Date:         Sat, 28 Aug 2004 01:53:02 -0400
Reply-To:     Scott Norville <kr2no@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Scott Norville <kr2no@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Beetle TDI test drive (almost no vanagon content)

Hope no one minds if I take this back to beetle content....

NBs are an absolute dream to drive, for a front-engine, front-wheel-drive
vehicle. TDI could only make it better (I've only driven a TDI in a
Swiss-registered Westfalia California--the only vehicle I would tade my '84
Westy for). And take that 10 year drive train warantee seriously, they don't
intend to see many of their engines ever again

On the other hand, the design and quality control for EVERYTHING ELSE on the
car is abysmal. Each window (electric) fell into the door (at different
times, and each time it was raining), at least 50% of the little plastic
knobs fell off within 18 months. What good are electric mirrors if the knob
is in the cup holder, in the kitchen cabinet because it fell off too? We
sold it to an excited teenager with a father who knows how to fix things.
Speaking of Things, my 1974 Thing, made in the same Puebla plant, still has
its knobs. (It's windows have been replaced, however)

I have had no experience with the other recent German-made vehicles.
Hopefully they are better.
I do intend to keep buying VWs, though; I have my eye on a '69 Ghia to use
as my commuting vehicle, with a 2.0l T4....