Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Hatchbacks Volkswagen Rabbit Rabbit Reliability...Convince me it's better than a civic!
15 messages, Last post on Jun 15, 2007 at 8:38 AM
You are in the Volkswagen Rabbit Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer
|
|
|---|---|
|
I'm in the market for a new car. I've narrowed it down to either the 4-Door Automatic Rabbit or the EX Civic Sedan. I really like the Rabbit, but issues like reliability concern me. I would really appreciate any input about long-term Rabbit reliability (although I recognize thats tricky as the Rabbit has only been released for a couple years). Thanks!
|
|
|
Replying to: livewire852 (Jun 06, 2007 6:37 pm) i owned a 2006 civic ex sedan and have had a 2007 2 door rabbit auto for almost a year, both with no real issues. The civic has always been a model example of efficiency and reliability, whereas vw, while suffering from the past errors of quality issues, has come out with a good prodcut that is significantly more reliable than previous vw's. The only problems i've had with the rabbit are: 1. door 'armed' light has stayed on twice after disarming. (it goes away by starting and then turning off the car, happened the sencond time about a month ago, and has not happened again.) 2. windshield wipers needed adjusting at first service. (free under warranty.) 3. the famous clicking noise that comes from the left hand side passenger secion of the car, there is an easy fix for it that the dealer can do, its just so small of an issue that i have not bothered with it. (apparently is a loose piece of plastic.) Issues with the civic; 1. because of the way the visors were designed on the new civic, the spine of mine cracked and eventually had to be moved to the side since it would flop down into my view of the road. Was going to be fixed underwarranty, but the dealer i went through ordered it in the wrong color, and i traded in the civic before it got to me. Apparently this is a non issue with after 06 civics. 2. 'wind' noise by drivers side door, that was hardly ever audible, but sometimes there, again another easy fix that is no longer present on newer civics. 3. tranny would make a click when shifting to drive after reverse when the car was cold. Dealer told me not to worry about it. Never gave me any problems, sound was just there. So there you have it. A list of things that could harldy be called 'problems.' I'm a honda fan, and a vw fan, so you'll hear no fanboy "honda rules vw sucks!" or vice versa from me. I have real world experience with BOTH cars and drive A LOT. (had 23 miles after less than a year with the civic, will have owned the rabbit for a year come october and already have 20350 miles on him now.) One model emphasizes great fuel economy, has a very nice steering feel and nice top end power (civic) one has a more upscale feeling, nice pep around town and great stability under fast speeds (rabbit). Both are great cars, there is no righ tor wrong, just opinion and your preference. Test both and decide. Hope this helps! may your decision be the right one! let me know if there are any more questions! 
|
|
I'm in the same boat livewire852... I am considering a 4dr VW rabbit and an LX Civic. Just to make my life more complicated, I am considering the 2007 Nissan Altima. VW reliablity s a serious concern of mine, as well as the so-so mileage. I guess, I would like to VW owners to share their experiences.
|
|
|
Replying to: canadaguy (Jun 11, 2007 7:41 pm) Look at the 'rabbit log' thread and ask there!
|
|
|
Replying to: eldaino (Jun 12, 2007 6:26 am)
|
|
|
Replying to: canadaguy (Jun 12, 2007 2:41 pm) If gas was not an issue, we would be getting a 5 door candy white gti, since i have no fear with regards to mkV vw's; and i can do the oil changes myself now, it's no biggie with regards to service. But the gti presented another problem; require no less than midrange fuel. (and i'm a stickler for car manuals; meaning i would put the reccomended premium in it.) so a gti is unfortunately out, due to its mid size car price and decent mileage but with the penalty of using expensive fuel. Its the only sporty car aside from the base se-r that offers good power with an auto; the si is manual only and while i would really enjoy it, my wife does not want a stick. If the tdi rabbit was coming out, that would be my next car, or even if the rabbit could get some better mpg figures (again i don't think it does horribly given its size and weight, but we need a four door and drive on the highway a lot, low end torque is not as important as high end power, one of the rabbits short comings.), but as of right now, it looks like its going to be either a fit or civic.
|
|
|
With manual shift car, the Civic is preferable. With the automatic, I give the nod to the Rabbit. I rooad tested these two cars when I was shopping for my daughter's car. The Civic 5 spd auto tranny engage with the weak 128 lb ft 4 cyl engine is no match to the Rabbit's 6 spd Tiptronic trans mated to a 170 lb ft torque 5 cyl engine. Try road testing these two cars and you will see what I mean. If you are buying an automatic car, avoid the weak torque small displacement engine. To my knowledge both these cars has good reliability.
|
|
|
Replying to: eldaino (Jun 13, 2007 5:18 am)
|
|
|
Replying to: exzur2071 (Jun 13, 2007 9:50 am) |
|
|
Replying to: canadaguy (Jun 13, 2007 9:58 am) The farthest i've gone on one tank was 365 miles. |
|
You are here:
Forums
Hatchbacks Volkswagen Rabbit Rabbit Reliability...Convince me it's better than a civic!
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
