Originally Posted By: Shrubitup
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
You mostly hear how Honda is great and VW is horrible. The truth is that Hondas aren't that great and VWs aren't that horrible.
Have a 2010 Civic LX since new. Fourth set of of front pads and rotors now. 85K miles. They really know how to mess up brakes unfortunately. No other problems other than road noise (loud!) and the driver's door assembly creaks/squeaks/moans/moves since new but my wife just said stop placing your elbow there and there won't be a problem (glad it's not my car given the price we paid). The Civic is a price point vehicle. They cheaped out everywhere on the car which is unfortunate since it's only a few grand cheaper than a Accord. I'd recommend the Accord instead as they're known to provide Honda's good reputation.
Don't know much about VW other than the 96 GTI we had (lost relevancy at this point). Friend bought a new Golf 2016 and likes it.
My in-laws have a 2011 or 12 Jetta TDI with about 87k miles and as far as I'm aware they did not have any problems with the car yet. The interior does have a lot of hard plastic everywhere, where the prior generations had mostly soft touch materials. However, it is rattle free, the fit and finish is excellent. Just looking at it, you would not be able to tell that it is all hard plastic.
All in all, VW did cheapen out the Jetta as an answer to customer demands, but they did a very good job. The interior is still above average as far as fit and finish goes. The ride quality is also one of the better ones in the class, despite using a rear beam axle instead of independent suspension. It has the most room and trunk space and the new 1.8TSI puts out a nice delivery of power and torque while providing near the top fuel economy.
It is one of the better built and most comfortable vehicles in the segment IMO.