What's your DD ... if it isn't your Bronco

[PaulW]

All products made by VW are on my shit list. Way to complicated which results in way to much expense to keep them going. Does not seem to be basic motor mechanical, but crappy accessories. The EU cars in general have wiring issues now that they farm out the harnesses to inexperienced companies in other countries.
Yes, certain models have average repair or reliability performance, but problems after the warrantee issues are very expensive.
My advice buy a VW product if there is a dealer close by and sell the thing before the warrantee expires.

[SteveG]

We see our fair share of VW's at work and over the years and I worked at a VW dealership a while back. There was a time I actually considered getting one for my wife. After seeing the repairs and diagnostics that come with them... no thanks. They can be good cars but can also be really bad cars with hefty repair costs. As Paul said, they are overly complicated and WAY over-engineered. At times, even truly simple electrical systems are made about as complicated as possible. One of the things that kills a consumer on these is the lack of diagnostic procedures and flow charts. At the dealership level, many flow charts will be basic power and ground circuit testing then move straight to "replace with known good part". If thins check out good after said new part is installed, you're done. If not, you are instructed to replace another part and re-test. Evidently, to VW this is diagnostics. To the rest of the world, this is throwing parts at a problem and hoping to fix it. If your car is still under warranty, this is not a big deal. It's up to the dealer to absorb the cost (of course, we all know they don't absorb anything, the consumer pays for it in one form or another). If your car is out of warranty, this can mean replacing parts that cost hundreds to thousands of dollars with no guarantee they will fix your problem.

The cooling systems in the V6 cars turn to complete garbage by 100k and can be VERY expensive to repair and get cleaned up. All the plastic water outlets leak... not a huge deal on the 4 cylinder engines.

Even so, not long ago, I started thinking a diesel Jetta would be a good car for my wife. One of our old mechanics at work had one and loved it. He maintained it meticulously. Then the Injection pump grenaded and caused something like $7,000 in damage? And it's a common issue? There go all those savings in fuel. No thanks.

As an old co-worker of mine used to say, "If you want economy, it's gonna cost you!"

[tcm glx]

That's good info guys!!!

I'm a dub head..... Most of my friends with dubs are meticulous about maintenance which may be the reason we haven't had issues..... Just pure luck maybe.

I have heard the issues with the TDI pump grenadine, and 7k to fix is crazy!!

[PaulW]

TDI: The incomplete list most at $400-500 each to get fix!!!
Special oil since the beginning (to save the inj pump)
Bad wire harness
Micro switches for interior lights in the door latch that takes 4 hours per door to fix assuming you have the 12pt tool and 40 pages of Internet instructions (another 4 hours). A radio shack China part costs 1.29 and is good to 1000 times the life cycle
A/C clutch fell apart then seized. Sanden - go figure. They must have done a special purchase to get lower quality???
Vacuum lines kept coming off = no boost.
Never ending CEL caused by a defective sensor and VW kept selling us one that was known to be bad
MAF connector bad
Never got the wheel alignment correct?
Takes an hour to replace the cabin air filter if it gets back together correctly.
Change a headlight bulb and remove a bunch of stuff first. Have you ever had a car that needed a headlight bulb?
Dealer was 200 miles away
03 got 50 MPG all the time. Now days with new trick oil they get 40MPG or less. Get a gasser to save on fuel.
Sits so close to the ground that the thing touches all the time
Bitch - bitch
Good riddance

[baja-chris]

My 2000 Golf TDI was about like your 2003 experience. Lots of issues. Told myself I'd never get another one. I lied.

Now I have a 2011 Golf TDI with 90,000 miles on it and here is the list of issues:
The low tire pressure warning system gives false warnings.

That's it. Average 42 mpg with normal fast driving. Average 46 mpg if I try a little bit. Did 3 tanks in a row at 52 mpg when I really tried hard to see what it could do (slow lane, speed limit, drive like a prius etc.)

[Silverslk]

I'm waiting for the 2015 Mk7 Golf TDI to come out (may-june) and I'll lease a Tech Package one for my mom.

[robertcrav]

Lets flip this ? Since we have several pro wrench turners...what are your recommendations for a dd car/sedan 20+ mpg?

[Agui-E7TE]

I had a '96 VW GTI 2.Slow (according to Tony and Andy) and it was really cool and served me well for getting through most of My college commuting. I even used it as a straight trade for my current TTB Bronco.

Only thing that was an issue was that it could corner really well at high speed and I had no idea there was a low oil warning that was annoyingly loud which made it seem really important. Not good when its a little low on oil and you take a curve at high speed and freak out mid corner when it starts blaring (had never heard it before).

The upper and lower radiator hose were $100 for both. One was $70 because it is a 3 way hose. Timing belt and water pump were easy to replace and it was a fun daily driver and I wouldn't mind having one again, although I'd have to go VR6 this time around so that Tony and Andy won't make fun of me again.

I'm going to purchase a '64 VW Baja Bug to commute in soon and hopefully I'll keep it relatively stock.

[tcm glx]

keep it relatively stock.

Famous last words

[crisis88]

Lets flip this ? Since we have several pro wrench turners...what are your recommendations for a dd car/sedan 20+ mpg?

For under 6000.00

[robertcrav]

Late Model Crown Vic?

[SteveG]

Late Model Crown Vic?

One of my favorite platforms of all time.

A FWD V6 car would do better on fuel. There are a lot of cars that meet your criteria. They may not all be fun and sporty, but there are lots.

[PaulW]

Lets flip this ? Since we have several pro wrench turners...what are your recommendations for a dd car/sedan 20+ mpg?

=====
Your pro wrench turner probably will never see the good choices because they do not need to be worked on.
I like that.
Read car reviews and look for zero or way better than normal for no repairs and still good MPG
After much dithering I like Honda. Not many recalls and always better than average for maint & repairs.
Time will tell if I made a good choice, but past history is good. '12CRV 30-34 HWY at speed limits, 24- 28 in the city. All are auto. Usually 10k miles between service. XM instead of Sirius- bad.
Best of all its at least twice as big as my discarded TDI wagon and it always works.
Data sources I like: Edmunds and Consumer reports.

[RyanDS650X]

Ive got an ugly old 96 Taurus that has 86k on the odo (186k, 286k??) that stiil gets 30mpg on the freeway. V6 fwd. Brought 2 years ago for 1500 after the original owner passed away. Ive got 200 in new tires into it....

[tcm glx]

Lets flip this ? Since we have several pro wrench turners...what are your recommendations for a dd car/sedan 20+ mpg?

=====
Your pro wrench turner probably will never see the good choices because they do not need to be worked on.
I like that.
Read car reviews and look for zero or way better than normal for no repairs and still good MPG
After much dithering I like Honda. Not many recalls and always better than average for maint & repairs.
Time will tell if I made a good choice, but past history is good. '12CRV 30-34 HWY at speed limits, 24- 28 in the city. All are auto. Usually 10k miles between service. XM instead of Sirius- bad.
Best of all its at least twice as big as my discarded TDI wagon and it always works.
Data sources I like: Edmunds and Consumer reports.

Hey Paul,
My wife works for Hindas warranty and decal department. If you want, send me you VIN and I'll add you to her list of vehicles she keeps track of for bulletins and Recalls.

[D1cker1]

Robert,
I would purchase a older diesel Mercedes.

[ChaseTruck754]

Lets flip this ? Since we have several pro wrench turners...what are your recommendations for a dd car/sedan 20+ mpg?

I'm lookin at the Subi's. Won't meet crisis' $6k budget, but fun to drive, reliable and fit 3+ surfboards comfortably INSIDE with the wagon.

[robertcrav]

My prob with the Subi Steve, at least the last time I tried, they arent husky fella friendly.

I got in one at a car show and literally rubbed shoulders with someone in the passenger seat

[ChaseTruck754]

I could see that. I'm a "petite" build though so maybe getting a car like that will force me try & keep it that way.

My mom, dad, brother, aunt & friends all have Subis and love them. Lots miles & zero issues. A WRX will hopefully be my "I can carry a kid, but still drive something cooler than a minivan AND fun to drive" car.

[tcm glx]

Roberts Right, Subi's are a bit tight........but not horrible. My bigger issue with the Subi's is there are Noisy as hell inside.... like driving around in a tin can. Be prepared to buy some dynamat.