VW questions!

[master_no_name]

Hello all, I have a few VW questions for you.  

I plan on getting a used Golf (94-99) sometime in the "near" future. I like it because it's relatively compact (I live in the city, easy to park is a good thing!), economical (on gas)and the look is to die for (in my opinion). I also like the jettas, but it's a tad bigger and i heard the cargo space is better in the golf anyways.
Im a student, I'll use the car mainly for myself, although obviously, friends/family/cargo will be in there from time to time as well.
I'll be using it mostly in the city, although going outside (skiing, seeing family, mountain biking) of the city from time to time will also be done.


BI heard good things about VW cars, but I also heard a few horror stories. So i would like to clear some stuff up.
Are Vw's durable and dependable? They used to have a great reputation, but is it still any good? How do they fair to japanese cars?


1. How easy/hard are parts for Golfs or jettas easy to find?

2. How EXPENSIVE are these parts? I heard they aren't cheap, but I find it hard to believe since I  
see so many on the roads. Probably not as many as japanese or american cars, but still quite a few.

3. I heard VW's cost more in insurance than most cars (on average), is this true?  

4.I live in Quebec, im 19 and i dont have my learners yet (im gonna get it soon), so i was wondering if someone could give me an estimate of what insurance would cost on a golf (2 or 4 doors)... ---They wont give me quotes untill i get my learners permit, but my parents don't have a car anymore, so i need I can't learn untill i get my car ;-)--- I know it will cost me an arm and a leg, since im young and all, but are golfs more expensive than other cars (insurance/repair wise)?

5.. How easy/hard are VW's to repair? Are they hard to repair alone (or harder than avergae)? My dad owned two bugs  
back in the 60-70ies. He really liked them because they were dependable and easy to repair without having to pay big bucks by going to a garage.  
I realise cars have changed drastically since then, but I still wonder if they are possible to repair, if one knows a few rudimentary  basics (or has a repair guide).
 
6. How are diesel engines? How do they fair? Repairing them must be hard, and expensive. Are disels from 94-99 OK 9if in good shape)?  
On the plus side, they are more economical, but if i end up paying a ton of money for repairs, it's probably not worth it.

7.Last, but not least, how is leg and head space in the golf/jetta? This is a dumb question, I know. Im going to test on myself soon,  
but i was still wondering, because I'm 6'5"... So room is a must!

I know this is A LOT, but answers to any of these questions would be greatly appreciated.  
Thanks in advance

(Message edited by master_no_name on March 16, 2005)

(Message edited by master_no_name on March 16, 2005)

[Shnak]

I'll answer what I can...

3. A Golf or Jetta don't cost a dime more to insure than a Civic or Mazda 3. Well, maybe 20$ more per year... so it's negligeable.

4. I'd guess it would cost you about 60$-70$/month to insure a '94 VW Golf... And that's probably 2-sided protection too. It's cheap in Quebec. Don't forget the ~250$ annual registration fees though.

6. My uncle has had two Jetta TDI from the late eighties each lasting him well past 300,000km... I would definitly try to get a TDI engine from those years, although underpowered in those years, they are extremely durable and cost peanuts in fuel.

7. Well I'm 6'3 and I had plenty of space in my '04 Golf (no-sunroof). In my current '04 Jetta it is a little bit tighter because of the sunroof, but it still is more than acceptable. My uncle that had 2 Jetta TDIs is somewhere 6'5" too, so I guess the Jetta/Golf of those years even has more headroom space than the current ones. You should be fine in one.

Just make sure the body is in great shape, little to no rust if possible. If it has rust, make sure to take care of that as soon as possible. And find a good mecanic that loves Volks and you'll be in great shape.

You might want to check out the 90-94 Passats too... I had a '91 a few years ago and I absolutely loved it!! What a great car it was! I'm pretty much still kicking myself every day for dumping it as soon as I did... I should've put the ~1000$ in repairs on it as I'm sure it would've last me another 3-4 years easily.

Good car shopping!!

[master_no_name]

Thanks a lot shnak!  

Any other input from anyone else is also greatly appreciated.

[mark]

I'll chime in with what I know - which is not all that much about golfs and jettas of that vintage.

Parts - everything is relative when talking cheap vs. expensive.  Do you think paying $18 to a dealer for an oil filter is expensive?  I do, and thats what they charge for the filters for 1.8T's and Diesel engines.  Both of these engines also require synthetic oil, so figure on paying somewhere north of $60 for an oil change.  I don't know if the 1.8T was offered in the 99's or not.  It is a good engine, but requires synth and regular changes or it is prone to sludging.  The 2.0 (also known as the 2.sl0w) does not need synthetic, but it is not powerful, although I believe its relatively durable.  Since cars of this vintage will be beyond the warranty period, I suggest you find a reputable independent mechanic, and find a good source for parts.  There are many places to buy from, including many online sources.  

The simplicity of repair goes down for all makes and models the newer they get.  Gone are the days of the easy to fix beetles.  I've heard a mechanic say that he hates working on VW's.  There are manuals though - Haynes and Bentley being two common ones.  

I can't think of any other points right now. Shnak covered a few as well.  Good luck in your decision.

[ktm525]

Right on the mark Mark! My Passat filter was $18 while the one I just picked up from Dodge for my Dakota was $4. Both seem to be well made with the nod to the Mopar filter. It is even stamped Made in Canada. Perhaps VW is trying to make up for lost sales revenue through mark-ups at their parts department.

[Smainville]

Well if an oil filter is $18 you can just imagine other parts!

[tpl]

The VW 2.0 is a "non-interference" engine ( unlike the 1.8T???)
so if the timing belt slips or fails you still have an engine.  belt change at 90K for VWs of that vintage and then at higher milage as the replacement belt is a newer and stronger material.
Any VW in that age range should be on its 2nd or 3rd belt
It is expensive to change as 1/2 the engine needs to be dissassembled to do it

[Serniter]

Welcome to the forum Master.

Your questions make the case perfectly for a Toyota Corolla (94-99).

1. Parts for the Corolla are VERY easy to find.

2. The parts are CHEAP.

3. Costs less to insure on average.

4. It wont cost an arm and leg (insurance/repair) wise.

5. They are VERY easy to repair. Alone or otherwise.

6. There is only a petrol engine, so no question of diesel engine maintenance problems. Obviously the more economical choice.

7. Leg and head space? That's a joke, but you can crouch a little...

To top it up, you get complete reliability, excellent interiors, drive comfort, dealership experience, blah blah.

If you really like the Golf, get it. I was delighted with my Golf experience, but several posters here would discourage you. I forecast more votes for several Japanese makes than VW.

[onearmed]

FYI

I just looked at my recent oil change for my 1.8T.

Oil filter $11.90

So it's not 5 dollars, and its not $18.

[articsteve]

Are you getting an automatic?

I would stay clear of a used low priced VW in an automatic for your first car and if you are not going to fix it yourself.  Find a basic Honda or Toyota with no rust.  Year is not that important, but condition is.  You can sell it later after you get driving full time.

[mark]

Onearmed - that is the cost of the previous spec filter.  It is a little smaller.  When the sludging issue was publicly recognized, VW/Audi started spec'ing a larger filter which has been used for their diesels for years.

[ktm525]

Yes. VW is making up for their design screw-up with the small sump in the 1.8T (aprox 3.5L) by using a larger filter and passing the cost on to owners.

[onearmed]

Actually the larger oil filter is for passats only.  The 1.8T for the jettas and golfs have not changed.

[mark]

I stand corrected, I assumed it was to be applied to all 1.8T engines.  I supposed the oil capacity on Jetta's & Golf's was more generous to begin with.

TPL, very true, the 1.8T is an "interference" type engine.  When the timing belt fails, you get nasty engine damage to the valves & sometimes the pistons.  The recommended interval for changing those belts is on the long side.  I would be changing by 100k km, not 160K.

[ktm525]

Good catch one arm. The 1.8T sits transverse in the Golf and Jetta and north-south in the Passat. VW had to redesign the oil pan on the 1.8T in the Passat to clear a cross-member. VW decided at the last minute to use the 1.8T in the Passat. That being said I love the 1.8T in my wagon. Teamed with the 5speed it is an entertaining engine to drive, especially with a chip.

[master_no_name]

well i was planing to get a manual, if that changes anything...?
I kind of find the idea of an automatic boring, you just turn the wheel (and press the pedals, duh!). Plus, i heard that manuals have better control in cornering and such.

[roch12]

Check the used car guide for ratings.  I think 94-96 Jettas had a bunch of issues.
I had a 96 Jetta (gasoline, 5spd) and it had a few electrical problems. (wiring harness issues / starter motor failed twice) within the 3 years that I had the car.

Have it checked out by a VW dealer before you buy it.  As I recall timing belt changes weren't expensive, (around $120) I think.

Good Luck!!

[articsteve]

I asked about the transmission because you mentioned that you don't even have your learners and you are 19.  What happens if you are not a natural right off?  A standard shift won't help that whatsoever. Downtown city traffic is one thing, but crawling bumper to bumper expressway traffic is another.  I'd get a cheapo Japanese car with 3 speed automatic for your first car and learn on that.

[wagonmeister]

Find yourself a good condition '95-'96 pre-TDI Golf Diesel 5-spd. The TDI gets better mileage but the IDI's don't have the associated TDI quirks (intake manifold clogging, MAF, fuel quality sensitivity).

My '96 IDI Golf is pushing 220k KM with relatively few repairs over the years (clutch at 218K, timing belt every 100k, battery every 5 years, brakes, exhaust & glow plugs when required). Now, the head gasket went long ago but they do on every diesel, no big deal.  

If you can get your hands on one, baby it with synthetic 5w40 (Delvac or Duron), Crappy Tire will do for oil filters ($6) but change every 5k, air filters ($14 Fram) but change with the seasons. I got away with changing the fuel filter at 100k but recommendation is much sooner. The '96 IDI is a technically simple car so you can do the maintenance yourself but find a VW mechanic to do the timing belt and clutch when needed. The money saved from better mileage will offset your costs there.

[maritime_storm]

I'll second Wagonmeister we've had 3 VW Jetta diesels in the family{1991 1.6L NA, 1996 1.9L TD, and 2002 TDI}, the 1996 was the best of the 3, it had heat in the winter{something that can't be said about the 2002}, was reasonably cheap to fix,{water pump was the only major part we had an issue with, and it wasn't cheap} and had enough power to fry the tires off the line. Brake pads every 25-30k will run you about $20 a set, rotors are in around $15 ea, rear shoes seem to last forever on these cars, they're about $25, a timing belt change or clutch job will set you back between $300 - 500 depending on the shop. These prices we're for the 1991 and 1996. The TDI's are considerably more expensive for maintenance as was mentioned. Your best bet as was mentioned is to find a 95 or 96 1.9L turbo diesel, not TDI. The older non-TDI 1.9L's are fully mechanical, no electronic controls on the fuel system, not as efficient but by far more reliable. Expensive items to watch for are exhaust, rust, glow plugs & relay{unless you know someone who deals in VW parts} & water pumps. The diesels are interference engines, so make sure you find out when the timing has been done, if in doubt have it changed, VW diesels are extremely expensive to rebuild. Other than clutch and timing belts, ignore the mileage, it's rare these cars are given up for sale under 200kms{the lowest mileage we traded at was 208K, the 1991 had 390K}