Canuck Audio Mart

Well I would not drive a car till 200k so that super durability is not what I am looking for. I'm most concern that the car would starts giving tons of issues right after the bumper to bumper warranty expires. Or that during the first 3 years it just keeps going back to the dealership. If I were to be a guinea pig and bought the 2010 GTI, I'd likely keep a very very close eye on the TSBs and have every tiny problem fixed at the mfg's expense. The 2010 GTI will be launching this October. I'd like to get a new car next summer if everything goes well.

Mother in law has a 2000 Jetta VR6 with 21K (yep...not a typo - it's a true grocery getter). In the last 4 years, she's had almost a dozen oxygen sensors replacements done. VW says it's because she doesn't drive her car enough, however they've also dropped the price on the part by 60% in the past two years which makes me believe they've had customer pressure due to quantity of bad sensors discussed on the internet.

On the positive side, she's asked me to take it out every weekend and give'r a good run on the highway. I must say, the VW V6 is a pretty sweet motor. I'm not a fan of the car as it is, but I really like the willingness of the engine to pour it on when needed.

By the way, is it just me, or are VW parts prices worse than many other brands? The stealership wanted $280 to replace a battery for her car, so I opted to replace it myself at the cost of $90 for the battery, and 10 minutes in the store parking lot.

I guess for VW their services and parts are priced like the Bimmer/Audi. It is like that with Toyota and Subaru if you get everything done in Stealership. I think $280 is a bit excessive even with the ~$100/hr dealership labor rate. I usually go to the independent for out of warranty works.

My Subaru dealer is at 80$, and treats my STI just fine.

Some are nasty, however.

Last time I needed a battery change I called CAA and they delivered a new battery and installed it at home. The service charge is quite reasonable for members, and the battery they use is an Exide battery - the same people who make batteries for a number of name brands.

I was quite happy with the result. I think it worked out to about $125 all in, and the battery never let me down once in the 6 years before I sold the car.

BTW, I'm not a VW man, but a bunch of short trips is hard on any car. Insufficient warm up time leaves acids in the crank case, and soot/moisture on the emmision/exhaust system components, which will clog and corrode before their time.

The minimum recommended running time is 15 mins, or until the coolant thermostat opens, or the fan cycles on/off twice, whichever comes last.

STI...lucky bastard! Wanna trade for a Focus and a low end stereo?

I had two Golf '85 '96 The '96 was replaced due to a electrical problem , sold to an acquaintance who put thousands into it and was never able to get it run properly .

then I bought a Subaru and have literally going WHEEEEEEeeeeeee !! ever since . I bought the most basic one they had in 07 which was loaded in my mind. The next year they went back to, lots of things were options ,to keep the price down. You owe it to yourself to look into them . You don't need the turbo models ,I wouldn't be writing this if I had the turbo route . I am sure I would have put some guardrails to the test . But that's just me

So, this acquaintance of yours, you don't like them...?

No it's not that , more like they might not like, me ! He knows where I live & i have'nt seen any circling wagons around my place. He's a friend of a friend ,and I stopped asking how it was going but he put out like ten times what he paid for it ,to mechanics who fixed what they like fixing . He knew what he was getting ,it just a shame that's all.

So Ripper ,you feel like taking on some of my reteroactive guilt? There's plenty to go round.

Reminds me of an old Torontonian joke.

Why the Torontonian cross the road?

To avoid an acquaintance.

The mean the guys with their hands out, looking for spare change to fix their cars?

I thought they were guys like us ,scrounging cash for the latest interconnect, then their systems would sound soo good ,they'd never have to go out,,,,,,,,,,,,,,until the next Sterephile comes in the mail and well, you know .....

To quote the immortal FZ "the Torture Never Stops"

There's an awful lot of them around here buying a brand called "Cuppacoffee". They must be pretty good...

The Passat brand will be discontinued in North America, they are introducing another made in North America model too take it's place. I have owned two Jetta TDI's one unfortunately was rear ended by a drunk at around 50 mph so much for that car. My wife's Jetta has 300k on it, yes timing belts are important every 160k for standard and 144k for auto. I have the 2005 Passat TDI great car, tiptronic by Porche, under carrage by Audi, they have parts sharing agreements. There is a problem with the BHW Engine Balance Shaft Module Replacement for the older Passats at around 340k. The CC is very similar to the A4 look for an A4 TDI to compete with the 335d very soon. My kissin cousin loves her CC my neighbour loves his A4. VW took top honours in the North American car of the year in several model classes. The Passat was rated the most underrated entry level German luxury car. T.

Porsche, Audi and VW always have parts common to their models even though Porsche is not part of the group.



I don't know why they do that when they have built a "Passat" brand recognition over here.

And yet, they refused to sell the new Sirocco here. Hey VW Canada/US: it is NOT just a 2-doors GTI! And, what about keep selling the old 'Mk IV' based Shitty... oh I mean City Golf when they have smaller & newer platforms like the Polo elsewhere?



I will pick a manual RWD 335d everyday in a week, thanks

Be careful of the chain drive oil pumps as they are imploding at 100k to 150k. It is specific to the BHW TDI engine imported to NA it is a $2400 modification, ask me how I know. VW customer service sucks they are refusing to do a recall as only 20000 units TDI sold in NA 04 and 05. I am hoping it effects their new 2.0 TDI product campaign when people find out the failure rate of these current 2.0 PD TDI. I for one will be doing everything to keep people aware of the lack of customer service. Buy the BMWD 335D that is my next purchase VW has been just too disrespectful toward their customers. Actually VW just reabsorbed Porsche because of a loan default the ex CEO of Porsche is looking at some pretty serious fraud allegations. T.