anyone have a new VW rabbit?

[ramonesfreak]

gotta dump my jeep ASAP. I like VW's but have had a 1994 jetta and 2000 golf and both were very problematic.

The rabbit is in the budget ive set for myself. Any horror stories? I have searched the web and find only enthusiastic owners. My brother just bought a 2008 GTI and man that is one sick car. im very impressed with the new VW quality and drive characteristics

[Tim Hancock]

I can't comment on the newer cars, but my daughter's 2000 Beetle just took a crap.

[ramonesfreak]

my 2000 was .. well, in addition to the cost of the vehicle, cost me roughly $20,000 to maintain over the course of 3 years. which is why im hesitant to buy another VW

2008 and newer anyone?

[Danny_Ocean]

Don't all VW's (now) have a 100k warranty?

[ramonesfreak]

not sure. ill find out tomorrow. my 2000 had a 20K mile which i used up the first 5 months

i know they are now much improved re: coverage and miles

[Macroni]

Base car is not a best in class vehicle. A 7 out of 10. The GTI and R32 are very sweet cars. I would recommend either, not economy cars though.

[VincentVega]

I like VW's but have had a 1994 jetta and 2000 golf and both were very problematic.

Why risk it when there are better alternatives?

[javadog]

I have an R32 that I bought new. No issues in 4+ years. About like an Audi for me.

Sorry, Jim, Tim, et al.

JR

[ramonesfreak]

in the price range of the rabbit, i dont like the alternatives as far as style goes with the exception of the mini and even that, i dont like the interior at all and the nearest dealer is 80 miles from me. If we were importing the new Fiat's ide have a few more options that i like

i know the GTI and R32 are sweet. Out of my budget for my daily driver unfortunately

[jkarolyi]

VW Quality has not made an improvement since your 2000 model. Still the bottom of all the quality and reliability surveys. I love VWs (owned '84 GTI, '81 Scirocco S, and a '90 Corrado) but the reliability just isn't there anymore. Stay very far away.

How about a Mazda 3 or Subaru Impreza?

[MOMO3.2]

I own a 2008 GTi 6spd 4 door. I easily get 30 mpg Hwy and have gotten 34 mpg on longer trips. It has great utility. The interior is outstanding. And, the 2.0T FSi motor is VERY peppy and responsive if one is feeling racey.

I have owned oodles of Volkswagens and driven several past 100,000 miles with NO problems (that is, until my son's 03 Jetta 1.8t [with a GIAC chip] had it's transmission take a poop). Thank God it was still in warranty!

Honestly, I have not had any problems with VW (Knocking on wood and crossing fingers, toes, and eyes). Now, if you want to talk about problems lets start with Ford!!!

Mike

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by jkarolyi

VW Quality has not made an improvement since your 2000 model.
...
How about a Mazda 3 or Subaru Impreza?

+ a bunch. Go look at a Mazda 3. If you can stomach a lightly used car then a '03-'04 BMW 3 series. All are light years ahead of VW in reliability. This coming from an Audi owner...

I've been down the VW road many times. Nothing but success with the air cooled variety and nothing but heartache with the water pumpers. So much pain I'll never give them another shot.

[ramonesfreak]

ive had the same pain with VW which is why im asking this question. i would not ever consider VW again even if it was free, if i had not experienced the new ones.

my own observation from looking at many and driving a few 2008 models is that they are a ton better than they were. they appear to be much better made and the absolutely drive better....as i read the forums, i dont see any nightmarish scenarios or hear any horror stories about anything in particular with the new GTI or Rabbit

my 2000 golf had the transmission replaced the first week i bought it, with zero miles...and it went down hill from there. right from the beginning, there was a white cream under the oil cap which all the cars from that year and a few after, had. explained by dealer as normal... and my list could go on and on about problems which were common among many owners... to the car's credit though, i put 160K miles on it in 3 years


what im wondering now is, does anyone own a rabbit or know someone that regrets buying it

[javadog]

Originally Posted by srandallf

i know the GTI and R32 are sweet. Out of my budget for my daily driver unfortunately

I was thinking of a used, 2004 R32. Much better car, in my opinion, than the new ones. If reliability scares you, get a warranty.

JR

[pmajka]

I just bought a used 2004 Jetta Wagon 1.8t. 5spd, 31.5kMi.

33.3 MPG highway with A/C on @ 70MPH and Screaming out of Toll booths. I think by 04 they got all the bugs worked out....

Only down side is the $$ oil requred for the 5.01.1 or 5.02 VW spec., Eh, oil isn't that expensive.

[deathpunk dan]

Mazda3!

0% deal expires 09/02/08...this is the last weekend of the month...dealers are moving 08 mazda 3 hatches around or even below invoice.

Guess what I'm trying to do this weekend....

[GothingNC]

I'e had no problems with my water-cooled VW's

95 Jetta owned 26,000 through 90,000 miles - wrecked, but had no problems except or the timing belt snap, non-interference head, no bent valves

04 Jetta TDI 60,000 miles , no problems

05 Jetta GLI 30,000 miles no problems

My co-worker picked up the new 06 Jetta last year, loves the car, no problems and the new 2.5 motor is more reliable.

Next car for me wil probably be a GTI after I run the GLI into the ground.

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by MOMO3.2

I own a 2008 GTi 6spd 4 door. I easily get 30 mpg Hwy and have gotten 34 mpg on longer trips. It has great utility. The interior is outstanding. And, the 2.0T FSi motor is VERY peppy and responsive if one is feeling racey.

I have owned oodles of Volkswagens and driven several past 100,000 miles with NO problems (that is, until my son's 03 Jetta 1.8t [with a GIAC chip] had it's transmission take a poop). Thank God it was still in warranty!

Honestly, I have not had any problems with VW (Knocking on wood and crossing fingers, toes, and eyes). Now, if you want to talk about problems lets start with Ford!!!

Mike

I have that same drivetrain in my A4 2.0T six speed and I'm also hitting 34-36, it is a fun engine tranny combo for sure. Oh and no issues either, will be three years here shortly. But then again I've never had an issue on my 03' allroad either.

[MOMO3.2]

It is good to hear from others that have had multiple VW's and enjoyed them without any problems. FWIW, I owned a 2001 Audi A4 1.8t Quattro and had no problems with that either over 4 years and 50,000 miles.

Mike

[rammstein]

Why not a Mazda 3? The one I drove just had eibachs and a catback on it with a good alignment, and MAN it was a tight little car. Great interior too.