Enough is enough. (VW bashers in here please.)

[N8Magic]

Originally posted by: isekii
I don't understand what the problem is with 2nd hand information.

My close friend owns one, it's an 02 Jetta, and it's already suffering from Electrical problems. My friend tells me it's a pos.
I don't disagree with him cuz I do know that VW's and Audi's have electrical problems.

So what is the problem exactly with your close friend's Jetta?

What kind of electrical problems? A blown fuse? A burnt out light? Something more serious? THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. Your friend tells you it's a POS, but did he say why exactly? When I had to change the one headlight in my car, *I* called it a POS and swore the whole time because I hadn't done it before, and it wasn't easy to get at.

 

[N8Magic]

Oh, and i'm feeling the love in this thread.

Really.

 

[vi edit]

What kind of electrical problems? A blown fuse? A burnt out light? Something more serious?

Ooops. That reminds me. I did have to replace a burnt out tail light bulb for $2.50

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: N8Magic

Originally posted by: isekii
I don't understand what the problem is with 2nd hand information.

My close friend owns one, it's an 02 Jetta, and it's already suffering from Electrical problems. My friend tells me it's a pos.
I don't disagree with him cuz I do know that VW's and Audi's have electrical problems.

So what is the problem exactly with your close friend's Jetta?

What kind of electrical problems? A blown fuse? A burnt out light? Something more serious? THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. Your friend tells you it's a POS, but did he say why exactly? When I had to change the one headlight in my car, *I* called it a POS and swore the whole time because I hadn't done it before, and it wasn't easy to get at.

Both taillights seem to be out at the same time.

 

[Danman]

My Dad had a 2000 VW TDI Beetle. The only problem it had was one day it had trouble starting in the blistering cold weather, it took a couple tries. Other than that, he never had a problem with it. But he only had it for two years if that counts.

 

[MaxDepth]

If you are standing, she's the only one who is sliding...

 

[isekii]

i think TDI's are a different breed of VW's ..

they're actually good

 

[Ameesh]

VW kicked my dog!

 

[vi edit]

Both taillights seem to be out at the same time.

I'd almost bet that it's as simple as changing a fuse. I've known a couple GTI owners that had that problem. They stopped in at the VW dealer on their lunch hour and the tech walked out swapped the fuse and they were back up and running.

If you are out of warranty you can just go over to Autozone and get one for a couple bucks and swap it out yourself in a few seconds.

 

[N8Magic]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Both taillights seem to be out at the same time.

I'd almost bet that it's as simple as changing a fuse. I've known a couple GTI owners that had that problem. They stopped in at the VW dealer on their lunch hour and the tech walked out swapped the fuse and they were back up and running.

If you are out of warranty you can just go over to Autozone and get one for a couple bucks and swap it out yourself in a few seconds.

Exactly.

The taillights are a joke to change.

 

[N8Magic]

Originally posted by: Ameesh
VW kicked my dog!

And VW come on my property and then VW kick my dog. And now my dog needs operation.

 

[kt]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
I pretty much knew that I wasn't going to get Honda/Toyota reliability with my Passat purchase. In 64,000 miles it hasn't been an issue anyway.

What I did get though was a great looking car, a great interior, a silky smooth engine, great interior room, great interior quality components, very good handling, excellent gas milage, and ride that's comfortable for at least 12 hours of continuous driving.

GM, Chrylser and Ford may rank higher, but honestly, I'll take a day or two in the shop for a problem over a car that rattles, squeeks, and has crap interior quality that I have to live with EVERY DAY.

At least your rattling, squeeking, crappy interior of a car will be parked in your garage instead of your mechanic's garage.

 

[bozack]

Even with all of their supposed problems I would take a VW over a honda, Toyota, Subaru, Lexus or Nissan anyday of the week...but that is only because I am anti rice

Just wanted to add that my Fiancee has a 2002 Jetta and son far no problems outside of that coil pack recall, sure it stunk but thye dealt with it and all cars have their problems...I will take quirky cars from the germans, american's and Italians before I sell myself out to the mundane offerings from other makes (namely japanese)

 

[trikster2]

I'm not sure what sparked this thread, maybe it is the new "shop volkwagen parts" adds I am seeing on the left hand side of this web page? Slick, adds directed at OT threads. Guess you gotta make a but. Didja know I can get vw jetta parts at www.radiator.com. Thanks anandtech!

I've driven a VW passat for 16,000 trouble free miles over the last year and a half.

I've got a dark green 5sp manual 1.8T with a biege leather interior.

I've got a few minor quibles with the car:

1. Speaker in drivers door has a cheap plastic covering. It took me a year but I finally managed to bash the speaker cover in with my size 13 boots.
2. Drivers door handle is not holding up well. It's peeling of all things. probably due to the design on my wedding ring, but my accord never had an issue for 9 years.
3. Radio has "crashed" once. It was going to take a full week to get into the dealer, so I fixed it myself by "rebooting" it by removing a couple of fuses. No problems since then
4. one recall, and another can we replace it from the dealer. Have not addressed the two issues yet but don't anticipate a problem
5. Somehow got a nail in the sidewall of my tire. Disappointed that the hard-to-find "Continental Touring" replacement tire was a $60 tire. My accord came with $100 michilin VX4R enenergy or whatever tires standard, and my wife's 1996 saab came with the $140 "V" rated version of the same tire. The tires are obviously special for the states version of the passat and not covered in the bumper to bumper waranty. Having a full size spare though with the same tire as the rest of the wheels was VERY nice when I could not find a continental tire localy

Did I have less problems with my honda accord? Heck yes. In 9 years I replaced the tires and a battery and that was it. No recalls and just standard maintenance.

Would I buy the passat again?

Heck yes!

The 1.8T 5spd manual passat is a wonderful car to drive. Consumer reports recently rated the reliability just below the camry for mid size cars.

If reliability is a concern, I would recomend staying away from the south american made jetta and beetle, reliabity on those cars (according to consumer reports) is horrible.

And another thing:

If you are going to bash VW bash away but at least specify which VW you are bashing. Is it the german made passat or the south american variants, the beetle and jetta?

It's like saying all chevy's are garbage because my NOVA was a lemon.

 

[cavemanmoron]

i owned 3 different VW's

2 Old bugs, the floors rotted,but the engines always ran

and a rabbit,it was a oice of junk,but it too was mostly dependable,and
the Rabbit was better on gas than my old Bugs;they only got about 20mpg,
i had 6 cyl Plymouth Valiants that did better than that,
hack i had a 67 Valiant,with the 273 V8,i put duals on;
i got 25 Mpg on the road,and about 18 in town,

i hear the newer Vw's are ok,but pricey..

 

[guapo337]

no replies about my situation.. hmm..


it must be irrefutable proof that VW sucksss.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: N8Magic
If you are going to rip on a company because of past quality control issues, you best be speaking from the first-person point of view or your opinion means very little.

"My friends VW is a POS, you should have seen it!" <----- NO.
"I saw a VW pulled over at the side of the freeway. Must be those electrical problems." <----- NO.
"I know a mechanic that works on nothing but domestics who says..." <----- NO.
"My neighbour has a VW and it's in the shop..." <-----NO.
"I read in Stuff magazine that the editors ashtray cover broke." <----- NO.

"One of my past VW's gave me trouble with..." <----- YES!

If you are going to run your mouth about how bad a car company is, please PLEASE have firsthand experience. Otherwise, kindly STFU and move along.

LOL, but you don't have to have owned a dodge to know they are junk

 

[trikster2]

Originally posted by: guapo337
no replies about my situation.. hmm..

it must be irrefutable proof that VW sucksss.

I think it is irrefutable proof you have poor taste.

I sat in a new beetle for 20 seconds and that is as far as I got on my test drive.

Yuch.

As I said above I love my passat, best car I have ever driven but I recommend people not get the jeta/bettle. Too small and too much cost and too unreliable. Sorry to hear about your experience but not surprised. You purchased a car the SECOND year it was released. You had to know there was some risk with that. Build some parts in germany, ship them to south america, assemble them then ship them again to the U.S. now that's a great plan. More and more are doing it though, guess the labor must be cheap down there.

Here's Small car reliabilty as rated by consumer reports this year. Next time you are car shopping spend $4 on consumer reports it will save you a bundle of frustation:

Cars rated most reliable (toyota echo best to least reliable, ford focus):

Toyota Echo
Toyota Prius
Toyota Corolla
Mazda Proteg&eacute;
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Honda Civic
Subaru Impreza*
Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai Accent*
Nissan Sentra
Chevrolet Cavalier
Pontiac Sunfire
Volkswagen New Beetle
Dodge Neon
Volkswagen Golf (4 cyl.)
Volkswagen Jetta (4 cyl.)
Ford Focus


Here's Family Cars. Passat isn't doing too bad, reflecting the experience of many passat owners in this forum. Camry is a surprise though. What's up with that NSF4?


Nissan Maxima
Buick Regal
Subaru Legacy/Outback
Buick Century
Hyundai Sonata
Nissan Altima*
Chevrolet Impala
Toyota Camry*
Volkswagen Passat
Pontiac Grand Prix
Dodge Intrepid
Hyundai XG350*
Chevrolet Malibu
Ford Taurus
Mercury Sable
Mitsubishi Galant
Chrysler Sebring (V6)
Dodge Stratus (V6)
Volvo S40/V40
Oldsmobile Alero
Pontiac Grand Am
Saturn L-Series

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: trikster2

Sorry to hear about your experience but not surprised. You purchased a car the SECOND year it was released.

Oh please, for any remotely popular car, 2 years is already half way through that generation. Most good cars don't have any serious problems the moment they first show up on dealer lots

I don't really feel too much either way for VWs myself, but man some VW owners are the worst people ever, they're like Mac owners. Some of them rip up and down on Hondas/Toyotas but then throw a fit and get personal when you mention that VWs can be some sucky ass cars.

 

[busmaster11]

Originally posted by: N8Magic
If you are going to rip on a company because of past quality control issues, you best be speaking from the first-person point of view or your opinion means very little.

"My friends VW is a POS, you should have seen it!" <----- NO.
"I saw a VW pulled over at the side of the freeway. Must be those electrical problems." <----- NO.
"I know a mechanic that works on nothing but domestics who says..." <----- NO.
"My neighbour has a VW and it's in the shop..." <-----NO.
"I read in Stuff magazine that the editors ashtray cover broke." <----- NO.

"One of my past VW's gave me trouble with..." <----- YES!

If you are going to run your mouth about how bad a car company is, please PLEASE have firsthand experience. Otherwise, kindly STFU and move along.

Wait. So no one should EVER have any positivie or negative biases for any car company unless they've owned or otherwise been very familiar a car from a certain brand?

Why read trade magazines or sites or goto forums then?

Could it be that perhaps you're just upset having bought a VW and everyone's harping on it? And that you'll now take it upon yourself to discredit reports such as JD Powers, which has VW and AUDI closer to Kia than to Lexus in terms of initial quality?

 

[Scarpozzi]

I used to drive a VW Vanagon. The only problems I had with it were:

#1: It was underpowered. A van that size needs more than a 4 cyl. engine in it...
#2: It had the Mark III conversion so the back seat was velour with a fold-out queen-sized bed. The velour caused EXTREME problems with static. (you'd get zapped in that van all the time)

Other than that, I was impressed with the vehicle.

 

[Phuz]

N8Magic, you still haven't addressed my point?

 

[Gulzakar]

How about

"I test drove a GTI VR6, and 2 of the buttons I pushed on the dash got stuck...that and some rattles with the moon roof and exhaust"

GARBAGE!

If you are going to do the German thing, do it right and get a Beemer or Mercedes

 

[vi edit]

At least your rattling, squeeking, crappy interior of a car will be parked in your garage instead of your mechanic's garage.

Sigh. READ MY EARLIER POST.

In 64,000 miles, my passat has been in the shop for a total of 2 hours(vaccum tube recall) outside of normally scheduled maintanence.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Originally posted by: trikster2

Originally posted by: guapo337
no replies about my situation.. hmm..

it must be irrefutable proof that VW sucksss.

I think it is irrefutable proof you have poor taste.

I sat in a new beetle for 20 seconds and that is as far as I got on my test drive.

Yuch.

As I said above I love my passat, best car I have ever driven but I recommend people not get the jeta/bettle. Too small and too much cost and too unreliable. Sorry to hear about your experience but not surprised. You purchased a car the SECOND year it was released. You had to know there was some risk with that. Build some parts in germany, ship them to south america, assemble them then ship them again to the U.S. now that's a great plan. More and more are doing it though, guess the labor must be cheap down there.

Here's Small car reliabilty as rated by consumer reports this year. Next time you are car shopping spend $4 on consumer reports it will save you a bundle of frustation:

Cars rated most reliable (toyota echo best to least reliable, ford focus):

Toyota Echo
Toyota Prius
Toyota Corolla
Mazda Proteg&eacute;
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Honda Civic
Subaru Impreza*
Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai Accent*
Nissan Sentra
Chevrolet Cavalier
Pontiac Sunfire
Volkswagen New Beetle
Dodge Neon
Volkswagen Golf (4 cyl.)
Volkswagen Jetta (4 cyl.)
Ford Focus


Here's Family Cars. Passat isn't doing too bad, reflecting the experience of many passat owners in this forum. Camry is a surprise though. What's up with that NSF4?


Nissan Maxima
Buick Regal
Subaru Legacy/Outback
Buick Century
Hyundai Sonata
Nissan Altima*
Chevrolet Impala
Toyota Camry*
Volkswagen Passat
Pontiac Grand Prix
Dodge Intrepid
Hyundai XG350*
Chevrolet Malibu
Ford Taurus
Mercury Sable
Mitsubishi Galant
Chrysler Sebring (V6)
Dodge Stratus (V6)
Volvo S40/V40
Oldsmobile Alero
Pontiac Grand Am
Saturn L-Series

It's his mom's car, genius. You still didn't address the point that his Beetle was a piece of sh!t. Doesn't want to make him get another VW, regardless of how "great" other VW cars are.