Are VW's that bad!?

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: lovcom
I really don't know why anyone would consider a VW...they are sucky cars, especially when one can get a Japanese car that is infinitely better, and often for less money.

Define 'better'. If you want something reliable, yes, statistically you're better off with something Japanese (just make sure it was actually made in Japan and not in the US). But if you want something more fun to drive, you're not going to get it out of a Corolla. Jetta also has a nicer interior.

 

[Steve S]

Fine German engineering.What ever that means.Though some of the V.W. I have driven have been nice to drive. I like reliability.

 

[Eddie]

German vehicles with Bosch electricals were the best the world had to offer when I was driving VWs, 356 Porsches' and Opels in the 60 70 & 80s. What the bleep happened the last 10 years-did they start buying Lucus electrical parts?

 

[Audi Junkie]

B5.5 Passat is/was Consumer's #1 sedan for 5 or more years, displacing the Accord. Entry price not bad for a German made state-of-the-art vehicle. New Passat is pretty hoppin'.

 

[PulMax]

I'd probably buy an old watercoled VW, like a Rabbit GTi, I don't think I could be persuaded into a new one. All the horror stories, combined with me not being a dash-humper means I wouldn't take the risk.

Most of the misery I hear about VWs stems less from the cars and more from the absolutely exorbitant repair costs and miserable service from the dealer network.

 

[Big O Dave]

"Are VW's that bad!?"

Yes. They are.

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: PulMax
Most of the misery I hear about VWs stems less from the cars and more from the absolutely exorbitant repair costs and miserable service from the dealer network.


Exactly.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: PulMax
Most of the misery I hear about VWs stems less from the cars and more from the absolutely exorbitant repair costs and miserable service from the dealer network.

You are probably right there. VW seems to have a spotty dealer network in the US at best.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

I've said it before and I'll say it again:
If you could take the soul/engines/handling from Germand/Euro makes and match them with Japanese electronics, you'd have cars that would last forever, mechanically. These days, electronics are key in "reliability." I realize that starting an engine and getting to work may not mean a car is unreliable, but windows/headlights/something else electrically/electronically not working is in my opinion, not reliable. I think VW styling and advertising are amazing. But if you can't see where you're going at night, why drive it?

 

[Doug Hillary]

Hi,
I own a MY02 Golf 1.6 Manual (I rarely drive it myself) and it has been a very trouble free vehicle - now at 50k kms (32k miles).
It gets an annual OC with M1 0w-40 and it is used daily. I would replace it with another VW without hesitation

I have owned seven VWs over the years - 1600TL (delivered in Wolfsburg Dec 67), Kharmann Ghia 1500, Microbus 1500, Fox, 1500 and two Golf (95,02)

VW's have an extremely good and trouble free reputation here in Australia

The new Passat, Golf and Polo are quite popular here along with their Commercial range

Regards
Doug

 

[Steve S]

Doug ,, that is because being upside down is keeping the parts from falling off. Really...

 

[Doug Hillary]

Wow Steve - I forgot about that! Is that why the dipsticks never show a reading too????

Doug

 

[TooManyWheels]

I recently went looking to buy, and looked VERY seriously at VWs. From driving, design and esthetics points of view I loved every model I looked at. But every source of owner information, whether it be Consumer Reports, Edmunds, or enthusiast forums, all said the same thing - finicky at best, unreliable at worst.

The absolute deal breaker was reading about automatic transmisions that destroy themselves at frequent intervals. Once you get past warranty it is a $3k or better replacement through the dealer, as independent shops can't repair them successfully.

The icing on the cake was seeing too many instances of people who said "Loved the car, hated the reliability and cost of repairs, was so happy to rid myself of it". I couldn't see putting myself in that position.

 

[PulMax]

Originally Posted By: Chris Meutsch
I've said it before and I'll say it again:
If you could take the soul


I've got a Volvo 240 and a BMW 535is...I've yet to figure out this 'soul' thing that other Eurocar owners constantly squawk about.

As far as I can tell, 'soul' translates to 'fluids leaking on the driveway' and 'a whole mess of broken Bosch parts'.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: PulMax
I've got a Volvo 240 and a BMW 535is...I've yet to figure out this 'soul' thing that other Eurocar owners constantly squawk about.

As far as I can tell, 'soul' translates to 'fluids leaking on the driveway' and 'a whole mess of broken Bosch parts'.

Hahahha... you and me both. I've had my 530i for over a year now, and honestly, I don't understand what all the fuss is about. Reliability has been poor (although i'm not the first owner) and the fun-to-drive factor isn't all that high. I mean, it drives well, but so do many other cars for less money.

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: Doug Hillary
Wow Steve - I forgot about that! Is that why the dipsticks never show a reading too????

Doug
Exactly Doug.

 

[crinkles]

My folks had a 1993 Jetta III (1.8L carby) and a 1993 Toyota COrolla (1.6 FI). Toyota only ever gave one single problem, a flat battery after I left the lights on on an overcast day.

The Jetta however, had mcuh less power than the Corolla, and for years had a problem where it just DIED in the middle of the road, wouldnt start for 30 minutes while you held up traffic, and then miraculously would just start up again. It now has 200,000km on it, which isn't all that much, but it is falling apart.

Personally when car buying comes around for me next time I would love a diesel golf, but, I've just read problems after problems with the turbo because of bad diesel fuel. Plus, the petrol VW's require premium petrol over here which is very dear.

I am thinking I will be sticking with something simple like a petrol ford focus or some such. Also makes the maintenance a lot easier. Still years off so I might change my mind...

if i bought with my heart, .... yes, VW TDI...
if i bought with my head and my wallet, i'd go ford/mazda/toyota economical 4 cylinder petrol...

 

[tangojetta]

Just make sure you buy a Vag-Com with it. So our 03 TDI Jetta wagon has been great, but I have seen other VWs fair not so well.

 

[ShiningArcanine]

Originally Posted By: ARB1977
My wifes 97 Jetta 2.0L even with the low miles it has been awesome. Had the coolant flange changed other than that its been great. I had the tranny fluid and filter changed for the first time in 10 years with no problems.

I would rather own and 09 TDI than a 09 Honda diesel only because VW's TDI have been around in the US forever.


If I was buying a new car and I had to choose between the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI and the 2009 Honda Accord diesel, I would choose a 2009 Honda Accord diesel. Honda has a much more consistent history of making reliable cars than Volkswagen has had over the past thirty years.

 

[ARB1977]

Originally Posted By: ShiningArcanine
Originally Posted By: ARB1977
My wifes 97 Jetta 2.0L even with the low miles it has been awesome. Had the coolant flange changed other than that its been great. I had the tranny fluid and filter changed for the first time in 10 years with no problems.

I would rather own and 09 TDI than a 09 Honda diesel only because VW's TDI have been around in the US forever.


If I was buying a new car and I had to choose between the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI and the 2009 Honda Accord diesel, I would choose a 2009 Honda Accord diesel. Honda has a much more consistent history of making reliable cars than Volkswagen has had over the past thirty years.

Maybe true but VW has far more experience with their diesels than honda does in the US.