Generally not impressed with the new VWs

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JHZR2

JHZR2

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I went to the VW site during lunch, and Ill say that Im not all that impressed. I didnt originally like the designs, but having seen a few on the road, they are starting to grow on me. But, there are a lot of little issues that make the cars not appealing to me... lets see:

Jetta TDI:
-5.1qt sump
-42 MPG highway

Passat:
-no TDI
-2.0T has oil sump of only 4.4qt
-2.0T needs 95 US OCTANE (thats what it says!!!) to get full power, its reduced when 91 octane is used

Both:
Prices are too high, I dont care what the content is... the Jetta package 2 is $4660?!?!?!? On top of the starting price over $20k?

I thought VW offered value?

JMH
 
I actually like the new Passat. And I did notice that 95 oct requirement in their spec sheet which is weird considering this type of gas is not sold at most stations in the US, except maybe Sunoco and some race gas outlets.

I can't remember if Audi is recommending the same for the A3 and A4 with the same engine.

In Europe, I believe they recommend 98 octane for the 2.0TFSI engine, which would roughly equal about 94 US octane.
 
VW may not excell in any department (so is MB) but gives an efficient combination of many things... a nice, well thought put-together. The deadly point is their ad. campaigns since the 50's. Campaigns are so succesfull that they are lectured in media-management or similar classes. So VW is likely to be the most overrated one. I don't think one gets enough car per money with a VW. If you don't have a special hunch for it I'd say just pass it. I personally liked the earlier versions, uncluttered, sensible design with just enough details, now they come with such things like chromed plastics. What is the point in chrome plating a plastic? In this sense they're not more design-concious than 50's detroit iron, certainly doesn't appeal to my hipster side.

I am afraid they are not that minimalist Europeans anymore, they are gradually orienting the products for high-end markets, at times skipping the technological (or hard fact) requirements to do so. Because materials has always been expensive and scarce for Germans, so they have to have a quality-competitiveness rather than edge of price.

With the price of a loaded Passat one can buy a Volvo v70 here, or a base s80! I'm not even going to compare, not worth it. I guess VW is just pushing up it's market placement to see what happens.
 
Heh... many feel that today's Volvos aren't what they used to be either. They're thought of as glorified Fords. No offence to Volvo owners out there - my mom has a V40 and it's fine.

But yeah, the VW steady climb towards the luxury segment is puzzling to me, at least in the US market, where they're encroaching on Audi territory and possibly cause confusion, if not cannibalization. I can understand this move in Europe, where they try to create enough distance between VW and their lower-end brands (Skoda and Seat), but in the US - I dunno.

EDIT: Maybe they just don't want to compete with the likes of KIA and Hyundai in the low-end no-frills car segment category because they'd certainly lose on price.

[ October 19, 2005, 04:13 PM: Message edited by: Quattro Pete ]
 
VW is a niche car. The people buying them are generally well off and have owned VWs in the past (when they weren't so "luxurious"
rolleyes.gif
)

The hippie turned yuppie bought a rabbit .ca 1978-80 and used it as a runabout that his college bound kids inherited down the road. Now those college kids are succesful types who really don't care how much little Buffy's new $30k Beetle costs. They just think buying a VW is the "right" thing to do, all kitsch factor. If they didn't have that type of money they most certainly would be buying a Kia or a Mitsubishi.

As for VW trying to kill their "everyman" car philosophy- maybe they're trying to shed the old image. After all, we know whose idea THAT was.....
shocked.gif
 
My sister in San Diego just got a Jetta against my advice. I dont trust the reliability or long-term durability. It is a fashion statment for her. She flat out told me that she didnt want to be seen in an Accord, too many out there.

To me they are rebadged Audis, not real VWs. The last air-cooled, rear-engined oned rolled out of the Mexico City plant several years ago.

No TDI's for the California market, another reason not to buy a VW.
 
I find it sad that a $80,000+ luxo barge (Phaeton) is parked next to a Beetle with an option package to make it look like Herbie the Love Bug; it is not clear what they are trying to be.
 
"All-New Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 Named "Best Premium Compact Car" July, 2005

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The recently released all-new Jetta is already collecting accolades. SmartMoney magazine crowned the Jetta 2.5 as its "Best Premium Compact Car" in their August 2005 issue. Compared to its competition, the Jetta was deemed the best over-all value because of its refined ride, spirited handling, and thoroughly designed interior appointments.

Remarking on the Jetta's driving dynamics, SmartMoney stated, "On the road, the Jetta's handling is crisp and precise; the suspension and chassis isolate the driver from bumps and keep the car firmly planted."

With regards to the interior, they went on to say, "The Jetta has numerous touches…that come as delightful surprises in a midprice car."

Keeping with Volkswagen's tradition of well-executed interior design, SmartMoney noted, "The layout of the controls is simple and logical..."

The all-new 2005 Jetta has a base price of $17,900. Complimenting the Jetta's dynamic driving characteristics and thoughtful engineering is a long list of standard features. With five-year/60,000 mile powertrain and four-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage (which ever comes first), and four years of free roadside assistance, the new Jetta offers a worry-free driving experience. In addition, the new Jetta is available with a TDI diesel engine capable of 36 mpg city/41 mpg highway."


http://smartmoney.com/autos/newcars/index.cfm?story=august2005
 
That 95 octane requirement may be for a different rating system than our American , mixed, standard , of comarison.
What we see on the pump is a mixture of two different raing methods.
 
right, but it claimed US specs, and then cited 91 octane pump fuel as having reduced performance... Id think they would use the right numbers... 98 euro octane is about 93 here in the US, right?

JMH
 
quote:
Originally posted by Audi Junkie:
"All-New Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 Named "Best Premium Compact Car" July, 2005

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The recently released all-new Jetta is already collecting accolades. SmartMoney magazine crowned the Jetta 2.5 as its "Best Premium Compact Car" in their August 2005 issue. Compared to its competition, the Jetta was deemed the best over-all value because of its refined ride, spirited handling, and thoroughly designed interior appointments.

Remarking on the Jetta's driving dynamics, SmartMoney stated, "On the road, the Jetta's handling is crisp and precise; the suspension and chassis isolate the driver from bumps and keep the car firmly planted."

With regards to the interior, they went on to say, "The Jetta has numerous touches…that come as delightful surprises in a midprice car."

Keeping with Volkswagen's tradition of well-executed interior design, SmartMoney noted, "The layout of the controls is simple and logical..."

The all-new 2005 Jetta has a base price of $17,900. Complimenting the Jetta's dynamic driving characteristics and thoughtful engineering is a long list of standard features. With five-year/60,000 mile powertrain and four-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage (which ever comes first), and four years of free roadside assistance, the new Jetta offers a worry-free driving experience. In addition, the new Jetta is available with a TDI diesel engine capable of 36 mpg city/41 mpg highway."


http://smartmoney.com/autos/newcars/index.cfm?story=august2005
Click to expand...
a) 41 MPG for a diesel of that size SUCKS!!! I bet the honda diesel version of the euro accord (TSX) does a LOT better.

b) smart money isnt exactly the best source for car reviews.. most of their readership would by an AT car anyway... whats the point?!?

c) the article cited above states that the starting price is $21005.. not that great. Granted, on the vw website it claims the 'value edition' jetta starts at 17,900. That one doesnt come with any of the niceities that are talked about in the smartmoney article, like the auto rain sensing wipers.

d) for the prices of these cars well equipped, Id much rather spend barely any more and get a low-end A4... It would undoubtedly be a far superior car in so many ways

e) for the money, Ill take my saab 9-3, which was barely over $23k, NEW... about the same price as an average jetta will be...

JMH
 
quote:
Originally posted by mechtech:
That 95 octane requirement may be for a different rating system than our American , mixed, standard , of comarison.
Click to expand...
I thought about that, but then, if it's for a European octane rating standard, then why are they mentioning the 91 grade? 91 is not sold in Europe. The lowest grade sold there is 95.
 
ill admit some of the things you list are pretty nifty... umbrella in door comes to mind.

JMH
 
yeah, and it's only $127.95 to get a new one, available only at the dealer....let's leave out the umbrella and sell me a car that lasts for 250k for less than 15k.

back to basics, people.
 
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