Bad Beetle news..long post (sorry)

[laurabug06]

My 06 TDI NB has been in the shop for 8 weeks today.

I got a call from the dealer support rep for our area. I get the impression he does not usually have to call customers.

After asking if I was me, and introducing himself, he got to business, with "I'm sure you know we aren't making TDI Beetles anymore. I can't offer you a new car replacement. What I want to know is... what would you like to do?"

Umm...caught me a little off guard. I had spoken with my dealer service manager two days prior, who said that the final piece of wiring harness and parts would be there the next day and he thought I might have the car by this weekend, or early next week, providing it road tested well.

I asked "What happened to the final parts?"

I guess VW had built and sent the wrong parts, and the service manager was too beside himself to call me, or the rep offered to call me himself. He apologized profusely and said he was "embarrassed and disgusted with Volkswagen" and the inability to get the matter resolved in a timely manner. Like in less than 2 months time.

He asked if I was "stuck" on the Beetle, and I said, yeah, I was...I had had Tulley VW locate the car and I even paid for the shipping to get it up here. He was aware of all this and had requested the dealer I purchased from fax all the purchase agreement paperwork to him. I get the impression he was ready to cut a check.

In the meanwhile, I have been driving a rental (courtesy of VW), and they have reimbursed me for 2 car payments. I know they can't replace my Beetle. So I told him I wanted my car fixed, and that I would wait for it. He said OK.

I don't know guys and girls, did I do the right thing? I am 100% sure that they will not give me the car back unless it is perfect, but obviously they can't guarantee that something else won't happen. I have another reimbursement check coming, and we are going to work out the details on Extended Service coverage (I'm thinking free, for the entire time I own the car ). I've not been a bitch to them , or breathing down their necks, because that won't do any good. They've been up front with me, which I appreciate, and I think that they are trying. They just seem to keep getting screwed by the parts people.

I still don't have much of a clue as to what the problem actually is. The consulting engineer hadn't seen a car with this many issues that hadn't been hit by lightning. At this point I understand that the car has had/will have a new ECU, complete wiring harness, and airbag sensors, and the engineer is replacing them himself, and that everything is being tested as it is placed. So theoretically, the car should be fixed and in fine shape, once the appropriate parts arrive.

I'm getting a lot of flack from people who tell me I should drop the car like a bad habit, but it's already been this long, it's not costing me anything, and I really like my car.

What would you do?

[sundownbeetle]

Sounds like that since even the guy that WORKS for VW is disgusted with them, that there's a good chance they're going to do everything in their power at the dealership to make this right. Definitely haggle with them about the extended warranty until you're satisfied it's more than covered. It's pretty clear you love your TDI NB based off the hoops you jumped through to get it in the first place and how patient you've been these past weeks. If you couldn't be happy without your NB (like the most of us here) then I think you made the right decision.

[laurabug06]

Thanks, that's good to hear. I guess most people I know just aren't as crazy over their cars as I am. I've just never owned a car before that made me smile when I look at it.

[Fowvay]

Worst case scenario they replace every single component on the car at GREAT expense to Volkswagen.

If you really love the car stick it out. If not ask to receive a Blumotion TDi Jetta when they hit our shores. On Volkswagens dime I might ad.

Personally I think I would have walked away from the whole mess by now and bought another bug/car but you've made it this far... whats another few weeks?

[dnyed]

Wow. I have no advice, but want to say good luck. I have no clue what I would have done.

[Beetlemania]

Sounds like you're lucky to actually have decent management running your dealership. I like your style. I totally know what you mean about wanting to keep the car. I was never a car guy before my Beetle came along, and I plan to keep him forever!

Best of luck to you. I hope they're able to deliver all they offer and more!

[KatWoman]

If VW is working with you on this and you're willing to wait, why not? Like you said they aren't making TDI's anymore (but I would certainly hope parts would be available for several years to come!) and they're footing the bill on the rental car.

If you were to go the other route: let them pay off the car etc., it would be a manufacturer buyback and then they would probably end up wholesale auctioning the car off. They would not put a buyback car on their sales lot as that would be a very high risk to them.

After already having a few cars nickel and dime me to death, I would probably take the offer to pay off and start over again. But it is your business and your personal decision, no one should give you flack for it. If you were actually paying for the repairs then I'd say definitely get out of that car.

Hopefully they will work out something where you will still be covered, and if this fiasco happens a second time, then you might want to reconsider.

[hestersu]

I hope this works out to your satisfaction. I know how much I love my 06 TDI. Good luck with your situation.

[Steve_pnchbug]

wow I really hope everything goes ok. I would hate to of had that happen to my bug but if they would said something like that to me I would have asked if I could get a diffrent bug or even a 08 but i would like to know how you got struck by lightning

[deeceedub]

I am so sorry about your situation. I know it just makes you sick.

If you are not losing any money and haven't lost faith that they are trying to make your NB right, go ahead and hang in there with them a little longer. Just make sure you're keeping copies of everything, and making notes on phone conversations, in the unhappy event that the thing turns into a worse nightmare than it already is.

I also have a '06 TDI that I special-ordered and waited months for. I'm terrified that something bad will happen to it- even if the insurance paid complete replacement costs, it couldn't be done. I'm proud to have a 'rare' Beetle, but 'irreplacable' is still scary!

If it makes you feel any better at all--- I haven't had any problems with my Putter at all. Maybe if they can get you fixed up right you'll be good to go for many happy miles!

[bigsexyTDI]

I will offer up another scenario, and it will sound crazy, but it has happened before...

They could be doing this on purpose to get your car. The TDIs always command a good resale, and with oil hitting 90 a barrel and looking to go higher, they could very well be trying to get you into something else, so that they can get your car "on the cheap" so to speak, and then really gouge somebody else.

Just a thought. Like I said, it has happened before with stealerships and TDIs. I would hold out for it, just to foil their plan, if for what ever slight reason this was the case.

[Beeble]

Man, that if foul sounding. It's also very plausible sounding, unfortunately. But I wonder if they could get the area dealer support rep in on that scam? I kind of doubt it.

Another option is that you could tell them you will settle for a replacement car with similar options (including engine, of course) and mileage. Maybe they can find one for you; or maybe they should just fix the damned thing and get it over with. You know they have parts somewhere....

[laurabug06]

My car was deemed "unrepairable" this morning.

It is now Volkswagens' problem.

I'm willing to give Beetles another try. They are looking for a replacement certified pre-owned TDI car, and I will be compensated for the difference in miles and value from my new car.

I still don't know what the actual problem was, not sure anyone ever will now.

Just thought I'd let you know.

Laura

[hestersu]

Well that's a bummer. But I'm glad VW is trying to find you something you will be happy with. I'm still loving my 06 TDI. I hope you can find one you will be happy with. Keep the faith and you will be rewarded with a car you will love.

Keep us updated with what you find. Did you contact dnyed about the car at Dick Hannah's?

[dnyed]

I know of a few people that had major issues with their '06 TDI's. I wonder why?

[dnyed]

Originally Posted by hestersu

Keep us updated with what you find. Did you contact dnyed about the car at Dick Hannah's?

Yes, she did.

[laurabug06]

She was very helpful!

I decided not to go with that car, though...black and black, and I have 2 white dogs. The cream interior was much better for that.

[hestersu]

Originally Posted by dnyed

I know of a few people that had major issues with their '06 TDI's. I wonder why?

I have had 0 issues with mine. I just had my 20K service done Saturday and the mechanic said mine was in excellent shape. I have a friend that bought a Salsa red one about a month before me and he has had 0 issues. He is somewhere around 30K miles now. I just turned 20K this week. There is another guy with a Silver one purchased from Las Vegas and he has had no issues either. Luck of the draw maybe?

[Beetlescott]

Su! I had my 20k service done on Monday!!!! We are running close together!!!!Opie and Tater!

[Beetlemania]

I'll over the first part, but it's really nice to hear they're working with you to try to keep you in the family. Best of luck finding the perfect Beetle in perfect shape!