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Volkswagen Rabbit Test Drive Reports

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#26 of 55 Re: Just to set the record straight.. [parkerjon] by mdaffron Jul 21, 2006 (5:01 am)
Replying to: parkerjon (Jul 19, 2006 5:52 am) In regard to the Mazda 3 and 6: I always got the shakes when considering buying them as I wasn't sure how much Ford had oozed into the design/build.   None, at least as far as the 3 is concerned. The 3 is built in Japan by Mazda, using 98% Japanese components. The only thing Ford put into this car is some help with suspension design.
#27 of 55 Rabbit Test Drive by shackleford Jul 22, 2006 (7:17 am)
I test drove both an automatic and a 5 spd and just placed an order for a 2 door 5 spd.   The interior is pretty nice and there's alot of stuff included that other manufacturers of vehicles in this class often only offer as options (cruise control, power windows, power mirrors, power door locks, remote entry, ABS, 4 wheel disks). While I thought the interior quality was pretty good, it wasn't quite as nice as I thought it would be (I had very high expectations after reading others' opinions). Specifically, I found the power mirror controls and A/C fan controls a little cheap feeling, though not really bad. And the A/C fan does not seem to blow very hard at the highest setting (4). On the other hand, the steering wheel is very nice and the guages I found to also be very nice, no-nonsense and traditional, unlike the weird digital guages in the new Civic and the stupid centre guages in the Toyota Yaris with that (really stupid IMO) digital fuel guage. Back to the Rabbit, the only other interior irritant for me is why they would pack all these features in but they can't include floor mats??   As far as the drive itself, it was quite impressive for a car in this class. The engine is extremely quiet most of the time, except when you really punch it. The car has a solid feel to it and I just had the feeling that rattles and other weird noises would not develop (knock on wood). Acceleration is decent and handling is good but this is where I have a bit of a complaint. This car is too heavy!! 3000 lbs for a car of these dimensions? Why do Germans make such heavy cars? As soon as I started driving it I could really feel this weight affect the handling (maybe nimble-ness is a better word) and acceleration. If this car were 300-400 lbs lighter and with the same power and torque, it would be a FANTASTIC car to drive. The way it is now, it is a PRETTY FUN and PRETTY GOOD driving car. Note that I've been driving a 2250 lb car so this is what I'm used to. I found that at 2250 lbs, my car was much nore nimble than the Rabbit.   So did anyone else think that the A/C fan did not blow very hard even on the highest setting? I found this in both cars I tested. The one good thing I can say about American cars is that their A/C and heater fans really get the that air moving.   I hope my comments didn't sound too harsh, I really did like the car in general. I must have since I just ordered one.
#28 of 55 Re: Rabbit Test drives [kpelton] by svesti Aug 04, 2006 (7:41 am)
Replying to: kpelton (Jun 29, 2006 5:25 pm) Kpelton, I'm also 6'2" and I found that lumbar support on my new rabbit is totally useless! It is too low and counterproductive!!! It hits my tailbone rather than the curve in my back.
#29 of 55 Re: so I drove one! [nippononly] by poita33 Aug 04, 2006 (7:45 pm)
Replying to: nippononly (Jun 11, 2006 4:42 pm)  The engine is VERY strong as soon as you get it up to 2500 rpms. If you have driven the new 2.0T, this engine has that similar feel of pushing you back in your seat when you hit the gas. The difference is that in the 2.0T, that happens at all engine revs, whereas in the Rabbit you have to havr the engine up to 2500 or 3000 rpm first. However, it is pretty torquey even down at 1500 rpm, and very smooth at all times.   Is it worth purchasing the GTI over the Rabbit? There are a lot of posts that talk about the good pick-up and handling of the Rabbit so I am wondering why would anyone pay extra to own the GTI. It sounds like the Rabbit has more power and handling then most will ever need. I haven't driven either car yet so that may just answer my question when I do. Replies to this message: nippononly (Aug 05, 2006 10:47 pm)
#30 of 55 comparison gti vs rabbit by grdr Aug 05, 2006 (12:59 pm)
I would like to hear opinions regarding how much better folks think the GTI is as compared to the Rabbit. Replies to this message: abqhudson (Aug 05, 2006 1:21 pm) poita33 (Aug 05, 2006 8:12 pm) grdr (Aug 06, 2006 6:42 pm)
#31 of 55 Re: comparison gti vs rabbit [grdr] by abqhudson Aug 05, 2006 (1:21 pm)
Replying to: grdr (Aug 05, 2006 12:59 pm) I could afford either one - bought the 4 dr Rabbit. Didn't want the Turbo and the heat that goes with it. I liked the interior of the Rabbit better - very personal. I liked the ride of the Rabbit much better and felt the GTI was too stiff for the cracks and bumps in the roads where I live. Wanted 16 inch wheels for the ride comfort. I also like the front of the Rabbit better than the GTI. The 2.5 engine is fine for the around town driving that I am doing with the car - smooth and a fine match for the manual transmission for driving fun. YMMV.   Jim 2006 Rabbit 2004 BMW 530I Replies to this message: poita33 (Aug 05, 2006 8:12 pm) grdr (Aug 06, 2006 6:42 pm)
#32 of 55 Re: comparison gti vs rabbit [abqhudson] by poita33 Aug 05, 2006 (8:12 pm)
Replying to: abqhudson (Aug 05, 2006 1:21 pm) Thx for your feedback. I can understand that the ride might be too stiff, but I like the look of the GTI. The honeycomb grill with the Zenon headlights looks a lot better than the Rabbit in my opinion. The interiors are similar, but I do like to sportier look of the GTI and the stickshift.   Peter 1999 Ford Contour touring(selling to get either GTI or Rabbit)
#33 of 55 Re: so I drove one! [poita33] by nippononly Aug 05, 2006 (10:47 pm)
Replying to: poita33 (Aug 04, 2006 7:45 pm) Well, the car I drove with the 2.0T was the Audi A3, which is the same powertrain in a car with a nicer interior (and more available options). That car just surges forward even in higher gears if you floor it at 1500 rpm. The Rabbit will NOT do that, but at 3000 rpm it will.   IMO, VW Group is stepping all over itself just a bit too much with all these Golf-based cars: there is the A3, barely distinguishable from the GTI 4-door which is soon to arrive, which is indistinguishable from the 2-door except for the obvious, and then there's the Rabbit, with the thirsty 5-cylinder engine and a ton of torque to make round-town driving fairly effortless. If you want the equipment on the 4-door Rabbit that the GTI has, you get into fairly pricey territrory that leaves you wondering why you didn't just get the GTI....
#34 of 55 Re: so I drove one! [poita33] by jjking Aug 06, 2006 (4:51 pm)
A two door GTI is about $5000 more expensive than a four door Rabbit. And a GTI insurance is $1500 more than a rabbit in Quebec. I guess if you like a GTI you have to pay the difference. Replies to this message: poita33 (Aug 06, 2006 7:31 pm)
#35 of 55 Re: comparison gti vs rabbit [abqhudson] by grdr Aug 06, 2006 (6:42 pm)
Replying to: abqhudson (Aug 05, 2006 1:21 pm) Thanks for the response. Just got a chance to go online. I'm pleased to hear you liked the Rabbit. I'd most likely be looking at a 2 door 5 speed with the 16" alloys and stability control. MSRP is about 16,500. That's 5-6k cheaper than the GTI. Right now, however, I'm operating on speculation. I need to test drive the Rabbit. I know I loved driving the GTI. Are you concerned about reliability?

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