fwiw the VW dealer I purchased from and used for service was awesome. Polite, fast, had their system down, provided a free shuttle, notified me about service bulletins, etc.

There are good and bad dealers for every brand.

I just can't get into the Ford "styling" but that is a personal/subjective thing.

Hi Rick,
As you are a mechanic and I gather from your comments you don't like VW's.
So what small cars come in to your shop and require normal servicing? In other words what are the most reliable small cars. Thinking of small engine, 4 door, no hatchbacks.Cheers Guy
Have to exclude Toyota as we have one already.

Any of the brands out there have good and bad points. If I were looking for some form of appliance car I would have to look at Mazda, Ford and Subi.
Not really on the list of cool, but Hyundai and Kia have stellar warranties, that has to say something about them.
I have nothing but good things to say about my C class, but I seem to be in the minority here.

if you want to get a car that breaks all the time, why not get a Landrover?

Have you thought about getting a donkey?

I would consider it, if I was looking for an alternative to a VW for good reliable transportation.

Notfar,

That is hillarious (and I'm a touareg owner). Unfortunately as a result of reading your post, Fat Tire beer just came out my nose. Though I will say everything now has a hint of great beer smell.

What, pretty much the fastest, most capable, most practical, most accessable AWD car around? I spose.

Recently, Ive been driving the VW Sirocco a bit- 2 door/2ltrT/FWD with DSG box and its pretty impressive.

Since Jake chimed in with his comments (based upon his experience), I think I'd better chime in with the flip side.

Our current VW is a last generation 2006 Jetta TDi with somewhere over 240,000km. Aside from regular service and brakes on all four corners between 100k and 200k, our only problem has been a seat belt/airbag connector under the passenger seat which needed to be cleaned.

As mentioned above, the current generation, US built Jettas and Passats have been somewhat de-contented to meet a price point. If I was looking right now, I would be looking at a Golf. It still has the fully independent rear suspension.
The IRS was available in the Jetta GLi, the last time I checked.

The 06 is also a Mexico-built car, but its build quality was miles ahead of previous models assembled there.

My in-laws have a gas 06 with the 2.5 and 5 speed. Aside for the difference in fuel milage and the more quiet cabin, it is a nice, solid highway car.

The place where I get my work done has a 06 Jetta TDi with the DSG transmission. I'm amazed at how smooth that thing is when I drive it as a loaner. If I had to drive an auto box, I would consider that one.

I guess there are good ones and bad ones in all lines.
Best luck in your search
Les

This thread has caught my interest. My 94 Golf is going to be leaving.

My wife has been driving a 2004 Envoy which has been bulletproof. With just one child at home full time and her working 5 days a week we're looking to get her a car and shift the Envoy to backup and trip duties.

Her requirements - a smallish 4-door sedan, good gas mileage, automatic, heated seats and she has to like how it looks. No Hatchbacks.
We tend to keep our cars longer than 10 years.

So far we have looked at Ford, Chevrolet, Buick, Dodge, Honda, Toyota, Mazda, VW and Subaru. Without driving any of them she likes:

Civic
Impreza
Mazda 3
Jetta

The VW criticism here is valuable to me. I've owned more VW's than any brand other than GMC (trucks). That 94 Golf wasn't horrible over the 16 years I've owned it, but I feel like it wasn't designed or built as well as it should have been.

What exactly are the issues with the Subaru CVT?

Thanks!

FWIW, I recently traded my 134k-mile R32 (which I bought new) for a new Golf R. The R32 was a truly great car, & I had no "electrical or cooling system failures" whatsoever. Nor did I have any problems with the GTI or the Jetta I had before the R32. And we had no such problems with the 2 VW Passat GLX 4Motion wagons my wife had. She is now on her 2nd A4 Avant - the Audis have been great too, although as leased vehicles we didn't put too many miles on them.

And so far (2 weeks) I love my R.

My 2 cents.

I've thought about getting a VW for a long time. Nothing newer than '67. I hate the new bumpers.

My old '58 VW bug was super reliable but super slow and super cold.....
I miss the old styling of the 50's and 60's. I think I am moving towards Japanese modern - new or near new.

It's the wife's car, not sure about boy racer as all people interested have been richy young females...

Regardless, if someone wanted it without the wheels and Coilovers, because that's all it has done to it, that would be fine. The request has not arisen and it's listed "as is" or "stock"

Back to the regularly scheduled programming :cool:

I've had the new Jetta and Passat as rentals, it's painfully obvious that they have cut in material and mechanical quality to meet a price point. I prefer the previous generation in every regard.

If I see a drum brake on any car, I run. They saved $30 an axle to give you worse braking performance and nasty springs and needle-nose plier brake jobs for life. :rolleyes: What else did they cut corners on? Every manufacturer is guilty of it too. I have seen them on all the stripped down econo cars out there.

I love my Golf TDI - just out of bumper-bumper warranty. ;)

G

Had an 09 Jetta wagon TDI - 150,000 miles without a hitch

Have a 12 Passat TDI SEL now. 1.5 years old with 60,000 Miles....no issues

Next car is a GTD that I will give to my son.

I've got an MY12.5 Golf GTI that has been a superb daily driver.

Sure, the engine uses a little oil, but no more than the same engine did in my old '08 Audi TT. Aside from that, it's been great! Gets great gas mileage, has plenty of power and the DSG transmission is a lot of fun.

Wife has a 2006 Jetta which we have been very happy with. Recently looked over a new Jetta at the dealers. There is no comparison between the new generation and the previous. The new models are "cheaper" in every way: cost, interior quality and mechanicals, etc.

Test drove a 2013 Mazda 3 Sky edition. It has the small engine (2 litre)with auto trans. which I am happy with for city driving. It is quiet and drives well. Comfortable with good features - 5 level of heated seats, good dashboard display etc. Ride is firm but then you can't have everything. I have to get my wife to check it out. But probably won't like it but would prefer softer ride like a Lexus. Not really interested in another Toyota product as we have a Camry already.

It could be tough selling the 2001 Boxster base this time of year. Interesting to see what they give me for the trade in.....

Another 09 jetta TDi sportwagen owner with 36K miles without a sniffle. The car corners extremely well and has great brakes. 50 Mpg highway ain't bad either