How about a 'Rabbit-Golf-Rabbit-Golf' thread!
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VW could be so much more of a presence in the US today if it wasn't for their distributor here VWoA. They have consistantly botched product choices, model range, and most importantly insisting on a quality dealer network, over the past 35 years.
For example the amazing Golf (Rabbit) GTI was born in Germany in 1976!!!!!!
Yet it took another 7 years for a version to show up in the USA and then it was a slightly watered down version even though it was still good.
I rememeber how the US automotive press BEGGED VWoA to offer a GTI here in the states for years...and VWoA's comment was " The Golf GTI is simply not of interest to the US consumer". When VWoA finally brought the GTI to market in 1983 it was an INSTANT hit virtually saving VW in the US at that point....
I've had a 1984 Rabbit GTI from new and it was amazingly good. It was a perfectly balanced car that was a blast to own and drive. It was trouble free with only routine maintenance needed ..Sadly it was stolen in 1995 with 113k miles on it. I still miss that car today!
I now have a 96 Golf GL that while not that much fun to drive have been trouble free and rust free as well with over 100k miles on it. It still has the original front rotors on it!!!!
VW still offers a MKI version of the Golf GTI in SOuth Africa called the "citiGolf R Type." With only minor cosmetic changes it is essentially a Golf GTI. If it was left hand drive I would seriously consider importing one today.
For example the amazing Golf (Rabbit) GTI was born in Germany in 1976!!!!!!
Yet it took another 7 years for a version to show up in the USA and then it was a slightly watered down version even though it was still good.
I rememeber how the US automotive press BEGGED VWoA to offer a GTI here in the states for years...and VWoA's comment was " The Golf GTI is simply not of interest to the US consumer". When VWoA finally brought the GTI to market in 1983 it was an INSTANT hit virtually saving VW in the US at that point....
I've had a 1984 Rabbit GTI from new and it was amazingly good. It was a perfectly balanced car that was a blast to own and drive. It was trouble free with only routine maintenance needed ..Sadly it was stolen in 1995 with 113k miles on it. I still miss that car today!
I now have a 96 Golf GL that while not that much fun to drive have been trouble free and rust free as well with over 100k miles on it. It still has the original front rotors on it!!!!
VW still offers a MKI version of the Golf GTI in SOuth Africa called the "citiGolf R Type." With only minor cosmetic changes it is essentially a Golf GTI. If it was left hand drive I would seriously consider importing one today.
Not to mention opening a US factory (first import brand factory in US in 1978) then closing it 1988 and now soon (2011) opening another....
VW has their heads up their bottoms in many ways.
VW has their heads up their bottoms in many ways.
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Originally Posted By: Tosh
Not to mention opening a US factory (first import brand factory in US in 1978) then closing it 1988 and now soon (2011) opening another....
VW has their heads up their bottoms in many ways.
Don't forget that VW is doing just fine in most of the rest of the world. It is VWoA and not VW AG that is the problem and they have been for over 30 years now....Since VWoA moved to Herndon, VA, I call that crowd of fresh faced Ivy leaguer sneering punks that had a insider get them a job the "Herndon Halfwits" . Since I doubt they care one carp about VW product, its only about image and quick cash in their puny minds.
Not to mention opening a US factory (first import brand factory in US in 1978) then closing it 1988 and now soon (2011) opening another....
VW has their heads up their bottoms in many ways.
Don't forget that VW is doing just fine in most of the rest of the world. It is VWoA and not VW AG that is the problem and they have been for over 30 years now....Since VWoA moved to Herndon, VA, I call that crowd of fresh faced Ivy leaguer sneering punks that had a insider get them a job the "Herndon Halfwits" . Since I doubt they care one carp about VW product, its only about image and quick cash in their puny minds.
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Originally Posted By: Vizzy
VW could be so much more of a presence in the US today if it wasn't for their distributor here VWoA. They have consistantly botched product choices, model range, and most importantly insisting on a quality dealer network, over the past 35 years.
For example the amazing Golf (Rabbit) GTI was born in Germany in 1976!!!!!!
Yet it took another 7 years for a version to show up in the USA and then it was a slightly watered down version even though it was still good.
I think you have made a mistake with the dates. The original (Mk1) Rabbit was available in 1974, because my mother bought one early in 1975. About a year later I bought a used Saab 99 EMS and sometime after that we swapped cars for a couple months. so I had a chance to drive that Rabbit daily for 6-8 weeks.
Four-on-the-floor, somewhat noisy gear whine in 1st and reverse, a somewhat flexible shift linkage, barebones interior (you could hose it out, no need to vacuum it out). Not much power but still fun to drive. Afterward I appreciated my Saab all the more
VW could be so much more of a presence in the US today if it wasn't for their distributor here VWoA. They have consistantly botched product choices, model range, and most importantly insisting on a quality dealer network, over the past 35 years.
For example the amazing Golf (Rabbit) GTI was born in Germany in 1976!!!!!!
Yet it took another 7 years for a version to show up in the USA and then it was a slightly watered down version even though it was still good.
I think you have made a mistake with the dates. The original (Mk1) Rabbit was available in 1974, because my mother bought one early in 1975. About a year later I bought a used Saab 99 EMS and sometime after that we swapped cars for a couple months. so I had a chance to drive that Rabbit daily for 6-8 weeks.
Four-on-the-floor, somewhat noisy gear whine in 1st and reverse, a somewhat flexible shift linkage, barebones interior (you could hose it out, no need to vacuum it out). Not much power but still fun to drive. Afterward I appreciated my Saab all the more
My first new car was a '75 VW Rabbit bought in Portland, Oregon. It may have been part of the second shipment in. I always thought it drove real nice and the snow handling was fantastic. However, I traded it in for my '80 VW Dasher Wagon.
Still VWOA is a problem, no doubt about it. I think they hate customers as some kind of nuisance they wish would go away.
Still VWOA is a problem, no doubt about it. I think they hate customers as some kind of nuisance they wish would go away.
Originally Posted By: Benzadmiral
It was 1975 when those first commercials aired? I remember seeing one and laughing out loud at the name. Remember, I'd been conditioned by American cars with names like Mustang, Cougar, Wildcat, Cobra, Barracuda, Thunderbird, and Sting Ray! A "Rabbit" is a prey animal, not a predator!
At the risk of splitting hairs, Mustangs aren't exactly predators either
It was 1975 when those first commercials aired? I remember seeing one and laughing out loud at the name. Remember, I'd been conditioned by American cars with names like Mustang, Cougar, Wildcat, Cobra, Barracuda, Thunderbird, and Sting Ray! A "Rabbit" is a prey animal, not a predator!
At the risk of splitting hairs, Mustangs aren't exactly predators either
I had a 1983 GTI that I loved. Drove that thing like crazy all the time. Never had any major problems with it either. I traded it in with some where north of 95,000 miles on it with the original front brakes and rotors on it. Saw it at a club racing event a few months later and the guy that bought it was going to race the car later that year. Fast forward to 2009 and I just bought a 2009 Golf GTI. We just got back from Charlotte NC and the car ran great. The new GTI is a refined version of the MK 1 GTI and loaded with a lot more features than the original car. Boy did those heated seats come in handy after the race Sat. nite!! I love driving to work again!
Mustangs outrun the predators.
It's interesting that you note the original Rabbit as being great in the snow. My current 2001 Jetta is a basket-case in snow.
Actually, it would be fine, but the anti-slip regulation, which cannot be defeated completely, causes the car to go into convulsions whenever it detects some slip. It's just crazy, nuts, stupid, but it sells cars whenever it's not snowing outside.
Actually, it would be fine, but the anti-slip regulation, which cannot be defeated completely, causes the car to go into convulsions whenever it detects some slip. It's just crazy, nuts, stupid, but it sells cars whenever it's not snowing outside.
Originally Posted By: crw
My current 2001 Jetta is a basket-case in snow.
Actually, it would be fine, but the anti-slip regulation, which cannot be defeated completely, causes the car to go into convulsions whenever it detects some slip. It's just crazy, nuts, stupid, but it sells cars whenever it's not snowing outside.
Interesting. Our '01 Jetta has no anti-slip gizmos, and it does quite OK in snow, provided you have proper winter tires on.
My current 2001 Jetta is a basket-case in snow.
Actually, it would be fine, but the anti-slip regulation, which cannot be defeated completely, causes the car to go into convulsions whenever it detects some slip. It's just crazy, nuts, stupid, but it sells cars whenever it's not snowing outside.
Interesting. Our '01 Jetta has no anti-slip gizmos, and it does quite OK in snow, provided you have proper winter tires on.
Well, I have the 1.8T. It's called ASR, and there is a button the dash to turn down the sensitivity. It doesn't work well. When the brakes kick in to slow the wheel spin, it sounds like you're hitting a brick wall. Then, in some cases it actually PREVENTS you from moving!!! Augh! The point is, I'm not a ninny, I've lived in snowy areas all my life, and I know what I'm doing behind the wheel, if the [censored] car would just let me go!
Believe it or not, sometimes you're just gonna have a spinning wheel on a snowy road. It happens, and it's not the end of the world. (Unless you're in that Jetta...)
Believe it or not, sometimes you're just gonna have a spinning wheel on a snowy road. It happens, and it's not the end of the world. (Unless you're in that Jetta...)
I had a 1984 Rabitt Convert (yes, in white) 5-speed.
Later, I got my woman a Mars Red 1983 Rabbit Convert, upped past GTI spec. Very quick. I actually sold and re-purchased it for her.
She drove the heck out of it. The heavy chrome steel bumpers served her well. She worried me so much, I upgraded her to an Audi Coupe GT.
Later, I got my woman a Mars Red 1983 Rabbit Convert, upped past GTI spec. Very quick. I actually sold and re-purchased it for her.
She drove the heck out of it. The heavy chrome steel bumpers served her well. She worried me so much, I upgraded her to an Audi Coupe GT.
Love the nuke plant shot!
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