Where did VW go ?

[dunno513]

http://autos.msn.com/advice/article....tentid=4020143

[mentalVdub]

cause volkswagens are not quality.

they are honestly some of the most terribly built cars on the road.

i don't think volkswagen will ever get it right.

[Breez]

I dont think they are that bad amanda... trust me, I have friends whos cars are just falling apart litterally compaired to any of my friends VWs or my own. When I bought my brand new 1998 Jetta glx VR6, I never had to go into the dealership for anything except what was required until maybe 4 or 5 years later when the windows started to drop, other then the windows, I never had an issue) My friends 1998 Mustang (which she paid much more for then my jetta, ans was purchased new as well) was always in and out for repairs since her first week of ownership.

I have been EXTREMELY happy with my Two VWs.

But my best friend has 240,000 miles on her 1996 camary ... (lol, she has had the check engine lite on now for about 3 years) and no issues except her power steering is leaking like mad. I don't know if I will be so lucky... but boy is mine A LOT more fun to drive then her toyota.

[shellbug]

Originally Posted by mentalVdub

cause volkswagens are not quality.

they are honestly some of the most terribly built cars on the road.

i don't think volkswagen will ever get it right.

Why do you own one? Just curious.

[kcfoxie]

Amanda - my serivce record as well as 5 other 2002's I know refute your statement. I've killed an oil pan, ran the car out of oil, I've not overheated it.. but at 91,000 it's running better than the brand new 2 miles on the odo Ford Focus. Your car was either modified wrong or you got an early lemon (I live with Apple, I KNOW better than to buy first/second or even third gen products by now). But don't say they're crappy, they aren't. They are some of the best cars on the road, and if you think otherwise sell your car and move on already. I've already said the exact same thing to a whiney little girl at Meredith college - she is happy with her Scion now. They come from the factory with mods, cheaper too. We don't need posers. (rant off)

[dunno513]

I think my VW is high in initial quality. Surprised that the VW New Beetle was beat out by a Kia, Suzuki and Scion. I have looked under seats, corners, behind things you shouldn't look behind, and I see attention to detail everwhere. Right down to the rustproofing. My last veh had poorly fitted carpet, seat prone to ripping, poorly aligned joints, etc. Little things, but none the less quality control issues. Plus the hastle of dinky little things keeping me attached at the hip to the dealership service center.

Granted my trunk latch rattled when I got it, but it was an easy fix, with adjustments which were designed to do just that.

I was just surprised that VW didn't have a vehicle in any category.

[digitalputty]

Mine is great! Only MINOR things have occured ... and were covered under warranty. I just think that people with VW's are more likely to complain than those who are buying saturns or ... whatever.

[kcfoxie]

VW gets great reviews outside the USA. This just goes to show that we care more about secondary issues (comfort control modules) than anything else. In other words: the japanese can cater to our laziness and the Germans say deal with it. Most VWs only have like cites above, minor issues. The windows falling down was a problem, but guess what... powered windows was a luxury before 1998, when it seeminly became common to everything. I also find the rust coating, the textured elements, the clock and temp gauge and a host of other little features to be unique and top notch to VW. The Seats are comfortable -- more so than the Mitsu Endeavour we took to NY last year. But, I'll digress. I'm a German diehard, nothing bad comes out of that country that's sold here... except Siemens phones (joking!)

[mentalVdub]

i won't own another VW... too many better cars out there at a better price with better build quality, opitions, engines, and fuel economy.

yes, i love my car, and i'm keeping it cause i poured my heart and soul into it. but i know it's going to continue to have stupid problems cause it's a friggin volkswagen.

and as for volkswagens... gimme a break. they aren't that great. they creek and rattle and have the dumbest problems. i know too many people with japanese cars older than mine that don't have problems like i have with my volkswagen.

my new beetle started to creek in the rear end going up drive ways and rattling in the door panels and dash around 15,000 miles, and that's BEFORE i started doing mods to the car.

i know people with hondas and toyotas that have 200,000 miles with NOTHING wrong. now THAT is build quality.

kcfoxie: as for the 2.0... yeah, it's a bullet proof engine because damn near everything is made out of cast iron. but it's heavy, is not fuel efficient at all, and is slow as piss... all those thing weigh out it's long-term factor.

when there are certain vehicle owners... like volkswagen... all they do is tunnel vision on their make of cars and that's it. it's impossible that anything else "as good" can exist outside of that.

i test drove a toyota yaris and finally seen the light on the other end of the tunnel. i realised volkswagens aren't all what they're cracked up to be... or at least what we make it in our tunnel vision.

the new beetle is a great concept, just, in my belief, poorly executed like most volkswagens are.

i highly suspect i'm going to get flamed for this.

[kcfoxie]

Every car we've ever owned incluyding a 95 Honda has rattled.

My slow 2.0 has beaten, more than once and on tape, a V6 mustang automatic.. I thank the manual transmission which till recently was a VW strong hold. Like Toyota and Honda they're giving into the lazy society we are and giving up crappy automatics. Don't start me on that, I think everyone bodily capable should be forced to drive the first two years in a manual and have the option to purchase at a considerably more expensive cost an automatic, based sheerly upon upkeep of an automatic (think I'm joking? Test out that 100,000 VW bullcrap lifetime Auto Tranny Fluid theory and report back to me. You top 150k before you lose 2nd gear and I'll buy you a pretzel).

As far as Toytas go -- they're crappy. They feel cheap, the Yaris feels like a teenagers car, and I don't want to be seen as a teenager. I like the mystery of the male beetle driver, to start with, and yes I bought the beetle over the other options because I foolishly believed I'd meet Aircooled-like owners. Instead I met a lot of very yuppy girls who don't know what a dip stick is or how to NOT take the grill out when going down a driveway.

I won't argue the points with you. You have your views and I have mine. I drove a Scion, I hated it. I wanted an Xb -- it was the only functional unit that they make. I do not like sedans and I do not want a sport coupe. A convertible would be a big stretch. I like hatches. I delt with my 73's inadequate space because it was cheap and realiable -- much like a yaris. It wasn't until it was out of US proudction and sales that the crowd I grew to loved form. Which is why I await, anxiously, the day VW kills the new beetle so I will be surrounded ONLY by folks who are in it for the long haul and don't complain about the rattles. Rattle build charater, my dear, much like wrinkles and gray hairs.

I was urged to buy a Honda. I hate them, every one of them. They're very boring, nothing special, nothing fancy. I like that the Beetle was US-designed, I like that they kept to the German roots and kept the car realativly simple. I think it's a shame that they had power window issues and various plastics problems, but they fixed all that by my account. I also think it's pathetic that the glue came apart in my Bentley repair manual ($98 don't get you quality binding apprently), but I most certainly will not be told my car is subpar.

Does the yaris come with a an outside temp gauge? Does it comes with a blue dash? Does it have the curves and flow like the beetle? No. It says I'm cheap, I needed something that got good mileage and that's it.

I've had my car all through the modern day gas crisis, and I still wish I had a TDI but I've made due just fine. I know 1.8T owners who are driving a beat up Toyota because it's cheap and runs 87. My car still works fine, it gets good mileage and I WOULD RATHER HAVE A WELL BUILT SLOWER ENGINE THAN A BETTER ECONOMY POS THAT WILL BLOW A GASKET IF I PUSH IT PAST RED LINE.

So, it boils down to opinion: I would never recommend a 1.8T to anyone. Only a TDI or a 2.0, depending on how far the interested party drives and their budget constraints.

However, VW is not for you. That's OK. But don't try and tell me and others on this forum who could consider the car that it's sucky because your windows fell down or because it makes a rattle or a creeking sound. If your engine blew for no good reason, you've got a complaint. Transmission locked up with all the proper care done to it, you've got a complaint.

Otherwise, it's pathetic novelty whining that's typical of Americans (and why I'm ashmed to call myself one when you look at the world as a whole).

My buddy has 110miles and on his 3rd transmission in his 01 Accord. Honda said if he killed the third replacement tranny in 15k he got a new 05 Accord. It's a design flaw and they won't recall it -- that is WORSE than VWs power window issue, my dear. That's a REAL problem from a JAPANESE maker! OH MY GOSH! Lets take a look at other problems I've seen from these makers: Toyota's trucks have a bad design to their starter that causes them to bind and not release. This burns out the starter and commonly happens within 5 years of ownership (so just outside the warranty). OH MY GOSH!

All cars have issues. You're just upset because you expected more. I have never been let down by my car's abilities, if anthing I've been impressed and continute to wow others with what it does. I have sold a Golf or Bug to 10 folks, only one of them (who got a early convertible) has not liked the car -- and I warned them to AVOID a 2003 at all costs.

I won't go on about this anymore. It's really pointless. But my car is not trash. My car has been more than a co-conspititor, it's been a family member since before day 1, it's been more than an identity or a friend -- it's been a rock. A rock that won't crack. I'm sorry you car wasn't like that, or worse I'm sorry you can't seem to understand that NOTHING IS PERFECT and a car will rattle, break and have stupid things go wrong.

I hope your Yaris proves that when you trade up. BTW I'd sell your car to someone whose interested in a custom bug, you'll get jack trading it in with those flames, no offense.

[callisto9]

Originally Posted by mentalVdub

i test drove a toyota yaris...

oooh, i like those cars, though they look very cheaply built.

[shellbug]

Go buy that Yaris, adorable.....NOT

[vw_beetle_gpx]

well, every car company ebbs and flows in the popularity ranks. VW was all about dead for a while in the 80's and 90's. The way I see it, if you don't like your car you have two options (this is not aimed at you amanda) either trade it, or keep driving it untill you can afford something else. Me, I'll stick with my bug because A.) It's fun to drive B.) It's cute and C.) and this is important.....Its paid for.

[JuggBug]

I like when it gets all hot in here! You guys crack me up.....

I'll trade ya for your flames any day Amanda! Here's 'jack'.........LOL

Okay, come on you guys? Now didn't that make you crack a smile? Not even a little one?

[mentalVdub]

Originally Posted by kcfoxie

Every car we've ever owned incluyding a 95 Honda has rattled.

My slow 2.0 has beaten, more than once and on tape, a V6 mustang automatic.. I thank the manual transmission which till recently was a VW strong hold. Like Toyota and Honda they're giving into the lazy society we are and giving up crappy automatics. Don't start me on that, I think everyone bodily capable should be forced to drive the first two years in a manual and have the option to purchase at a considerably more expensive cost an automatic, based sheerly upon upkeep of an automatic (think I'm joking? Test out that 100,000 VW bullcrap lifetime Auto Tranny Fluid theory and report back to me. You top 150k before you lose 2nd gear and I'll buy you a pretzel).

As far as Toytas go -- they're crappy. They feel cheap, the Yaris feels like a teenagers car, and I don't want to be seen as a teenager. I like the mystery of the male beetle driver, to start with, and yes I bought the beetle over the other options because I foolishly believed I'd meet Aircooled-like owners. Instead I met a lot of very yuppy girls who don't know what a dip stick is or how to NOT take the grill out when going down a driveway.

I won't argue the points with you. You have your views and I have mine. I drove a Scion, I hated it. I wanted an Xb -- it was the only functional unit that they make. I do not like sedans and I do not want a sport coupe. A convertible would be a big stretch. I like hatches. I delt with my 73's inadequate space because it was cheap and realiable -- much like a yaris. It wasn't until it was out of US proudction and sales that the crowd I grew to loved form. Which is why I await, anxiously, the day VW kills the new beetle so I will be surrounded ONLY by folks who are in it for the long haul and don't complain about the rattles. Rattle build charater, my dear, much like wrinkles and gray hairs.

I was urged to buy a Honda. I hate them, every one of them. They're very boring, nothing special, nothing fancy. I like that the Beetle was US-designed, I like that they kept to the German roots and kept the car realativly simple. I think it's a shame that they had power window issues and various plastics problems, but they fixed all that by my account. I also think it's pathetic that the glue came apart in my Bentley repair manual ($98 don't get you quality binding apprently), but I most certainly will not be told my car is subpar.

Does the yaris come with a an outside temp gauge? Does it comes with a blue dash? Does it have the curves and flow like the beetle? No. It says I'm cheap, I needed something that got good mileage and that's it.

I've had my car all through the modern day gas crisis, and I still wish I had a TDI but I've made due just fine. I know 1.8T owners who are driving a beat up Toyota because it's cheap and runs 87. My car still works fine, it gets good mileage and I WOULD RATHER HAVE A WELL BUILT SLOWER ENGINE THAN A BETTER ECONOMY POS THAT WILL BLOW A GASKET IF I PUSH IT PAST RED LINE.

So, it boils down to opinion: I would never recommend a 1.8T to anyone. Only a TDI or a 2.0, depending on how far the interested party drives and their budget constraints.

However, VW is not for you. That's OK. But don't try and tell me and others on this forum who could consider the car that it's sucky because your windows fell down or because it makes a rattle or a creeking sound. If your engine blew for no good reason, you've got a complaint. Transmission locked up with all the proper care done to it, you've got a complaint.

Otherwise, it's pathetic novelty whining that's typical of Americans (and why I'm ashmed to call myself one when you look at the world as a whole).

My buddy has 110miles and on his 3rd transmission in his 01 Accord. Honda said if he killed the third replacement tranny in 15k he got a new 05 Accord. It's a design flaw and they won't recall it -- that is WORSE than VWs power window issue, my dear. That's a REAL problem from a JAPANESE maker! OH MY GOSH! Lets take a look at other problems I've seen from these makers: Toyota's trucks have a bad design to their starter that causes them to bind and not release. This burns out the starter and commonly happens within 5 years of ownership (so just outside the warranty). OH MY GOSH!

All cars have issues. You're just upset because you expected more. I have never been let down by my car's abilities, if anthing I've been impressed and continute to wow others with what it does. I have sold a Golf or Bug to 10 folks, only one of them (who got a early convertible) has not liked the car -- and I warned them to AVOID a 2003 at all costs.

I won't go on about this anymore. It's really pointless. But my car is not trash. My car has been more than a co-conspititor, it's been a family member since before day 1, it's been more than an identity or a friend -- it's been a rock. A rock that won't crack. I'm sorry you car wasn't like that, or worse I'm sorry you can't seem to understand that NOTHING IS PERFECT and a car will rattle, break and have stupid things go wrong.

I hope your Yaris proves that when you trade up. BTW I'd sell your car to someone whose interested in a custom bug, you'll get jack trading it in with those flames, no offense.

first off... the V6 Mustang is one of the slowest "sports cars" ever made... have fun getting in touch with your slow.

my mom, sadly enough, raced me in an automatic D17 non-vtech LX civic with no mods which RAPED my 2.0 new beetle with mods.


as for your automatic... you must not sit in so cal sitting in four hours of traffic... so screw that notion. manuals are stupid, welcome to the 21st century. the only car i'd get a manual in is an S-2000 (HOT) or a typer R.

rattles don't build character, it just shows how cheaply made your car was.

no, the yaris doesn't come with a blue dash, it comes with fiber optic guages.
does the new beetle have a standard ipod charging cable in the glovebox? NO! does the new beetle have paddle shifters? NO! cause the honda fit sport does.

my engine actually fell out and i had a tranny replacement... my point that i don't like the quality and build of VW. and my friend randy had ECU failure on his 2005 new beetle and had to have it flatbedded TWICE... in less than one year mind you.

and what happend to the coil packs and fuel evaporation thing... it didn't purge the air correcly out of the tank which caused the gas tank to explode.
and the 1.8t had a major oil sludging when it was first released for the first few years?... tell me, is that quality?

every manufacturer makes mistakes, but out of all the cars that VW makes and honda and toyota makes, honda and toyota have less problems. and hondas and toyotas aren't the best selling vehicles just for no darn reason.

and why avoid a 2003???
what makes this year different???

and i know i won't get what i put into my car... that's not why i modded it. at least i'll get more for my car than you ever will. i had somebody offer me $25,000 for my car with mods with 60,000 miles on the odometer and 6 years old at the time... that's pretty damn good in my book.

oh, and i'm not one of those teenage girls that don't know where the dipstick is or tear off their front end... i know my stuff kid.

Originally Posted by shellbug

Go buy that Yaris, adorable.....NOT

the yaris is adorable.
the yaris is the top selling car in australlia and new zealand.
but i'd rather have a fit, which is the top selling car in many european countries.

i have alot of german friends and everytime i ask them what car they like it's either honda or toyota... AND THEY LIVE IN GERMANY... that's pretty sad coming from the home country.

[digitalputty]

Ruh roh.... I smell a closed thread soon? Too bad too. *sniffle* ... pardon my allergies.

[digitalputty]

Ferrari's rattle, Porsche's rattle ... Toyota's rattle and so does my Zoomer! If your car doesnt rattle ... Id be worried. Rattles/squeeks are due to the fact that there are unsimiliar materials rubbing against each other. ALL CARS RATTLE. The older they get ... the more rattles they acquire. Price has nothing to do with it and neither does how cheap a car is put together.

Manuals do ROCK. And in traffic they STILL rock. I sit there in nuetral. And yes, I sit in a LOT of traffic. To work ... from work ... to school ... from school ... during accidents waiting to creep forward. I live.

Not everyone has an iPod (I know I sure dont since I hate them). So, not every car should come standard with them ... that is like all cars coming standard with a sunroof or a big gulp holder.

[mentalVdub]

Originally Posted by kcfoxie

Your car was either modified wrong or you got an early lemon (I live with Apple, I KNOW better than to buy first/second or even third gen products by now). But don't say they're crappy, they aren't.

all i have is exhaust and intake... nothing is modded wrong.

i'll let JD Powers and Associates and whoever else tell you that VW isn't up to par with the rest of the automotive world.

[digitalputty]

I dont trust JD Powers and crappy-associates. They are slightly ... biased. Paid off I think ... ;P

[mentalVdub]

Originally Posted by digitalputty

Ferrari's rattle, Porsche's rattle ... Toyota's rattle and so does my Zoomer! If your car doesnt rattle ... Id be worried. Rattles/squeeks are due to the fact that there are unsimiliar materials rubbing against each other. ALL CARS RATTLE. The older they get ... the more rattles they acquire. Price has nothing to do with it and neither does how cheap a car is put together.

Manuals do ROCK. And in traffic they STILL rock. I sit there in nuetral. And yes, I sit in a LOT of traffic. To work ... from work ... to school ... from school ... during accidents waiting to creep forward. I live.

Not everyone has an iPod (I know I sure dont since I hate them). So, not every car should come standard with them ... that is like all cars coming standard with a sunroof or a big gulp holder.

i don't even know where northglenn colorado is.
like i said... try sitting in traffic on the 405.

i've sat in traffic from disneyland to my house, which is about a half an hour drive, for almost three hours.
i was thanking my lucky stars that i have an auto...

like i said about rattles and creaking... i know too many hondas and toyotas that have well over 100,000 miles on the odotmeter that don't make noises.
just my experiences with too many of em... not just one or two.