The really $$ motor mounts twice (EX-L trim), steering rack. We bought it used in '09 (2006 model) and had it 6 years to it was about 10 years old when we sold it at 135K miles. Great vehicle but not as "reliable" as I had hoped - it's to the point that not everyone has the same experience but that doens't make a brand/model a POS.
Volkwagens. How Bad, or Good are they?
- Thread starter CharlieJ
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Yeah, for some people VCM doesn't self destruct the engine.
That VCM was the thing I hated - complete waste for the little bump in mpgs. That engine mount was $1K on its own and when they go it drives you nuts with the vibration.
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My first car was a Volkswagen from the 80s. Slightly long and heavy clutch throw, but other than that, I would instantly buy another one just like it and I sometimes look.
Between 6 months to a year after I had the car it was T-boned by an early 90s Chevy Caprice Classic one of the last of the last boxy style in the B pillar and I was 100% fine. I was at fault, I was a young driver trying to make a left around an intersection where I couldn't see around or through a Ford Expedition. I was 19.
Great cars.
Between 6 months to a year after I had the car it was T-boned by an early 90s Chevy Caprice Classic one of the last of the last boxy style in the B pillar and I was 100% fine. I was at fault, I was a young driver trying to make a left around an intersection where I couldn't see around or through a Ford Expedition. I was 19.
Great cars.
The reason I like the steel wheels is that the tire aspect ratio is often greater (ie. 65 vs. 55) which seems to give a better ride than a 55 alloy. Agree alloys are more handsome, handle better, etc., but my Camry has a 10 spoke hubcap that looks fine. To get alloys as standard equipment, you have to upgrade the model, the upgraded models usually have a sun roof which I don't want and 55 aspect tires. Agree with your experience with the energy savers + they don't last a long time in city driving for me.
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Hmmmmm..., wheel diameter and aspect ratio doesn't necessarily force anyone
to use steel wheels. While you most often won't find steel wheels in bigger sizes
alloy wheels are commonly easily available in smaller sizes as well as in bigger
ones. For example a 15x6" alloy wheel w/ 205/65 R15 tires should be easy to find.
Nothing wrong with using steel rims on lower-performance cars though.
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Hmmmmm..., wheel diameter and aspect ratio doesn't necessarily force anyone
to use steel wheels. While you most often won't find steel wheels in bigger sizes
alloy wheels are commonly easily available in smaller sizes as well as in bigger
ones. For example a 15x6" alloy wheel w/ 205/65 R15 tires should be easy to find.
Nothing wrong with using steel rims on lower-performance cars though.
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As stated above, the lower end models w/o a sunroof, come with steel wheels and wheel covers. I want the car to roll out on the same wheels it rolled in on...............and the dealer wants a quick sale, so, I'm not gonna have the dealer start switching wheels around: That hurts my price leverage ..........and if there's a problem with the switched wheels it's ,more, my problem which I don't want. Like you say, tastes are different.
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I have a bit of a sweet spot for VWs, but they aren’t the best for a reliable daily driver, I advise keeping a Toyota around or a bus pass for that.
VWs are definitely IMO enthusiast’s cars - you can really nerd out hard on them. Friends have owned A3 Jettas and currently a A5 GTI with the CCTA 2.0FSI, an Eos(basically the same car) and Vanagons. You need to be a keen DIYer for the rite of VW ownership. Reddit and the Vortex are your friends. After driving a VW, it’s easy to see why.
VWs are definitely IMO enthusiast’s cars - you can really nerd out hard on them. Friends have owned A3 Jettas and currently a A5 GTI with the CCTA 2.0FSI, an Eos(basically the same car) and Vanagons. You need to be a keen DIYer for the rite of VW ownership. Reddit and the Vortex are your friends. After driving a VW, it’s easy to see why.
On
On a current gen platform? Not really. MK7 Golfs and I'm sure the MK8 are v. reliable daily driver vehicles. Having a scan tool is always helpful but I wouldn't call that being a "keen DIYer".
edyvw
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I think VW started to take a page from Japanese lean manufacturing and GM’s good but failed ideas of common platforms to create their own concept of containerization - MLB/MQB for their newer cars. There is still an element of cost cutting and over-engineering but I feel VW has made strides in product quality and F&F. The cars from the 1980s-1990s until the B8 Passat and A4 Jetta/Golf seemed GM-atrocious.
But seeing what @The Critic had to do reseal an late CCTA 2.0FSI and what friends with Vanagons do to their vans as well as my experiences helping someone with an A3 Jetta VR6 I feel the DIY aspect comes in more as the cars age and having even the best VW/Audi indie shop(no shortage of those in the Bay Area) work on it is an expensive endeavor. I know a few people who work at a shop that specializes in VW buses/Vanagons, and a bill approaching $10k for major service or upgrades isn’t unheard of.
I'm not sure which car it is but 99.99% of VW I've seen are solid black interiors
sorta like Henry Ford any color you want as long as its black.The OP is talking about a 2022 MK8 GTI, you are ref'ing cars that are 20 years old. I have a '03 Passat W8 - this has zero relevance here in this discussion....it's a ****show maintenace/repair-wise. I had a '00 MK4 Jetta that ran to 220K in my ownership over 14 years on 10K M1 0W40 oil changes and a few repairs.
A modern MK7 Golf platform is a v. reliable vehicle sans leaking water pump/thermostat housings and a few other minor bits. They hold 2x stock power all day long and don't sneeze. Incredible vehicles if you ask me and nothing anyone should be worried about buying.
'Heard of'? I'd have to include internet forums to make this true for me.
That's after owning two dozens VWs in the family. Granted, we don't use
to drive them 30 years. As TiGeo said, talking about teenage boy racers'
'vintage' cars has zero relevance for the OP's question. Is it actually that
hard to stay on topic?
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edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
Nah, VW doesn't come with fresh air. Toyota on the other hand...I'm not sure which car it is but 99.99% of VW I've seen are solid black interiors
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
I had Passat B5.5, Skoda Octavia A5 (two of them) and they were built better than anything on Toyota/Honda/KIA and other dishwasher lots.
Plus actually enjoyable to own and drive. My mom had a '88 Toyota Camry with some sweet passive/whatever you called them motorized seat belts. Lasted forever. Car version of beige if that's your thing. I had a '92 Toyota 4x4 - great truck and wish they still made small ones like that. V. reliable 22RE engine/5-spd transmission. Basically a HiLux which is the AK47 of vehicles - probably would run on sand and whatever random auto parts you can find lying in a field.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
During war in Bosnia only vehicle that could run on electric transformer station cooling oil was VW Golf 1.6 diesel. Toyota & Co made in late 80’s or beginning 90’s in Europe would rust by 1993 when we needed vehicles to access remote areas and only regular vehicle that could do that was Golf II diesel.
There you go! I always think about the '80s Toyota trucks/4-runners here in the states and all of the lower panels rusting out.
I’m just over a year and 12k miles in on my first VW (2021.5 Atlas 2.0T) There have been a few infotainment gremlins that required a reset (and some noisy front brakes the dealer replaced gratis).
Otherwise it’s done exactly what I expected. I did an oil change at around 4K miles just to get my hands in it, and the dealer handled the 10k service.
The aftermarket and online support is very good. YouTube and forum illustrated “how to’s” are out there for almost all of the common issues and repairs. Service seems simple and even intake-off repairs look pretty straightforward.
It’s probably the least “German” of all the VW’s but it’s big, comfy, soft, and has the right amount of power for a family hauler. I like it. I’d buy another VW if the need arose. Our other vehicle is a 2nd Gen Toyota Tacoma.
Otherwise it’s done exactly what I expected. I did an oil change at around 4K miles just to get my hands in it, and the dealer handled the 10k service.
The aftermarket and online support is very good. YouTube and forum illustrated “how to’s” are out there for almost all of the common issues and repairs. Service seems simple and even intake-off repairs look pretty straightforward.
It’s probably the least “German” of all the VW’s but it’s big, comfy, soft, and has the right amount of power for a family hauler. I like it. I’d buy another VW if the need arose. Our other vehicle is a 2nd Gen Toyota Tacoma.
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