Thinking of getting a VW.....
 

After two years of ownership of my 2001 Boxster I am finding that keeping it running to my satisfaction is quite demanding. Another winter is coming up and I am looking for something more suitable.

I need your opinion on the VW Jetta GLI or any kind of 2013 Jetta(even up to 3 years old) How reliable has your Jetta been in say the last two years? Any issues? How good are they at honoring their warranty? I would likely buy new only. No TDI thanks.

Apparently the GLI has twin turbo - any issues?

Went to a dealer to check out Mazda 3's. But looking at 2nd hand in the used lot I see rusty ones that are 2006. So I question whether long term quality is there in the Mazda 3.

Have not totally ruled out Toyota Corolla yet but we already have a Camry. Ford Focus is another possibility. Subaru maybe.
Priorities are:
Fun to drive
Reliable
Must honor warranty
Would appreciate your input!

Hope you like electrical and cooling system failures.

The Mazda is leaps and bounds ahead of the VW in quality and assembly.

Get a Mazdaspeed 3.

What he said. I am a mechanic and I can tell you that no one can run fast enough to give me a VW.

Check out the Focus ST if you guys get it... Fun little car.

Checkout the regretta Jetta thread. Hilarious... Jake's thread I think.

That being said I have a City Golf that gets me back and forth to work. Seems OK so far.

we bought a new 2010 Golf, now have 75k trouble free miles on it, it's my wifes car but I like to drive it too.

I keep wanting to like VWs and would like to purchase one and then I hear all the bad stories. The Ford Focus SE Hatch is a sweet little car (not crazy about the dash...).

Our daughter has a 2010 Mazda 3. Nice little car (ugly front end, though). I love the simplicity and great gas mileage.

What about an EOS? Retractable hard top seems pretty cool and may be a nice way to balance winter/summer where you live. No personal experience, seems like a neat car. Plus then maybe you wouldn't miss your drop-top Boxster as much.

On the other hand I have a 2013 Outback 3.6R. I love it, great car for what it's intended for, but handling wise would be a BIG change from the Boxster. Smaller Impreza's are nice, Uber cool 300HP WRX/STI drives like a slot-car but is PRICEY for what it is IMHO!

The Jetta really is a stripped car (including rear drum brakes!) built in Mexico with major components from eastern Europe. I would not touch it with a 10 foot pole.

That said, I do drive a TDI Golf without a hitch, but it is made in Germany with 70% parts from Germany, including engine and 6 speed manual transmission. Not sure if the gas Golf is made in Germany too for the American market, but if it is, I'd go HATCH!

G

I know the GTIs are made in Germany and I think the Golf is too. Looks like they're moving production to Mexico though: 2014 Volkswagen Golf to be Built in Mexico | AutoGuide.com News

My JSW was built in Mexico. I didn't have many complaints but got nervous as it was about to go out of warranty and at 32K miles had my first electrical gremlins start to pop up (weirdness with rear door locks). I had a great local dealer and wouldn't hesitate to buy/own one that was under warranty. Out of warranty though...probably not.

THere are some fun Subarus, but the new CVT transmission frankly sucks so if you're looking stick, great. If not, drive it and see if you like it. I just bought a BMW X1 and 500 miles in absolutely love the car. I really prefer German interiors - they just get the aesthetic better. I drove the Mazda CX5 and it was ok but the interior was just...meh. Subaru isn't much better. Even the premium Japanese cars don't send me but that is a totally subjective thing.

I would buy a Ford Focus or a Mazda 3 over any VW product.

I had a turbo beetle. It was fun to drive, but it was a piece of junk. And their dealers are mother (insert F bomb here) criminals. Nope. No thanks. Many much better options, and (a bit shocking) many of them from North American builders. Have you driven a Chevy Cruise? Damn nice car for the $.

Geez - the TDI (still hoping for a GTD) will probably be made there too. I was hoping for a cool 2016 GTD for myself. :(

G

I can live with bad quality from a vendor that stands behind the product, or with a good quality product from a vendor that's MIA, but not both.

The Focus ST is a lot of fun for the dollars, and the skeezy dashboard kind of grows on you.

I hear and read about the bad VW reliability issues. I will likely test drive the new Mazda 3 and the Ford Focus. Well the Corolla just looks plain old fashioned.Second hand 1s25o Lexus is a possibility but I prefer something with a warranty. I am still tending towards the Mazda 3 - turn the key and go. Thanks everybody.

My daughter's boyfriend says that I will miss the sportiness of the Boxster. I won't miss the rattles and odd noises which keeps my mind in overdrive. Will see how it goes privately selling the Boxster....

I test drove a Focus ST - great car but I need something with better gas mileage, I've got a long commute.

I'd like to test drive a Focus SE hatchback with a sport package. Sport package really just adds a few leather bits and replaces the rear drums for discs. There are a lot of complaints about the automatic tranny but I'd be buying a manual anyway if I were to make a move.

I am replacing the Mini soon with a GTI. I tested Focus ST but the seats were uncomfortable for me.The GTI I am looking at is about 3 grand cheaper than the Focus plus the VW has the TSI turbo; engine has a timing chain instead of a belt.

Exhaust system in the Focus does have a sweet sound to it when you step on it along with plenty of power.


My old 2005 GLI did have have one issue during the 75,000 miles I put on it; just routine maintenance. The Mini is another story, it is a blast to drive but has had a few issues and the tow truck company I use knows me on a 1st name basis...

I'm not a big Ford fan but the Focus does grow on me. If I was is the market for a car, it would be on my short list.

I have a 2003 VW Passat w/ 75K miles and I have had nagging issues (2) emission issues, replaced motor mounts and a leaky exhaust from the flex joints. I like the interior and it drives well. I would look at the Passat but judging from comments, I would think twice.

A Camry or Corolla are not fun to drive and I can't get comfortable in either car. I have only driven rentals and I ask for something else if it's available.

Good luck in your car search!

I have a 2004 Subaru wrx with 190,000 trouble free miles. Love the way it goes thru the snow. Aside from wearing out tires in 30, 000 miles I would buy one again.

My wife and I are still trying to sell our Eos. Obviously very clean car, with a transferable warranty. Main issue with selling, people who want it seemed to have forgotten that they need $$ to actually buy a car.:rolleyes:


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1377446946.jpg

No offense.... But the mods on that car scream boy racer... That tends to attract the crowd with no money....

The 'tex was full of them, and the reason I won't own another water cooled VDub.

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