Topic: CD Article: Volkswagen Rabbit/GTI, 2007-2008

[Autos_Editor]

Used Vehicle Review:


The fifth-generation VW Golf, re-named the Rabbit for North America, has demonstrated above-average reliability so far, but but there have been some issues with the sporty GTI's turbocharged 2.0-litre engine and six-speed DSG transmission.
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View the photos: 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit; 2007 Volkswagen GTI | All the Used Vehicles

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Just a small note, the side curtains are for both front and rear, the optional airbags are the rear side torsos on 5drs only.

Think the MkV's have been very reliable. VWVortex is just a huge online community with fickle Gen X/Y-ers who know how to squak. With any vehicle problems will come up, but the number and severity are far less than in the previous generation.

[Snowman]

The fifth-generation VW Golf, re-named the Rabbit for North America, has demonstrated above-average reliability so far

See when the come across the pond Golf/Rabbits are better. Than the NA built ones.

One year does not establish a reliability trend. Let’s not get on the Euro loving North American bashing again, you know what that got you last time:

http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,48081.0.html

[onearmed]

2003 VW (The unreliable years)

Reliability update:

125 000km  6 years old  today! (Bought Oct 31st, 2002)
$350 vacuum pump and hoses
$220 wheel bearing +
$45 radio antenna base
= $615 in repairs so far. 


My brother 130 000km 6 years old

$45 radio antenna base
=$45 in repairs so far

All electronics and engine are running like new. If the new VWs are better, then I don't think people have much to worry about until at least over 150 000 km.

[Seafoam]

2003 VW (The unreliable years)

Reliability update:

125 000km  6 years old  today! (Bought Oct 31st, 2002)
$350 vacuum pump and hoses
$220 wheel bearing +
$45 radio antenna base
= $615 in repairs so far. 


My brother 130 000km 6 years old

$45 radio antenna base
=$45 in repairs so far

All electronics and engine are running like new. If the new VWs are better, then I don't think people have much to worry about until at least over 150 000 km.

2001 jetta tdi 137,000 km brother in laws car
blown engine  137,000 km cost to replace with used engine $3500
turbo took the engine out without warning
numerous other problems.So much for those long lasting diesel engines
After he had the engine replaced he didn't trust it anymore so he traded it in.

I have another friend who has a 1999 jetta tdi with about 200,000 km,he spares no expense on this car to keep it running.
Not as many problems as the brother in laws 2001.

It seems what you save on fuel is used for maintenance costs.

[onearmed]

2003 VW (The unreliable years)

Reliability update:

125 000km  6 years old  today! (Bought Oct 31st, 2002)
$350 vacuum pump and hoses
$220 wheel bearing +
$45 radio antenna base
= $615 in repairs so far. 


My brother 130 000km 6 years old

$45 radio antenna base
=$45 in repairs so far

All electronics and engine are running like new. If the new VWs are better, then I don't think people have much to worry about until at least over 150 000 km.

2001 jetta tdi 137,000 km brother in laws car
blown engine  137,000 km cost to replace with used engine $3500
turbo took the engine out without warning
numerous other problems.So much for those long lasting diesel engines
After he had the engine replaced he didn't trust it anymore so he traded it in.

I have another friend who has a 1999 jetta tdi with about 200,000 km,he spares no expense on this car to keep it running.
Not as many problems as the brother in laws 2001.

It seems what you save on fuel is used for maintenance costs.

I hope my future does not look like these, yikes.

[Seafoam]

 Probably not, your car is gas is it not.

[onearmed]

Probably not, your car is gas is it not.

And I was thinking diesel as my next car too...... that would be in 6 more years though, lots of options should be open by then.

[Mitlov]

That doesn't happen to every Jetta TDI though.  If it did, I wouldn't see so many older Jetta TDIs on the road.  I'm  sure more Jetta TDIs blew up than, say, Corollas, but that certainly doesn't mean it'll happen to every one.

As for the MkV Jetta TDI, if the reliability of the gas models have improved in recent years, why isn't it save to assume that the reliability of the diesels has also improved?  VW is clearly giving reliability more attention than it did a decade ago.  If you're willing to buy a new gas Golf/Jetta, I don't see why you shouldn't be willing to buy a new diesel Jetta.

And speaking of the Jetta TDI, in the States, it costs $2,000 more than the Jetta 2.5, but you get a $1,300 tax credit.  Automobile Magazine figured out that, even with diesel being more expensive than gas, you break even in 20,000 miles and start saving money every mile after that.  Not to mention, the diesel models hold their value better.  And did I mention 236 lb-ft and an available six-speed manual (unlike any hybrid currently on the market)?  Sounds nice to me!

[Seafoam]

That doesn't happen to every Jetta TDI though.  If it did, I wouldn't see so many older Jetta TDIs on the road.  I'm  sure more Jetta TDIs blew up than, say, Corollas, but that certainly doesn't mean it'll happen to every one.

As for the MkV Jetta TDI, if the reliability of the gas models have improved in recent years, why isn't it save to assume that the reliability of the diesels has also improved?  VW is clearly giving reliability more attention than it did a decade ago.  If you're willing to buy a new gas Golf/Jetta, I don't see why you shouldn't be willing to buy a new diesel Jetta.

And speaking of the Jetta TDI, in the States, it costs $2,000 more than the Jetta 2.5, but you get a $1,300 tax credit.  Automobile Magazine figured out that, even with diesel being more expensive than gas, you break even in 20,000 miles and start saving money every mile after that.  Not to mention, the diesel models hold their value better.  And did I mention 236 lb-ft and an available six-speed manual (unlike any hybrid currently on the market)?  Sounds nice to me!

I agree they have probably improved,but think they haven't aged enough to get a true picture of their reliability. It definately has turned my brother in law off of VW's. The diesels are great if you put a lot of highway miles on ,the payback is quicker. As  a city car only driven short distances in cold weather they don't heat up  enough[ it's  agood thing they have heated seats]there aren't enough savings.The brother in law's car was driven in the city and required carbon to be removed from a sensor at a $300 cost . Probably has to do with our poor quality diesel  fuel.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I drove over 300K on my '01 Golf TDI and it was fairly reliable. Some odd niggles, most of which I believe directly attributed to me doing something bone-headed I won't elaborate on.

Beyond oil changes/water draining and tires rotations every 16-20K, glow plug relay replaced, the timing belt and water pump every 100K, some headlight and tail light bulbs, 2X rear brake pads 1X front (and rotors as I ran right thru the pads on one occassion - nice grinding noise), RF wheel bearing, RF strut mount (shortly after hitting curb in winter), EGR/MAF sensor needed to be cleaned (after 200K) due to the high sulphur diesel no longer an issue in Canada, and needed a small patch in my exhaust where it exits the engine at 300K. Sounds like a lot but that's the equivalent of 15 years of driving for most people.

I'm looking forward to getting another if I can. Such a pleasurable economical powerplant to drive.