Reliability and 33 Years of Experience, Not looking good. Options

[Series9]

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)

[jmalone]

1) 1962 Bug wife's family car since new. Great shape, thanks to me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) . Runs great but don't expect an experience more sophisticated than a mo-ped with a body. ( This car has not caught on fire lately).

2)1968 911. Slow. Complex. Worth more than it used to be. Price of admission exceeds the driving experience. Has not spun out lately (the last 30 yrs)

3) 1976 914. Fun

3)1984 Rabbit GTI. Worth every penny (pd $500). A keeper.

4)2010 TDI Jetta. 220k mi. Great car EXCEPT the high pressure fuel pump just failed catastrophically for the 2nd time. Really the car would be great but.........(waiting for VW to buy it back.

(etc: 1997 MB E 420 great car. 1996 Ford F250 7.3 reliable as a brick but 2x more funner to drive, 1984 MB 300D killed by a 16y old. 1999 Subaru outback, killed by a 17y old.)

Saw a 55 Chevy gasser yesterday, looks fun low profile with 2x 4 barrels and a 6-71 blower gonna get me one of those