So, who wants to give me the lowdown on how reliable Volkswagens are?

RandomEvent · #1 02-06-2008, 12:46 AM

I was gonna buy a new car, but lately I've been considering getting one of the older GTI's. Like early 2000 model or so. What I'm wondering about is things like lifespan, major maintenance problems, etc. Help a brother out.

Toasted · #2 02-06-2008, 01:56 AM

They're German. They run forever.

Tegzsa · #3 02-06-2008, 02:20 AM

They're European. They have some issues.

If it's a GTI, it has probably been caned. Get a full service history.

VWs are also occasionally prone to electrical problems regarding the lights, fuel injection and instrumentation. However, the biggest issue is often the gearbox which can make alarming clunking noises when under load (especially 2nd).

If you're serious, take any potential buy along to a VW specialist and get them to check it out for you before you buy. Caveat Emptor, and all that.

burk48237 · #4 02-06-2008, 03:06 AM

On the GTI's also check fuel injection and filter system. They are far pickier about gas and ethanol eats the fuel filter. On VW's in general check all electrical, Power Windows, Wiper motors, Power locks etc. They are beautiful cars, Have a great drivers feel, nice interiors, unfortunately the beauty is skin deep. VW went on a great parts pricing reduction from the Lopez reign on, and the result is a lot of cheap parts. Things like plastic power window gears, etc. They are not the level of reliability of the better Japanese products. And some model years they actually fall behind American cars for reliability. I would procede with caution.

http://money.cnn.com/2004/11/08/pf/a...o_reliability/

**Vorago** · #5 02-06-2008, 03:07 AM

Get a Golf!

Love those cars, pretty small but lots of snapp!

RandomEvent · #6 02-06-2008, 04:03 AM

Well, is there any cars you guys would recommend? I'm trying to stay away from American cars if possible, if only for the fact that I have a Ford now and repairs always cost uber dollars. Anything used past the year 2000 in the 15k range would work for me. I might just end up getting a new car, but maybe you guys know of something else I should consider. And thanks for all of the advice.

Toasted · #7 02-06-2008, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tegzsa

They're European. They have some issues.

All cars have issues. German cars appear to have less than most.

BassChuck · #8 02-06-2008, 04:31 AM

I have 2003 Passat. It has some questionable rep on the internet in terms of engine slugge, I've no problem with mine. Regular oil changes are a must, for all cars.

guy n. cognito · #9 02-06-2008, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toasted

All cars have issues. German cars appear to have less than most.

Not VWs. They have horrible service records. Consumer Reports has consistently rated them at the bottom of the pile.

I've known approximately 10 people over the last few years that have owned VWs, and all have had significant maintenance problems with them.

RandomEvent: At that price point, consider a Honda or Toyota. Much more reliable than the VW.

Diggler · #10 02-06-2008, 05:54 AM

Toyota or Honda

Bruce Lindfield · #11 02-06-2008, 06:05 AM

I agree - I did a lot of research on reliability and we do have stats/facts on this in the UK - Toyota and Honda always come out best - I buy Toyota !

Diggler · #12 02-06-2008, 06:17 AM

I look at it this way...

What does Osama and his cronies ride around the mountains of Afghanistan in? Toyota trucks. Now, I would never buy something in an attempt to emulate OBL and his terrorist network, but I highly doubt that those trucks are getting regular oil changes and dealer maintenance every 3000 miles. They don't stand up to a Predator drone strike, but you can't have everything...

Barkless Dog · #13 02-06-2008, 06:18 AM

Golfs are really cool cars , but they rank in consumer reports pretty low in reliability, also servicing them is very expensive and I have read a lot of posts about service places being arrogant.

They are great performing cars though and not boring like a Honda or Toyota (depends on the model)

ElectrAcoustic · #14 02-06-2008, 06:20 AM

If you knew my sis or one of my best friends, they'd do anything they could to convince you not to buy VW.. both had similar experiences.. poor service, cars that were bought new but seemed to fall apart on a whim.. multiple recalls for the same defective part.. etc.. basically it VWs can be summed up as...

casualmadness · #15 02-06-2008, 06:21 AM

My friend has a Golf and a GTI. He is a total car guy and loves turning wrenches. But when I told him I was thinking of getting a Jetta he advised me against it. He said that a VW is a great car for car guys (guys who like to get under the hood and tweak it and always work on it). I'm not one of those guys. I like something that doesn't require a great deal of attention. He said that owning two VW's requires a lot of attention and lots of shop time. But he does his own work and that's what he loves to do.

Bruce Lindfield · #16 02-06-2008, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barkless Dog

They are great performing cars though and not boring like a Honda or Toyota (depends on the model)

I buy a car, based on whether it is going to get me and my gear where I need to be, reliably! Not on what some Marketing man has decided is cool/interesting...

Tony G · #17 02-06-2008, 06:24 AM

I have a consumer reports account. They haven't steered me wrong yet with their reviews from products all over the board, so I trust them when they say that VW's aren't reliable. Take a look at their reliablity chart. They only report on years that they feel they have adequate data on, but you can extrapolate from that data to match similar design model years to get an idea. Obviously a full black dot is bad, and full red dot is good, and empty dot is average.

EDIT: To show the other side of the coin, take a look at the reliability of the Acura RSX. This is a japanese car made by Honda and marketed in the US under the Acura name. The type S model is a blast to drive. It is also shown to be very reliable. Not to mention I also own one...

Diggler · #18 02-06-2008, 06:29 AM

To be honest, I was really surprised when I did the same research and came up with the VW unreliable results. I thought for sure they'd rank right up there with the Japanese.

I ended up getting a 2001 Saturn SL1 for under $5k with 40k miles on it. All plastic body, so no rust worries, and it gets mid-upper 30's mpg. A guy I work with recently traded in his commuter Saturn, the only problem was a leaking oil pan gasket, with over 250k miles on it.

Mine now has 110k miles.

I paid cash for it and I'm running it until the wheels fall off.

FL Knifemaker · #19 02-06-2008, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diggler

I look at it this way...

What does Osama and his cronies ride around the mountains of Afghanistan in? Toyota trucks. Now, I would never buy something in an attempt to emulate OBL and his terrorist network, but I highly doubt that those trucks are getting regular oil changes and dealer maintenance every 3000 miles. They don't stand up to a Predator drone strike, but you can't have everything...

I want to buy a Preditor drone. What a great way to rid the Florida roads of old senile drivers

The last VW I owned was air cooled and it wouldn't die.

Tegzsa · #20 02-06-2008, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diggler

I look at it this way...

What does Osama and his cronies ride around the mountains of Afghanistan in? Toyota trucks. Now, I would never buy something in an attempt to emulate OBL and his terrorist network, but I highly doubt that those trucks are getting regular oil changes and dealer maintenance every 3000 miles. They don't stand up to a Predator drone strike, but you can't have everything...

Yup. I had a Hilux as a company "car", apart from a tendency to wear out the front tyres (like most 4x4's) it was practically indestructable. One of the others even got rolled a couple of times and was still drivable.

Toyota trucks, the AK47 of personal transport.