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Just kidding of course guys.
The possibility that there is difference in quality of assembly between the two factories can not be eliminated.
Statistically the Golf is average in reliability. I make this statement after reviewing the reports that are compiled by JD Power, Automotive Information Systems, and others.
An example of reliability report is the one by AIS on the 1996 and 1997 Golf which achieves a 5 out of 5 (best-minimal problems).
Relying on my opinion or the opinion of just one of the other people who post in this forum is not a good indicator of reliabilty. In my past experience the only make of cars that were lemons and were owned by people I personnally know were Chryslers. You might have a Chrysler that is perfect.
Out of the roughly 25 people that I am acquainted with that own VW's (primarily diesels) none of them have had reliability problems as reported in this forum.
A broken window regulator, replacing a MAF, relay 109, replacing a tailight bulb more frequent than normal, these type of problems do exist, but not all on the same vehicle.
I did a lot of research on VW, the Golf, and TDI prior to my purchase of one. Based on the research I expected average to above average reliability and I have not been disappointed. Based on my research I expected below average dealer quality. The dealer network needs improvement.
If it comes down to Consumer Reports vs. JD Power in determining a car's likely reliability, as far as I am concerned I'd go with the former for objectivity. Your mileage may vary. JD Power is well known for initial customer satisfaction survey results. In fact, car companies use JD Power results in their advertisements all the time. Unfortunately, initial satisfaction surveys tell little to nothing about a car's likely reliability after a year or so. Who would not be initially satisfied when they buy a new car? The "honeymoon" stage with a new car can last quite a while. As it should when you purchase a vehicle for $15K-$20K. Except perhaps for a new Chrysler! But that's for a different forum. ;-)
The GTI gets a VR6 just like the Jetta...
Anybody know?
Congratulation VW for fantastic cars.
- Anthony
2.0 was less $ and TDI and 1.8T were more $.
Remember that the warranty for the 2001 is 2/24 and the warranty for the 2002 is 4/50.
If warranty is important to you then you are better off waiting for 2002 Golf.
--Randy
I am new to this list. I am seriously thinking of buying(cash down) a brandnew '01 Golf GLS 4AT or Jetta GLS 4AT with cold weather and luxury packages as option. The dealer is giving me 6% off MSRP here in Toronto, Canada for both models. The out of the door price given was CAD $28,430 for the Golf and $30,118 for the Jetta.
My questions are:
1. 6% off MSRP; is that a good deal?
2. Which is the better car to buy, Jetta or Golf? (extra cost for the Jetta is of no concern)
3. Do I pay the local GST/PST taxes on the delivery, freight inspection and air conditioning tax? Paying tax on a tax sounds a little strange!
4. Which is safer in real-world situation if you get rear-ended?
4. I know VW is coming out with a new Golf soon, at least in Germany. Will that affect the re-sales value of the Golf?
5. Which car has better re-sales value? Seems Jettas are more popular in Canada.
( I intend to keep the car for at least 4 yrs if not more, gonna be wife's car anyway!)
6. Last but not least, are both models equally reliable? Had a Japanese and German car before (not in Canada) and both were rock solid. I'm not noisy about minor glitches though.
Apologies for the long post and I know I should post in the Jetta forum also, which I'll do.
Looking forward to hear your opinions.
Just my $.02.
$17300 for a Golf GLS, auto., with luxury package sure sounds like quite a decent price to me. Beware of any last second attempts to add on pure profit but meaningless items (like the infamous "acid rain protection package"). Also look out for any unusually high dealer prep. charge where they can try to make up for a low ball price.
$17300 for a GLS with auto and lux is a good deal if it is $700 under Edmunds invoice price. I didn't check the invoice. Be aware that:
1) there is a factory to dealer incentive of $1000 available to VW dealers that isn't listed on the edmunds web site. About a week ago this was $1250, but dropped down for reasons which make sense to no one, particularly the dealerships. This is why you are getting a great deal. I found this out from a dealer who didn't have the car I wanted (1.8T with 5sp) and had some time on her hands to talk on the phone.
2) The Dealer invoice can be slightly different from the Edmunds invoice.
I just bought a VW Golf GLS 4dr 1.8T 5-speed (indigo blue on tan, gorgeous!) with the lux package and CA emit. The total sale price of the car (including dest charge of $550 and showroom floor fee or something for $89, but before tax and CA title) was about $17760. I negotiated from invoice, and the price agreed on was $900 below the actual DEALER invoice sheet (which I saw) but was actually only $700 below the EDMUNDS invoice price. I was suspicious at first, but I confirmed the dealer invoice numbers with another dealer who would have given me the car for $200 more, but with the monsoon sound system included. Didn't buy from him because the color he had was White on Grey, which I am not to crazy about.
3) If you read edmunds.com, you know about the last-second attempts to add stuff to the deal. Weatherdan is correct, you will be offered various things that you may not want. Resist the urge.
4) "dealer prep" is pretty much non-existent today. The only charges like that I had were the $86 showroom fee on the invoice. The only additional fees (aside from $150 for CA licence paid to DMV and $1400 or so in sales tax) I paid were a $45 document prep fee (to register the car for me, and have all the DMV paperwork done) and a $5 tire disposal fee. Strongly question any attempts to add a advertising fee or prep fee over $100-150.
Enjoy your new car!
"$5 tire disposal fee" Make sense if you were buying a set of new tires, but a new car?
If you want 1.8T with 4 doors then you can choose the Jetta. Want 1.8T with a hatch and 4 doors then the only choice is the Jetta Wagon.
2002 Golfs have not arrived in US. 2002 Jetta and Beetle are here but it is worth note that the Puebla Mexico plant is on strike.
the problem is that on occasion (right when it starts up, most recently in the heat, but in the past has been in cold) it searches for the correct idle speed, sometimes revving up to 1000 rpms above.
Has anyone else had this problem? they have so far replaced oxygen sensors and a temp gauge to fix - now the revving is less dramatic, but not gone.
Help! I go off warranty at the end of this month.
Tuesday, I was on my way home, and the EPC light came on again. I pulled over, turned the car off, waited a minuted, then started it. This time, both the EPC and check engine lights came on. The car started revving. I called the dealer (spoke to the sales person as the service area was closed) and he told me that since I was close to home, drive it there, and have VW roadside tow it to the dealer. So that's what I did.
Yesterday, they didn't even look at the car.
Today, when I called to check on it, they said that they found that my battery had a low charge. They're going to charge it and go from there.
Has anyone else had this problem?
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#2 of 2 Follow up by emilyophelia Sep 20, 2001 (01:24 pm)
Well, the service guy just called and said that the problem was a low charge on the battery. I asked him why it took 2000+ miles for this to happen...how could the battery lose charge??? They charged it all day today and say it's fine now.
Do I believe them?
Tuesday, I was on my way home, and the EPC light came on again. I pulled over, turned the car off, waited a minuted, then started it. This time, both the EPC and check engine lights came on. The car started revving. I called the dealer (spoke to the sales person as the service area was closed) and he told me that since I was close to home, drive it there, and have VW roadside tow it to the dealer. So that's what I did.
Yesterday, they didn't even look at the car.
Today, when I called to check on it, they said that they found that my battery had a low charge. They're going to charge it and go from there.
Has anyone else had this problem?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#2 of 2 Follow up by emilyophelia Sep 20, 2001 (01:24 pm)
Well, the service guy just called and said that the problem was a low charge on the battery. I asked him why it took 2000+ miles for this to happen...how could the battery lose charge??? They charged it all day today and say it's fine now.
Do I believe them?
the Golf, with a 1.8t, sport suspension,
and a standard GTI?
i like the GTI, however would like
a four door vehicle, which i can only get
in the Golf ...
therefore, isn't the Golf, 1.8t , spt. susp. the same as a four door GTI?
please correct me if i'm wrong about this.
thanks to all.
Does anyone besides me feel that $295.00 for splash guards is nearly stealing?
stealing but insulting the intelligence of customers. You can protect the fabric
with a can of Scotch-Guard for less than $10!! As for the paint protection, I
hope they are not going back to that ridiculous "acid rain protection" sales
gimmick again. Acid rain is not a new phenomenom. It also happens to be a
subject that I deal with through my job.
Take care,
larry
Thanks!