Maybe buying a 2011 VW Golf knowlegeable info ?

[Superbuick96]

Im thinking about trading in my gas guzzling Ranger on a new 11'Volkswagen Golf. Loaded,auto,2.5. Ive heard all kinds of conflicting info on these cars. Some say reliability is average, some say its great. Ive heard the Golf is a high quality model because it is made in Germany unlike some other models. Iver heard that repair cost is allot higher then domestics,and japanese autos. I must say I have 2 local VW dealers that have been in buisness for decades, and both have excellent reputations. I guess that alieviates any worry about getting proper maintainence. I guess Im just concerned about buying a German auto, Ive owned domestics and hondas' and toyotas, I knew what I was getting into. What can I expect from being a Golf owner, and what possible pitfalls that might be included?

 

[ARCOgraphite]

It at the top of my car list for a base model that can be had around my part for ~16500. The only problem I see is they havent been real gas savers with the 5 cyl engine. Look at the left over 10 Hyndai Elantra and the Scion xD (ugly) for something under 15K that would average 30+ mpg. I dont know if you would average over 25 with the golf unless your on the highway a lot. Have fun and drive a few competing models! * Charlie Sheen and Tiger gave me that advice

search here - there was a thread with a guy this week looking at a new Jetta.

 

[JHZR2]

Wife has an 08, brother has an 11 TDi.

No issues with the 08 at all. Brother's 11 has had a rattle on the passenger door and has noticed a sloshing sound when the tank is full -not a big deal.

Wife's 2.5 is a nice engine - good getup and go. Driving 100% city she gets 26 MPG. Highway only returns 30! Not geared as a highway car. Brother gets about 42 in DC traffic, tops 50 on highway trips. Very utilitarian cars, rear seat has more space than any Camry or Taurus I've driven in. Better headroom with sunroof than most cars.

Ours has been great. Fits a lot of stuff.

 

[JHZR2]

Btw wife's car has 5MT, with a 6sp with good OD I'm sure >30 would be easy. Godwin SSS of engine let's us cruise at 25 mph in 4th gear with cruise on and get 42-45 mpg constantly steady state.

 

[beast3300]

I thought only the GTI was made in Germany. My co-worker has a 09 Jetta and is happy with it. However, he is a complete VW fan.

 

[rshunter]

Originally Posted By: beast3300
I thought only the GTI was made in Germany. My co-worker has a 09 Jetta and is happy with it. However, he is a complete VW fan.

All the MkV and MkVI Golf and GTI variants, in the U.S. and Canadian markets, are sourced from Wolfsburg. Sometime during the 2000MY, the MkIV switched from Wolfsburg sourcing to Curitiba, Brazil. Apparently, Volkswagen learned their lesson...

 

[Dan55]

VW makes an excellent vehicle but the maintenance cost after 5 or 6 years can be high. As someone stated here on repairs "If it speaks German its expensive".

 

[Chris Meutsch]

Originally Posted By: Dan55
VW makes an excellent vehicle but the maintenance cost after 5 or 6 years can be high. As someone stated here on repairs "If it speaks German its expensive".


Ahem, I re-tweet:

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: Dan55
VW makes an excellent vehicle but the maintenance cost after 5 or 6 years can be high. As someone stated here on repairs "If it speaks German its expensive".


The more pedestrian German vehicles are reasonable to maintain.

 

[crazyoildude]

unless vw quality got much better when i was not looking i would steer clear of that car

 

[Dan55]

That's the one!

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: dparm
Originally Posted By: Dan55
VW makes an excellent vehicle but the maintenance cost after 5 or 6 years can be high. As someone stated here on repairs "If it speaks German its expensive".


The more pedestrian German vehicles are reasonable to maintain.


Agreed. One of my mb, BMW or vw vehicles are any more or less to maintain than any other vehicle. Parts and services are the same.

 

[The Critic]

The 2.5L I5 Golfs have actually been extremely reliable. CR rates them higher than the Honda and Toyota competitors for reliability.

Unfortunately, I find the 2.5L engine to raspy to listen to. I'd rather sacrifice some reliability and have the GTI, since it gets about the same (if not better) fuel economy.