VW Rabbit gets a nod from CR

[Tornado Red]

Originally Posted By: Dyoel182
Originally Posted By: Mucho_MPG
I hate Volkswagens. So very unreliable.


You're referring to the older mexican influenced VWs from the last generation.

The VWs built in Mexico are no better and no worse than the ones built in Germany. The problem is that a new owner finds a small problem, takes it to the dealership for warranty repair, and it doesn't get repaired. He has to take it back, sometimes several times, and gets increasingly frustrated. And to beat all, the dealer techs act like every problem they see is the very first time... when in fact there are only a handful of common problems that they ought to be able to diagnose in their sleep.

I remember speaking to a very nice 30-something lady and complimenting her on her 2006 or 2007 Passat. She said she liked it a lot, but it had been to the dealership 10 times and she was seriously considering getting rid of it. And this is supposed to be one of the better dealerships in the area.

I recommend VWs for those who can appreciate them. But I do not recommend VW dealerships to anyone, even during the warranty period. Stay away from them.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Originally Posted By: Dyoel182
Originally Posted By: Mucho_MPG
I hate Volkswagens. So very unreliable.


You're referring to the older mexican influenced VWs from the last generation.

As our 1986 VW jetta is coming up on 330K with OEM everything on the block.

Original alt, injectors, pumps, water pump, radiator and such.

One of the most trust worthy cars I've ever been in.

I'd drive it across the USA tomorrow if I could.

Bill



Ditto. Was yours a Pennsylvania build?

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Originally Posted By: Dyoel182
Originally Posted By: Mucho_MPG
I hate Volkswagens. So very unreliable.


You're referring to the older mexican influenced VWs from the last generation.

As our 1986 VW jetta is coming up on 330K with OEM everything on the block.

Original alt, injectors, pumps, water pump, radiator and such.

One of the most trust worthy cars I've ever been in.

I'd drive it across the USA tomorrow if I could.

Bill



Ditto. Was yours a Pennsylvania build?


Nope, Built over the pond.

 

[lovcom]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
If Consumer Reports is right, Volkswagen is well on its way to attaining its dream of outselling Toyota by 2015. In the magazine's June 2008 issue, CR threw a handful of hatchbacks into the ring and the VW Rabbit hopped out the winner. The magazine cited the Rabbit's "very well finished" interior for its class, agility, braking and transmission as reasons to choose it over a growing field of small hatchbacks. CR also expects the Rabbit to have an "above average" reliability record.

The biggest negative the staff found in the VW was "mediocre" fuel economy for a car its size, though many SUV drivers looking to downsize will love seeing its 24 mpg figure. Staffers also complained about the large C-pillars blocking their view and engine lag after stops.

Consumer Reports has routinely praised the Mazda3 as one of its favorite hatches, but in overall scoring, the car now comes in third, slightly behind the Toyota Prius Touring. Rounding out the top five are the Subaru Impreza Outback Sport and the newly redesigned Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe twins. At the bottom of the list are the Dodge Caliber and the Chevrolet HHR.

Source: Autoblog


I have the ConsumerReports article up now, and the Rabbit DOES NOT have have "above average" expected reliability...it's just "Very Good".

And for it's class and size, it gets really bad gas milage, so what is the point of anyone getting this car in today's $4/gal situation. There are far better choices in that category, and in regard to MPG.

 

[cousincletus]

You can get a Chevy Impala that gets the same if not better mileage as that.

 

[firemachine69]

My rear seats are creepily roomier than my dad's '02 Jetta...The front seats don't eat up as much rear leg-room.

 

[Tornado Red]

Originally Posted By: cousincletus
You can get a Chevy Impala that gets the same if not better mileage as that.

Maybe. But I'd prefer the Rabbit instead of the Impala. The Impala is at least $5k-7k more than the Rabbit now, but in five years the Rabbit will be worth more.

I actually like both the Impala and the Malibu. But neither one can be configured the way I'd want (turbodiesel and a 6-speed manual transmission).

 

[Mucho_MPG]

Originally Posted By: lovcom
Originally Posted By: The Critic
If Consumer Reports is right, Volkswagen is well on its way to attaining its dream of outselling Toyota by 2015. In the magazine's June 2008 issue, CR threw a handful of hatchbacks into the ring and the VW Rabbit hopped out the winner. The magazine cited the Rabbit's "very well finished" interior for its class, agility, braking and transmission as reasons to choose it over a growing field of small hatchbacks. CR also expects the Rabbit to have an "above average" reliability record.

The biggest negative the staff found in the VW was "mediocre" fuel economy for a car its size, though many SUV drivers looking to downsize will love seeing its 24 mpg figure. Staffers also complained about the large C-pillars blocking their view and engine lag after stops.

Consumer Reports has routinely praised the Mazda3 as one of its favorite hatches, but in overall scoring, the car now comes in third, slightly behind the Toyota Prius Touring. Rounding out the top five are the Subaru Impreza Outback Sport and the newly redesigned Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe twins. At the bottom of the list are the Dodge Caliber and the Chevrolet HHR.

Source: Autoblog


I have the ConsumerReports article up now, and the Rabbit DOES NOT have have "above average" expected reliability...it's just "Very Good".

And for it's class and size, it gets really bad gas milage, so what is the point of anyone getting this car in today's $4/gal situation. There are far better choices in that category, and in regard to MPG.


Buy a Rabbit...if you like to visit your mechanic.

 

[MrCritical]

I would say if anyone's on their way to outselling Toyota, it's Hyundai.

I don't know if anyone's ever looked up the Hyundai Global site, but man, that's impressive how they've diversified. Looks like they have money to burn.

Their quality has gone up at at amazing rate, just like Honda did. Their cars are less expensive than almost anyone else's, just like Honda was.

 

[Patman]

Originally Posted By: MrCritical
I would say if anyone's on their way to outselling Toyota, it's Hyundai.

I don't know if anyone's ever looked up the Hyundai Global site, but man, that's impressive how they've diversified. Looks like they have money to burn.

Their quality has gone up at at amazing rate, just like Honda did. Their cars are less expensive than almost anyone else's, just like Honda was.



Right now you can get a brand new 08 Hyundai Accent in Canada for only $9995! Most other cars in this class are at least $13,000 here. And while the Accent isn't the MPG leader, it's not too bad at it's rated 31 MPG city. You could get more MPG from a Yaris at 34 MPG city, but it's $3000 more here, and $3000 definitely buys a lot of fuel!

An 08 Rabbit is just under $20,000 here, and we can still get the 2.0L Golf here also, it's $15,000.

If you're looking for a cheap new car that is good on fuel, the Hyundai Accent is hard to beat, that's for sure. Their quality has really come up a lot in recent years. It's not going to be as well put together as the VW products, but that's why the VWs cost so much more here in comparison to the Hyundais.

 

[digitalSniperX1]

Is that your wife, or is it you?

 

[digitalSniperX1]

Originally Posted By: Mucho_MPG
Buying a Rabbit that only gets 24 mpg...no thanks! I'll take a Yaris any day. Those Rabbits will look good on the mechanics lift at 100 bucks per hour shop rate for all the problems they will have. I hate Volkswagens. So very unreliable.


They are [censored] alright. Serveral people around here own them, tell me how sophisticated they are, and then I hear about their reliability issues. From minor electrical problems like the power mirrors and windows to engines ruined by sludging up (1.8T). Wouldn't consider a VW even if I really like their interiors.

Reliability of the vehicle is a bit more important the the quality of the plastics in the interior.

 

[lovcom]

Originally Posted By: MrCritical
I would say if anyone's on their way to outselling Toyota, it's Hyundai.

I don't know if anyone's ever looked up the Hyundai Global site, but man, that's impressive how they've diversified. Looks like they have money to burn.

Their quality has gone up at at amazing rate, just like Honda did. Their cars are less expensive than almost anyone else's, just like Honda was.


Hyundai is a conglomerate, and they have their fingers into everything. This in and of it's self has nothing to do with quality, or passing up another car company.

Although it is true Hyundai has come a long was in quality, and showing great improvements, they are still behind in MPG, as the Japanese still get better MPG while oftne providing more powerful cars, and often the better MPG Japanese cars are faster and have better acceleration, and yet have higher MPG. Imagine that!

In addition, the cost of ownership of Hyundia cars is still much higher then their corresponding Japanese models.

Also, the Hyundai dealers do not often show lower prices then the Japanese, as many may think. For example, a 2008 Toyota Yaris with power package, CD, etc will price MUCH lower then a comparable Hyundai, and the Toy will have better MPG, higher reliability, and will often last longer too.

Hyundai is still up and coming, but by no means have they arrived.

 

[lovcom]

Originally Posted By: Patman
Originally Posted By: MrCritical
I would say if anyone's on their way to outselling Toyota, it's Hyundai.

I don't know if anyone's ever looked up the Hyundai Global site, but man, that's impressive how they've diversified. Looks like they have money to burn.

Their quality has gone up at at amazing rate, just like Honda did. Their cars are less expensive than almost anyone else's, just like Honda was.



Right now you can get a brand new 08 Hyundai Accent in Canada for only $9995! Most other cars in this class are at least $13,000 here. And while the Accent isn't the MPG leader, it's not too bad at it's rated 31 MPG city. You could get more MPG from a Yaris at 34 MPG city, but it's $3000 more here, and $3000 definitely buys a lot of fuel!

An 08 Rabbit is just under $20,000 here, and we can still get the 2.0L Golf here also, it's $15,000.

If you're looking for a cheap new car that is good on fuel, the Hyundai Accent is hard to beat, that's for sure. Their quality has really come up a lot in recent years. It's not going to be as well put together as the VW products, but that's why the VWs cost so much more here in comparison to the Hyundais.


Actually, you can get a Yaris for $10,900 and it will cost you much less over time of ownership then the Accent, and the Yaris provides better MPG too.

You often get what you pay for.

 

[jazztrumpet216]

Originally Posted By: lovcom


Actually, you can get a Yaris for $10,900 and it will cost you much less over time of ownership then the Accent, and the Yaris provides better MPG too.

You often get what you pay for.


No, you can't. In Canada, the Yaris starts at $13,900. It'd take a long time of driving to make up that price difference vs. the Hyundai... perhaps longer than the person would keep the car.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: jazztrumpet216
No, you can't. In Canada, the Yaris starts at $13,900. It'd take a long time of driving to make up that price difference vs. the Hyundai... perhaps longer than the person would keep the car.

What if you factor in resale value? Or are we assuming that we will run this car into the ground?

Actually, from that standpoint, it would probably be more cost effective to buy a slightly used Hyundai, after its value already took a major hit. Except that Hyundai's 10-yr warranty doesn't transfer to the second owner, IIRC.

 

[lovcom]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: jazztrumpet216
No, you can't. In Canada, the Yaris starts at $13,900. It'd take a long time of driving to make up that price difference vs. the Hyundai... perhaps longer than the person would keep the car.

What if you factor in resale value? Or are we assuming that we will run this car into the ground?

Actually, from that standpoint, it would probably be more cost effective to buy a slightly used Hyundai, after its value already took a major hit. Except that Hyundai's 10-yr warranty doesn't transfer to the second owner, IIRC.


I think resale only comes into play if one flips cars regularly. If one plans to "drive them into the ground", then resale is irrelevent, or at best slightly important.

The problem with people is that they flip cars too often, and is one of the top things that kill wealth, retirement funds, and other future financial possabilities (paraphrasing Suzy Orman).

I have always maintained that it is far better to buy a brand new car because there was no prior owner that you will be at the mercy of, because his mistreatment of the car may not show up the day you buy it but later on. I think it is usually best financially speak to buy new, and keep till dead, with few exceptions. The other really stupid thing people do is lease cars but that's another post....

 

[glennc]

I think it is far better to buy used, even if you run it into the ground. There is just no comparison between depreciation costs and maintenance costs if you look at it objectively and use common sense when buying and in spending on maintenance.

Most cars these days run a long time with little maintenance and few problems.

 

[Tornado Red]

Originally Posted By: lovcom
I think resale only comes into play if one flips cars regularly. If one plans to "drive them into the ground", then resale is irrelevent, or at best slightly important.

I think resale value is more important than you think, for the following reason. If your car needs a major (expensive) repair, then you balance what it's worth versus what it will cost to fix. A car that depreciates slowly, that holds it's value, is more likely to be fixed than scrapped.

 

[Thermo1223]

Originally Posted By: Mucho_MPG
Originally Posted By: lovcom
Originally Posted By: The Critic
If Consumer Reports is right, Volkswagen is well on its way to attaining its dream of outselling Toyota by 2015. In the magazine's June 2008 issue, CR threw a handful of hatchbacks into the ring and the VW Rabbit hopped out the winner. The magazine cited the Rabbit's "very well finished" interior for its class, agility, braking and transmission as reasons to choose it over a growing field of small hatchbacks. CR also expects the Rabbit to have an "above average" reliability record.

The biggest negative the staff found in the VW was "mediocre" fuel economy for a car its size, though many SUV drivers looking to downsize will love seeing its 24 mpg figure. Staffers also complained about the large C-pillars blocking their view and engine lag after stops.

Consumer Reports has routinely praised the Mazda3 as one of its favorite hatches, but in overall scoring, the car now comes in third, slightly behind the Toyota Prius Touring. Rounding out the top five are the Subaru Impreza Outback Sport and the newly redesigned Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe twins. At the bottom of the list are the Dodge Caliber and the Chevrolet HHR.

Source: Autoblog


I have the ConsumerReports article up now, and the Rabbit DOES NOT have have "above average" expected reliability...it's just "Very Good".

And for it's class and size, it gets really bad gas milage, so what is the point of anyone getting this car in today's $4/gal situation. There are far better choices in that category, and in regard to MPG.


Buy a Rabbit...if you like to visit your mechanic.


Based on what your opinion....

Also I shadow what was said before, it is not a car built strickly for economy. If that was the case it wouldn't have a 2.5l engine.

We usually see 23-25 mpg combined, being an auto certainly hurts that plus my wife makes a lot of short trips.

On the highway though 30mpg is a breeze to get.