Need to rant

[supton]

My VW has had an expensive year. Clutch, turbo, intake flap, timing belt (granted, I knew that well ahead of time), O2 sensor. Runs great now. Rust is piling up--not underneath, but on the usual rock chip areas--could use a new windshield too. Just failed inspection yesterday for dead front struts.

I had been thinking about doing the suspension next year, proactively, as I figured it had to be getting close; I was not expecting to *have* to do it this year. And certainly not after all the other repairs!

The struts have 133kmiles on them, along with the lower control arm bushings (which may be still good, I dunno). I do have a grumbling noise, so I suspect I have a bad wheel bearing. So, struts, wheel bearings, and who knows what else. Probably springs--they do have 266kmiles on them, after all. And let's not forget, the rear suspension is in the same shape, albeit the calipers only have 100k on them, and the shocks 133k.

The car runs great, gets close to 50mpg, and is almost ideal for my commuting needs. That said, I really can't take a week off from work while this in the shop; I already had it off the road for 3 weeks this year (I borrowed a car--can't do that this time, as it's on loan to someone else). I'm reluctant to get rid of it, for the stated reasons; plus if I did, I'd buy new. Absolutely. Am not going to spend money only to be back in this spot! I need a car 5 if not 6 days a week for work. Problem is, with 22kmiles/year commuting, I can't buy what I could use: a vehicle with a third row.

I suspect the right answer is to just have my car in the shop, and to go out today and find a gently used minivan. My car has a well-known repair history, with lots of life left; replacing it with another econobox leaves me w/o a third row and with a vehicle that likely won't tow my small popup camper. Yet my car has aptly proven it is no longer "reliable" and thus I need backup wheels. I really don't want a car payment, but that is just life: I don't have a garage nor tools to do vehicle work; local car parts place is over 30 minutes away. [Can't depend upon borrowing the wife's car, due to her schedule.]

In so many ways I wish I had sold this car at the beginning of summer! [Well, not really, as I would have bought something expensive and shiney.]

Rant over.

 

[Donald]

VWs are great cars but over engineered. More costly to repair than they need to.

I had a 2000 Passat and it was on the dealers shop 36 times for defects, not maint.

 

[Tdbo]

Don't feel bad, same thing always happens to me.

My Taurus with 275K. Needed new tires, this summer. Done.

Battery was pushing 7 years old. Replaced.

Driving home a week ago last Wednesday, died. Fuel pump took a woof.

Mrs. Tdbo throws a fit and jumps me about 56 different ways. Ended up with a new Accord.

Still have Taurus (now with a new fuel pump.) Should make someone a heck of a used car, and I'll get to take a bath on it.

Advice: Either fix or get rid of. If you are going to do the latter, do it before you start pouring the $$ in it.

 

[supton]

They are. Lots of stupid things. OTOH it does have a nice ride.

-EGR system. I've had that worked on several times. 85k (recall), 133k (pipe broke due to incompentant work at 85k by the dealer), 168k (cooler).
-front wheel bearings. What's complicated about those? Mine only went 105k. I suspect they are bad again.
-struts. Had those done at 133k. [I did aftermarket, in an attempt to get longer life (and a better ride).]
-rear calipers failed at 168k, when I had to do pads and rotors.
-lost a front pad at 175k. How do they just fall off?
-serpentine tensioner and an engine mount at 180k. Simple wear?
-intake flap at 200k. Seems short-lived.
-clutch at 249k. Thanks VW for a poorly designed flywheel! Clutch disc was in mint shape.
-turbo at 251k.
-second intake flap at 251k. Thanks VW for a great design!
-electric fuel pump (in the tank) failed at 259k.

Now at 266k it basically needs the suspension fully gone through. Not sure I should complain about that--except I am... I think it's been about $6.2k in repairs over the 266kmiles, give or take a few bucks (no maintance included in that figure). Most people I know would not do that kind of work over the years; but then again, most people I know carry debt on their credit card too.

 

[supton]

For some reason I have this hang up about renting a car for a week(?) while this is getting repaired. Since the car is overdue on its inspection, I probably shouldn't be driving it; still, depending upon what shop I take it to, it will be a few days. Such a headache to rent a car.

 

[cchase]

Given the usage this car sees, that sounds like a lot of work. Yes, it has a lot of miles but they sound like easy miles.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Ah, the joys of ownership. I got some great stories for you anytime you want them!

And despite the repairs the car is at least economical on fuel. This makes it very easy to sell. (hint, hint!)

 

[simple_gifts]

Financials aside, just answer the question "Is the love affair over?" It is a gut call. Make it and respond accordingly;

I lost my F150 to rust and rust alone; perfect drivetrain but brake lines, shocks and 3 gas tank et al; couldn't keep up. After another failure of the brake lines, it was over.

The fact you are posting here, I know what side you are leaning to

 

[bigjl]

VW are very over hyped. Passat from '98 had problems with suspension bushes which cost a fortune to fix.

The have regular gearbox, clutch and driveshaft issues.

Don't forget the "kidney bean" breaking meaning no clutch.

They would fracture with no warning.

VW seem to spend loads to promote good PR in the UK but Ford have slowly developed a range of reliable cars with excellent build quality on he quiet these last 8-10 years.

Not forgetting the oil pump issue on the pre Common Rail diesels recently.
Audi CVT gearboxes that break with no warning just outside the warranty and the problems associated with the DSG gearboxes, hesitation when pulling away from junctions and the DMF's breaking up And need to be serviced very exactly to ensure decent life.

The Ford Powershift box appears to much more robust. And has no hesitation, but can exhibit a slight judder when pulling away at say a roundabout when used hard round town for many miles, normally after about 50-60k but no reported failures yet.

A shame because most VW have decent ergonomics and do tend to drive well.

 

[TooManyWheels]

Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
Financials aside, just answer the question "Is the love affair over?" It is a gut call. Make it and respond accordingly;


The fact you are posting here, I know what side you are leaning to


There is a whole lot of wisdom in that advice that may not be apparent. That is what it really boils down to.

Another way to put it would be, which would you do more - resent keeping it, or regret letting it go?

 

[supton]

That's the problem: which way to go?

I mean, at this point, if I were to wreck and the insurance company give me beans for it, I'd say that was life. I've gotten my money's worth out of it, I think, or at least a reasonable return. I'm not rich, but at that point I'd buy a new car, or nearly new. I wouldn't have time to shop around for its replacement. I wouldn't like paying for it, but I could take on the payment.

BUT if I can avoid debt I'd like to. If it makes sense that is (I mean, I bought the Camry on loan, as the house, and the VW 8 years ago--I think those were good risks). And I can afford to keep dropping money into the VW. But every time it goes into the shop I'm stuck at home... Meaning I can totally justify having a third vehicle. Which is where I get stuck, as the cost to buy decent third vehicle, selling mine and taking a bit out of the bank would buy me a nearly new vehicle. Which should not strand me at home. Buying a 10 year old vehicle, so as to pay out of pocket, means it will have lots of risk attached; and it'll be understood to require some repairs up front--and lots more to come. I'm not sure there is any savings there, vs buying nearly-new.

I spoke with the wife, and we're in agreement: I could go any which way. Keep the VW, buy a minvan. Then I can keep paying for VW repairs and pay on the minivan payment. Selling the VW, buying an econobox seems to make the least sense, yet most would do that in my situation. But then I lose out on towing our pop-up, and a third row. Keep the VW, figure out how the heck to get a car rental. The VW doesn't pull the pop-up well in the yard, and we're still out of a third row. Sell the VW, buy an SUV or minivan with a third row and towing. Pricey on fuel; I'd drive the Camry most of the time, but the minivan would still see upwards of 15-20k per year.

I'm trying not to be emotionally attached here. It's a car, not a person. I like driving it, far more than our Camry; replacing it with an SUV or a minivan would mean a "boring" ride to work--but let's face it, should that really be important? Ten years from now I can always get something "exciting", as the kids will be out of the house.

 

[Mud]

It seems that based on the miles on the car, things are going to need replacement about now. IMO you have gotten pretty good service from the car. But I think you're leaning to replacement, I think that's a reasonable move since you can expect more things going out on the car.
You've gotten more out of the car than we ever did on the closest thing we've owned to a VW, 2001 Audi A4, 1.8T. Despite maintenance it just started falling apart at 100k, I was virtually an Audi tech. Best thing we ever did was to get rid of it, never looked back.

 

[stephen9666]

I would say your VW has been pretty good. My girlfriend's 2000 Beetle is just one electrical problem after another.

Her car is barely over 100k miles and it has had multiple electrical problems that are difficult to diagnose. Electrical problems will be what kills it, or at least makes it undriveable and not worth fixing.

So, count your blessings. I would have gladly traded some of the Beetle's problems for some of your car's problem.

I take it from your posts that you're not a DIY'er? Struts and bushings would probably be pretty pricey from a shop, but wouldn't cost that much to do yourself. I recently did all the front bushings in the Beetle, the rear axle bushings (which is a big job) and the strut mounts. I went with the solid R32 control arm bushings. I'm guessing you VW has a similar style control arm. If you do it yourself, avoid Meyle, unless you don't care about buying Chinese parts. All my Meyle bushings were made in China.

Anyway, I guess I don't have any advice for you.

 

[supton]

No, not a DIY'er. No garage, dirt driveway that slopes, onset of winter; and I'd hate to be an imposition to friends (most of whom don't have garages either). Toss in the fact that I still need to get around while working on the car, and I'm stuck.

 

[wog]

Pick up winter sled,give vw repairs then sell beater.

 

[Obos]

Financially, maintaining a car is cheaper over the years than replacing, especially now when used car prices are so high. Depreciation is huge

You need to get some estimates to make your decision in a rational way

The $6.5k is a sunk cost. Ignore that in your decision making if you want to make a rational decision

Rental car is a good option. Use Hotwire to quickly get a great rate. Sometimes the cheapest is a weekly rate starting at the weekend from an airport or other business location

 

[sleddriver]

Originally Posted By: supton

-clutch at 249k. Thanks VW for a poorly designed flywheel! Clutch disc was in mint shape.
-turbo at 251k.
-electric fuel pump (in the tank) failed at 259k.

Now at 266k it basically needs the suspension fully gone through.


250,000 miles is a quarter of a million. You're lucky these three components lasted that long. (Perhaps they've already been replaced at least once?)

Given where you live, being on dirt roads, snow, salt & Ice + long winters, 266K on suspension that now needs a look is remarkable. I'm guessing there is plenty of rust on the suspension? It lives a hard life in your area.

Since you don't DIY, you're paying full retail for repairs and maintainence and that can be painful. No doubt.

 

[Kruse]

I had a meeting with a financial planner about a year ago and I noticed he drove a VW diesel. He took me out for a meal and during the meal I asked him how he liked his car. He said he LOVED his car when he was driving it, but hated his car whenever it was in the shop, as repairs nullified any economy that he got when he refueled.
He didn't answer me when I asked if he would buy another.

 

[bigjl]

I assume your Jetta Wagon is what we in Europe call an estate?

I assume it would be similar to a Golf Estate?

They do have problems but you might replace it with something that proves less reliable.

It is a pity you don't have many of the 1.9 tdi engines in US VW's have known them to do well over 300k doing PH work.

It is a pity you can't do your own work as then you could learn your cars weak spots and deal with them.

 

[bigjl]

Just googles Jetta Wagon.

Your car is a VW Golf but with the face of the UK Bora, or Jetta in the US.

Believe it or not some peoe in the VeeDub community have done just that to their Golf estates, as most feel the Bora front looks nicer.

The flywheel is probably a Dual Mass Flywheel? Very common these days.

I must admit that if your car has worn the miles well cosmetically I would consider putting some money into the suspension.

Polybush where possible, heavy duty dampers, maybe Eibach springs and definately change the frontstrut top mounts when you are there.

With cheaper parts prices in the US I don't think it will be overly expensive, if you get it done all at once and get your own parts from online VW specialists.

My tune has changed little as I really like the look of the Bora fronted estate you have, a much better looking car than most these days.

But I have strange taste.