Quote:
Originally Posted by srozzman /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Within the next year, I will be purchasing a brand new economy car. The cars that I am leaning towards are the Volkswagon Rabbit 3 door model, or the Chevrolet Cobalt Coupe (Non SS). I am looking for the trusted Head-fi community's thoughts, opinions and experiences as well as suggestions. I need the car to last me at least four years, and am looking towards which is the better value, and fun for the money. I am also looking towards the Chevrolet Aveo5 for other possibilities.
I would like to either stay domestic or go European, but am open to suggestions. Please keep brand bashing out of this thread. Happy Posting!
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After being treated like dirt, and forced to pay for repairs that should not have taken place I can say without a doubt that VW is one of the worst cars on the road and backed by a network of liars and thieves. If you want 5 or 6 pages of details I will give them to you but I hope for your sake you do not give VW your business.
Japanese, American, makes no difference, if you go to
New Cars, Used Cars, Car Reviews and Pricing - Edmunds.com and look up the Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
for any car then you will realize that nationality and make and model are less important than what year of production the particular model is in. First year models will always have a crap load of TSB's and perhaps some recalls. The second year is better but still not good enough for my taste. The thrid year is when I would feel comfortable buying a particular model. This is not superstition but based on facts that I bothered to find out too late to make a difference in my case, and I hope you are able to use this advice to avoid some of the unbelievable BS that I was put through because my wife has a flaw in her personality that makes her want the latest and greatest.
Example:
2009 VW GTI 2 Dr 0 Recalls and 3 Technical Service Bulletins<~~So Far
2008 VW GTI 2 Dr 1 Recall for missaligned headlighs (causes accidents) 8 Technical Service Bulletins
2007 VW GTI 2 Dr 1 Recall for the missalighned headlights (causes accidents) 12 Technical Service Bulletins.
2006 VW GTI 2 Dr 2 Recalls and 15 Technical Service Bulletins
If you go even further back then you will realize just how screwed up VW is because they never really get to a point where any model is trust worthy. Other makes like Honda and Chevy will have models that reach a point where they are IMO trust worthy.
Another thing to keep in mind is all those TSB's are only applied to your car when you complain about something. They wont apply those fixes just because your in for an oil change. The way they see it, if it isnt likely to have you wraped around a tree then nothing is wrong with your car.
No first or second year cars, bother to look up the the records, that hour on the computer could save you many many trips to the dealer and all the anger and frustration and lies that come with it. I, myself am not a very patient person, my wife doesn't pick out our cars any more. No Toyotas, VW's, Benz's, or any other German car. Lots of people jumped ship on American Auto makers along time ago and for good reason. Its time to give them a shot again, for yourself and for the economy if you need to tell yourself that. I just did it for myself. Sorry for the Rant guys, I have spend too much time fornicating with GD car dealers.
New Cars, Used Cars, Car Reviews and Pricing - Edmunds.com
BTW: Forgot one thing, A replacement 17" wheel for my wifes Benz was 480 dollars, a replacement 17" wheel for my Toyota was 470 dollars, I checked on the price of a new 18" wheel for our Jeep and it is 250 dollars, and all three are Aluminum. See where I am going with this.