What are the best type of VWs?

Question 1
What are the best type of VWs?...  i really like VW cabrios but ive heard that VWs are super expensive to fix in the US and arent that great of cars.

Answers
1)   the best type of VW is the one that someone else owns! LOL!

They are VERY expensive to fix, buy a Honda. - PAUL

2)   u heard right !

dont get one . - jay

3)   The ones that are totalled and sitting in a junkyard for scrap parts. - Kenny

4)   A type 1, pre 1972 are the best. - Old Man Dirt

5)   GTI. but yea, i woulds go with a honda - Jacob

6)   I never heard that there to expencive to fix but the best VW is the CC. Sexy sporty sedan. Worth the money trust me. - Jack

7)   Yes, Most autos are EXPENSIVE to fix, that is the operative word.
However: If the car is Maintained, then you don't have to "fix" them that often.
If you want a Cabrio stick to the later ones. Stay away from the "Auto's" as the automatic transmission in them are the weak point.

I have Driven a 1981 rabbit diesel off the showroom floor for 300K until I sold it in 2000.
I have 2 Cabriolets 160K and 140K that are Daily drivers.

The key is to Maintain them and if it sounds like something is going bad, repair it or replace it. VW's like other car, you can ignore things thinking they will get better. - Briano

8)   I owned and loved to drive my 1998 Cabrio. Simply an amazing and reliable car! Drove it many years with zero issues.
I never had to buy parts to repair it. However, my neighbor owns a Honda and we often talk abt. our cars. It turns out that both cars are abt the same when it comes to buying replacement parts. For example we both had our timing belts replaced. Both of us took our cars to the Dealership for this service. I spent abt $12 more. Thats it. Not much difference, is it?
BTW, I sold my Cabrio to buy a VW GTI. Phenominal , fast car.
But I still miss my top-down , wind in my hair Cabrio.... after all, there is nothing like cruising the beach in a Cabrio ... - fenton

9)   Type 181 or type 2 microbus - Rod Knocker


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Question 2
are volkswagens expensive to maintain?...  everyone always complains how expensive vw's are expensive to maintain i was just wondering if this is true

Answers
1)   True. - Mike

2)   Overall, yes, a little more expensive. More than a Honda, less than a Mercedes. On the other hand, parts for my VWs are often less than those for my Civic... - Mark K

3)   I've spent more than 35 years in the automotive business, many of the last twenty-five years+ dealing with Volkswagens as well as other mainly imported vehicles in the USA. What I can tell you is that in general, most european vehicles are far more expensive to maintain than either Asian or US designed vehicles (built by the former "big three" domestic manufacturers).

The reason for this seems to be that the europeans have designed vehicles with very tight mechanical tolerances and maintanance must be followed exactly "by the book" in order to keep them running properly. The domestic and asian makes are well made, but in general, their mechanical components seem either to be built with more tolerance for abuse or they aren't over engineered.

The classic example of this is something as simple as a light switch to turn on the parking brake warning light. Now, a european luxury make had a very well made and finished hand brake handle that pulled up to set the parking brake. The switch for the parking light was very small and the handle had a small flat surface designed to hit the center of the switch exactly to turn it off. Over time, the hand brake handle bent however slightly, but it was enough that the hand brake handle would not hit the center of the very small switch to push it in and turn off the light. Because of the design and material of the hand brake lever, it became necessary to replace the handle to turn off the light. Now, as a practical matter, I used take the handle off and bend the arm that contacted the switch so that it would contact the switch properly and push in the switch to turn off the warning light. Eventually, that would fail and it became necessary to replace the hand brake handle. It wasn't cheap either in labour or part. The asians and americans had either a switch that was much larger in size or the surface area of the handle that pushed on the switch was larger or they had the switch built into the racthet area of the handle, all methods that worked well and avoided the issue of problems caused by the handle bending slightly over time.

Because the europeans sell far fewer vehicles in the USA, parts don't have as much movement, so prices for parts are higher and there are fewer people servicing them, so labour prices tend to higher as well.

This is just my view point based upon my many years of automotive experience in service both at the dealership level and independent shops. - a car nut

4)   it used to be that all european makes were very maintenance intensive, especially German cars. Seems like there was something that needed to be done to them about every thousand miles. But over there that's not considered a drawback. They're very "hands-on" when it comes to vehicle maintenance, they love to work on their cars, and they're sticklers for accuracy. - Rick

5)   From an actual owner's answer; No, VWs are not expensive to maintain.
I drove a 2000 GTI for many fun filled yrs.
Had a 1998 VW Cabrio too. My wife drove and loved her New Beetle.
My son has a 1998 GTI. His wife cherishes her '08 Rabbit.
My sister adores her 2000 Golf.
My 2006 GTI is a reliable testimony to VW basic maintenance. So is my wife's 05 Jetta.
All the above cars are maintained just like any other brand would be. By that I mean we change our oil/filters, air cleaner filters, spark plugs, etc. according to schedule. No more than any car owner would do to keep his/her car operating at peak efficiency.
Here is another example; my neighbor owns a Honda. We respect one another and also compare prices for parts and services. Guess what? In almost every instance , the two vehicles average out abt. the same. The thing is, all cars are 'expensive' when you actually have to spend money on them, right? My family has owned Fords, Mazdas, Toyotas, etc. and we spend no more on our VW maint. than we did on them.
So thats my honest answer to your question. - fenton


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Question 3
i got a question on the 1998 jetta?...  im looking at a couple and probably gonna get a 5 speed. is the jetta with the 4 cylinder any different from the VR6? if so which is faster and better quality. thanks

Answers
1)   I doubt any 10-year old German high can tout quality and they definitely do NOT tout reliability...at least not without a serious price to pay.

In other words, don't be looking at a VW that old.

Glad to help. - alfredb1979

2)   If the car is maintained before you buy it by the previous owners then it is no different than buying any older car.

The VR6 is a larger engine than the 1.8, reliability is in the previous maintenance, and the way it was driven.

How many miles each has on it tells you a lot, the biggest thing I have found was the condition of the brake, and gas pedal. If they are really worn, then that is a sign that the person drove it hard and stopped it that way to.

I currently own a 1993 and a 1992 Cabriolet that both have less than 180K. It took me about a year to get them to the Daily driver mode, but they have both been reliable and consistent cars for over 2 years.

I also drove a 1981 Diesel Rabbit off the showroom floor till I sold it in 2001 with 300k on the odo. It was maintained and pampered... Hated to sell it, but 6 cars and 4 drivers somethings had to go. - Briano

3)   My son owns a 1998 Golf GTI [same as the Jetta but its a hatchback].
The VR6 engine package comes with upgraded suspension and tires, wheels and a sportier interior. The VR6 engine is a powerful, robust design and will last 100,000s of miles. [it won many engineering awards.] My son just changed his timing chain at 135,000 miles.
The engine and indeed the entire car is reliable and still brings out the joy of driving.
The 4 cylinder is of course not as powerful. My sister owns a 2000 with the 2.0 engine. It has over 130,000 durable miles on it. No problems at all.
So, I suggest having the Jetta [or ANY brand of used car] thoroughly checked out by a mechanic. After all , some ppl. just dont treat their cars with respect. And then they complain and eventually sell them to unsuspecting buyers.
Hope your Jetta experience will be as good as ours has been.... - fenton

4)   get the vr6. Higher quality, faster, sportier, and a nice car. - Jimmy S

5)   If you gotta ask.... stick with the 2.0L 4 cylinder. They are nearly bullet proof and won't get you into trouble like that beasty VR6.

Sci, 2003 GLI (6 spd 24V VR6) - sci


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Question 4
My golf mk4 drivers door will not unlock, key just goes around & around, can anyone suggest a way to open?...  I can open my passanger door but even from the inside the drivers door will not open, and the central locking will not open the door either. At the moment I don't want to contract vw as this will cost me to much.

Answers
1)   smash the window. the locks broken you cant do nething about it... youl have to pik it afta removing the window.. take it to a garage and pay them aroudn £40 theyl do it all for you i had the same problem - azam

2)   sounds like you may need a new barrel, you should open your door panel can take a look at the problem if it is your barrel then you can get one from vw they dont cost much and do the work yourself if its not the barrel then it might be an electrical fault and you would need vw to run a diagnostics to find the problem - Amilli_N

3)   Some cars have a security feature that makes the barrel rotate when an incorrect key is used, to undo this you should turn the lock to its original position (either dead vertical or dead horizontal) with the original key, remove the key then re-insert it. Dont know if this is the same for a Golf but worth a try.. - Regards - Daz - Darren M

4)   the rod has dropped off inner panel will need to come off to gain access - J R


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Question 5
I need to know the EXACT model and name for this car/van?...  I know its a Volkswagen, but all I know is it's the Type 2 or Hippie Bus/Van.
But what is this exact one called? Because there's ones that are campers and whatnot and
I need this one. Help?

http://classicrentabug.com/images/campers/1960-split-screen-camper.jpg
And would anyone know where to buy one? In any condition, really...

Answers
1)   vw bus is all i ever heard them called. - ladystang

2)   It says it right in the URL
1960-split-screen-camper
its a 1960 VW bus - Garrett

3)   1960 Split window transportor
thesamba.com is a good place or craigslist.
Split window buses are the most sought after so expect to pay!!!! - La La


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