What do you think of Volkswagens? Ever own one?

[Melmac]

I have a 2003 Jetta (bought new) with about 80,000 km on it. I love the car but is has given me a lot of trouble and I would seriously have to think about buying another VW. Could be I just ended up with a lemon though. All I have to say is thank goodness for the extended warranty I bought which has covered most things wrong with the car (the car was fully covered, bumper-to-bumper for 7 years).

3 years after I got the car, the front struts and suspension had to be replaced (I know this is usual wear and tear but I only had 25000 km on the car at this point). I have replaced 2 oxygen sensors (which set off the "check engine light"). I have replaced my transmission (not repaired - it would not move out of 2nd gear and I have an automatic tranny), my speed sensor, a temperature gauge for the coolant and something else that had to do with the speedometer (I can't remember).

Service is a little more expensive (never let them change your windshield wipers, ha ha) and I will be taking my car to another garage once the warranty is up. However, the service department I deal with is great, if my car is kept longer than one day I get a complimentary loaner and the service manager always calls a couple of days after repairs to make sure all is okay.

Again, I love my car - drives nice, great gas mileage. I also like that I don't need oil changes until every 8000 km (my other domestic is 3500km). I am keeping it until it dies so I hope that I am finished with big repairs (knock on wood).

 

[jsmith]

i drive a 2006 TDI diesel Beetle that i bought new in oct of 05-it did have some electrical problems the first year but since then its been pretty much just maintenance type service-i love the car-i had a 96 mile commute for about 3 years-it gets close to 50 mpg and its comfy and awesome on slick roads-i feel safer in it than in our Tahoe. The one thing i would not do again is buy a diesel vehicle that i could not get an after market headbolt or fuel fliter heater installed in-it can be a wench to start in very cold (thing colder than 10 below) weather.

 

[Jennasis]

We have a 1999 1/2 VW JEtta (I say 1/2 because they changed the body style midyear and we have the newer style).

Aside from a persistant check-engine light (we think there's a faulty O2 sensor), it's a great car. It runs great, gets fabu mileage, IS fun to drive (handles the crazy turns and bends in our country roads like butter), and is overall a good car.

It has 130K on it...and we call him "Klaus"!

 

[pooh_bear.614]

I HATE my 2000 Beetle.. it is going strong at almost 80,000 miles BUT its been nothing but a money trap, I wouldn't advise anyone to get one.

 

[Aimeedyan]

You are all telling me what I have since heard from some other people - that they have a history of electrical issues. I had a POS Volvo that I eventually DONATED because it was in such horrible condition and was only 7 years old. It had major electrical issues.

I really think VWs are beautiful but I can't deal with another electrical nightmare of a car. Too bad. =(

 

[Pigeon]

I'd look at Consumer Reports.

I've got two family members who love VWs. However, I'm not seeing it. They are nice cars when they are running, but they are in the shop a ridiculous amount of time.

We had a Routan as a rental, and as minivans go, it was nice. But I'd never buy one because I'd be leary of reliability.

 

[Hillbeans]

We came thisclose to buying a Toureg about a month ago but the bad gas mileage was something I just couldn't get past so we nixed the idea. The car itself was gorgeous and had lots of bells and whistles. I even liked the new Minivan, but couldn't convince DH to drive one of those either.