YACT: does a VW really cost more to maintain/repair?

[Looney]

Compared to domestic and common import cars? I've been looking for a new car that is good on gas, and i'm torn between a Civic and a Jetta (maybe Passat)... their prices are comparable, and although the Civic is better on gas, the Jetta has MUCH more style IMO.

But i'm told the Jetta repairs and stuff would cost twice as much... so is this true?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Not only will it cost twice as much, it'll break twice as often.

/waits for the rest of the VW Sucks crew

- M4H

 

[Nomada]

I'm in the VW Sucks Crew. Have been ever since I did a stint in a mechanic's shop. Anything 90's VW will set your wallet alight. Most 80's cars were exceptional. Can't talk for the newer cars.

 

[edi sucks]

that's what i've heard too...personally, in the last 7 years, i've had 4 civics (3 purchased new, 1 purchased used). No problems yet, other than the used one I purchased being way too loud...

 

[imported_Phil]

A shame really, because people over here talk about early 90's VW GTIs being broken in at 80,000 miles- they used to go on forever (at least, the European ones did).

 

[DeviousTrap]

I heard a lot of bad things about the 90s VWs, but I think they may have gotten a bit better with the newer ones. If you're interested in a VW read up on vwvortex.

 

[imported_xaguynamedguyx]

Originally posted by: edi sucks
that's what i've heard too...personally, in the last 7 years, i've had 4 civics (3 purchased new, 1 purchased used). No problems yet, other than the used one I purchased being way too loud...

you go through cars fast!

 

[Amused]

My 99 Passat GLX has been flawless. The maintenance costs have been small.

In fact, it's been such a good car, and still looks and feels so new, that I haven't even considered trading it in for a new car. I'm keeping it for a few more years at least.

 

[dr150]

The headlights need o be replaced every two years due to them being on all the time. You're looking at $100 every two years, unless you hack into it....which is all explained in the VW forums.

I also had electronic problems ( a notorious German trait) which cost me $900 over the past two years.

 

[imported_Pablo]

Just go ahead and buy a Maxima. If you don't think you're old enough for a maxima, you can still buy a baby seat to put in the back to make it look like you are...

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: dr150
The headlights need o be replaced every two years due to them being on all the time. You're looking at $100 every two years, unless you hack into it....which is all explained in the VW forums.

I also had electronic problems ( a notorious German trait) which cost me $900 over the past two years.

Bullsh!t.

My Passat is 6 years old, I never had the DRL's deactivated, and I have never had a headlight go out.

Meanwhile, almost all new cars have DRLs now.

 

[aphex]

While i loved driving my old Jetta and Passat, they were a pain in the ass.

Nothing in that car was fixed on the cheap, and believe me, everything on those cars broke... Coil packs, electrical system, seatbelts, doors, windows, headlights.... You name it, it probably broke at one point in time...

My favorite was when the cover for the homelink system in the sun visor broke off... One tiny clip, less than 1cm long snapped, causing the small plastic cover to fall off very easily... Do they sell just that part? Of course not, VW requires you to buy the WHOLE FVCKING VISOR, for a total cost of $450 + $70 for install.

Needless to say they licked my asscrack and i superglued it before i turned in my lease...

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: dr150
The headlights need o be replaced every two years due to them being on all the time. You're looking at $100 every two years, unless you hack into it....which is all explained in the VW forums.

I also had electronic problems ( a notorious German trait) which cost me $900 over the past two years.

Bullsh!t.

My Passat is 6 years old, I never had the DRL's deactivated, and I have never had a headlight go out.

Meanwhile, almost all new cars have DRLs now.

Jetta - 1 headlight and 1 taillight.
Passat #1 - 1 headlight
Passat #2 - Both headlights went (drivers side twice)

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: aphex

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: dr150
The headlights need o be replaced every two years due to them being on all the time. You're looking at $100 every two years, unless you hack into it....which is all explained in the VW forums.

I also had electronic problems ( a notorious German trait) which cost me $900 over the past two years.

Bullsh!t.

My Passat is 6 years old, I never had the DRL's deactivated, and I have never had a headlight go out.

Meanwhile, almost all new cars have DRLs now.

Jetta - 1 headlight and 1 taillight.
Passat #1 - 1 headlight
Passat #2 - Both headlights went (drivers side twice)

Not a single bulb has gone out on my Passat.

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: dr150
The headlights need o be replaced every two years due to them being on all the time. You're looking at $100 every two years, unless you hack into it....which is all explained in the VW forums.

That seems a little strange. My Mustang has the DRL, and i've only had to replace the headlights once in like 6-7 years.

Anyways, i've been eyeing an Acura 3.2TL S now... i get luxury, somewhat decent gas, and kickass performance. Only problem is, do these cars not come in manual transmission?

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: Looney

Originally posted by: dr150
The headlights need o be replaced every two years due to them being on all the time. You're looking at $100 every two years, unless you hack into it....which is all explained in the VW forums.

That seems a little strange. My Mustang has the DRL, and i've only had to replace the headlights once in like 6-7 years.

Anyways, i've been eyeing an Acura 3.2TL S now... i get luxury, somewhat decent gas, and kickass performance. Only problem is, do these cars not come in manual transmission?

I dont think its the fact that they are DRL's, i think they just suck

 

[mwtgg]

Originally posted by: Looney

Originally posted by: dr150
The headlights need o be replaced every two years due to them being on all the time. You're looking at $100 every two years, unless you hack into it....which is all explained in the VW forums.

That seems a little strange. My Mustang has the DRL, and i've only had to replace the headlights once in like 6-7 years.

Anyways, i've been eyeing an Acura 3.2TL S now... i get luxury, somewhat decent gas, and kickass performance. Only problem is, do these cars not come in manual transmission?

They have a 5-speed auto.

 

[dr150]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: dr150
The headlights need o be replaced every two years due to them being on all the time. You're looking at $100 every two years, unless you hack into it....which is all explained in the VW forums.

I also had electronic problems ( a notorious German trait) which cost me $900 over the past two years.

Bullsh!t.

My Passat is 6 years old, I never had the DRL's deactivated, and I have never had a headlight go out.

Meanwhile, almost all new cars have DRLs now.

Nice to see someone call B.S. on me.

I own a '01 Passat GLX monkeyboy.


Btw, let me correct my previous answer. Not only have I replaced my headlights twice in the last 4 years, but I've had to replace my tailights as well--twice.......PLUS, I've had the electrical computer system console (middle of dashboard) replaced under warranty. If this would be out of warranty, I'd have to pay $1000, plus labor.....This, btw, is in addition to the other electrical problem that cost me $1k.

While I love the performance of my Passat, I think I'll go Acura or Lexus next time. I like my cars with a little less trouble and less out of pocket repair expenses.

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: mwtgg

Originally posted by: Looney

Originally posted by: dr150
The headlights need o be replaced every two years due to them being on all the time. You're looking at $100 every two years, unless you hack into it....which is all explained in the VW forums.

That seems a little strange. My Mustang has the DRL, and i've only had to replace the headlights once in like 6-7 years.

Anyways, i've been eyeing an Acura 3.2TL S now... i get luxury, somewhat decent gas, and kickass performance. Only problem is, do these cars not come in manual transmission?

They have a 5-speed auto.

That Automatic in the last gen TLs are absolutely horrible. Do some research on that tranny. Buyer Beware.

Otherwise, its a sweet car.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: dr150

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: dr150
The headlights need o be replaced every two years due to them being on all the time. You're looking at $100 every two years, unless you hack into it....which is all explained in the VW forums.

I also had electronic problems ( a notorious German trait) which cost me $900 over the past two years.

Bullsh!t.

My Passat is 6 years old, I never had the DRL's deactivated, and I have never had a headlight go out.

Meanwhile, almost all new cars have DRLs now.

Nice to see someone call B.S. on me.

I own a '01 Passat GLX monkeyboy.

That's nice. But blaming the burnt out bulbs on DLRs and acting as if DLRs are unique to VW is rather silly. Especially since mine hasn't burnt out yet and DLRs are on most new cars.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: aphex
While i loved driving my old Jetta and Passat, they were a pain in the ass.

Nothing in that car was fixed on the cheap, and believe me, everything on those cars broke... Coil packs, electrical system, seatbelts, doors, windows, headlights.... You name it, it probably broke at one point in time...

My favorite was when the cover for the homelink system in the sun visor broke off... One tiny clip, less than 1cm long snapped, causing the small plastic cover to fall off very easily... Do they sell just that part? Of course not, VW requires you to buy the WHOLE FVCKING VISOR, for a total cost of $450 + $70 for install.

Needless to say they licked my asscrack and i superglued it before i turned in my lease...

Damn, what year were those two?

Zero problems with my 99 passat here.

 

[Looney]

Ok, i've actually started looking at the Acura 3.2TL, then went to the BMW 3-series, but then wanted more power and style and went to the Nissan 6th gen Maxima.... but i've gone back to the Jetta now. As much as i would like a fun car, i want fuel efficiency and money for things such as a house soon.

So now that i'm back on the Jetta, i've been looking at the TDI diesel, and i can't believe how efficient they are. Are there any negatives to have a diesel engine? Supposedly they're more efficient on mileage, cost cheaper to fill up, engines last MUCH longer, and have better torque! So what are the negatives?

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: Looney
Ok, i've actually started looking at the Acura 3.2TL, then went to the BMW 3-series, but then wanted more power and style and went to the Nissan 6th gen Maxima.... but i've gone back to the Jetta now. As much as i would like a fun car, i want fuel efficiency and money for things such as a house soon.

So now that i'm back on the Jetta, i've been looking at the TDI diesel, and i can't believe how efficient they are. Are there any negatives to have a diesel engine? Supposedly they're more efficient on mileage, cost cheaper to fill up, engines last MUCH longer, and have better torque! So what are the negatives?

Much more effiecient when it comes to MPG (web says 43-46 on highway, no less than 30 on City). It has more torque than any other engine available for the Jetta, but less HP.

 

[cjgallen]

Volkswagen has gone downhill ever since they went to water cooling

 

[Safeway]

Yea, it does ... American cars are still the cheapest to repair.