My father in law is not a mechanic, but is very handy. He’s YouTubed every fix they’ve needed for their VWs. They’ve had theirs for years.
Volkswagon Good? Bad?
- Thread starter Knownothing
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Few friends have had VWs, Jetta and a Passat, both had issues with electronics. Could be coincidence.
Two 10-11 year old Passats in the family. 150 miles apart. When they ran, they were the bomb. Two different and extremely bad mechanical snafus. Two extremely bad service experiences. Two very bitter endings. Couldn't run away from them fast enough at <60K miles.
VW tends to have some interesting features.
Wow, that sound like a nightmare. I have only owned one VW, a 2004 Passat that I bought from a neighbor to flip. In general I would say that although in had some unique features like all wheel drive in a sedan, it also had some really head scratching design flaws and some low quality interior buttons and finish. Guess I was not impressed. It had a couple flex pipe connections in the exhaust system that both rusted out at 110K miles. Real pain to replace too.
Wow, that sound like a nightmare. I have only owned one VW, a 2004 Passat that I bought from a neighbor to flip. In general I would say that although in had some unique features like all wheel drive in a sedan, it also had some really head scratching design flaws and some low quality interior buttons and finish. Guess I was not impressed. It had a couple flex pipe connections in the exhaust system that both rusted out at 110K miles. Real pain to replace too.
Buy a Honda or Toyota.. way m more reliable! We were faced with the same question a year ago and got a Toyota Avalon. Wonderful car!
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We use to call Volkswagen's the poor man's Audi. I had two experiences in my youth. A VW rabbit diesel and a Golf. I don't know the rated hp on the diesel, but the only way it would reach 65 mph was if you got out and pushed. Avoid the freeway at all costs, especially with a head wind. But the thing ran and ran and would get almost 50 mpg in town! The Golf was gasoline with a lot more pep. It didn't give me any more problems than anything else I have ever owned. As far as being expensive to work on......if someone else has to do it...it doesn't matter what the model, it's expensive. So I wouldn't worry too much. It's not like you are buying a 50 year old beetle.
As an aside from your questions....like you, our daughter gets her license next month. Just purchased the first car she will ever own. Have you ever thought of shopping on ebay? My wife and I have been doing it for the better part of two decades with dealers in Texas, Florida etc. and it has never steered us wrong. You are able to get a 10 year old car for a 10 year old car price that because it hasn't been exposed to midwest winters looks and drives like a 4 year old car. Just a thought.
What is your price range?
I have determined I am going to try and find a nice Honda CR-V for my daughter.
I have determined I am going to try and find a nice Honda CR-V for my daughter.
There are some IMO good deals out there to be found on the bought back/modified 2015 VW Passat TDIs that VW is reselling. Last fall, I picked up an SEL with 10,000 miles for $19,900. This car was $35,000 new. Not everybody likes diesels...but I do. VW is typically selling these cars at auctions to dealers, so if you have a contact that can buy at auctions, you could come away with an outstanding deal.
I think that the Passat drives just as well as the Acura TLs I used to lease. Also, I will agree that the VW interior trim was of poor quality on some years ago (I had a 2005 Jetta), but I think that VW has significantly improved the interior finish issues in the last 5 years. I had a 2012 Passat TDI with 80,000+ miles that I got rid of to make room for the one above, and the interior trim was flawless when I sold it.
I think that the Passat drives just as well as the Acura TLs I used to lease. Also, I will agree that the VW interior trim was of poor quality on some years ago (I had a 2005 Jetta), but I think that VW has significantly improved the interior finish issues in the last 5 years. I had a 2012 Passat TDI with 80,000+ miles that I got rid of to make room for the one above, and the interior trim was flawless when I sold it.
I don’t know why you would go VW when there are so many better options out there. Ditch the Hitler-mobile and get a “Japanese” car.
Here is a good place to go and check out issues from actual owners
http://forums.vwvortex.com/forumdisplay.php?1062-CC
If you go here and sort by view count, it will usually give you an idea of the most common issues.
http://forums.vwvortex.com/forumdisplay.php?1062-CC
If you go here and sort by view count, it will usually give you an idea of the most common issues.
I would say bad. A couple years ago while searching for a car I had to two seperate dealers opine on v w when I didn't really even ask. They both said the same thing, I don't like them I wouldn't want them on my lot if I could help it because they break just sitting here.
This image should answer the question of the thread:
hey, good peoples on both sides
Most places use a synthetic blend at minimum. Why you can add 2-3k miles per change from the old days.
buy your kid a 2000 buick century. fabulous cars they are cheap and reliable. lots of parts in the junkyard, kids will hit stuff i have never understood fancy cars for kids. if your kids dont hit their cars some other kid will.
I agree with the beater part. There are lots of very solid used cars that sell for practically nothing out there. I sold my 2003 Prius last week for $2,000 to a teenage gal. Not the prettiest car, but it was as dependable as a lot of new cars, safe, great gas mileage, kind of did what a car is really made for. My daughter got a 02 Taurus when she started driving, and it was perfectly fine. Just baffles me to drive through a school parking lot and see all the near new cars that someone is financing for their kid.
