What do you think of Volkswagens?
- Thread starter T'Baio
- Start date
We have a 2003 Eurovan, and we love it. In all the years we've had it, the only real issue has been that the driver's side outside door handle has broken twice. In terms of the engine, the electronics, etc., it's been fine. While we haven't had any real issues so far, I am a bit worried about parts and repair costs as it ages. We use a local mechanic who used to work for VW for most things, but when we used the dealership for the door handle problem, it took several days to get the needed part and make the repair.
Wait until you need new tires for that Eurovan. My Jetta owning friends was happy he got out of his Eurovan and into the Jetta when he did.
I have a '99 Beetle that was bought used about 6 months ago. We had it checked out and got a couple of little things fixed and replaced, but that was expected since it's around 100,000 miles. Also, the check engine light is always on, comes right back on after the mechanic resets it, but there have been no problems running the car. I hate driving but I actually enjoy driving this car. It is little and zippy and changing lanes is fun. And parking is WAY easier than when I was driving a pick-up truck. Plus, it still smells like a new car, even though it's 10 years old.
It just feels so nice to sit in the driver's seat.
However, I prefer Jettas and when I get the opportunity to buy a new car someday, it is very likely that it will be a blue Jetta.
It just feels so nice to sit in the driver's seat.
However, I prefer Jettas and when I get the opportunity to buy a new car someday, it is very likely that it will be a blue Jetta.
I think they are ugly.
Because in my opinion they are pieces of shit. Every person I know of who has had one has had problems with them. That, and they're not a very masculine car in my opinion. So for those reasons, I'd never waste money on them.
Sweeter!
That is a later model VW Squareback (72/73) that's fuel injected. The optional automatic transmission is bulletproof. Those little cars are roomy as hell, can haul loads of cargo, and can achieve upward of 35mpg highway even loaded down. Not bad for a car with ~53bhp. I'd love one with an automatic.
Sweeter!
That is a later model VW Squareback (72/73) that's fuel injected. The optional automatic transmission is bulletproof. Those little cars are roomy as hell, can haul loads of cargo, and can achieve upward of 35mpg highway even loaded down. Not bad for a car with ~53bhp. I'd love one with an automatic.
My parents had one when I was a kid(ours was copper colored), and when they traded it in for a new 1986 Mazda 323 I refused to ride in it for weeks!
I don't feel the need to compensate for anything so that's not an issue for me.
My wife loves her 2008 Jetta GLI and my 2006 Golf GTI is the best thing I've ever driven. And they both get way over 30 mpg. On a recent road trip through Texas, New Mexico and Arizona the Jetta was averaging over 36 mpg at 75mph on the interstates. Not bad for a 2 litre turbo charged 200bhp engine 
My Volkswagen Golf TDI (afaik you guys in the new world call this one a rabbit) will celebrate its 9th birthday tomorrow at around 105,000 miles.
Can't say I've had any major problems with it, except for the usual parts that are only supposed to last so long (brakes pads,etc.).
Well, that and "they" stole my license plates two weeks ago. Cost 65€ to replace them and a 30 minute wait at our local DMV variant.
(Yeah, if the police catches them, I can recover that from the bad guys, but seriously, that's not going to happen.)
Before that, I drove an '85 VW Passat automatic as my first car (handed down from my grandparents to my sister and then to me). I can't say that I treated that one well at all, but it survived quite a bit of punishment until we finally sold it to some guy who was going to combine his '85 Passat and mine and make one useable vehicle out of it.
PS: Yeah, I'm addicted to parentheses. When I have to write another scientific article, I usually write it at first like I'd write this post and then go over it again to convert almost all of those parentheses into proper sentences or at least dependent clauses.
Can't say I've had any major problems with it, except for the usual parts that are only supposed to last so long (brakes pads,etc.).
Well, that and "they" stole my license plates two weeks ago. Cost 65€ to replace them and a 30 minute wait at our local DMV variant.
(Yeah, if the police catches them, I can recover that from the bad guys, but seriously, that's not going to happen.)
Before that, I drove an '85 VW Passat automatic as my first car (handed down from my grandparents to my sister and then to me). I can't say that I treated that one well at all, but it survived quite a bit of punishment until we finally sold it to some guy who was going to combine his '85 Passat and mine and make one useable vehicle out of it.
PS: Yeah, I'm addicted to parentheses. When I have to write another scientific article, I usually write it at first like I'd write this post and then go over it again to convert almost all of those parentheses into proper sentences or at least dependent clauses.
Good for you. Again, it's my opinion. That's all.
Per MSN Autos, the 2003 Passat Wagon
Engine: An occasional problem on this vehicle is failure of the Mass Air Flow Sensor. The cost to repair the Mass Air Flow Sensor is estimated at $320.00 for parts and $32.50 for labor. All prices are estimates based on $65.00 per flat-rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax.
Accessories: An occasional problem on this vehicle is failure of the Comfort Control Module. The cost to repair the Comfort Control Module is estimated at $290 for parts and $65 for labor. All prices are estimates based on $65 per flat-rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax.
There are 57 customer reviews of this vehicle which are overall positive.
Engine: An occasional problem on this vehicle is failure of the Mass Air Flow Sensor. The cost to repair the Mass Air Flow Sensor is estimated at $320.00 for parts and $32.50 for labor. All prices are estimates based on $65.00 per flat-rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax.
Accessories: An occasional problem on this vehicle is failure of the Comfort Control Module. The cost to repair the Comfort Control Module is estimated at $290 for parts and $65 for labor. All prices are estimates based on $65 per flat-rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax.
There are 57 customer reviews of this vehicle which are overall positive.
Consumer Reports and JD Power continue, year after year, to rate VW amongst the bottom feeders when it comes to reliability. It's pretty sad when Chrysler and Kia vehicles have fewer problems per 100 vehicles. VW has been like this for years. I don't view either group as gospel, but they're useful to look at trends.
They build solid feeling vehicles and put great attention to quality into their assembly, but their electrical systems and long term reliability are in the toilet. Not to mention the cost to fix them is still higher than, say, Honda or Ford.
I know two people who had mid-90s Jettas literally catch on fire and burn out their engine compartments. My brother's 2005 Passat wagon has been relatively fine since he got it save a couple of small gremlins but I'm still waiting for the day it goes to hell. The ones with lots of fancy gizmos are usually the first to go. It's like Bosch tells their guys to go home early when they work on VWs or something.
If I was in the market for a VW (and I'm not), I might consider a 4-door GTi and that's about it. For a lot less money I could get a faster Mazdaspeed3 though....
If I was going to recommend a VW for daily transportation to someone, I'd chose a diesel model that has the least amount of electrical devices, a stripper. The only thing I have relative confidence in is VW's diesel engines.
They build solid feeling vehicles and put great attention to quality into their assembly, but their electrical systems and long term reliability are in the toilet. Not to mention the cost to fix them is still higher than, say, Honda or Ford.
I know two people who had mid-90s Jettas literally catch on fire and burn out their engine compartments. My brother's 2005 Passat wagon has been relatively fine since he got it save a couple of small gremlins but I'm still waiting for the day it goes to hell. The ones with lots of fancy gizmos are usually the first to go. It's like Bosch tells their guys to go home early when they work on VWs or something.
If I was in the market for a VW (and I'm not), I might consider a 4-door GTi and that's about it. For a lot less money I could get a faster Mazdaspeed3 though....
If I was going to recommend a VW for daily transportation to someone, I'd chose a diesel model that has the least amount of electrical devices, a stripper. The only thing I have relative confidence in is VW's diesel engines.
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