12th May 2005, 12:05

Cmon! Don't buy a volkswagen? Is it really that bad? I just bought a 2005 GTI 1.8t and I love it. Except that the rear driver's speaker blew the first day I had it. It's the monsoon system too. The dealership wants me to come in so they can take the door panel off just to tell me that the speaker is blown. The dealership that I go to in Ardmore PA is below average also. They make me wait hours every time I'm there. Even after I bought the car they made me wait hours while they "did paperwork" and had it detailed. I don't think they cared about making a good first impression.

4th Aug 2005, 14:58

I have a 2000 GTI and I am only keeping it because I can't afford to buy something else. In the 5 years I've owned it, both windows have fallen into the door-well, at 22,000 miles, all 4 rotors needed to be replaced, the sunroof leaks, all the bulbs have blown at some point, my CD changer is still broken, and there have been a multitude of problems. If I could afford to be without a vehicle, I'd gladly take mass transit over a VW any day.

6th Jan 2006, 19:08

OK, I can understand having some bad experiences with the VW, But Honestly, I've had my 2000 GTI VR6 for some time now, and I haven't run into a whole lot of problems with the car. I drive my car to its full potential on a daily basis, and it continues to impress me. But the only problem I've run into is the coolant hoses needing to be replaced. But this is after 140, 000 miles, so its completely understandable. I understand poor experiences with the dealers, but that's not the cars fault, its the dealers.

11th Jun 2007, 15:47

Man.. I don't get it. I am very much into the VW community and have not heard such issues. I have two VW's a 2k GTi and '90 Corrado. Both have been very good cars. I have 87k on the GTi and only had a water pump impeller break loose. I could still drive the car as long as I went slow. Warranty covered it. Campbell-Nelson and Karmart VW in Burlington are both stand up dealerships (sales and service it CN and service at Karmart (have not delt with the sales there).

Drives and runs perfect all the time. You would think the whole engine is solid state. I am a pretty good mechanic, but do not have a lift so I can do any work that does not require such. I have delt with Karmart svc quite a bit, but not due to failure, but upgraded parts I purchase and have them install. Prices are cheap and workmanship very good (not perfect anywhere, but I am very picky).

The Corrado has 187,000 miles on it. Have had to replace a few things now, but only once. Rear struts, New cam (upgraded). Had to rebuild the G charger (easy.. send to Bahn Brenner 300-500 bucks) and they send back complete. Easy to install (like an alternator replacement). Having some other work done to the Corrado (alum fuel rail and upgraded Injectors, I already installed a Stage II chip and smaller Gcharger pulley. Both cars are pretty fast expecially the Corrado after the upgraded parts. Still have not had to replace the front brakes on the GTi, but replaced the rears at about 60k. Both cars get good mileage 35+ in the GTi without too heavy a right foot. The Corrado gets 20-33mpg (depending on again the right foot) but both cars have been pretty much bullet proof.

I have had a zillon cars and for the most part had terrible issues with at least one dealership for every make car I have owned. Even with VW "the Pigman" (a local dealership) and all whom had to deal with "the Pigman" know what I am talking about!!! I refuse to ever go back for sales or service, but can't hold that agenst VW. If I did I would never be able to purchase a new car again. there is something that sucks about all of the mfgs. I hear stories about different car mfgs all the time. I turned to VW "give 'em a try" I said and turned out to be a good move. I also had a '97 Jetta (the ex got keep it) also a great car no problems. None of the cars a driven like 'gamie. I like the 2.0's myself as they have been around for quite some time and raced a lot (bug free).

Anyway.. bottom line.. hate the dealer if they suck. Do some research before you buy then you will know which years and models are the very best (all mfgs).

26th Jun 2007, 13:34

Ah yes, I just got off the phone with the dealer regarding my 2001 VW GTI after being told it needs $1400+ in repairs for a failed throttle body -- my car is also at about 55,000 miles. I spend several weeks a year dealing with various engine lights going on and off, the fuel sensor has been replaced at least two or three times, the plastic parts inside the window assembly failed in the middle of summer while driving through Gila Bend, AZ, so had to drive several hundred miles with the window down at 100 plus degrees. I opened my garage door one morning to the smell of strong gas fumes from gas dripping into a puddle on the floor -- my fuel system had to be replaced.

I assume with regard to the various plastic parts, VW didn't account for the kind of heat that we experience in Arizona, but my friends with other cars (Hondas and Toyotas) don't experience the same amount of repairs that I do. Don't get me wrong, I love this car, and VW had excellent repair records up until the year I bought it, and then the next year and the years after, their repair records took a swan dive. It is great looking, has great acceleration, and is great to drive, but the dollars are adding up and I am finally getting to the point where I think maybe I should get something different.

26th Jan 2009, 10:56

I bought a 2001 GTI GLS in the winter of 2005 for $15,000.00 in the United States.

The only problem I have had is the drivers side driveshaft. I am currently stationed in Germany. You would think that a part for a Volkswagen would be cheaper here. Wrong. Cars sold in Germany, and cars sold in the states are completely different. It cost me 380.00 euros to get an American driveshaft replaced. The mechanic did the work for free because he ordered the wrong part the first time, and was a nice guy.

Believe me, when I first heard this, I got under the car and inspected. They are different. The American driveshaft is thicker and weighs more. Maybe it's different because driving in Germany is totally different. German cars get more horsepower out of smaller engines. You probably won't believe this until you are driving down the autobahn, and get left in the dust by a smart car. The German spec smart cars are really fast.

Anyway, the car still accelerates really well, have done a couple of bolt on mods, nothing too major. It still does 135 miles per hour on the autobahn. Which is fine cause driving faster than that is extremely dangerous, even on the autobahn.

To sum it all up, I am extremely happy with my Volkswagen, and will buy a 2004 R32 as my next car.

7th Jan 2010, 11:09

An update on my 2007 list of problems for my 2001 VW GTI - I haven't been able to use my trunk for several months because the lock is broken; my mechanic cobbled it back together for me and that lasted a couple weeks, but because it needs to be custom made ($300 plus), I haven't had it fixed yet. This problem screws up my auto lock feature (where it relocks if you don't open the door within 30 seconds), causing it to not recognize that the door has been opened and the alarm goes off if I take more than 30 seconds to start the car.

The swivel holder for my mirror disintegrated, and of course that means I needed a whole new fancy mirror to the tune of $350, so I just had it replaced with a regular mirror.

The engine light has been on for more than a year, because I apparently need a new carburetor ($$$$), but because it hasn't affected my emissions and I haven't needed an emission test yet, I haven't fixed it.

The drain for my sunroof plugged up, causing water to pour into the driver's side of the car through the light above the window shade during a heavy rainstorm (I discovered it the next morning), soaking and ruining the leather on my driver's seat. And I haven't even hit 74,000 miles yet.

I am holding my breath for the next problem. Be aware if you want one of these cars, they take premium gas, and the tires are more expensive than you would think.

24th Feb 2010, 15:27

Make that catalytic converter...