1613 messages,
Last post on Nov 01, 2012 at 8:02 PM
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Volkswagen GTI Forum.
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Volkswagen GTI, Coupe, Hatchback
#1064 of 1613 Re: Crossing off the GTI due to reliability concerns? [imahamster]
by gogogodzilla
Feb 19, 2006 (10:49 am)
On the other hand, the new Mark V isn't a first year Volkswagen.
It's been out in Europe since 2003, and the US spec vehicle is made at the same Wolfsburg plant that makes the European spec GTI's.
So the same factory crew is making both the US and Euro spec GTI's in the same factory.
I'd imagine that if it does have problems, it'd be more along the lines of the problems found on the third year of a production.
#1065 of 1613 Re: Crossing off the GTI due to reliability concerns? [xenin]
by dl7265
Feb 19, 2006 (12:05 pm)
I think your Dealer concerns are more important than your concerns over the vehicle. Otherwords, IF there is an issue will it be taken care of ? With a 6/60K powertrain warranty one would assume that IF you were going to have an major issue is would occur by then.
To confuse things more, the Acura is about 100 Times more likey to be Stolen/theft than the V dub. How that equates to your insurance rates im not sure.
Good luck,
DL
#1066 of 1613 Re: Crossing off the GTI due to reliability concerns? [dl7265]
by imahamster
Feb 19, 2006 (5:21 pm)
Yes yes the insurance on the RXS-S might very well be significantly more than the VW. Also if you plan to modify the car you should look at the aftermarket for that specific car.
#1067 of 1613 Re: Crossing off the GTI due to reliability concerns? [xenin]
by allhorizon
Feb 19, 2006 (11:28 pm)
If reliability as close to perfect as possible is your number one concern, you really have no choice. VWs are a bit hit and miss. I have been very lucky, but clearly, by all measures, they are not as reliable as Hondas or Acuras. Now, having said that, I would also add that the better VWs of the past are only about a factor two less reliable than the best cars out there. So, if something breaks in your Acura after 1 1/2 years, chances are, 2 things will have broken in the VW. That is clearly more, but is not 10 times as bad, or so. Also, more than likely, whatever breaks will be fixed for free under the excellent warranty, and possibly simply when you have your oil change done.
As for long-term reliability, I would take a well-maintained VW any day over a Honda or Toyota. For vehicles driven normal mileage (around 15K miles/year, or so), all well-maintained VWs I have encountered have had a better record and cheaper cost-of-ownership after 100,000 miles or so than the Hondas and Toyotas my friend and family have had. Anectdotal, for sure. But among enthusiast VW drivers (who actually have oil changes and timing belts etc. done), you will find many with cars in the 150,000 to >200,000 range that are still going strong.
Last but not least, the MkV has been out for a while now, in Europe, and is by far Europe's best selling car. VW has been trying to improve their reliability, and in my opinion, they are definitely on their way up.
#1068 of 1613 Thanks guys for all the replies
by xenin
Feb 20, 2006 (10:52 am)
I've decided to go with the GTI, I probably care about my car more than I care about myself so I'll definitely maintain it properly, reliability and ownership costs aside, the GTI really wins my heart.
#1069 of 1613 Re: Thanks guys for all the replies [xenin]
by dl7265
Feb 20, 2006 (6:46 pm)
Congrads, Enjoy the ride
DL
#1070 of 1613 Re: Crossing off the GTI due to reliability concerns? [allhorizon]
by poggensee
Feb 20, 2006 (8:23 pm)
Allhorizon, I totally agree with you when you talk about long term reliability. A few years back I bought a 91 golf that had around 100k miles. The lady I bought it from had a vanilla folder of all the preventive maintenance service paperwork. I drove that car for another 100k miles and never had any mechanical issues.
Hopefully I can talk the wife into parting her protégé 5 for a new GTI. Is it true we are getting a 4 door version?
#1071 of 1613 Re: Crossing off the GTI due to reliability concerns? [poggensee]
by allhorizon
Feb 21, 2006 (12:09 am)
May-June for the Golf, ~end of July for the GTI.
#1072 of 1613 Re: Crossing off the GTI due to reliability concerns? [allhorizon]
by dl7265
Feb 21, 2006 (12:21 am)
I was told here in Dallas, the 3 door showed up one day a Month early. And the 5 door was not out of the question for April-May.
DL
#1073 of 1613 Re: Crossing off the GTI due to reliability concerns? [allhorizon]
by 600kgolfgt
Feb 21, 2006 (6:16 am)
> As for long-term reliability, I would take a well-maintained VW any day over a Honda or Toyota.
I definitely agree with you and poggensee. I bought my 1997 Jetta Trek (which had 80,000 miles on it) from my local VW dealer. After replacing the coil (which was probably why the previous owner traded it in) a tuneup, and a little TLC (synthetic oil changes w/OEM oil filters), I've been driving it ever since without any problems (the car just turned 170,000 on the odometer).