Spinning the VW Roulette Wheel
- Thread starter bean
- Start date
those are fun to drive. and its a wagon 
edit: der, and a diesel!
edit: der, and a diesel!
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That would be badass.
It'll be sweet when the sunroof starts leaking and the rear windows decide to go ape$hit. 
Congrats on the purchase. You made a great decision.
I'm loving my JSW. Most versatile vehicle I have ever owned. I looked at Subies, Volvos, BMWs, but nothing checked all the boxes. I needed something that was well equipped, comfortable ride, good economy, roomy, could tow my trailer, drive to out of state races, and shuttle DH bikes.
Shuttles 4 riders with ease (roof+hitch racks), still averaging 25+ mpg going up and down all day long.
Tows 3 motos on my utility trailer while getting roughly 30mpg on the highway.
Gets around 40 mpg on my commute to work.
All while having heated seats, leather, huge sunroof, and packing 2 10s in the back while still having room to keep dh, moto and xc helmets, pads, neck braces, shoes, camelbaks, etc. It's basically my rolling riding cabinet, tool box and changing room.
Had it about 18 months now, just turned over 31,000 the other day. No regrets.
EDIT: The rear suspension is very soft, I noticed it riding on the bump stops coming back from Mammoth with 4 bikes and 5 people. I bought a "Firestone Ride Rite" kit for the rear, seemed to help a lot.
I'm loving my JSW. Most versatile vehicle I have ever owned. I looked at Subies, Volvos, BMWs, but nothing checked all the boxes. I needed something that was well equipped, comfortable ride, good economy, roomy, could tow my trailer, drive to out of state races, and shuttle DH bikes.
Shuttles 4 riders with ease (roof+hitch racks), still averaging 25+ mpg going up and down all day long.
Tows 3 motos on my utility trailer while getting roughly 30mpg on the highway.
Gets around 40 mpg on my commute to work.
All while having heated seats, leather, huge sunroof, and packing 2 10s in the back while still having room to keep dh, moto and xc helmets, pads, neck braces, shoes, camelbaks, etc. It's basically my rolling riding cabinet, tool box and changing room.
Had it about 18 months now, just turned over 31,000 the other day. No regrets.
EDIT: The rear suspension is very soft, I noticed it riding on the bump stops coming back from Mammoth with 4 bikes and 5 people. I bought a "Firestone Ride Rite" kit for the rear, seemed to help a lot.
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I've always liked VW cars but been afraid of the horror stories, particularly annoying electrical issues, something I am terrible and uninterested in fixing. I hope you got a good one! Sharp looking car.
1980 rabbit 120,000 miles
1985 GTI 150,000 miles
1989 GTI 200,000 miles
1992 jetta 170,000 miles
1993 passat wagon glx 190,000 miles
1987 coupe 75,000 miles....someone made me a offer....
1998 MKIV 178,000 miles and counting
no lemons.
the engine from the 89 is getting refreshed and going into locost-7.
1985 GTI 150,000 miles
1989 GTI 200,000 miles
1992 jetta 170,000 miles
1993 passat wagon glx 190,000 miles
1987 coupe 75,000 miles....someone made me a offer....
1998 MKIV 178,000 miles and counting
no lemons.
the engine from the 89 is getting refreshed and going into locost-7.
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I love that giant sunroof. I really want a sunroof on my next car.
The automated manual transmission... I mean, they're significantly more complex than a clutch. Do they still provide generally better reliability and longevity than an automatic?
The automated manual transmission... I mean, they're significantly more complex than a clutch. Do they still provide generally better reliability and longevity than an automatic?
Don't compare them to a 'traditional' automatic. The real advantage is that they shift almost instantly, accelerate faster, and get better mileage..............than a MANUAL transmission.
No, I understand the benefits. I'm just wondering if, since it's more complex than a clutch, there is still a net gain in reliability. I mean, one of the advantages of a manual is that a clutch failure is a several hundred dollar job, unlike most failures with an automatic. With the "automated manual" transmissions... if replacing the clutch costs you $2k, it doesn't represent much of a reliability/financial gain.
Not digging on them, just curious.
I hate to admit it and knock wood, my Jetta has treated me pretty well all in all. 2002, 1.8T I've had it 6-1/2 years. I just had the timing belt changed last week. 212000 kms.
My check engine light has been on for 3 years. But I know what the code is, and my mechanic told me not to worry about it.
I'd buy another one.
My check engine light has been on for 3 years. But I know what the code is, and my mechanic told me not to worry about it.
I'd buy another one.
It's considerably more expensive to repair a DSG over a manual or 'traditional' automatic transmissions. It also has shorter service intervals. That being said, reliability is pretty much equal. As a matter of fact, in most VW tuning circles, it's widely known that the DSG can handle much more hp/tq over the 6-spd manual in stock form.
I am a firm believer in DSG..........this is coming from someone who has only ever owned manual transmission cars.
I am a firm believer in DSG..........this is coming from someone who has only ever owned manual transmission cars.
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I have had eight VWs. (Incidentally, they all had sunroofs, but none of them leaked) The only one that really gave me trouble was a 1990 Corrado that I bought in 2000. It had been neglected pretty bad, so I ended up doing lots of maintenance in the year that I owned it. It bled me dry and I finally dumped it when I couldn't take any more.
The SportWagens are so nice. I just wish my wife didn't have such an aversion to wagons.
The SportWagens are so nice. I just wish my wife didn't have such an aversion to wagons.
It's not just your wife, Americans hate wagons. They love crossovers though. It baffles me.
On a related note, what are thoughts on clear bras? Worth doing? I've got a quote from one local place to do:
- Hood
- Fenders
- Mirrors
- Door handles
- Headlights
The quote is $360. It seems a little high, but they're supposed to be the best place in town.
- Hood
- Fenders
- Mirrors
- Door handles
- Headlights
The quote is $360. It seems a little high, but they're supposed to be the best place in town.
One tube of silicone caulk and he's sitting pretty.It'll be sweet when the sunroof starts leaking and the rear windows decide to go ape$hit.
Nice looking car. The sunroof is especially sweet.
This is why I avoid VWs, though. CN: He bought a Golf TDI new, was ecstatic at first, but come 30k miles he was raring to get away from it. He ended up with a Skyactiv Mazda3 instead.
This is why I avoid VWs, though. CN: He bought a Golf TDI new, was ecstatic at first, but come 30k miles he was raring to get away from it. He ended up with a Skyactiv Mazda3 instead.
That's why I've avoided them in the past. On the other hand I have one friend who traded in his Outback using the lemon law. Another friend that was within one repair of doing the same. One of those two also had major transmission problems with a previous Subaru (it was on its 3rd tranny by 150k miles). And then my father and brother both had engine problems with their Subies.
Well, sure. We drove lots of stuff. Just saying there can be problems, even with what's usually regarded as one of the more reliable manufacturers.I'd say that there are other options besides Subarus, but then again you do live in Colorado...
Had a Subaru Brat..........(yes, a Brat, and yes it was YEARS ago) it was a great cheap car/truck/whatever you call it. Always assumed a Subaru was still a safe bet. Now, recently the prices are going up, while the reliability is going down..
A friend of mine drove a Brat for a while in high school. It was a fun car, but some most of that should probably be attributed to the novelty of not having our parents driving us around.
It's all anecdotal of course. Even the larger surveys are somewhat suspect.
Thanks for the other info, by the way. I doubt we'll ever load it up quite that much so the airbags probably won't be necessary. Once we hit five people, the Land Cruiser will be much more comfortable and will easily handle larger loads and towing.
Automatic transmission, I presume?
And those engine problems... I bet they were the 1996-2001 2.5l?
Automatic - yes. For the engine problems, one was the 1996-2001 2.5l, the other was a 2.0l 2001 WRX.
The two lemons were much newer, something like a 2009 and a 2010.
I have had 2 consecutive GLi's. A 2006 GLi with the DSG, I put 100k on it in 2.5 years and onto my 2nd a 2009 6speed manual with 120k on the clock. They both suffered from some kind of intake manifold issue that was replaced under factory warranty on the first and my extended warranty on the second. Other than that I have had to change the oil, brakes, tires and most recently fuel filter. They are fun to drive and get ~32/33 mpg on the highway. Both had sunroof's without any leaks. As a matter of fact the fit in finish of the interior is one of the best features even after 100k+ miles. Obviously I do a lot of driving.
the lady i worked for in colorado....the glass sunroof exploded in hers on a extremely hot summer day.
I'm really glad to hear the good stories about the VW's. I'm currently leasing a 2010 Jetta Sportwagen (not TDI), and I love it. It's really peppy and fun to drive, gets good gas mileage, and I can cram a ton of stuff into the back of it for biking and skiing trips. I also went through the trouble of having a hitch & rack installed on it. My lease expires in November, and I'm thinking I'm just going to buy it. I really love the car. I've already got almost 50K on it (so yes, I've gone way over the allotted mileage, and that's another reason I'm thinking I'll just buy it).
Extended warranty, make sure it covers the INJECTION PUMP and DPF filtration system specifically.....
Well...
Last Thursday the wife closed the sunroof, only it didn't close. It just made a loud crunching noise and stopped moving. We dropped off the car on Friday because there weren't any loaners available on Thursday. Today they determined that the sunroof casette (essentially the entire assembly) prematurely failed and needs to be replaced. There are no parts in the US so it looks like at least two weeks to have one delivered from Germany and then installation which means disassembling and then reassembling most of the upper half of the interior.
The failure doesn't bother me nearly as much as potentially being without the car and in a new generation decontented Jetta sedan with the gas motor as a replacement for three weeks. That's pretty frustrating. Though I guess it does minimize miles on ours.
Last Thursday the wife closed the sunroof, only it didn't close. It just made a loud crunching noise and stopped moving. We dropped off the car on Friday because there weren't any loaners available on Thursday. Today they determined that the sunroof casette (essentially the entire assembly) prematurely failed and needs to be replaced. There are no parts in the US so it looks like at least two weeks to have one delivered from Germany and then installation which means disassembling and then reassembling most of the upper half of the interior.
The failure doesn't bother me nearly as much as potentially being without the car and in a new generation decontented Jetta sedan with the gas motor as a replacement for three weeks. That's pretty frustrating. Though I guess it does minimize miles on ours.
On my last two cars the sun roof has cause some sort of problem. Now I just leave it alone and hopefully less will go wrong and it will take longer before it leaks.
from a former (reformed?) audi owner...
LOL
Good luck with the repairs, hope they don't destroy anything as they take apart and reassemble the top half of your car...
Is there a back-up, mechanical closure for the sunroof?
Our mercedes has a 10mm allen key that can be used to close the sunroof if the motor or cables fail.
If your jetta has a similar system, maybe you can at least get it closed and drive the car until the parts show up.
Our mercedes has a 10mm allen key that can be used to close the sunroof if the motor or cables fail.
If your jetta has a similar system, maybe you can at least get it closed and drive the car until the parts show up.
I had to disconnect the sunroof in my friends Land Rover because it liked to open at random (usually when parked outside in the rain). The dealership tried a few different times, never fixed it. So I pulled it's power. It still looks nice. 
I am spoiled with my glass top. I didn't think it was all that big a deal, but the all glass top makes for sunny drives.
I am spoiled with my glass top. I didn't think it was all that big a deal, but the all glass top makes for sunny drives.