the 2011 VW Jetta

That's ok. It's a Jetta, so no matter how it looks, parts will start falling off in no time.

 

The design has been toned down and the front end reminds me of a Corolla, but I would buy one just for the TDi engine.

If VW or Subaru would build a high performance TDi powered AWD auto [think WRX with a TDi], I'd floor it to the nearest dealer to buy one right now.

 

So is all of its competition, so it should do fine.

 

I like the latest VW Scirocco, nice design imo.

 

It's a sad day when VW stops building cars to European standards, i.e. BMW, Audi, Benz, and starts building cars to compete in the American/Japanese market i. e. Toyota, GM, Ford.
My '00 Jetta is great but I'll take my old, and sadly long gone, 1986 GTI over it any day.

 

The WSJ recently had an article about how VW is trying to make cars suited to the American taste. Aparently they think we like 1990's Subarus. I disgree with them because Subaru didn't take over the market.

 

I believe they used to have that kind of image. Over the last decade or so, they've acquired a reputation of not so reliable. Now, much of what they release is rather boring. So I think they've lost that edge.
Right now I don't think there is an 'Apple' of the car world.
MINI maybe, or Smart...But I don't really think either of those do either...
Everything is either sedan boring appliance, or TRUCKZILLA, and Elise style racers.

Its why I like that POP thing I posted yesterday, Funky unusual car for the next century. Egg shaped sedans should die.

 

The Kia Forte is a VERY nice car. My girlfriend has a 2010 and it is the best you can get for the money, or even a few thousand more. It was as nice as the mazda 3 that we test drove.

lowsound

 

America abdicated it's sense of taste, style and character decades ago when it comes to the automotive world. Too late now...that ship sailed long ago.

 

I actually sat in one this AM while I dropped off my '08 Jetta Wolfsburg (basically a GLI) for a recall in the DSG transmission.

Outside is meh. Seems a bit bigger than the previous generation. Massive trunk. Nice interior. Radio and gauge cluster looked very nice. As said above, they are lowering the price to compete with the corolla and civic mainly. The sticker on this one was 18k and nicely equipped. The day I see them put drums in the back will be the day I probably stop buying VWs. That day may be approaching soon.

Are VW less reliable than comparable Honda/Toyota? Sure. (seems like every time a VW thread starts in ANY forum someone feels the need to point that out). Are the 10x more fun to drive. Absolutely.

The cool VW thing I read today was this: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/05/vw-sets-single-tank-distance-record-with-1-527-mile-passat-bluem/ - Me wantie TDI Passat.

 

I agree entirely. Driving my Jetta WAS very exciting...The anticipation of which part would break next always had me on the edge of my seat. Years after I moved on to reliable cars (Nissans, and now Honda), I moved in with a roommate with a Jetta that was 10 years newer than the one I had once owned. It had all the same problems too! He got tired of that fun too, and now drives an Acura.

 

Ah yes - never fails.

 

KIA=Killed In Accident


Have owned one will never own another.