MORE VW BULL!

[toddgsanford]

I have heard umpteen of these horror stories about vw (copyright Voa) and although i would not at this point own a newer VW (copyright VOA) I did use to think they had a quality product around the time the new beetle (Copyright VOA) came out htere was a great deal of excitement surrounding VW (Copyright VOA) they think putting out a new style bus is going to generate the same thing too late my predictionis that within the next ten years VOA (Copyright well you get the picture ) will either have to get there shit together and focus on building cars and satisfying customers and not worrying about people using there name most likely they will diminish there us sales market and sell about as many cars as Audi it will be sad but I wont lose sleep over it

[UZI]

todd, only their logos are copyrighted.

[[email protected]]

I went with the German-built 1.8T Passat thinking that the reliability would be better...so far so good. However, our Golf was built in Mexico and while it had the window regulator problem (fixed for free even though the warranty had expired) it has been trouble-free mechanically.

As someone mentioned above, our '80 Rabbit was problem-free mechanically for over 20 years until we sold and the current owner is now enjoying it. There were some problems with the rear door handles during year 19, but with kids yanking on the door handles even though the door is still locked, I don't blame VW for that!

[6v]

Here's an idea:

If you buy something, and it sucks, don't buy another one just like it when you're done with it. Or if you do, don't whine that it sucks. If the shi(a)t stinks, don't go back smelling it over and over again.

[jeremysmithatshawdotca]

Excellent use of sarcasm Todd

[Corey]

I have a friend that works as a salesman at the local VW dealership. He is an idiot. His coworkers are ALL idiots. They know a lot about the cars, but have little respect for them. The mechanics especially. They like to tell you what you need to get done immediately and what you should get done by way of prevention as well, and about 60% of both are unnecessary, and/or improperly performed. And if they think you have an attitude? Leave before they touch it, or you'll wish you had. How they dont all get fired, I wish I knew. Its people like that at negligent dealerships that cause VW the problems. If they fixed things qucikly, accurately, and for free if warrantied, people would love them! I own a 65 Beetle, and I was planning on buying a 02 TDI for my baby, but not until I find a dealership that deserves my business. I would buy one off the net before I would buy one from a dealership here in OK.

[Corey]

I forgot - do you know how many fords and toyotas that are less than 3 years old with burnt out taillights, peeling paint, and trans/engine probs? My mom used to have a Mitsubishi with an automatic that wouldnt shift. They had to buy it back. If you dont like the cloth, dont cry, buy leather - I thought you were worth more than $30/hr... isnt your ass worth more than an $800 option then? Well, I guess the answer to that is entirely subjective, but I'd guess you'd prefer to think it is. And if your time is worth more than $30/hr, I'm curious how much you paid yourself for the hours you spent arguing with your VW dealership and educating yourself on the inner workings of disc brakes at midas. Hopefully, it wasn't so much that you couldn't enjoy the monetary difference between a $900 and a $650 brake job. Good luck with the Jetta, and your foot. May it rest gently on your pedals, Cheapie McCheap.

[[email protected]]

Corey...no point in arguing with you.

[[email protected]]

Sorry to here the problems whit the vw's in the US.

I live in Europe and vw is the bestselling car overhere all the time.
There are very fiew complaints about this cars overhere and I also drove vw's for about 8 years whitout any problems.
Now I'm driving vw's big brother Audi, A4 TDI 110HP SW just cause I wanted more comfort but stayed in the vw marked cause my good experiences with this cars.

[[email protected]]

I know this is about VW's and their problems but check this out, I bought 2000 F-150 in June of 2000. Since then I have had have the following problems attempted to be fixed
1. had to have the spare tire mount fixed, they sold it to me broken
2. Oxygen sensors replaced twice
3. relay switch for head light replaced twice
4. rear brake replaced 3 times (pads)
5. rear brakes finally replaced (completely)
6. Drivers door had to be replaced
7. drivers window replaced 4 times, still doesn't work properly
8. drivers rear door fixed 3 times, it still leaks
9. grab handles replaced tooooo many times to remember
10. shifter completely replaced
and last but not least with 33km left on my warranty
11. transmission was replaced
now my list doesn't include the shocks being replaced because after a year of asking and Ford telling me there was nothing wrong, now they they need to be replaced, after the warranty ran out, how convenient
oh ya can't forget the tires
12. sold me a truck with tire on it not capable of doing the speed limit where I live

[69T3Driver]

thats because thats FORD. The amercian car company that makes a 4 cylinder mucle car. aka mustang
My father owns a 92 ford(mercury) cougar.
1. The seat motors GONE
2. The rear view mirror control GONE
3. Shocks GONE
4. Headlights short out
5. brakes If it werent for the trany it wouldnt stop
6. Transmission 2nd gear slips n grinds(automatic)
7. Head gasket replaced
6. intake manifold replaced
7. dash looks like the one in my 69 vw
8. radiator replaced
9. drivers door doesnt shut right
10. switches for the windows are held on by the wires
11. window regulators are breaking slowly
12. odometer broken (doesnt matter going to junk yard after us)
13. steering has a "dead zone" in it.
This what you get when you buy a high quality ford
The funny thing is that this car had like 50k when we got it and it was all in good shape. then the next day came and then it all started

[[email protected]]

I have 2001 1.8 turbo bug. It now has 39,000 on it. I have had no problems except the driver window. I noticed that it was struggling to get the window up. finally it would go up part of the way and them automatically go back down. I was able to get the window to go up with a little pressure and my hand flat on the glass. It never completley failed. I finally had it repaired. I have had only this problem and im not worried about it. My neibor had a lemon new beetle. the engine was rebuit with less that 15,000 on it, the trunk release would work or the gas door leaving her stranded. The dealer did buy it back acording to the lemon laws, they got a 1.8 turbo jeta

[Rob]

I have a 2001 Subaru Outback, my second Soobie, and have never had ANY problems with them whatsoever (my '63 bus is an entirely different story). The reason I'm replying is that there are a couple of resources I've found useful in the past. If you are looking for an honest German mechanic, take a look a the MechanX files at www.cartalk.com . You can search by area, and you can find a lot of good feedback on area mechanics. Secondly, also through www.cartalk.com, you can look up consumer complaints, recalls and technical service bulletins on any car you might be considering. Forewarned is forearmed. I have noticed that in the last few years VW quality has dropped. Kind of a shame: I was looking forward to the new Bus, but now wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole.


r

[Tram]

As an independent German car tech with over 25 yrs experience, here's what gripes me about the new stuff more than anything else, and it's NOT that the cars are "too complicated"!!
First, just TRY to get service info on late model cars, especially for runability and "check engine" complaints. They're trying to withhold information from the independents, and with the pro big business, screw the lowly scum consumer attitude in Washington right now, they're getting more and more blatant about it. Often, "Stealers" (dealers) have a monopoly on service info and special analysers/ tools necessary to perform proper diagnosis and repairs. They design a tester and copyright the design. Then, they refuse to sell eqipment to the independent aftermarket. The "servants of the people" just look the other way and allow them to get away with it.
Then, lets talk about parts. More and more with German cars built from 1995- on, you can't buy many parts from independent parts suppliers any more, you have to go to the dealer, which is the ONLY source! The great thing about independent parts suppliers is that they very often make BETTER than OE parts for high failure items. I have replaced several late Jetta window regulators. They are available GENUINE ONLY, which means you get the same substandard crap that broke prematurely in the first place. It also means that the dealers can- and do- charge whatever exorbitant mark up the want on such parts- Where else you gonna go? These assholes are actually getting COPYRIGHTS on PARTS DESIGNS and sue any aftermarket supplier who DARES put something on the market to compete. In addition, I keep hearing rumours, although it hasn't happened to me, of dealership parts departments REFUSING to sell to independent shops. Thus, they're working on FORCING the customer to use the dealer for parts and service. The dealers have always wanted to "stick it to" and "get" the independent shops, and now our boys in DC are letting it happen. It's too damn bad! The law says that if you as an auto manufacturer are going to demand that only certain parts go on your cars to fulfill the warranty, then you HAVE to provide those goods at no charge. Try getting a judge to hear THAT case today- It ain't gonna happen, and the auto mfrs have way more money than you do.

[justbuggin]

toddgsanford, glad to see one of us is paying due homage to the almighty VW of A. Last I heard, they were making a legal bid for a portion of the alphabet between U and X. I'm expecting a writ through the door any day now for past misdemeanours. ;o)

[[email protected]]

As I had posted before, I have onwed several "newer VW's", and the ones made from mexico have been absolute junk. Ive owned a 87 GTI, 89 Jetta, 95 Jetta GLX, 98 Golf, and the last was a 99 NB. The best out of the bunch was my GTI, and I still miss it til this day, the rest were nightmares. The biggest problem had been electrical. I don't know what up with VW electrical systems but they have ALL failed at one time or another. Other than that it was just all the plastic falling apart for no reason, and the NB motor that had NO power, but the Golf (that had had the SAME motor) had lots of power....? Anyways, My family will be owning no VW newer than a 67....But to each their own, if it works than use it!

[slackin' at work]

fyi, way at the top of this post:

nate_dog128hotmail.comásaid... (2/25/2003 at 6:33PM PST)
"(why don't you try over at Rolls-Royce) "

>VWÖ owns Rolls-Royce

AND...
69T3Driverásaid... (3/31/2003 at 5:37PM PST)
"If you want quality buy a VOLVO."

>Ford now owns Volvo and now they're just coasting by on the quality history. Volvos are falling apart too.

[toyvergnugen]

Actually because of some slick maneuvering BMW owns Rolls Royce, But if you want a great car and have loads of cash VW does own Bentley.

[69T3Driver]

slackin' at work yea i know about volvo and its tearing me up inside. Anyway i own a 91 volvo 240 and i have been in one accident and the car WONT die.

[79SuperVert]

I think Volvos are overrated. I always wanted to own one and when I finally did it was like driving a barge. If I'm going to drive a barge then let me pay less and drive an American barge ("minivan") that I can get parts for at the corner store.