Reliability and 33 Years of Experience, Not looking good. |
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Reliability and 33 Years of Experience, Not looking good. |
Series9 |
Jul 29 2016, 04:30 PM
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#61
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Lesbians taste like chicken. Group: Members Posts: 5,444 Joined: 22-August 04 From: DeLand, FL Member No.: 2,602 Region Association: South East States |
As the owner of an indy VAP shop, I have to say things are not looking good.
I started in VWs with my grandfather's '71 Super Beetle when I was 14. I would enthusiastically tell everyone (for a very long time) that German engineering was the way to go. Fast forward 33 years. What I say now: "Do NOT buy any VAP built after 1998." Even before 1998, I now realize that drivers of American and Asian cars have generally had a more reliable experience. My Vanagon is on it's third engine in ten years, my Jetta requires attention at least twice a month, my 914 (before it became the RS) required an engine replacement in the five years I owned it as a /4.......etc, etc. I'm basically making money on the flaws of German engineering. Yes, it tends to be more precise than the others. BUT, that precision comes at a cost. Small flaws amplify themselves in such a way that the whole system will stop working harmoniously long before other manufacturer's vehicles. What's my most reliable vehicle/mile/dollar/hour of maintenance? 2006 Ford F250 6.0 Diesel (and that truck has the "unreliable" 6.0). If someone came to me tonight and said "you have to drive to Washington state and leave right now", I would get right in the Ford and not worry one second about making it there and back. If I had to take the Vanagon or the Jetta, I would be highly stressed. Both cars are great, but great for within 100 miles. That's it. I wanted it off my chest. My VAP specialty will continue at S9, but I may be driving something else..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) Attached thumbnail(s) |
somd914 |
Jul 29 2016, 08:51 PM
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#62
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Member Group: Members Posts: 1,171 Joined: 21-February 11 From: Southern Maryland Member No.: 12,741 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
I think you will find with any modern performance vehicle bleeding edge technology, and the general reliance on expensive technology are their pitfalls no matter the country of origin.
But even run-of-the-mill daily cars are becoming bloated with tech. The mechanicals may be less sophisticated and more reliable than performance cars, but in the end the electronics will kill you on repairs - ABS, traction control, stability control, automatic braking, dynamic cruise control, electronic throttle bodies, computer-driven transmissions, multifunction displays, unintended lane change monitoring, tire pressure monitors, electronically tuned suspension systems, proximity keys, and the list goes on and on. Oh, just replaced a taillight on my wife's '04 330ci. Sure, LEDs are state of the art, last longer, consume less power, etc, but the circuit board failed, $250 for a new light assembly - I could buy a lot of incandescent light bulbs for that price! I was running around in a friend's new Macan GTS the other day. Awesome SUV, but $75k, all I could see where monster maintenance costs down the road, and in four years it might be worth $40k. I'll stick to my classics toys... |
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