iDriveSoCal

2019 VW Golf GTI Review

 I wasn’t planning to test drive the 2019 VW Golf GTI Rabbit Edition during a recent visit to Ontario Volkswagen, but the special Rabbit Edition Cornflower Blue color and styling grabbed my attention and wouldn’t let go.

“What do you think about that color?” It was my friend and general manager of Ontario VW, Earl Reed, coming down the stairs from his office. “I love it!” I replied. The next thing you know, I’m test driving the Rabbit Edition in another very cool color, Urano Gray.

Click play below to listen to my complete review of the special 2019 VW Golf GTI Rabbit Edition, or you can read the review below. Either way check out all the pics of this truly special, and very limited availability, enthusiasts’ V-Dub from our friends at Ontario VW.

March 20, 2019

1983 was a good year. “Return of the Jedi” had been released, Mario Brother’s made its debut, and Volkswagen came out with its 1983 Mk1 Rabbit GTI. You may or may not remember its red plaid seats, snowflake wheels and golf ball shift knob, but it was something. This 1983 version had a true cult following and helped create and launch the hot hatch.

“The limited GTI Rabbit Edition is paying tribute to the Rabbit heritage. Its countless enthusiasts are awfully excited, and I don’t blame them.  This Rabbit runs!”

Over the course of 30 years, VW has revealed different GTI editions with a nod to the Rabbit, but none of them carried the Rabbit name… until now.

’19 VW Golf GTI Rabbit Edition review Urano Gray – my test driver.

Jump to 2019, and the limited GTI Rabbit Edition is paying tribute to the Rabbit heritage. Its countless enthusiasts are awfully excited, and I don’t blame them.  This Rabbit runs!

Slotted in between the standard S trim and the upgraded SE trim, the Rabbit Edition has a starting manufacturer suggested retail price of $28,895.

But as always, with our vehicle reviews.  Don’t worry about MSRP because our partners at Ontario Volkswagen are going to give you the best deal in Southern California.

The GTI Rabbit I reviewed had the 7-Speed Automatic is powered by a turbocharged, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine, putting out 228-horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. That powerplant is rated to deliver 25 miles-per-gallon in the city and 31 on the highway for a combined 27 mpg.

This car is a blast to drive. I love the power and handling. And the power delivery is incredibly smooth. The turbocharged four-cylinder is one of the best. It’s not too overwhelmingly powerful but will give you instant response and solid acceleration.

Turbocharged 2.0 liter puts out a (very) fun 228-horsepower & 258 lb-ft of torque!

There’s an available 6-speed manual transmission, and while the GTI clutches are silky smooth, I might stick to an automatic like my test driver – which also has paddle shifters!

Drive modes and push button to start and let the fun begin!

The GTI does come with different driving modes, which changes everything- the steering, the driving, the front differential lock, the adaptive lights, the climate control, and the engine sound.

During my review of the 2019 VW Golf GTI Rabbit we found that the car offers head-turning special edition styling and colors. It comes in Deep Black Pearl, Pure White, Urano Gray, and Cornflower Blue – which, as I mentioned, was immediately drawn to.

Cornflower Blue 2019 Volkswagen GTI Rabbit

It comes with LED lights and keyless entry/ignition. The black sport 18” alloy wheels with the black-painted mirror caps look great, and the GTI branded brake calipers look as good as they perform.

“There are subtle Rabbit seat tags and floor mats. They’re subtle yet, in-the-know cool.”

Where you really start to notice the homage to the Rabbit is in the interior. There is subtle Rabbit seat tags and floor mats.  They’re subtle yet, in-the-know cool. Just as in the 1983 edition, you have the Clark Plaid cloth.

And the seats in the 2019 Golf GTI Rabbit Edition are seriously bolstered, making them not only comfortable but functional for when you decide the let your Rabbit stretch its legs!

2019 VW Golf GTI Rabbit Edition – see those seat tags?

For infotainment, the Rabbit edition offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

It also comes with nice interior ambient lighting, and red accent stitching throughout the interior which makes the car look sharp.

There’s that Rabbit tag – subtle, but cool, right?

Overall, it’s a super spacious interior, yet drives like a nimble sports car.

Behind the rear seats is 22.8 cubic feet of cargo space. Fold them down for 52.7 cu ft.

Plenty of cargo space behind the hot hatch!

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI Rabbit, of course, comes with the hot hatch.  And what’s great about this design is the amount of clean raw space you are given even with the back seats up.  Now fold those backseats down and you’re talking serious space.

This edition comes with the standard safety equipment, including antilock disc brakes, stability/traction control, automatic hill hold, front-side airbags, driver-side knee airbag, and side-curtain airbags.

Rabbit delivers all the essentials.

For driver’s assistance, it offers the handy adaptive front-lighting system, blind-spot monitor, front assist with pedestrian monitoring, rear traffic alert, and a rearview camera system.

Great visibility – forward, backward and the sides.

Because of the vehicle’s seats and slender windshield pillars, the GTI offers excellent forward visibility. The view to the sides and rear are great as well.

“The 2019 VW Golf GTI Rabbit Edition also got a 5-Star Rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.”

As a parent, I particularly loved the ease of availability and configuration of the child safety seat latches in the back seat.  And there’s ample room for child seats in the back seat.

Whether you have your rear-facing infant seat or your rear (or front) facing toddler seat.  There’s still room for someone in the front seat without squishing their legs!  (If you don’t have kids then just know this – the Golf GTI Rabbit Edition is spacious (very)!

Easy to use child safety seat latches in the back seat.

The 2019 VW Golf GTI Rabbit Edition also got a 5-Star Rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which will put a smile on every loved one’s face!

Serious backseat for a serious driver’s car!

If you don’t have kids then just know this – the Golf GTI Rabbit Edition is spacious – very!

Okay, here’s my top-3 favorite aspects I noticed during my 2019 VW Golf GTI Rabbit Edition review!

From its high-quality interior, nimble handling, and perfect seating position, this is a lot of premium-quality vehicle for the price.

Urano Gray looks great.  A bit more subdued seems to say “sports car in disguise.”

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is still one of the best performance-oriented compact cars available today, and the distinctive tribute to the Rabbit is seriously cool.

I predict this will be yet another valued collector car in years to come.

Now that’s a hot hatch!

Whether you’re a VW enthusiast or just in the market for a great ride, you will not be disappointed by the 2019 VW Golf GTI Rabbit Edition.

Cornflower Blue says “yeah, bring it!”

If you enjoyed reading my VW Golf GTI Rabbit review and are interested in test-driving the car yourself, pay a visit to our friends at Ontario Volkswagen to take one for a spin, and tell them Tom and iDriveSoCal sent you!

VW Telematics Connectivity Application:

2019 Volkswagen Atlas

Reviewing the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas has left me seriously considering buying one.

Because this 7-passenger VW Atlas is big and functional, especially for families.  Additionally, it’s stylish, delivers great fuel economy and drives great.

Now, the Atlas my friends at Ontario Volkswagen gave me to test drive was a top-of-the-line with nearly every option.  However, even the base model Atlas deserves serious consideration for any mid-size SUV buyer.

Continue reading to learn why my family might soon be rolling in an Atlas or click play below to hear the details in this iDriveSoCal Podcast.

March 4, 2019

First, let’s address the Atlas’s size.  Of the two sport utility vehicles that Volkswagen offers, the Tiguan and the Atlas, the Atlas is the biggest.

For the most part, the auto industry is referring to the Atlas as a mid-sized SUV.  But since all vehicles have gotten bigger the Atlas is arguably a full-sized SUV and the Tiguan a mid-sized.

“You can put up to 3 child safety seats in the second row!”

The Atlas, as I previously stated is a big 7-passenger vehicle.  It has a maximum cargo space of 96.8 cubic feet with both back rows of seats folded down.  You can put up to 3 child safety seats in the second row! That’s huge!

2019 Atlas 2nd row fits 3 child safety seats!

I currently have a mid-sized SUV from a different manufacturer.  And if I put my son’s safety seat in the middle then there’s hardly enough room for my wife (who’s small) to fit on either side of him.

But in the second row of the Atlas you can have three (3) child safety seats in a row – that’s big.  And super-handy for a family on the grow.

96.8 cubic ft. of flat-surfaced cargo space with seats down!

The 2019 VW Atlas is also highly versatile with the amount of interior space it provides for both people and our stuff.

With the second and third row of seats folded down, you are left with a whopping 96.8 cubic feet of cargo space.

“With the second and third row of seats folded down, you are left with a whopping 96.8 cubic feet of cargo space.”

And Volkswagen engineers really made it easy to change the seat/storage configuration.  Logically placed,  easy to grab levers and straps make it a cinch.

The 2019 VW Atlas that I test drove from Ontario Volkswagen was a V6 SEL Premium w/ 4Motion all-wheel drive.

And I have to mention that I loved the color scheme – inside and out!  (Pictured throughout this post.)

Ontario VW put me in a 2019 Atlas V6 SEL Premium w/ 4Motion

But the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas offers many configurations.  There’s undoubtedly one for every purpose and budget.  The configuration options breakdown within three primary trim categories.  Those trim categories, along with their starting manufacturers suggested retail prices include the following for the 2019 VW Atlas:

Within those three trim options, Volkswagen offers the 2019 Atlas in 13 different standard trim configurations.  Packages that help to make up the different trim configurations include:

The 2019 Atlas comes with two different engines.  There’s a turbocharged, 2.0-liter, inline 4-cylinder that puts out 235-horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

And there’s the 3.6-liter V6 putting out 276-horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque.

“The V6 will deliver 17-mpg in the city and up to 24-mpg on the highway…”

The inline 4-cylinder is only available on the 2019 Atlas S base model, the 276-horsepower V6 comes in every other trim configuration.

Regarding fuel economy, inline 4 will give you 20 miles-per-gallon in the city and 26 on the highway.  The V6 will deliver 17-mpg in the city and up to 24-mpg on the highway depending on your configuration.

Fuel-saving engine start-stop feature.

A great fuel-saving feature the 2019 VW Atlas offers is a super-smooth functioning engine start-stop.  It automatically turns your engine off during extended stops.

When you depress the brake pedal the engine quickly turns back on and smoothly accelerates as you transfer your foot to the gas pedal.

I love the styling of the 2019 VW Atlas my friends at Ontario Volkswagen had me test drive – outside and inside.  Sure that’s partially due to the fact that I drove the V6 SEL Premium with 4Motion.

But regardless of the top-of-the-line trim, the vehicle looks awesome.  The beautiful and bold exterior lines give it a great balance of athleticism and class.

“The beautiful and bold exterior lines give it a great balance of athleticism and class.”

Euro-styling that punches way above its price tag.

The ingrained Euro-styling delivers a look that makes even the MSRP seem like a bargain.

But don’t worry about MSRP, just go see my friends at Ontario Volkswagen and they’re going to give you the best deal in Southern California.

“…go see my friends at Ontario Volkswagen and they’re going to give you the best deal in Southern California.”

They love helping iDriveSoCal’ers. :0)  Just tell Randy Halcomb I sent you.  Or you can always email me and I’ll connect you with Randy personally – Tom [at] iDriveSoCal [dot] com.  Here’s Randy’s info:

2019 VW Atlas courtesy of Ontario VW.

From front to back the 2019 VW Atlas expresses a powerful boldness that draws clear ties to its luxury sibling brand, Audi.

And the fully-loaded Atlas that I drove delivered all the creature comforts of its luxury brand equivalent – without the huge price tag!

2019 VW Atlas from Ontario Volkswagen.

The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas looks quite similar to it’s much pricier Audi sibling from many sightlines – especially from the rear.

The inside of the Atlas is clean and clearly European but definitely punches above its price tag.  I love the two-tone upholstery on the Atlas I drove!  The grayish-orangish seats and door panels look great, very sporty yet still refined and luxurious.

2019 VW Atlas V6 SEL Premium w/ 4Motion.

And with styling like this, the Atlas easily bridges the dual purpose of family multi-tasker and executive client hauler without skipping a beat.

In fact, that’s just the on-road analogies!  The Atlas is still very much an SUV ready for wherever nature takes you – whether there’s a road or not.

“The inside of the Atlas is clean and clearly European but definitely punches above its price tag.”

Another element of the Atlas that I love is the huge panoramic sunroof.  Sure it enhances the interior styling but it’s obviously a beautiful and highly functional feature of the SUV as well.  And just think of the stargazing you can do on a clear night away from the city lights!

The panoramic sunroof is so big it’s hard to fit in a pic!

Aside from the bold and beautiful two-tone upholstery, the Atlas’s cockpit is super-stylish.

And, perhaps, more importantly, the driver-interface is very logically laid out with everything easy and intuitively accessed.

The Atlas’s interior is not only stylish but highly functional and user-friendly.

Everything is laid out in a super-intuitive design and easy for the driver to use from the very first time you climb in.  And while Atlas’s styling is ready for anything the SUVs functionality follows that form precisely.

“The Atlas is still very much an SUV ready for wherever nature takes you – whether there’s a road or not.”

Read on to learn how Volkswagen is ahead of the curve with its digital cockpit technology.

The 2019 Atlas offers Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit which replaces traditional instrument clusters with high-resolution digital display.  You can arrange the display in many different configurations.  So many in fact that VW includes the ability to save up to 4 different driver profiles!

Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit is ahead of the curve!

With the Atlas’s Digital Cockpit the vehicle is quite literally a computer on wheels.  But VW makes all that tech simple to use with logically laid out switches, knobs, and buttons.  All of it very user-friendly and easy to adopt for the driver new to the vehicle.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto keep the driver’s favorite phone apps displayed on the center stack’s digital touch screen.  Of course, it’s easy to bring all your favorite music and podcasts with you – like the iDriveSoCal Podcast for example. 😉

Yeah! Fender Premium Audio.  480-watts!

And speaking of audio, the available Fender Premium sound system is ridiculously clear.  It actually adds an edgy-coolness to the Atlas’s image too!

“Area View takes the safety in backing up to a whole new level.”

3-zone automatic climate control is also available and I can never leave out the dual favorite of mine and my wife’s.  Front seats which are both heated and ventilated.  My wife’s seat is always on heat and mine is always on cool.

Area View makes backing up safer.  (Okay my reflection made the shot too!)

Another great available feature for the ’19 Atlas is the overhead view camera.  Area View takes the safety in backing up to a whole new level.  Here again, VW is ahead of the curve with advanced tech we’re sure to be seeing in all vehicles soon.

And Area View happens to be one of the features in Volkswagen’s suite of Driver Assistance options.  If you’ve driven a newer car in the past few years then you’ve probably experienced some of these features.

“Park Assist will help you steer into those tricky parallel parking spots.  And Park Distance Control with Maneuver Braking helps you get out of them.”

They include Adaptive Cruise Control which helps maintain the distance between you and the car in front of you when the cruise is active. Blind Spot Monitoring which is self-explanatory.  Light Assist manages your high-beams for you. Lane Assist helps to keep you in your lane.

The 2019 Atlas from Ontario VW.Park Assist will help you steer into those tricky parallel parking spots.  And Park Distance Control with Maneuver Braking helps you get out of them.  Finally, Front Assist helps monitor and avoid forward collisions.  And Front Assist includes Pedestrian Monitoring for additional accident prevention and overall safety.

As usual, there’s so much I like about the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas it’s tough to narrow it down to just three…

The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas is a great ride for you if you’re looking for a family vehicle.  But it’s also a great option for hauling clients and colleagues.  Plus it is an obvious choice when you’re looking to haul lots of outdoor adventure gear.

And let’s not forget about the industry-leading People First Warranty.  6-years or 72,000-miles bumper to bumper.  And that warranty is even transferable should you trade-in or sell your Atlas on say… a newer Atlas!

For more information on the Atlas and for all of your Volkswagen needs please go to my good friends at Ontario Volkswagen.  Again, Randy Halcomb RHalcomb [at] OntarioVW [dot] com is the iDriveSoCal go-to and I’m happy to connect you personally.  Tom [at] iDriveSoCal [dot] com.

2019 Volkswagen Atlas courtesy of Ontario VW

The Latest Volkswagen News HERE.

Southern California is the home of the Import Tuner Scene; yet another reason the region is the car capital of the world!

Sorry Detroit, Southern California is the automotive capital of the world for many reasons – and here’s another one, SoCal is the home of the Import Tuner Scene.

Personally, I didn’t grow up in it.  But iDriveSoCal’s Professor, Clinton Quan, experienced all of it. From the first tuned Japanese imports to the seemingly neverending blockbuster movie franchise – The Fast and the Furious.

Click play below to hear how the Import Tuner Scene developed and evolved here in Southern California and then took on the world.

***Transcription***

Recorded in Los Angeles, CA

Clinton Quan: You’re talking about the Japanese cars, which really made the import tuning scene. The Toyota Celica, the Toyota MR2, the Honda Prelude, even the Honda Accord Coupe, the Nissan 240SX, the Mitsubishi Eclipse, the Mazda MX6.  I mean honestly, who would ever thought that there’d be seven Fast and the Furious movies?

Tom Smith: Welcome to iDriveSoCal the podcast. All about mobility from the automotive capital of the United States, Southern California. Tom Smith here with our pal, the Professor, Mr. Clinton Quan. Say hello, Clinton.

Clinton Quan: Hi, Tom.

Why SoCal is the World’s Car Capital – Home of the Import Tuner Scene

Tom Smith: Hey! Today’s podcast is a continuation of our justification of that little saying that I throw out there at the beginning of every podcast, what makes Southern California the automotive capital of not only the United States but also the world. Today’s podcast is another justification for that.

The Professor was pointing out to me something that makes a lot of sense. It predates my living here in Southern California, but he experienced it, he lived it and that is the import tuning scene, right? Professor, why don’t you kind of take it away because I have a bunch of kind of yes and to add, but as I mentioned, I wasn’t here for it so I don’t have that firsthand experience that you do.

“I mean honestly, who would ever thought that there’d be seven Fast and the Furious movies?”

Clinton Quan: Yeah. It really started in the early to mid-90s and I remember growing up in… when I went to junior high and high school, if you look back, these were some of the most popular cars back then.

You’re talking about the Japanese cars, which really made the import tuning scene. Cars such as the Toyota Celica, the Toyota MR2, the Honda Prelude, even the Honda Accord Coupe, the Nissan 240SX and they had both a fastback and a coupe version of that. The Mitsubishi Eclipse, the Mazda MX6.

Tom Smith: You’re talking early 90s, the beginning.

Clinton Quan: We’re talking, yes.

Tom Smith: Does that include the late 80s?

Clinton Quan: Yeah, we could include the late 80s as well.

Tom Smith: The cars at that time, the Japanese cars anyway, and I guess the other cars too, they were kind of getting smaller.

Clinton Quan: Yes.

Tom Smith: In the Midwest, I had a buddy that had had a Toyota MR2 and man was that fun to drive. A little go-cart. What about the… was it the Honda-

Clinton Quan: Civic?

Tom Smith: Yeah. The first Civic that… the first, the two-door Civics, remember they had the kind of bubbly blacktops or bubbly-

Clinton Quan: Oh, you’re talking about Civic hatchback because-

Tom Smith: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

“Cars such as the Toyota Celica, the Toyota MR2, the Honda Prelude, even the Honda Accord Coupe, the Nissan 240SX and… The Mitsubishi Eclipse, the Mazda MX6.”

Clinton Quan: Well, speaking of that, I remember one of my classmates in high school, he had one of those… the Civic hatchbacks.

Tom Smith: One of those Civics. Yeah. With that whole genre, right? The late 80s, early 90s, that kind of started the tuning scene here in Southern California and the tuning scene which spawned into what eventually the Fast and Furious movie series, right?

Clinton Quan: Yes.

Tom Smith: I don’t think I’ve seen more than-

Clinton Quan: The first one was released in 2001 and now we have what, seven of them?

Tom Smith: Yeah. Well, it’s been-

Clinton Quan: One of the most successful movie series.

Tom Smith: Very profitable franchise. I think I’ve seen 20-minutes of one or two of the movies, but whatever. I’m not the demo.

But nevertheless, it’s yet another reason why Southern California is the automotive capital, the United States and the world is that our car culture spawns these kinds of things. Right?

Clinton Quan: These were some of the really iconic vehicles of the early to mid-90s and unfortunately nowadays with the popularity of crossover and SUVs, you don’t see vehicles like these anymore.

I remember growing up, these were the cars that everyone wanted. It’s not surprising that the import car tuning scene really started here in Southern California and especially in the South Bay where there’s a big Japanese community in Gardena and nearby in Torrance.

Tom Smith: How did you experience it? How did it start?

Clinton Quan: Well, I didn’t really experience it directly because I didn’t grow up in the South Bay, but… and I didn’t have a car back then.

Tom Smith: You grew up in the valley?

Clinton Quan: Yeah, I grew up in the valley, but I was a huge car enthusiast growing up and I would see it just driving, going around in my parents’ car.

“It’s not surprising that the import car tuning scene really started here in Southern California and especially in the South Bay where there’s a big Japanese community in Gardena and nearby in Torrance.”

I remember just wherever they drove I would look out the window and I would see all these really cool cars and that’s why I always wanted a sports coupe.

Just from reading all the different car magazines. In fact, I think the very first car magazine I got, it was a Car and Driver and they had a road test of the Acura Integra.

It was the second-generation Integra and I remember that was such a cool car and I wanted that car.

Tom Smith: Now the Integra and then the Nissan, was it the 240 and the M2? Were those rear-wheel drive cars? I know my Prelude Si was front wheel drive.

Clinton Quan: Those were rear wheel drive cars. Yes, that’s correct. Nissan-

Tom Smith: The reason why I ask is because from the tuning scene, correct me if I’m wrong, came the drifting scene.

Toyota 86 Tuner Car

Clinton Quan: Yeah, and that’s a big … that’s a very popular drift car, the Nissan 240.

Tom Smith: The reason why I bring that up is because when I did the podcast with Harry Kong from Nitto tires and they’re big auto enthusiast day, which we went to down at Los Angeles Angels Stadium of Anaheim, Los Angeles.

Clinton Quan: Yeah. Angel’s Stadium of Anaheim.

Tom Smith: Yeah, they… Harry said, you know, hey the 240 is still a huge drift.

Clinton Quan: It is. Absolutely. Yeah.

Tom Smith: I guess I’m a big rear wheel drive guy. I just love rear-wheel drive.

There’s some awesome product out, especially now that is front wheel drive, but just the ability to slide the back end and feel that.

I just love that. I don’t know, I don’t know that I’ll ever not love it. Even overall wheel drive.

Clinton Quan: Yes.

Tom Smith: Do you see that coming back? We were just talking in the other podcasts that we did about the Supra coming back.

Do you see that may be coming back as a rear wheel drive vehicle? I miss it. I miss rear wheel drive.

Clinton Quan: Oh, I’m sure that… Yeah. I’m sure the Supra will be rear wheel drive.

Tom Smith: Yeah?

Clinton Quan: Yeah, that’ll definitely be rear wheel drive. Maybe they’ll, who knows, maybe they’ll even offer an all-wheel drive, but definitely rear wheel drive for sure.

Tom Smith: I wouldn’t be surprised. Yeah.

Clinton Quan: In terms of rear wheel drive, I see that coming back for enthusiasts’ vehicles.

Whether it’s a sports coupe or a sports car, like the Supra or the Kia Stinger, which is a rear wheel drive car. Whoever thought that Kia would come out with a vehicle like that?

Something… a Gran Turismo styled vehicle, which is becoming really popular now, not just as a sports sedan, but as a family sedan.

Tom Smith: Yeah.

Clinton Quan: With that sloping back. Even the Honda Accord’s… the current ones has that same type of profile.

Tom Smith: Yup.

Clinton Quan: That’s not a rear-drive that, that’s front-wheel drive, but if other automakers follow, if Kia is successful then maybe they’ll come out with more rear wheel drive cars like that.

Tom Smith: That is a front wheel drive vehicle.

Clinton Quan: Yes.

Tom Smith: I haven’t driven it yet. It’s such a hot car.

I haven’t been able to drive it yet and I keep on bugging David Latif my buddy out there that’s the general manager, like, come on man, let me drive one!

It’s just such a hot car. Such a difficult car to get. My thing is, man, if that was a rear wheel drive car I would be all over it from a buyer perspective. I mean, even though I’m a new dad, I’d be like, I’d fit my son’s babysit back there somehow.

Clinton Quan: Yes, you could.

Tom Smith: At any rate and enough about a rear-wheel drive, I suppose.

Next-gen Import Tuner Lexus LC

The import tuning scene yet another reason why Southern California is the automotive capital of the United States and automotive capital of the world, import tuning scene started right here.

Another parallel to that is the hot rod scene. We’ll talk about that in a different episode. What else to add about the import tuning scene?

Again, this is your story. In the Midwest, we see these trends in the suburbs of Chicago. We see these trends and I think probably 10 years after they happen out here, if that, maybe 12, 15 years quite honestly.

Clinton Quan: I would just say it’s hard to… I don’t want to… It’s hard to underestimate the importance of the scene.

Tom Smith: Yeah.

Clinton Quan: I don’t think a lot of people realize how big of an impact it’s had on not only car culture here in Southern California, but all over the world.

Because we really set the trends and these cars, they’re in museums, cars from Fast and the Furious, and you see him at car shows displayed all throughout Southern California.

When people, when we look back in another 10, 20 years, we’re going to look back and say, “Wow, this is just been such a huge impact on the Southern California automotive scene.”

Tom Smith: Yeah, and it’s crazy too when you think about it, it’s like, okay, that… let’s call it the early 90s.

Clinton Quan: Yeah.

Tom Smith: Some guys start tinkering with their import cars and fast forward 10 years. It’s made it into a motion picture.

Lexus RC F New-Gen Import Tuner

Clinton Quan: Yeah. I mean honestly, who would ever thought that there’d be seven Fast and the Furious movies?

Tom Smith: Right?

Clinton Quan: Look at how incredibly successful. It’s without a doubt, one of the most successful movie franchises series ever.

Tom Smith: That car culture that started there in the South Bay, in the Gardena area turns into a worldwide phenomenon and I guess, hey, that could be yet another reason that Southern California is the automotive capital United States and automotive capital of the world is because we have Hollywood here.

“I don’t think a lot of people realize how big of an impact it’s had on not only car culture here in Southern California, but all over the world.”

Clinton Quan: Yes.

Tom Smith: That spreads the word of the stuff we’re doing just by nature of creating the art that they create, the entertainment that they create, which is another interesting point.

Clinton Quan: Absolutely.

Tom Smith: All right. Well, there you have it. Professor, thank you as always for another interesting talk. As always, thank you. I look forward to the next time and for iDriveSoCal, I am Tom Smith. Thank you for listening.

All the latest Southern California Automotive News HERE.

Is it better to lease a Volkswagen or buy one?

If you’re like me the answer has been ‘buy!’  Because no way was I going to pay for something that I didn’t own.  But then, slowly, I began to realize I never really own my cars.

And that’s because I’m making payments forever.  Plus by the time I’m done making payments I want something new anyway!  And that doesn’t even mention the cost of repairs once the vehicle is out of warranty.  Another factor not being mentioned is the breakneck pace at which technology in our cars is progressing.  (Why would we want anything more than a few years old?)

So, in this iDriveSoCal podcast, long-time Volkswagen expert Shant Bashian from Ontario VW joins me to sort out the options.  Perhaps leasing a Volkswagen is the way to go for you.  Or maybe buying.

The answer is different for everyone.  But leasing has been increasingly popular over the past several years and for good reason.  (I think, because, yes I’ve converted and now always lease my vehicles.)

***Transcription***

Recorded @ Ontario Volkswagen in Ontario, CA

Shant: The first question’s gonna be, “What are you gonna do with the car? How many miles are you gonna put on it, and then where do you see yourself three years from?”

Then we’ll determine if you should lease a Volkswagen or buy, and then we’ll outline both the lease and the purchase. You could see the monthly payments on both scenarios and then you decide which one is more fit for you.

Tom: Welcome to iDriveSoCal, the podcast all about mobility from the automotive capital of the United States, Southern California. Tom Smith here, and I am excited to be at Ontario Volkswagen with my good pal, Shant Bashian, the general sales manager of Ontario Volkswagen.

“What are you gonna do with the car? How many miles are you gonna put on it, and then where do you see yourself three years from?”

The topic du jour today is one that’s on a lot of people’s mind when they go to buy a new car and that is just simply, “Do I buy or do I lease?” I’ve formed some personal opinions on it myself, but we are going to hear from the man here at Ontario Volkswagen.

Mr. Bashian, thank you so much for joining me yet again.

Shant: Thanks for having me Tom, and that question comes up all the time.

I find that most people know whether they want to buy or lease a Volkswagen because they understand it now. There’s a lot of information out there.

For us, we have a different perspective regarding buying versus lease. We’re in the business and we like to get the upgraded product rather quickly, but it really comes down to this.

Shant is always happy to layout the Volkswagen Lease versus Buy options.

What are you planning on doing with the vehicle? What’s the purpose of the car? How many miles are you gonna drive it?

And, are you the type of person that likes to have something new rather quickly? Do you get bored of your vehicle?

You have to look into that. Buying a car, it’s more of a long-term commitment, really.

So, most people right now will purchase a vehicle and finance it for 60 to 72 months. Most vehicles will come with three year or four-year warranties backed by the manufacturer.

When it comes to Volkswagens, we have a six-year, 72,000-mile warranty right now-

Tom: Yeah, big one.

“When it comes to Volkswagens, we have a six-year, 72,000-mile warranty…”

Shant: …that covers bumper to bumper and the powertrain.

So, when it comes to purchasing a Volkswagen throughout your monthly payment term, you are covered.

If anything should go wrong, you have nothing to worry about. There’s no additional expense to look into, but again, that’s if you’re planning on keeping the car for a long time.

Now, if you’re the type of person who likes to get something new every few years, that’s when lease comes into play. Also, some Volkswagen leases may be tax deductible from your income, and I advise you to check with your accountant on that.

Tom: Depends on what you do, right?

Shant: Mm-hmm (affirmative).

Buy vs. Lease | Ontario VW

BEST VW Lease SPECIALS HERE

Tom: I’ve had some buddies that have been in the sales world and they’re able to write off their entire lease payment.

Shant: You can write off the miles. I know that. I don’t know if you could write off the entire lease payment. Again, you gotta check with your accountant.

Tom: Yeah, case by case.

Shant: It’s case by case, but again, so here you have, let’s say, typically a three-year lease.

You make those minimum monthly payments for three years. The monthly payment will be less than a purchase in most cases.

Most cases, you’re looking at $65, $70, $80 less than a purchase, and after three years, there’s no headache. There’s no, “Oh, I gotta sell my car. Oh, I gotta trade my car in.” You walk into the dealership and you have options.

You can buy out your Volkswagen lease at the residual value which is set the day you sign that contract, so if you have a $21,000 car, you get into a lease of, let’s say, $200 a month and at the end, your residual value on that vehicle is $12,000, after three years your payments are done.

Lease or Buy | Ontario VW

You can walk in, you can turn the vehicle in and get something else. And you don’t have to worry about trying to sell it, trying to trade it, or you could buy that vehicle at the residual value of $12,000 plus tax, and then you own it.

You can finance that dollar amount, you can pay cash for it, you can sell it to someone else, you can trade it into another dealership. There’s so many options at the end of a lease.

Tom: The residual is what my car’s gonna be worth at the end of this lease?

Shant: That’s correct, so your residual is based on the amount of mileage you’re planning on putting on the car.

“There’s so many options at the end of a lease.”

So, if you go into a 30,000-mile lease, obviously, that’s gonna differ than a 36,000-mile lease or a 45,000-mile lease.

That’s what the lender… They say, “Okay, 45,000 miles, three years from now, this vehicle will be worth X dollar amount.” That’s your residual value.

Tom: Going back a little bit further, you had mentioned, in most cases, the lease will be less, and you just touched on miles.

I’m assuming depending on how many miles you’re buying on that lease is going to be that, in most cases, situation. Is that correct?

Shant: That’s correct. Yeah, sometimes we’ll get a phone call and the gentleman or lady will state, “I need a lease and I want to get 25,000 miles per year.”

At this point, I’m like, “Okay, let me explain something. I’ll give you the numbers no problem, but you might as well buy the car,” because if you’re gonna pay a 25,000 mile per year lease, it’s the same thing as a purchase or close or maybe even more. You see?

Tom: Mm-hmm (affirmative).

“…a 30,000 mile lease, obviously, that’s gonna differ than a 36,000 mile lease or a 45,000 mile lease.”

Shant: After three years, you’re planning on having 75,000 miles on that car? You’re real close to 100,000. You might as well buy the car.

Tom: That’s a lot of miles?

Shant: Yeah, some people put that mileage, and those people I advise you buy the car. You don’t lease that car.

Tom: That’s because?

Shant: That’s because you’re planning on driving it to the ground.

Ontario VW’s Shant Bashian | Ask the Expert

Tom: Okay, and because you’re putting so many miles on it, the value at the end of that lease term or at the end of the purchase term doesn’t matter because you put a ton of miles on it in a short amount of time.

Shant:  That is correct, so the residual value will suffer. That’s more kind of simplified, you can say. Some people say, “Oh, when I’m leasing the car, I don’t own the vehicle versus if I’m buying the car, I own the vehicle.”

Let me explain something. If you’re financing this car, you don’t own the car.

Tom: Yeah, the bank does.

Shant: The bank owns the car, and if you’re leasing the car, the bank owns the car.

The only difference is this; after a three year or a four-year lease term, you have options on what you can do with that car.

Because, if you’re tired of it and you want to walk away, you’re free to do so versus purchase, you are not liable.

“You scrape the bumpers, you have dings, dents, scratches, torn seats, cracked windshield. This is excessive wear and tear.”

You are tied into that contract until the end of the term, so after three years, if you’re tired of that vehicle… Or if your family grew… You have two kids now and you got a midsize sedan and that double stroller doesn’t fit anymore…

Now, trying to get out of that vehicle because you purchased it is gonna be a little bit tougher, so that’s why you gotta decide where am I gonna be three years from now realistically?

That’s how you gotta look at it.

Ontario VW | Volkswagen Lease

Tom: Where do people get in trouble when they lease a Volkswagen and then turn around, “Oh, my God,” get a big surprise bill at the end of it?

Shant: Two different things. Excessive wear and tear will be if your wheels have been curbed, so you try to park the vehicle, you hit that curb. You scrape the bumpers, you have dings, dents, scratches, torn seats, cracked windshield. This is excessive wear and tear.

The lender will come in and inspect the vehicle and they’ll charge you for those, so most of the time, cars come back in fairly good shape.

I’ve seen some rough cars come back in, but they had excess wear waiver. Excess wear waiver with Volkswagen Credit will waive up to $10,000 in excessive wear and tear. That’s including-

Tom: 10,000?

Shant: Yeah.

Tom: Wow.

Shant: The only thing you need to understand about excess wear and tear, it covers excessive wear and tear.

That doesn’t mean you can return the car with a door missing or a bumper hanging off, because that’s not excessive wear and tear. That’s collision or you know …

Tom: Sometimes, you need to spell out common sense, right?

“…with Volkswagen Credit will waive up to $10,000 in excessive wear and tear.”

Shant: Yeah, and I say that these days.

I didn’t say these things earlier in my career because I didn’t foresee it. I wasn’t expecting for people to think, “Oh, I can bring the car with front and rear bumpers missing.” It doesn’t work that way.

That’s not excessive wear and tear. That bumper’s missing. That’s a problem.

The other scenario I ran into, we tell people… They ask, “What if I go over my miles?”

Tom: That’s where I wanted to get to.

Buy or Lease | Ontario VW

And, I figured you’d have something else to point out that I didn’t think of, and that was the excess wear and tear… But, what I was going towards is the miles, because a lot of people that I talk to are like, “Oh, I leased once. It didn’t work out. I had this huge number that I had to pay at the end of the lease.”

It’s like, “Well, wait a minute. Why was that?” It’s like, “Well, I wanted to get my payment as low as possible, so I figured I’d only drive 5,000 miles a year.”

Shant: That’s impossible.

Tom: It’s like, well, no, you gotta be realistic.

For me, personally, I like leasing for getting something new all the time.  Also, what I recommend to people when they ask me is, hey, buy more miles than you think you’re gonna need.

Because they’re typically way cheaper when you commit to them upfront as opposed to have to go over and then pay for them on the back end.

In the case of Volkswagen, what is that? Is there a standard number that, hey, this is how much it’s gonna cost me when I’m committing to the lease? You already said it’s 20 cents a mile on the back end.

“…once a year, you can call VW credit, and you can buy more miles throughout your lease.”

Shant: Typically, upfront mileage is 12 cents,

Tom: Big difference there.

Shant: Right now, actually, once a year, you can call VW credit, and you can buy more miles throughout your lease.

So, I leased an Atlas. I have a 12,000-mile lease. It’s a three-year term, and right now, we’re averaging about 14,000 miles already.

I’ve been in the vehicle for almost two years, so all I do is pick up the phone, call VW credit, and say, “I need to buy another 3,000, or another 4,000 or another 5,000 miles.”

And they’ll calculate that mileage. I believe it was at 15 cents and then they’ll just put that into my payments.

“…all I do is pick up the phone, call VW credit, and say, “I need to buy another 3,000, or another 4,000 or another 5,000 miles.”

Tom: Not all manufacturers do that. As far as being able to adjust your mileage midstream in the least, I know that not everybody does that, so that’s a great thing that Volkswagen offers, and you can do that once a year for each year of the lease or-

Shant: Yes, you can.

Tom: That’s a great thing.

Shant: Volkswagen Credit leases are simple. You can return the car anywhere in the country at any Volkswagen dealer.

Tom: Got it. Okay, well, a lot of great information and it sounds like your perspective, case by case basis, the factors you laid out earlier, is there anything else?

Hey, I’m a new customer, Shant. Just rolled up to Ontario Volkswagen. I’m really torn between buying and leasing.

Any other suggestions or points that you want to make for me as someone considering going either way?

“How man miles are you gonna put on it, and then where do you see yourself three years from now?”

Shant: The first question’s gonna be, “What are you gonna do with the car? How many miles are you gonna put on it, and then where do you see yourself three years from now?”

Then we’ll determine if you should lease or buy, and then we’ll outline both the lease and the purchase. You could see the monthly payments on both scenarios and then you decide which one is more fit for you.

Tom: All right. Well, all good information.

Shant Bashian Explains Leasing & Buying Options

BEST VW Lease SPECIALS HERE

Thank you so much, always, Mr. Shant Bashian here at Ontario Volkswagen. You guys are a wealth of information for the iDriveSoCal listeners and surfers if you’re coming across iDriveSoCal.com.

Thank you as always for iDrive… Oh, you know what? I think in the last podcast, we dropped your contact information. Do you want to do that here?

Tom: Additional questions for whether or not you should buy or lease Volkswagen, reach out to Mr. Bashian, and again, thank you so much.

Shant: Thank you for having me.

Tom: Most appreciated. For iDriveSoCal, I am Tom Smith. Thank you as always for tuning in.

The Latest Volkswagen News HERE.