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http://www.ag.auburn.edu/users/gparmer/articles/neon/
Having nothing to do with anything, I did see "Ghost Ship" on Sunday. It scared the hell out of me, but it was a good movie though.
On topic: Are there any rental companies that offer Jettas? I'd like to see how the 1.8T responds to nitrous and dirt mound jumps.
I've never seen a rental Jetta, but they've gotta be out there somewhere.
As far as the Jetta goes, interesting the TDI wagon gets 1 mpg better on the highway than the other TDI VWs... Looking forward to a revised TDI with low sulphur fuels make an appearance in 2006.
-B
Although the next Focus and Protege will share platforms (not a bad thing because the current models have the best chassis setups out of all cars <$20K) the next gen Protege will still be built in Japan using mostly Japanese suppliers.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2002
CONTACT: Tony Fouladpour
(248) 754-5064
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC. OFFERS SPECIAL WARRANTY EXTENSION ON WINDOW
PARTS ON SOME U.S. MODELS
AUBURN HILLS, Mich.-Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced that it is
mailing letters to about 850,000 U.S. customers, giving them a special
warranty extension to cover window parts that could malfunction on some
models sold here in the United States.
Volkswagen stressed that this action is not a recall but a targeted warranty
extension that addresses customer concerns regarding the durability of
window clamps on some Volkswagen cars. If this clamp malfunctions, it
prevents the window from being raised or lowered. In order to replace
clamps that malfunction, Volkswagen has designed and produced a more durable
replacement part.
Here in the U.S., the German automaker will offer an extended limited
warranty on this specific clamp. This extended warranty affects 1998-2002
New Beetles and 1999-2002 Golfs, GTIs and Jettas. The new clamp and the work
to install it will be covered free of charge under this special warranty.
Volkswagen's entire line of 2003 models are built with the new part and are
not affected by this issue.
Shame, shame on you, Volkswagen.
And, I have to admit, that was pretty cute about being out in the cold.
If they're sending this out to 850 000 people (JUST in the USA), why not just issue a bloody recall, because that's what you're doing in essence. So strange.
They also are refunding the people who already paid for the window regulator repairs.
I don't know why they aren't fixing cars proactively. I guess not all parts are affected. Not everyone I know with a VW has had the window problem.
I know for a fact that the new parts are limited from the supplier. I know people on Vortex who have gone around with their windows TAPED SHUT waiting for new parts. So they can't just authorize 850,000 repairs without the parts to do it. The regulators were on backorder for 6 weeks before this was announced, from what I have heard.
The coolant light for VW has a double-meaning. It comes on if the engine thermal sensor determines that the engine is above the acceptable operating temperature.
There is also a level-sensor in the overflow tank that will make the light blink. Sitting overnight in the cold can make the coolant contract enough to flag this sensor. (sitting on an incline can also contribute)
Revving the engine will spin the waterpump fast enough to rise the level in the overflow tank slightly and make the light stop blinking.
The key here is the blinking light.
If I recall correctly, this indicates the LEVEL SENSOR is causing the alert.
Greg T.
and about the window regs. my dealer just yesterday told me that my window reg warranty is good for the life of the car. AND, that they are CERTAIN that i will be taking advantage of the warranty if i keep the car long enough. and NO, they will not fix it until it breaks.
lovely.
Also, the new part is metal, the old is plastic. That's the difference right there. The plastic ones melt when it gets really hot outside.
It is heat related, because it shows up in the Southwest more often than in the north. However, the regulators aren't the only problems with the powered window system - the motors aren't that much better either.
I remember I had a black loaner 2001 Golf back in the summer. The passenger window was open about 2 inches, and wouldn't go back up. I fiddled with the button, and the window ended up powering itself all the way down and didn't wanna come back up. Since it was 99 degrees that day and the car was black, heat definitely had something to do with it. I wrapped a trash bag around the window to drive it 45 miles to the dealership from work. The service writer was like, "oh yeah, that's normal" when I told him what happend. Wonderful.
I think we might have had 8 or 10 days this year that were over 90, but most of the time it's pretty moderate.
I wonder if VW has a hot weather testing facility...?
Yeah. It's called "Phoenix". ;-)
Buzzzz, try again. The Jetta was designed by VW. The focus was designed by Ford (regardless of which studio on which continent). Ford = American = wretched "cars."
A) Problems at Wayne assembly plant
D) It's American.
Although the next Focus and Protege will share platforms (not a bad thing because the current models have the best chassis setups out of all cars <$20K) the next gen Protege will still be built in Japan using mostly Japanese suppliers. </I>
The more ford meddles with Mazda, the more likely the cars' quality will decline. Look at how DC's cheap parts have destroyed the C-class. Mopar influence? you be the judge.
"a hot weather testing facility. Now the question is: How did they not notice the window clip problem?"
They probably kept the windows up and the AC on the whole time.
:-(
OK. It's an "American" car designed in Europe by an American company and built here for the NA market. If the Focus is "wretched" it is only wretched because of reliability issues because the car itself isn't that bad and has a definate European flare. The European models won the prestigious TUV award for quality. I guess this makes the Jetta "wretched" also, albeit a little less wretched but wretched nonetheless.
"A) Problems at Wayne assembly plant
D) It's American."
Buzzzz. Try again. By your definition, even the European model Focus is American. Like I said before, this is one of the highest quality small cars sold in Europe.....and it's "American". I guess this makes the Mini, Bentley, and RR "German". I wonder if VW's quality is going to find it's way into Bentleys? Lol. I can't wait till the windows start falling into doors on those Rolls Royce cars...
"Look at how DC's cheap parts have destroyed the C-class. Mopar influence? you be the judge."
Has the C-class been destroyed? Do you have any evidence of Dodge/Chrysler parts bin raiding by Mercedes for the C-class? Can you order parts for the C-class from the Mopar parts catalog? Is the C-class built at a Dodge/Chrysler plant? Did anybody from the Dodge/Chrysler arm of DC have any input in the C-class? This is just a guess, but I suspect the answers are: no, no, no, no, and no.
and sure, the Focus stinks. but not all American cars are horrible. the Corvette is quite reliable, and half the price of a 911
i am much less scared of American cars than I am of American politics
As for the C-Class, that is just total BS. I have driven both the C320 and the C230 Coupe, and they definitely felt high quality to me. Sure, they can't match, say, and SL600, but there is a serious price difference there. I would say the C230 defintely felt higher quality then my Jetta, and I didn't see a single Mopar related part in there. It actually seems the parts are flowing the other way. Witness the Crossfire (SLK engine, stereo, etc).
On another unrelated note, did you guys see the review of the M-Roadster? I would love to buy a used 2002 when my car is paid off (probably about 2007).
I personally wouldn't trust a Focus, because of the number and severity of recalls on the car.
As for the whole american/german thing, I'm sorry but i'm irrationally adverse to any car designed or produced by an American car company or any of their subsidiaries.
Vette, viper, Focus, X-type, Holden...keep em, they're American IMO and not worthy of anything beyond a trash heap. To each his own. I'll stick to companies I know and respect (German and Japanese).
Granted, the Jetta is nowhere near the Porsche class. However, the interior dashboard lines and control configurations are very similar between the two vehicles.