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VW Cars
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Fenixgoon
Lifer
1999 Passat 1.8T representin'
contrary to what people say, VW's and Audi's are not as horrible as everyone makes them out to be if properly maintained.
i have over 135k on my car. it has run into some troubles, but nothing completely deal breaking (ie, like having to replace an engine).
there's a lot of maintenance i had done that, had i done myself, could have saved me $$$$$$$$ though.
contrary to what people say, VW's and Audi's are not as horrible as everyone makes them out to be if properly maintained.
i have over 135k on my car. it has run into some troubles, but nothing completely deal breaking (ie, like having to replace an engine).
there's a lot of maintenance i had done that, had i done myself, could have saved me $$$$$$$$ though.
PhoKingGuy
Diamond Member
Those are the same car.....
Rabbit/Golf/GTI are all built in Wolfsburg, Germany. The 2.0T engines are made in either Germany or Hungary, while the 2.5 engines are made in Mexico. Only the Beetle and Jetta are built in Mexico.
Rabbit/Golf/GTI are all built in Wolfsburg, Germany. The 2.0T engines are made in either Germany or Hungary, while the 2.5 engines are made in Mexico. Only the Beetle and Jetta are built in Mexico.
Why I wouldn't buy a vw
1 bottom ranking dealership structure in NA
2 Expensive parts and repairs
3 Questionable reliability , but as I've posted many times wouldn't stop me just think twice
Why I would
1 German driving car
2 Hold resale well if that kind of thing matters to you
3 Unique in a sea of corollas civics focuses cobalts
1 bottom ranking dealership structure in NA
2 Expensive parts and repairs
3 Questionable reliability , but as I've posted many times wouldn't stop me just think twice
Why I would
1 German driving car
2 Hold resale well if that kind of thing matters to you
3 Unique in a sea of corollas civics focuses cobalts
Love my 07 Passat 2.0T 6M. European made fwiw. 35K mechanically trouble-free miles so far. One electrical problem: in the first winter, on a very snowy day I was stuck on a highway for hours with the defroster on full blast, when the multifunction display (LCD readout for various info, such trip computer, etc.) started showing corruption. After I could ease off on the defroster, the display recovered. It was fine after that, so I left it be but mentioned it at my 20K service a few weeks later. Described the problem, suggested it was overheated, thought they would just smile and nod since it was working fine at the time. Dealership completed the 20K service, said they'd call when the new MFD was ready to install. It arrived in less than a week and took less than an hour to install. BTW, free wifi at the dealership/service dept.
I'll be back to a 47 mile each way commute in a few weeks and am really happy I have the Passat. Seats are comfy, stereo is fine, fuel economy is adequate (~32 mpg over any 100 hour period I've looked at with the trip computer) and the performance is terrific. The 2.0T FSI (nearly a twin to the TFSI in the Tiguan and other 2008+ VWs) is very responsive and has torque pretty much everywhere between 2000-5500 RPMs. You don't need to wait for high revs for fun like in some other cars. Also, the brakes are really good, take a look at the rotors on other makes and then look at the VWs. Big difference.
Also, I really like the interior. Yes, my <$22K car has some plastic on the dash. The not-leather seats (no sport package, either) are terrific in terms of tactile feel and comfort, although the controls are goofy. But I don't adjust the seats but 3x a year when the wife agrees to a manual transmission driving lesson. I really like the red LED "mood lighting", the indigo/red/black gauges, and the little things like the hidden trays, the umbrella holder with proper drain, the ratcheting elbow rest/center console lid and weirdly, the special place for the owner's manual in the glove compartment which goes to show how much the designers emphasized usability.
The only mods I am considering at this point is a second grocery bag hook for the trunk lid (another feature I've never seen elsewhere) and getting the engine computer flashed with APR's 93 octane program. Going with APR since everyone else is hours away and the difference probably wouldn't be all that much.
I think you get a lot of cool features and great performance for a pretty good price if you don't mind asking for a fair price. Mine had a tag for $26.5K, but I payed $21.5K for it new in Mar. 2007. Sticker price was out of my range, and to me too much for what the car is. But it is a well worth it at the price I paid. I expect that similar deals could be had today with Passats at least. Don't know about the Passat CC.
BTW, I am under the impression that the Passat and the Tiguan have pretty much the same interior space.
I always hear that VWs are unreliable. There is plenty of evidence to support this, but if they are as bad as people say, then how can they possibly still be in business? Service can be expensive, but it pays to shop around. In my area prices for the (same) 40K service ranges from $240 to $600, both before discounts and assorted fees. Also, the 2.0T is supposed to be fed 91 octane (US style, AKI) fuel, although it burns 87 safely but with somewhat degraded pep and fuel economy. For the record I buy 93 as my options are 87, 89, and 93 in NE Ohio.
There are plenty of other reasons why I love this car. Given my commute (rarely dips below 55mph, only 2 traffic lights) in a car that eats the miles and is always responsive, it makes a real difference in how I start my day.
I'll be back to a 47 mile each way commute in a few weeks and am really happy I have the Passat. Seats are comfy, stereo is fine, fuel economy is adequate (~32 mpg over any 100 hour period I've looked at with the trip computer) and the performance is terrific. The 2.0T FSI (nearly a twin to the TFSI in the Tiguan and other 2008+ VWs) is very responsive and has torque pretty much everywhere between 2000-5500 RPMs. You don't need to wait for high revs for fun like in some other cars. Also, the brakes are really good, take a look at the rotors on other makes and then look at the VWs. Big difference.
Also, I really like the interior. Yes, my <$22K car has some plastic on the dash. The not-leather seats (no sport package, either) are terrific in terms of tactile feel and comfort, although the controls are goofy. But I don't adjust the seats but 3x a year when the wife agrees to a manual transmission driving lesson. I really like the red LED "mood lighting", the indigo/red/black gauges, and the little things like the hidden trays, the umbrella holder with proper drain, the ratcheting elbow rest/center console lid and weirdly, the special place for the owner's manual in the glove compartment which goes to show how much the designers emphasized usability.
The only mods I am considering at this point is a second grocery bag hook for the trunk lid (another feature I've never seen elsewhere) and getting the engine computer flashed with APR's 93 octane program. Going with APR since everyone else is hours away and the difference probably wouldn't be all that much.
I think you get a lot of cool features and great performance for a pretty good price if you don't mind asking for a fair price. Mine had a tag for $26.5K, but I payed $21.5K for it new in Mar. 2007. Sticker price was out of my range, and to me too much for what the car is. But it is a well worth it at the price I paid. I expect that similar deals could be had today with Passats at least. Don't know about the Passat CC.
BTW, I am under the impression that the Passat and the Tiguan have pretty much the same interior space.
I always hear that VWs are unreliable. There is plenty of evidence to support this, but if they are as bad as people say, then how can they possibly still be in business? Service can be expensive, but it pays to shop around. In my area prices for the (same) 40K service ranges from $240 to $600, both before discounts and assorted fees. Also, the 2.0T is supposed to be fed 91 octane (US style, AKI) fuel, although it burns 87 safely but with somewhat degraded pep and fuel economy. For the record I buy 93 as my options are 87, 89, and 93 in NE Ohio.
There are plenty of other reasons why I love this car. Given my commute (rarely dips below 55mph, only 2 traffic lights) in a car that eats the miles and is always responsive, it makes a real difference in how I start my day.
Thump553
Lifer
Horribly biased against shade tree mechanics these days, which is an absolute shame because being user-friendly is what built VW as a brand in the USA back in the day. Example-my mother in law has a Passat, one headlight burnt out. Normal halogen bulb. I picked one up and couldn't figure out how to replace it. I helped rebuild several old VW bugs way back when. I asked my brother in law to give it a try, same result. This is a guy who has rebuild several cars, including a Triumph and a '60s 4x4 pickup (from the bare frame up).
I shamefully took the bulb back for a refund-the cashier kind of freaked, the manager came over and said what type of car. When I told him VW he said you need special tools to replace the headlight bulb.
Turns out VW covered the headlight as part of their routine maintanence because the car was still under warranty (positive point, never had bulbs covered by warranty before), but it is beyond absurd that such a routine task should require an expensive service call.
I shamefully took the bulb back for a refund-the cashier kind of freaked, the manager came over and said what type of car. When I told him VW he said you need special tools to replace the headlight bulb.
Turns out VW covered the headlight as part of their routine maintanence because the car was still under warranty (positive point, never had bulbs covered by warranty before), but it is beyond absurd that such a routine task should require an expensive service call.
I've owned an 04 Jetta which has been a good balance between fun and gas mileage has been trouble free. I am now eyeing a move to the GTI. My wife LOVES the R32 i got her. I was surprised she would like the R32 but it feels solid and planted thus feels safe in it. Since you mention the Tiguan, I would wait for the TDi version.
lavaheadache
Diamond Member
MK4 GTi vr6... love it a few minor issues over the past 3 years but you couldn't seperate me from my vr with a shotgun if you tried.
ViviTheMage
Lifer
thinking of getting a GTI VR6 for the GF ... if I can find one.
DeviousTrap
Diamond Member
lavaheadache
Diamond Member
just got installing new trailing arm bushings and 17.5mm spacers from ecs 3 nights ago. Swapping out the trailing arm bushings is not something I recommend trying unless you don't mind ripping the whole rear end off. Those bushing were a pita to get out but that was a piece of cake compared to getting the new ones in
cheesehead
Lifer
The Ford Focus is every bit as good as the Golf, providing you don't deliberately ruin the suspension and interior by making everything cheap like they did for the american version.
That said, the SVT Focus and Mazda3 are both very good cars, and neither of them have the reliability problems.
SamurAchzar
Platinum Member
Having an '07 GTI, I'm a very happy owner. I can't say it's built as a vault, but then again, what is. It has a great powertrain (2.0TFSI + DSG FTW), excelling in delivery, smoothness rather than outright power, the handling is nice (in most situations) and the interior is great (much prefer it over the A3, mostly because of the extra room and "airness").
The car has some weak points :
1. Brakes: I use my brakes extremely hard - pads every 9K miles, and while the wear would be identical in any make, the ones on the GTI aren't resistant enough to overheating IMHO, and I don't particularly like their feel. Partly Remedied (open ducts, Motul 600 fluid and stainless steel lines).
2. Interior can creak a bit: I think that's an issue of too-flexy body with too-stiff suspension.
Ultimately, though, this car still makes me smile each and every time I drive it. I feel like I need to move up to an M3 or something of that class to get something geniunely better. The GTI is fast, fun, good looking, reliable enough, frugal and very practical (5 adults fit easily, and hatchback is great). What's not to like, really?
The car has some weak points :
1. Brakes: I use my brakes extremely hard - pads every 9K miles, and while the wear would be identical in any make, the ones on the GTI aren't resistant enough to overheating IMHO, and I don't particularly like their feel. Partly Remedied (open ducts, Motul 600 fluid and stainless steel lines).
2. Interior can creak a bit: I think that's an issue of too-flexy body with too-stiff suspension.
Ultimately, though, this car still makes me smile each and every time I drive it. I feel like I need to move up to an M3 or something of that class to get something geniunely better. The GTI is fast, fun, good looking, reliable enough, frugal and very practical (5 adults fit easily, and hatchback is great). What's not to like, really?
Cdubneeddeal
Diamond Member
I've had nothing but VW's since I started driving 14 years ago. Been in love with them but said fuck it, no more VW. Engines and trannies are rock solid, electrical is a POS. So I bought a Honda Element 😀
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
High praise indeed. :laugh:
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