The funny part is the people in the Car Lounge see themselves as the most intelligent, well-seasoned, and knowledgable people on the Vortex (or whatever site they are posting from). This has been everything but the truth.

VW pretty much lost me at the end of the A2 era, lured me in to the A3 line with the VR. I looked into the A4 line, but nothing was fun enough to warrant the cost and higher probability of issues down the road.
So, nothing... well maybe the A5 GTI. Maybe, if it ever freaking gets here without VWAG sucking the fun in the form of suspension designed for America's tall parking curbs ala A3 VR6 or whatever else they think that we want.

However, the dealership and service dept experiences are what have turned the both of us off of VW. From repeated visits to fix the same problem, to treating my wife like a "dumb girl", to just general lack of respect .... we've had it. My Jetta wagon is my last VW, and my wife has already moved on to her Saab 9-3 SS (and the Saab dealership rocks).

If VW can improve their dealer/service presence in NA, I'd reconsider. But until I hear something different ... VW =

Modified by moclov at 11:43 AM 6-7-2005

The reason being is I want something new, plain and simple. My new car most likely will not be a VW but something to appease the growing dash stroker in me

I've called VWoA a bunch of times when the car was newer and got absolutely no satisfaction.

See two posts above yours ... I agree completely.

I just totalled mine.....getting replacement this weekend. I dont see why to get rid of VWs....they are simple great cars.

Now don't get me wrong, I appreciate the times I've had with my 12-15 VW's (hell, I proposed to my wife using my Corrado's spoiler) and I really enjoyed the feeling of VW-ownership pride - and coming here to the vortex where there was acres of info because we all enjoyed working on our VW's and sharing our issues with them (I've saved quite a bit of $$$ finding the answers here).

But my time has come to move on: I have a young family, 3 young daughters and I needed something proper to move us around - I tried and tried and tried to make it work with VW, but in the end they couldn't offer anything that suted my needs, let alone be within my price range!
We have an '01 Windstar Sport which I've become quite happy with. It performs very well, has a lot of nice features and I like its look.

So now I'm a Ford man (yeah, I'm brand loyal). But I still come around because it's still a great automotive enthusiast site.

98$..LOL! i have a bridge to sell you.

Apparently I had the camera set on sh!tty mode

Keep sending the comments; I'm listening.

Len Hunt
Executive Vice President, Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Bring us the Polo!

VW just doesn't offer what it used to offer. Now it's all 'luxury'. Boo.

IP check please?

The mods have actually known he's been lurking for a while.

Ok len, I know you're no longer at Audi USA, but can I please get an A3 sport pkg with cloth or non-cow seats? Thank you

Modified by what at 3:24 PM 6-7-2005

I actually loved my GTI VR6 but my tastes and needs in cars changed. Rather than having one fast, versatile car, I wanted an economical, good handling car for every day use and a race car project. I was also starting to question its long-term durability at 110,000 miles. So I got a Protege5 and a 240SX and sold the GTI.

I'd definitely consider a 5-door MkV GTI if one were made available then.

Thanks for posting Len.

Our next newer car will probably be a Legacy GT Wagon, though - unless it gets blown away by a new AWD Passat...

oh, and to Len for coming on here

Modified by cjb at 3:38 PM 6-7-2005

Funny!
He surfs the auto website during work hours just like the rest of us.

Although I think he can justify it to his boss

But because i make more money now.

After checking out the new Passat Estate i might stay loyal to VW, but then again a lot of cars at the 30,000 - 40,000 dollar range are nice.

Add to that the fact that VW doesn't offer a broad enough range of vehicles to suit a current owner's changing needs, and there's little wonder VW has a lower rate of repeat buyers than brands like Toyota and Honda.

Good to know even at the highest ranks, VW is listening. Question is, how will it respond and how long will it take?

Modified by 00glxvr6boy at 7:29 PM 6-7-2005

List of problems I've experienced w/ my 2002 Passat:

-Numerous burnt out headlights (some lasted 5-10k miles, others have lasted 15-20k miles)
-Numerous bad MAF sensors
-Defective connection to MAF sensor (unsure of technical term)
-1 defective turn signal relay
-Inoperative stereo/c.d. player due to loose/poor connection (2x)
-1 defective door switch (it's really fun driving around with your interior lights on and you car chiming away constantly telling you the door is open)
-Warped rotors at 5k miles and again at 8-9k miles
-Peeling finish on interior surfaces (interior door handles & center console)
-Peeling paint where the body meets the wheel well
-Numerous Coil Pack replacements (need I say more)

....and let it be said that I take very good care of my cars. I've performed all my recommended maintenance on my Passat. I also wash the car at least every 7-10 days and wax it 3-4 times per year. On top of that it's parked in a garage at home and parked in a Car Port at work.

ANYWAY...you can get a bad car from any manufacturer, but I'll be damned if I buy another VAG product after my experiences with my Passat and VW Customer Service. Don't even get me started on my dealership.

Modified by jwaters943 at 12:40 AM 6-8-2005