IS VOLKSWAGON RELIABLE?

[Fangorn]

Kenji, I just bought a 2002 Jetta GLS with all the trimmings. I absolutely love it. I drove a 1989 Toyota Corolla GTS for ten years before buying this new car, and my options were either an Acura 1.6 EL (available only in Canada), a Civic (my wife already drives a 2000 DX hatchback), or another Corolla. The Jetta was a little more pricey but I think its been worth it. I know of four or five colleagues at work who have bought Jettas without any problems in the past little while, so I followed their lead and (so far) am completely happy with my decision.

Go for the Jetta!

 

[Rahminator]

My parents' 2000 Jetta is burning oil like like it's gas. What can I say, maybe I got a dud.

 

[schdaddy]

i own a 97 jetta w/ 90k miles - so far no major probs (knockonwood)

only complaint is that most mechanics in my area don't work on VWs so I end up taking it back to the dealer

 

[Gladwin]

<< <<Nope, its not. Quality is value divided by price. Reliability is the number of breakdowns per time cycle. These are very different things.>>

You have reliability defined correctly, but Quality is not value over price. Value (in the sense of a good deal) is equal to value (in the sense of worth) over price.

From my 1968 copy of Websters, quality is defined as "the degree of excellence which a thing possesses".

You can claim that you meant value over price when you said quality, but you are operating on a nonstandard definition which does not appear in any authoritative lexicon of the English language.

ZV >>



Value of a car is a combination of reliability, economy, safety, convienience features, handling, engine HP, engine torque, etc. I think you would say that this is also the quality of the car, but I guess we have to agree to disagree, since to me, cost has to be in there somewhere.

I looked up the ANSI definition of quality and it says "The totality of features and characteristics of a product or service that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs."

I guess ANSI agrees with you. 😱

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

From consumer reports

The Jetta, which shares its underpinnings with the New Beetle and Golf, comes with a host of standard luxury and safety features. Handling is fairly nimble, and the ride is comfortable for a small car. The base 2.0-liter Four is responsive but noisy. The turbocharged 1.8-liter Four is smoother and more powerful, as is the uplevel 2.8-liter V6. An economical turbodiesel is also available. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, but the rear seat is cramped. A pair of new transmissions--a six-speed manual for the V6 and a five-speed automatic for the 1.8T--were added this year. Reliability has improved, allowing us to recommend the Jetta again.

 

[thomsbrain]

<< VW---Great quality horrid reliability.
Had to sell the VW Passat after numerous electrical and mechanical issues. The fit and finish was fantastic, the VR6 combined with the 5M was superb, the handling was outstanding but unfortunately the VW service department probably put more miles on the car than we did. :disgust:

We were in the market for an Audi S4 but I have hear similar horror stories from Audi owners regarding reliability >>



Probably because Audi is owned my VW and shares many platforms/parts. 😉

 

[Colt45]

my family has a '99 passat, a '01 golf, and a '88 golf.

none have problems..
the old golf still starts on the first crank, after about 250K Km

BUT... if you aren't mechanically inclined and something big screws up, you'll be out $$$
(i assume that would be the same with a civic though, too)

 

[Dark4ng3l]

Getting an Audi because you have too many problems with you Volkwagen is like saying "I have too many problems with my Chrysler Neon so i'm thinking of getting a Dodge neon instead because Crysler cars suck"

 

[RKS]

If you decide on the VW make sure you get one of these.
This devise will allow you diagnose OBD II at home (which you may be doing quite a bit).
When we had the Passat the dealer told us that the solid CEL was ok to drive on and we should only be worried if it was blinking

 

[Triumph]

Resident VW junky here 🙂. Me and my immediate family have owned, oh, about 12 VW/Audi products over the years, and only 1 was what I would call a lemon. The rest of them had their problems, but I loved them all. Honestly tho, if you want a car that won't give you any problems ever, go buy a Camry, Corolla, Civic, or Accord. Course your car will be exactly like every 3rd car around you on the road, the styling is boring, and any mods done to it will label you as a "ricer." VW's excel in other areas. Their interior styling and quality is world class, and you won't find a car in their price range that is as safe in a wreck. So take your pick: Boring, bland, reliable, or fun, safe, stylish, a few problems.

 

[jonnyGURU]

I thought you were a Triumph junky... Driving around in your little TR8.....

 

[Triumph]

Nope, Triumph as in the Insult Comic Dog, of Conan O'Brian fame.