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Hatchbacks Volkswagen Rabbit New Rabbit Owners - give us your report!
208 messages, Last post on Apr 29, 2008 at 5:17 PM
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I picked up my black 2007 Rabbit 5dr 6AT from a dealership in Toronto last February, and have now driven about 8500 kms (5200 mi). It’s fully loaded: 16 inch alloys, sunroof, heated seats, heated mirrors, stability control, premium stereo, etc. I even got the monster mats, which look fantastic and are essential for sloppy Canadian winters. I’d like to preface everything by saying that I absolutely love this car. It’s solid as a rock, feels fantastic on both city streets and highways, handles like a go-kart, and really has the look and feel (both inside and out) of a far more expensive vehicle. It’s got more little features, fine touches and technology than a lot of cars in much higher price brackets, and although acceleration off the line could be improved (probably with a less restrictive exhaust), one thing is for sure: the sticker price notwithstanding, this little bunny is no econo-box. OK, so now to my beefs: 1. As noted by many people, the fuel economy is pretty crummy. I’ve been averaging 12-13.5 L/100 km over the lifespan of this car. I have to admit at this point that I have a pretty heavy foot – I drive exclusively in tiptronic mode and have a “spirited” driving style. I tend to accelerate rather hard from stoplights and stop signs, engine brake where possible, and hold my gears to higher RPM’s. Having said this, I DID drive the car very conservatively while breaking in the engine for the first 2500 km’s or so, and my fuel economy has remained pretty constant from the very start. 2. There’s a very distinct “pssht-pshht” coming from the front suspension when this car goes over a bump, or is even just driving over uneven roads. It’s almost a high-pitched creak, and I thought at first that the springs needed some lubrication. I now think that it’s just air being pushed through the shocks, but I’m still not 100% sold that it’s normal. 3. The car doesn’t hold centre very well. The steering is 10-15 degrees off of centre, and this is most noticeable on the highways (above 120 km/h or so). I told VW about this when I brought it on for my first service; they road-tested the car and told me that it was “within factory parameters.” Whatever, I’m telling you it’s off. |
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While reading through this forum, I came across a few people who were confused about DSG (available on the GTI version of this car), and “Tiptronic.” Here’s my attempt to clarify the situation: DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) is a true manual gearbox, with a computer-controlled clutch and (therefore) no driver-operated clutch pedal. It’s essentially the same technology employed in Formula 1 cars, as well as in a lot of high-end sports cars. In Ferraris, for instance, a traditional clutch and gated shifter is now an option on all their vehicles, and BMW has used it for years in their M-branded cars (BMW calls it SMG, for Sequential Manual Gearbox). Tiptronic, on the other hand, is a type of automatic transmission with a torque converter (like all other slushboxes) and a manual override. Tiptronic is actually the brand name for the technology originally developed by Porsche about 15 years ago, and it has now found its way into a lot of the Vee-Dub group vehicles – Audi, Lambo, etc., in addition to many of the newer Volkswagens themselves. Similar systems have become widely used in the auto industry over the last 5-6 years or so, and although every company has their own name for it (Acura, for instance, calls it Sequential SportShift, while Mercedes goes by TouchShift), the underlying principle is the same across the board. To get back to the DSG gearbox currently available in the 2007 GTI: To my knowledge (and I could be wrong), VW is the first brand to offer this type of transmission in a moderately-priced vehicle. In addition, DSG is truly a next-generation sequential gearbox. It employs a dual clutch cocentric system (one for the “inside” even-numbered gears, another for the “outside” odd-numbered gears), and the computer predicatively pre-selects the next gear prior to full engagement. This allows for lightning-quick upshifts, as fast as 8ms. The DSG system on the GTI, as well as the GTI in general, has had gleaming reviews, almost across the board. If you’re thinking about a Rabbit, and can afford the extra few grand for the GTI (and/or can wait out the 6+ months it takes to get one in North America), I would recommend taking a good hard look this car. |
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I had a front collision (no injuries) with my 2006 Rabbit. Among the replacement parts needed is a radiator. Believe it or not, there is so far a 2 month national backorder on them. It's hard for me accept this situation on a current production model. What should have been 1 week to get me back on the road is going to take at least 8 weeks. My insurance only covers rental for 3 weeks. What to do for the other at least 5 weeks? I contacted VW Customer Service for some assistance with a rental or perhaps a loaner. The gist of their answer was pretty much "there's nothing we can do, we don't care". The only thing they can do is keep me updated about the status of the backorder. Big deal - my body shop is doing that. They should change the name to VW Customer NO Service. Sorry for the rant - I needed to vent. |
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Hi! Had my oil changed at 6 months (april) and the dealer put too much oil in! Good thing I checked it. Almost 5000 miles and hear a whining sound when it's hot, coming from underneath the car. Dealer drove it and confirmed that the fuel pump is going out, so a new one is on the way. About 27 mpg, mostly in-town driving (get up to 50 mph between lights, ha ha). It's a great car. The dealer's concern about fixing the fuel pump so that it doesn't leave me stranded cancelled out the bummer about too much oil. Also, a bird crapped on the car. Make sure you clean it off early; otherwise, you may get a mark on the car -- soak it off with water, don't force it off. Some bozo also backed into it and scuffed the black, low down, on the rear bumber -- no damage, otherwise. Still, it's a great car. I named it "Red," because its color is red. |
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Replying to: eldaino (May 31, 2007 9:33 am) Can you provide a VW link please... All the canadian sites doesn't give a consumption rate... your only a totally understandable 2mpg off. That could just be the a/c. What about the spring period when the AC was off. And why is on the inferior limit and no upper? I think I drive normally, no "heavy foot", no acceleration till 15 m before a stop sign... however I was about 12 L/Km, 50% highway, 50% town (And I don't drive in the rush hours).. I changed the oil (first change) and have checked the speedometer... big BS from the dealer... it's OK, it shows exactly what the computer tells... Why then on the american cars I do not have any difference between the speedometer and a GPS? It's a big why... Concerning the consumption, the most reasonable explanation was: "Get use to it!" Well, I don't want to get use to it, OK? I want to feel a little difference between a 2,5 L 6 cylinder of my old Ford Contour (11,5 L/Km in town at 120 000 Km life) and a new Rabbit. You can call me however you want, that's just me... Regards.
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Picked up a 2-door manual on Saturday; the price (excluding TTL but including delivery) was $15,035 - 4.9% VW financing. Very pleasant, low pressure experience; included in this price are 16 inch alloys from a Jetta which I liked better than the Magny Cours wheels and they also gave me the "Gorilla" floor mats and trunk mat with organizer. Thought it was a fair deal. Car is perfect, no manufacturing defects I could find, it drives very well. I find it has plenty of power and the good torque allows you to drive very relaxed, i.e. unlike some Japanese competitors you do not have to shift as often to keep going. As discussed on this forum, it has a surprising amount of standard equipment and lots of nice little features that are usually absent on Asian competitors. Solid, composed, comfortable...let's hope the long-term reliability matches the very positive first experience. Bought the car from Volkswagen of Durham; first class treatment, no hassles whatsoever, even when the car that came from another dealership had the mats; they could have taken them out and I would have never known the difference. By far the best car purchasing experience I have had; salesperson had good produce knowledge as well, a rarity these days, and took his time to show and explain the car. Thumbs up! |
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Replying to: tacalin (Jun 24, 2007 6:06 pm) what do you mean by 'why is on the inferior limit and no upper?'  2mpg is no big deal, its less than 30 miles to a tank, and even i have that happen to me occasionally. You don't want to get used to it huh? ok. thats fine. But did you read what your cars sticker was before buying the vehicle? they don't tell you what the mpg ratings are AFTER you buy the car, they are displayed readily for you. and now with the new epa ratings, your bunny is rated at 19/28. is your 2mpg still there? i think that EVERYONE who decides to buy a rabbit REALLY needs to start getting realistic and look at specs; ask yourself 'WHY does it have such a low mpg rating?' these are the answers you should come up with. 1.its a five cylinder. wow! not only is it bigger than the engine in an accord or camry, its got the same dispacement as a nissan altima, and one extra cylinder! def not the poster child for frugality already. 2. it weighs considerably more than the competition. having said that, the rabbit rewards you with: 1. very competative mpg among cars with the same engine size/weight. the mazda 3 hatch weighs a tiny bit more, has a smaller engine with 8 more hp and one less cylinder, and averages the same gas mileage. the accord and camry do about the same as well, without the same torque. Suddenly your mpg isn't all that bad considering you are not driving a car that gets bogged down by the a/c and 4 people in it, the way a civic/corolla/sentra would. seriously guys, enough complaining! |
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Although my post/review from last week wasn't specifically noted in this last message by eldaino, I want to make clear that I wasn't "complaining" about the Rabbit's fuel economy (or lack thereof). Rather, I was only making note of it for the benefit of any prospective buyers. Many people who ask me about this car also ask about fuel consumption in the next breath, and are then surprised that a car of its size drinks fuel at such a rate. As eldaino has stated, however, the Rabbit has an extra cylinder and a substatial displacement for a compact vehicle, and (like many Volkswagens) weighs in at a fair bit more than its peers.
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Replying to: sir_enitie (Jun 25, 2007 7:50 am) a lot of people do ask me about my mpg too, and they are usually suprised at what it gets. So i do my best to educate them in WHY it gets what it does, and the benefits of these factors, that are usually absent on cars in the same price range. (i.e. stability at high speeds, passing power, low-end torque, immaculate interior, luxurious ride, wont see to many of yourself on the road.). Actually, this weekend, on saturday, i had a gentleman who lives in my apt complex ask be about my bunny; he had one back in the 80's and sold it with 160k on it and it was still going strong. He was looking for an inexpensive alternative to a small suv to use on the weekends for bike trips. He seemed a little dissapointed with the mileage, but after i told him the benefits, he was hardly bothered by it. He thought it was a sharp looking car. He also inquired about the new civic, since i owned that car for about a year and i told him how my mileage was significanlty better, but that the car cost me over 3 grand more. (ex model.) true you can get a civic lx, but for people who want the disc brakes, the sunroof, alloys etc, a comparbale rabbit is still much cheaper, and that totally negates the cost of fuel, something he totally agreed with. You can easily get a mazda 3 hatch for 19k, but your still stuck with an engine that gets just about the same mpg; and its less justified, given its smaller size and one less cylinder. He loved the car. As do I. 
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I agree with a lot of what you've said, eldaino, and it's essentially the same thing that I tell people who ask me about the Rabbit’s mileage. At the same time, however, I don’t think that we need to be making excuses for VW – even though it’s natural to do so when talking about a car that you own and believe is (otherwise) a great vehicle. Don’t get me wrong, I love this car and laud it to anyone who will listen, but I think that Volkswagen made an error with the engine. Consider this: 1. VW introduced the 2.5L I5 engine with the redesigned Jetta for the 2005 model year. The engine quickly became legendary for its inefficiency, which could be excused if it was a high-output engine – but it isn’t. 2. The engine, which has now been transplanted into the Rabbit/Golf is the ONLY part of the redesigned car that is not made in Germany (it’s Mexican-built). Taking these two factors into consideration: Why wouldn’t VW have taken the more efficient 2.0L I4 engine currently employed in the GTI and use it in the Rabbit? After all, the GTI is built on the same platform and shares about 90% of its same sheet metal and parts with the Rabbit. Furthermore, the 2.0L engine is German-built, like the rest of the car. Why ship an engine which (quite frankly) is a bit of a dog all the way from Mexico, when you have a perfectly good one built specifically for your car sitting right there in Deutschland? Sure, you say, but the GTI has a more free-flowing exhaust and uses a turbo to boost its power to 200 hp. Fine, if your output numbers are a little bit anemic without the turbo, add the turbo in as an option on the Rabbit. This way, you’ve probably got around 130-140HP without the turbo (less than the 2.5L, but still a big improvement over the last-model Golf), and likely between 170 and 180 with the turbo bolted on (still less than the GTI, but better than the current 150HP on the Rabbit). In my opinion, the only reason that they went all the way to Mexico to fetch the engine was to distinguish the Rabbit from the GTI. If they used the 2.0L in the Rabbit, the only significant differences between a manual turbo-boosted Rabbit and a manual GTI (other than the aforementioned free-flowing exhaust) would be trim – the front fascia, seat fabric, etc. I believe that in the next model year or two, VW is going to drop a new engine into this car, and it’ll likely be a 4-banger. Those of us who bought in the first couple of model years will be stuck with the 2.5L, and our resale values will probably suffer as a result.
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