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Comments
I'm taking my 2000 Golf GLS in for a 50000 mile checkup tomorrow (according to the dealer I was supposed to have the engine tuned at 40000) and I was wondering if there is anything extra I should expect to pay for. They already told me it is going to cost $600. I did get an extended warrenty though, so hopefully anything they find will be covered. Thank goodness, since I've had to replace the window regulators three times, an O2 sensor a couple of months ago, and various other things.
Also, one of the hinges on my glovebox has snapped. Does anyone know about how much it would cost to replace the glovebox door? I'd appreciate any help.
Thanks.
The glove box repair may be included under your extended warranty, if it is a VW Platinum warranty. Check.
Also, check the website for dealers near you and see if there are any "web" discount coupons. I got 10% off on my 40,000 mile service that way.
This problem is certainly not limited to VW dealers. An old girl friend had to have her Honda's oil pan replaced because the threads were stripped on the drain plug. The dealer told her the drain plug washer had been reused (it is the notorious "crush once to seal" "never use again" Honda washer) and hence overtightened to make a seal and hence stripped ... and yet that dealer was the only one that worked on the car.
It doesn't help that mechanics are pressured to do work quicker than "book time" because that is where the real profit is...there is no incentive to work better, in the allotted time. In fact, and excellent mechanic who always took "book time" to do a first class job would quickly be replaced by a mediocre mechanic who finished more quickly. Customers are always billed full "book time" regardless of actual job time...
While accelerating, the power would cut out, then cut back in, as though the ignition module had momentarily failed, or as though there had been a total interruption in fuel.
I just had it serviced - the major 40,000 mile tune up, on schedule.
The circumstances were these: drove 200 miles to the mountains, climbed to about 8,000 feet. Hot dry day. Parked car for half an hour, drove 2 miles, parked car again, this time for one hour, drove two blocks, parked car in a side sloping parking ramp (tilted to right).
Started up car without difficulty, while trying to drive out of town the car would stumble and lurch and power cut out. I was worried it would get more severe and I would not make it home.
The problem lessened and went away after about an hour of driving. This morning the car was perfectly normal.
The second time I parked was in the hot sun. The third time was in the covered parking ramp.
Anybody run into problems like this? I am thinking: ignition module or computer problem (but no check engine light at any time); clogged fuel filter; vapor lock; space aliens.
Wouls you wait for a 2004
Apparently they have had it at this dealer since March and the 300 miles are test drive miles. Do test drive miles matter on a diesel? Could it affect breakin?
Waht should one watch or be concerned about for a diesel? What are typical VW service costsand maintenance intervals
Also was thinking about the turbo diesel fro mileage, but the maintenace costs are very high.
Synthetic oil every $5,000 miles at $100 /$150 every other time. The timing belt replacement at 40,000 miles $600 dollars plus the $150 so the maintenance costs are
5K $100 $100
10K $150 $250
15K $100 $350
20K $150 $500
25K $100 $600
30K $150 $750
35K $100 $850
40K $750 $1600
Warranty is 5 years 50,000 miles bumper to bumper. That's two years and 14,000 miles longer than Toyota or Honda warranty.
VW has more problems on average than Honda or Toyota vehicles. It is a fact. Statistically you are likely to have 1 problem on a Toyota and 2 problems on a VW in initial ownership.
I'm on my third VW TDI. I've had zero powertrain problems. Did have problem with window regulators that was covered under warranty.
Thanks for your comments!
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
I have gotten as high as 65 mpg driving the speed limit, but most of the time it is 48 to 50 mpg at 80 mph.
Find another car that will cost so little and be so reliable.
P.S. I have a quote on a 2003 Golf GL 2dr auto with monsoon option for $15363. What do you think? Is this a good deal?
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The ride is not as good as a Golf and it doesn't have ABS. My cost was $ 12000. Try to beat that.
I don't think it is possible to recoup the price difference through better mileage.
I admit that we are comparing apples to oranges but when reliability and cost are brought up the Echo is the better deal by far.
My mileage in an automatic wasn't as advertised. My mileage with a stick in the Golf beats the rating.
And as I said, comparing both cars is like comparing apples and oranges.
I've owned three different VW Golf's and 1 Passat and I know the Echo is in a different league.
But just because you like the Golf more doesn't mean the Echo can be completely dismissed as an ECONOMY car, with outstanding mileage and minimal repairs, much cheaper to operate than any Golf.
Which car do I prefer to drive? The Golf, no question.
My motives where simply to save money (it's going into my mortgage) and to minimize worries and have low maintenance. (And I am a miser).
I'm saving over $ 100 per month (Canadian) compared to a Golf Diesel which I chose not to buy as my main commuter car. When I get frustrated at being ignored by larger cars on the road I take my Chevrolet K1500 and drive it to work for a week or two. :-)
I will say this: I see a ton of Jetta's on the road here in Central Florida, which is surprising since we only have 2 or 3 VW dealers (vs. the 8 or 9 Ford dealers). So someone is buying these cars! I think I will test drive one and go from there. If I really like it, I might buy one and take comfort in the longer warrantry.
I'd be curious as well to hear from current owners about the state of VW as a company. Are they building lemons?
Also, does VW ever offer rebates or other incentives? They are definitely higher priced than the other cars I'm looking at. I'm trying to justify if they're worth it.
I have owned my 2002 Jetta 2.0 since May of 2002. Not once has my Jetta stranded me or not started. Here are the minor issues I have had:
- Rattles in dash and rear passenger door speaker.
- Rattle from a heat shield near oil pan (2 dealer visits to fix).
-Front driver seat rocks (fixed by dealer) and now my passenger seat is doing the same thing. I will get this looked at during my next 20K service...along with my dash rattle/buzzing.
I really do enjoy my Jetta and will seriously consider a new one when my lease expires in the next year and a half. One needs to remember that allot of people come to the internet to complain, not to say how great their car is.
I know several people with Jetta's and they have had great luck with their's. Also, as you mentioned, the warranty beats EVERYTHING in it's class. That should give you peace of mind.
Good luck with your shopping!!
I've had a Golf and now have an 03 Jetta TDI wagon - no complaints and I'd buy another VW without hesitation.
Also, ask the tech for the name of the Diagnostic Trouble Codes it is throwing to cause the Check Engine light to come on, so you can see if it's the same problem reoccuring.
I just had to take my sisters beetle in for two DTCs, camshaft position sensor and engine speed sensor - both of which are most likely related to it needing a tune up (Spark Plugs, Wires, Rotor Cap).
Hope this helps.
- Anthony
When you are standing in front of the car, to the right in the front is the battery box. Behind it is the air box.
On the left side of the air box, you will see a 2.5" tube coming out of it and going into the throttle body.
To open the air box, on the back side of it there are two phillips screws. Unscrew them but don't worry, they won't come all the way out (so you can't lose them. Then lift that side up, and pull it so you can get it unhooked from the clips in the front of the airbox (closest to you).
It's really straight forward and you will beable to do it once you take a look at it.
- Anthony
and a elantra they dont even come close to the features that the golf offers plus golf has better warranty. only thing that concerns me is VW reliability, and as most of you know compared to honda, toyota, nissan, its not that great. even with the long warranty its not worth the pain to keep bringing a car in to get fixed. honda does offer this piece of mind that vw does not. vw cars are alot like the stock market in that you toss and turn at night wondering whether or not its going to perform or not. at least with a honda you do get a little piece of mind and a good nites sleep. lol
i've moved my service date to next week. i'll see if they can pull all the DTC's from past service...
deb
2003 and have found that nothing in its class can match the features to price
ratio. however,i was concerned about some
issuses that have been a problem for golfs in the past such as oil consumption problems with the 2.0 engine, and the windows falling down into doors, have these been fixed for the 2003 golfs? and i have also heard from other vw owners that vw service is not the best when it comes time to get the car serviced. its these issuses
that have me a bit concerned and a little hessitant about purchasing a 2003 golf gls.
if anyone can shed some light on these issues i would be most grateful. thanx steve
As far as comparing the Echo to the Golf, no contest. My best friend has an 00 Echo that blows around on the highway at 60mph, let alone the 85 or so that a loaner Golf I had driven was stable at. The Golf just 'feels' heavier to drive and ride in.