VW owners: does VW still has the bad reputation it has earned on reliability?

Question 1
VW owners: does VW still has the bad reputation it has earned on reliability?...  The reason I am asking is because I am considering either a 2010 GTI or GLI as a new car, but I've heard polarizing opinions about VW in general. They are either 'junk', or as good as any other car, as far as reliability is concerned.

I know Consumer Reports are not particularly fond of the brand, but here's the kicker: my brother in law had a Jetta he hated for being problematic, yet one of my best friends had another Jetta that was as reliable as a Corolla. Both were 2004 models. From what I heard, since the 2006-on models are being built in Wolfsburg, that there is better quality among models (except the Touareg, which apparently is the worst VW ever...lol).

So I'd like to know what your experiences are as an owner. What year/model VW you have and how's it working for you so far. Thanks!

Answers
1)   It just seems I read here often of people having older VW's that are plagued w/ issues. They are fine for many yrs when they are new. But so many people buy the GTI thinking it's the best car on the planet. Not true. If you want a killer sports car right out of the box, then get a Mazdaspeed 3. I had a 2000 Golf GL TDI & it was towed to the dealer 3 times in 6 months b/c it wouldn't start. I got rid of it b/c it was crappy overall. I don't know what possessed me to buy it. Now this yr I have an American made car & I'm very satisfied. I don't hate VW, but they are fairly unremarkable cars, imo, for the time being. I know there are better cars being made for the same money. - The Eagle Keeper

2)   VWs aren't perfect but they aren't complete junk. European cars tend to be the less reliable than american or japanese cars. Their repair costs are higher and they don't hold their value as well as the others do. I'm a VW enthusiast but I cannot recommend them to people that aren't into driving. Manual trans VWs tend to be more reliable also get engines available in other countries. If you are going to get a 2010 get the GLI because it is the last year of the mk5 chasis and they have fixed all the bugs they had in 06. The GTI is already on the MK6 chasis and it is brand new so we don't know if there are some little hiccups with it like there were with the mk5 chasis. If you want a mk6, wait a year or so until we know more about their reliability. Also it doesn't seem to matter what factory the cars are assembled in, wolfsburg cars have as many issues as those assembled in mexico.

But if it is important to you a wolfsburg car will have a vin starting with wvw and a mexican car will start with 3vw - kumst

3)   I guess it depends on where you live and if they are very patriotic.
For instance you'll hear that American cars are reliable but ask anyone who isn't American and they'll say American cars are only just better than UK cars with exception of Ford.
I have always heard that VW are bullet proof but there you go.
My GTi never let me down once and it could do 140mph. - Amanda

4)   I have a close friend with a 2002 Passat V6 with 80K miles on it.
It really didnt give him much problem. But when it does break, it cost him an arm and leg to repair it. Even a freaking windshield wiper cost a lot more than standard one.

Here is something you should consider, Turbo Charged car are awful on reliability rating most of the time, which you are consider buying.
Just keep in mind, The German cars have superiority on driving experience over other brands, However, the Cost of Ownership is a lot higher. If you got the money prepared, Go for it.

And it really depends on how long you plan to keep ur car as well. If you are buying a brand new car and only going to keep it for few yrs, you should not have to worry about reliability rating at all. - steak5959

5)   Since VWs are foreign they're nice cars. The GTI is a good model. We have recently gotten a 2.5 Jetta 2009 and it's great looking, and working! - **Ana**

6)   i would get one, i have had a jetta and vanagon and loved them both.

the styling and suspension of a new gti or gli will blow most american cars away for the equal value.

the problem lies with dealerships for costs.
you can buy most replacement parts from auto parts stores, dealers are notorious for parts that are 2/3d's the price more of auto parts stores and some brake systems require new rotors the same time pads are replaced.
find vw repair shops in your area except for warranty work, in this time of competing auto sales try to get an extended warranty, do not worry vw's are just as reliable as the next guy, they have extended drive train warranty's.

trust me the handling of a german car will make you feel good about the purchase, especially when you blow buy that guy in the pt.cruiser.

forget consumer reports, they have been unreliable in my opinion.
but the tour i agree lol. - breekatz


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Question 2
'02 Jetta w/90K. Replaced catalytic converter, now they recommend transmission flush for $525. Is this a scam?...  This is the VW dealership making this recommendation. The car was having trouble going into reverse. Replacing the converter has helped the problem, but sometimes I throw it in reverse, it revs and doesn't do much or reverses very slowly. Everything with the VW dealership is so expensive, I just want to know if this will actually help the problem.

Answers
1)   You must look rich - dannibrookexx

2)   The converter is in NO WAY related to your transmission problem.Its just not possible.You can get a trans.flush on ANY vehicle at most places for less than $100.00 so I think you are getting hosed. - thereal.incrediblehulk

3)   way too much money - Nico

4)   I have a 2003 VW Passat W8 so I feel your pain. If you have the same transmission as I have, you don't have any way of checking your fluid level ( VW didn't put a Dipstick on my auto trans!! That's just dumb). One day, my transmission started leaking fluid..so I brought it back to VW ( about the 10th time this year its been back to VW ) and I had them do the flush on mine...for about $800. It solved my leak issue, and DID improve my car's shifting.

I'd say, give it a try! As for me...I'm a long time VW owner ( I've had 3, and put over 400,000 miles on my 1987 Jetta and had no problems). I'll never buy another VW again. - Viktobog

5)   They burned you once on the converter job, now they want to burn you again before they actually fix the problem.

All you need is a new filter and a fluid change in the transmission. - happy2b_white

6)   scam since transmission flush is bad can drain and replace fuild and filter cost like 50 bucks if you do it at home and your car a 02 shoul d be going to a shop and not dealership
dealerships sale car where shops repair
and wil most always be twice as high as a shop shouldnt need a transmission flush unless you have a problem and are rebuilding it - kelly_f_1999


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Question 3
What should I get for my first car? VW Jetta TDI or VW GLI?...  

Answers
1)   The TDI has decent performance, far better mileage, and better resale value. Go with the TDI. - Troublesome

2)   tdi - heartegram_james

3)   I say you get a Passat.
haha. - Serena

4)   The new TDI is the best. - monsieur joy

5)   You also should compare car insurance quotes for cars before buying one, for example here - carquotes.fateback.com - Jim

6)   Get the TDi......!

Only thing I wish is that VW would offer the manual trany on the Jetta!

....diesel kisses!! - CarJ&J'sCar.....[TDi]


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Question 4
Would a Volkswagen Golf MK2 be a good first car?...  As i have a very low budget i am thinking of buying a VW Golf in roughly a H reg (uk), which i think is the MK2, either way one that is pretty old. I was thinking of this because obviously older golfs have a much better reputation as solid and reliable cars and i was wondering what your thoughts would be?
Also wondering how it would be on the speed front, would love the GTI but i think insurance will be too high (new driver, 17, male etc...) so probably looking at either the 1.4 but hopefully the 1.6 model. Don't need to do a massive amount of speed in it, but i don't want it to struggle at 70 or 80 and want fair acceleration.
Have you got any experience with the car, and do you think i could get anything better for between £500-£800? Any help much appreciated!

Answers
1)   Dude,
The Mk2 Golf is a cool car! - John

2)   It should be 4-door, 4-cyls, not sporty. I would prefer Honda or Toyota... First time drivers usually have much more expensive car insurance, and it depends from car. You should compare insurance rates while choosing the car - for example here - carinsurance.yoll.net - Tony

3)   Be honest,It will take a while to find the best answer for the your question.give a look at resource here
It is a Common situation many people have met,calm down,and check the resource here

http://www.AutoInsuranceFree.info

i found fair useful - SANDRA H

4)   As far as my knowing,it is a question with various answers,it is definitely depending on the your mind ,providing a great resource here

http://www.BestInsuranceTip.info

for reference though. - SHIRLEY A(UK)


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Question 5
Looking at a 1970 VW Bus how much to replace / repair leaking gas tank? I know you ahve to pull the engine?...  I am looking at buying a 1970 VW Bus it has a gas leak that I suspect is the gas tank leaking I know you have to pull the whole engine out to get to the gas tank. What would the average cost in labor to do this job run?

Answers
1)   make sure it is not the tank first, there are lines that could be the culprit.

pulling and reinstalling an engine could be 1000.oo so be sure to track down any possible leaks.

pressurising at the gas cap might force fuel from the leak, just be sure that you know if it is the tank or not. - breekatz

2)   If you find it is the tank leaking, it depends if the tank is rusted through or it's been punctured. If the later it might be possible to mend, without removing the engine. There are products for this purpose. I did a repair on ford van, the patch done the job. Just another option.
Answer No 1 very good. - Owen

3)   Average R&R for a VW air cooled engine is about $200 at a VW specialty shop. - Rod Knocker


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