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

[StrangeRanger]

TDI's are awesome. I have one with over 300K on it that is my daily driver. And I've owned (they are still running, sold to friends) 3 others that all have over 200K and 300K on them. If you do the scheduled maintenance they will last forever.
Yes, they have less HP, but HP is not the important number really. Torque is what you feel when you stomp on the pedal, it's what pushes you back in your seat. And there are some mods you can get for the ecu that really wake up that motor if you want. Mine will spin the tires in the first three gears if I want to
There really are no negetives to the TDI's. Unless you live in an area that diesel is hard to find. They are awesome.
j

 

[KoolAidKid]

I have had 2 civics (1989 hatchback and a 1994 sedan), as well as my current car, a 2001 Golf 1.8 Turbo (basically a 4-door GTI). I would say that the 94 civic was my least favorite car. Absolutely boring to drive, and I didn't like the styling of the car either. The 89 civic was great, I'm still a little sad that I sold it. My Golf has been problem-free for the 10K miles that I've owned it. It is MUCH more fun to drive than either of the civics. Of course, it possible that the car will disintegrate into 100 pieces on my way home from work tonight, but until that happens I'm very happy with my VW.

On the other hand, I have also owned 2 other VWs, a 1980 Rabbit and a 1980 Vanagon. The Rabbit averaged 1 breakdown every two weeks (it went through 2 engines, throwing a rod through into the oil pan each time) and the Vanagon was severly underpowered and unreliable. Despite these experiences there is something about VWs that appeal to me.

 

[Looney]

Holy crap, check out this reliability rating... they're one of the worst in the industry!
http://www.jdpa.com/presspass/pr/images/2004055bfull.gif

 

[Lumathix]

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.

Had a 2000 Passat GLS for 3 years. Never had this or anything else other than regular maintenance happen.

 

[jtvang125]

Jettas=chick car

enuff said.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: 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.

Well the third and final VW our family has had is getting turned in within a month...

Jetta - '00 (purchased in '99)
Passat - '01.5
Passat - '02

 

[acemcmac]

one of my close friends has a turbo 99 passat 5-speed. Loves it and never complains about maintanance.

 

[Calin]

Originally posted by: 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.

Great fuel efficiency. Great fuel efficiency when keeping the engine in the top torque range. Engines last longer, but the sulphur in fuel might damage them faster than usual. Sometime problems to start them at low temperatures (current engines with burning sparks or whatever they are called are pretty good, they go fine down to -20Celsius or even less).
If they have distributor belt, it might need to change it sooner than on gasoline engines. If they use chain, it can go almost forever.
You should use oil special for turbo diesel engines (it should cool the turbo too, and diesel engines are harsher on their oils)
They are a bit harsh on idle (some call them tractors ), and if you are below torque (I'd say 1400rpm or lower) they really sound like a tractor (but not so loud).
They pull very well, and you don't have to firewall them to get torque.

In the end, I think a turbo diesel engine is ok even taking into account the lower max power (as that power is reached at a lower rpm and the torque is much more even on the rpm range)

I'd like one

 

[shud]

I have a '97 Jetta in which the ignition switch was shorting out headlights, wipers, and various other things. I searched the net for it and TONS of other people had the same problem yet it was never recalled by VW. If I'd start it up and then push the ignition like a quarter inch further everything would be fine.

They tried to blame me for having a heavy key chain. Cost me $350 to get a new switch and apparently a new ignition receptacle thing that was supposedly a fix on this problem. Definitely expensive to maintain.

 

[Pliablemoose]

There's a healthy mix of hype in the VW bashing...

For instance, look at the reliability ratings/opinions for the Golf & the NB (new beetle). There's a pretty significant difference, which is odd considering that it's the same car with a different skin...

 

[Aharami]

depends. I have a VW and ive been lucky. Only needed to have the throttle body replaced under warranty

 

[Pepsi90919]

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.

i don't think that answers his question

 

[Kenazo]

It's too bad about their poor reliability, b/c that TDI engine gets some serious mileage.

 

[Triumph]

IMO, no, because I've never had to take my Passat in for unscheduled maintenance in 80,000 miles. YMMV.

 

[bootymac]

I have a 2000 GTI and it's holding up pretty good so far. Only problem I've had so far is the mirrors. Passenger side won't move up or down :|
VW parts are pretty expensive, and the electronics are pretty iffy. The insurance can be $$$$ too.

Between the Civic or the Jetta, I think it depends on what type of car person you are. If you want a car that you don't have to worry about, and a car that your mom, sister, or younger brother can drive, get the Civic.

I love my GTI, it's a fun car to drive (horsepower sells cars, torque wins races!).

 

[rahvin]

Originally posted by: Triumph
IMO, no, because I've never had to take my Passat in for unscheduled maintenance in 80,000 miles. YMMV.

Yea I get about 22 - 24.

 

[Kindjal]

I have 2004 Passat and it has been great - no problems (except at delivery - VW dealers are teh sUx0r). My previous '99 Passat totaled - RIP) had it's share of problems but it did not deter me from buying another.

I use Pentosynth at oil changes - this oil is a bit pricey but I only change the oil every 6 months/7.5K. I think VW's labor is $65-70hr - comparable with other makes. Try to find an independent mechanic to service your car if you buy a VW.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Looney
Holy crap, check out this reliability rating... they're one of the worst in the industry!
http://www.jdpa.com/presspass/pr/images/2004055bfull.gif

Hey at least they are not as bad as land rover


But as a Auto tech yes VW's break down more AND cost more to fix. Their electrical is to blame for a lot, and that can add up real fast and can take a long time, see labor rates of auto techs, to find and fix.

Best bet until they fix their cars overall, get a American or jap car.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: Looney
Holy crap, check out this reliability rating... they're one of the worst in the industry!
http://www.jdpa.com/presspass/pr/images/2004055bfull.gif

Hey at least they are not as bad as land rover

I love listening to Car Talk on NPR, when a caller mentions they have a Land Rover, Tom & Ray just burst out laughing, they don't even wait for the problem