Our 2013 VW TDI: Sell It or Fix It?

CARS.COM — As Volkswagen announces its proposed settlement terms, we’re left with the question: Sell our 2013 Jetta Sportswagen TDI for a lot more than we paid for it, or hang on to it (but still get some cash), fix it and see how the performance changes.

We checked the estimated buyback value of our SportWagen TDI; it was specifically purchased to see how the diesel scandal turned out. Owners don’t have to choose right now whether to take a buyback or wait for a fix and take cash compensation, but we thought we’d see where we came down on the issue.

Related: VW Diesel Settlement: What Owners, Lessees Need to Know

Because the settlement still has to be approved, our decision is more a statement of intent. We plan to stick it out and wait for a fix, hoping to test an emissions-legal TDI to see how much of a difference there is in acceleration and fuel economy between the current, emissions-cheating TDI and an emissions-legal one.

VW’s offer gave us a sliver of doubt about which option to take: Our estimated buyback amount totaled $25,937 using the Federal Trade Commission’s restitution charts and mileage adjuster. (VWCourtSettlement.com will have vehicle identification number functionality to determine exact compensation at a later date, so check there if you’re an owner.) VW’s proposed buyback offer would put us ahead a good amount considering that we paid $17,998 out the door for our VW in February 2016 after it sat on the dealership’s lot since August 2015.

We know we may be waiting for a fix, considering the proposed settlement gives Volkswagen until May 1, 2018, to release a solution, pending approval from the EPA and the California Air Resources Board. The good news is that the settlement says VW will still buy back the vehicle if there isn’t a fix by May 1, 2018. Hopefully there is, and that it’s a good one, because there’s so much to like about our TDI wagon