Thinking of getting a VW.....

[recycled sixtie]

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!

[Nostril Cheese]

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.

[Rick V]

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

[porsche4life]

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

[billybek]

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.

[BeyGon]

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.

[KNS]

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.

[Nickshu]

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!

[aigel]

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

[nostatic]

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.

[HardDrive]

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 $.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by nostatic

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

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

[tubwreck]

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.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by KNS

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.

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....

[KNS]

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.

[GothingNC]

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...

[jcommin]

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!

[Bugsinrugs]

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.

[911SauCy]

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.

[porsche4life]

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.