Octavia - Poor resale

[VAG newbie]

I paid $35900 drive away,and I got $25000 back,which was what insurance paid as the going price for that car at the time.

I was thrilled,as got 70 percent back,or lost only 30 percent over 42 months and 56000 kilometers.

That is good enough reason for me to buy another VW product in the future...

Insurance company usually overestimate the market value so that you will have to pay a higher premium. Couple of years ago I bought a 3 year old Rover 75 for $35000. Lots of insurance company refuse to insure me because that price was well below their market value, and they believe it was a gray import. I told them I got from an authorized Rover dealer but they wouldn't believe me. Only one insurance company was willing to insure me at the time.

It just shows how unreliable insurance company's market value is. Dont count on it. It is better to write off your car then try to sell it. That said, it's not that easy to write off a car and insurance will do all they can to fix the car! (that is, if you get approved by the insurance company)

That said, I don't think Octavia's resale is as bad as 42% in 3 years. Recently I saw a few baseline 90TSi with DSG selling for $24985 drive away. Being a base model, they should be the one that retain the least value. So if it really only worth 42% in 3 years, it will be $10494! Now, give me a 3 year old Octavia with DSG (of course, assuming in good condition and reasonable mileage) for around $10500, I'll buy it any day!