or 6th dearest asking prices are under 18k

You've a 14 to absolute max 15k car on your hands there

mark2912

Well I think thats ridiculous, considering it's practically brand new with low mileage and quite a number of safety features. If a dealer was to offer me such an insulting amount right now I don't think I would be responsible for my actions...

alan partridge aha

As Del boy says "is he winding us up".

How is a dealer going to make money on your car if he gives you 20k for it. He end up loosing after expenses etc 4k min.

Deminiman

You should go back to the dealer you bought it from, if they have a car there you would like, try to do a deal with them. If they know you and know the car they might offer a bit more that the next dealer. At least you’d have an idea what you’ll likely recoup of your money

mark2912

So I'm more or less trapped with a car that I don't want nor like for the next couple of years then?

I would sell privately if I thought I would get at least 20k, but then you've got the possibility of time wasters, ridiculous offers and possibly weeks/months of waiting to get rid of it...

alan partridge aha

It's a fine car, enjoy it forgot about trading.

mark2912

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741588#Comment_120741588

Its not a fine car, I want rid of it ASAP but it doesn't look like that'll be happening anytime soon.....

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741573#Comment_120741573

You might get about €15k for it. Thats what it worth as a private sale

Buddy Bubs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741573#Comment_120741573

If you're looking for that kind of money, then yes, you're trapped

Can't see why driving a Passat is something to have a mental breakdown over or cause you to be not responsible for your actions against someone valuing it, nothing wrong with a Passat. Keep it, you've described it as brand new.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741417#Comment_120741417

Thats insane, A Passat is the exact same as the Golf, its only a few inches longer. Grow up

mark2912

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741600#Comment_120741600

Because I don't like it. Like I said its too big, I don't like the boot, I want a hatch

Buddy Bubs

I got 17k for a 2014 A6 S Line with low mileage last year on a private sale, mileage higher than yours but still only about 120k kms. Dealers selling similar for 20/21k

Trade in figures were pretty consistent around the 14/15k and so were the places that buy cars.

No way is the same age Passat worth more even with a lower mileage

Citizen Six

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741542#Comment_120741542

How can an eight year old car, with 70,000 on the clock be considered "practically brand new"?

mark2912

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741644#Comment_120741644

Its spotless, no scratches or dents etc, no signs of wear or tear on the inside either

Buddy Bubs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741615#Comment_120741615

Well see what value you put on a car that's about a foot or so shorter with a different style boot opening revealing a much smaller boot compartment. It's going to be expensive so depends what it's worth to you.

A dealer may trade you a 2015 smaller car with no cash changing hands but if the passat has finance on it that may complicate things

mark2912

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741663#Comment_120741663

It doesn't have finance thankfully, I bought it cash

Buddy Bubs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741678#Comment_120741678

Best of luck, but remember that dealers have margins they need to make on cars. They have to pay staff, premises, warranty, light and heat, rates and a whole host of other things before they make a profit, so be realistic with what they can offer you against what you see them selling cars for.

And a private buyer has no comeback if buying from you so will want it a good few thousand cheaper than same car from dealers.

Good luck with your decision

Citizen Six

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741648#Comment_120741648

It doesn't matter what you think about it, someone else just sees an eight year old car. It's not practically new, it's just in very good condition.

mark2912

What other options do I have if I don’t want to hold onto this car?

UrbanFret

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741615#Comment_120741615

Did you test drive it before you bought it? Did you not notice it wasnt a hatch?

You could try a hobby or a job, more productive than thinking you are funny winding up people on a Tuesday night on an anonymous website

Buddy Bubs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741792#Comment_120741792

You can sell it privately, trade it in against another car or sell it to a dealership for cash. Get as many different prices from as many different places as you can.

Only other options are burn it out or break it for parts. None of which will get you very far.

John_Rambo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741792#Comment_120741792

Take a financial hit and buy the car you want. We all make mistakes, if you can afford to get the car you want go for it. But don't forget it takes about one month max to get used to a different shape car, you'll quickly adapt & most likely get to like the Passat. Take a breath, don't panic, hang on for a couple of months before spending. The size difference isn't much at all, it's just the limited rear view that has you freaked.

Best of luck with whatever you go for.

Side note... and Not an attack on you!! but I just don't get saloons, it's like some sort of hangover from the eighties bank manager car. Hatchbacks & especially estates are so so so more practical and better looking (and in some cases estates are unfortunately more expensive) The Passat estate is far aesthetically superior than the saloon, same with BMW's and Audis. I'm currently driving through France, Belgium and Holland and saloons are a rare sight. It's all estates and hatches on the mainland continent and has been for a long time. The Irish and the British love the awful saloons for some reason.

Dial Hard

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741792#Comment_120741792

Take a bath on it.

Seriously, you're going to have a mental breakdown over a car you've said yourself has nothing wrong with it other than it being slightly too big for you?

I've had two Passats. You can park them on a dime.

Ninap

If I was a mod I’d close this thread - either a wind up or someone who won’t listen to sensible advice from numerous posters

Water2626262

Fairly sure dealers are rinsing people on trade ins at the moment. They have no issue selling cars right now so if you don’t like a low ball trade in then they can sell it someone else next week.

Buying and selling cars in such a short period will always cost you more money. Be careful you don’t resent the new car based on the loss you are going to make changing. You will also probably end up with a lesser spec given your Passat seems unique.

I think going back to the dealer you bought it off to change might yield the least loss but who knows. They might try to screw you too.

I could be wrong but I feel prices might be moving downwards slightly. I had to change cars abruptly due to a write off in March and I feel I’d have gotten better value for money right now.