Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:28:19 -0700
Reply-To: Old Volks Home <oldvolkshome@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Old Volks Home <oldvolkshome@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: VW of America
In-Reply-To: <501dc8150803140902r4a5208bdq820d606478205cf7@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Because I had continued to buy, own, operate, restore and sell used VWs of
most any model for the past 3 decades, I chose never to buy another new
vehicle because of one reason or another, one chiefly being I didn't care to
be saddled with a monthly payment for 3 to 6 years. But in my middle age
and after 31 years (bought a Ghia then), I decided I deserved a nice vehicle
with the niceties of automatic trans, air conditioning (a first for me) with
a few other bells and whistles that come with the "modern car". Checked at
the local VW dealership (Barber VW Ventura, CA), but after hearing horror
stories concerning reliability and horrible dealer servicing I was a bit
leary. Looked at the New Beetle, Golf (now Rabbit again), Jetta, Passat and
even a Eurovan MV, but they were out of my affordability range (Airhead/VWG
pay is rather meager) and the salespersons at the dealerships I visited
weren't really in a friendly "dealing" mood anyway.
So I visted the Toyopet, M*ts*b*sh*, M*zd* and H*nd* dealers (No Nissans
please & thank you). All were nice cars, but still a bit beyond my
pocketbook and they weren't in a dealing mood either. The Prius Hybrid was
just gathering steam, but still out of my financial league.
So, initially on a lark, I went by the Crown KIA dealership. Not only was
the sales force accomodating, but they gave me a grand more than the others
for my 12 year old 300K+ miles Honda Accord on top of a $2500 automatic
rebate for a practically loaded KIA Spectra EX (Late 04 model) fresh off the
car carrier. Only option missing was ABS Brakes, but that was fine, I know
how to brake the ole fashioned way on slippery surfaces and panic stops
anyway. Next month, I will have had it for 4 years, 43K miles and nothin'
but oil changes, car washings and regular maintenance as per the mileage
points certain things required. 10 year or 100K mile warranty. I have one
year left on the payments and don't ever plan to sell it until it blows up
or falls apart - if ever. It's been that incredible of a vehicle, I've
driven all over several western states with it, good mileage, great comfort,
etc. Guess I'm lucky with this one. It's a shame VW can't get their act
together to put something together this nice.
--
Jim Thompson
84 GL 1.9 "Gloria"
84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
73 K Ghia Coupe "Denise"
72 411 Station Wagon "Pug"
oldvolkshome@gmail.com
http://www.oldvolkshome.com
***********************************
On Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 9:02 AM, Donna Skarloken <dskarloken@gmail.com>
wrote:
> I was being sarcastic and not picking on Mexico; we have a Thing in our
> family and love it. And the Beetle is a nice solid little car, but all
> the
> crap that goes wrong with it is ridiculous for this day and age. That is
> why people buy Hondas and Toyotas, among other cars. The ridiculous crap
> doesn't happen as much or at all. The people at the factory in Mexico can
> only work with what they are given, and it if it is crap and a poor
> design,
> it is certainly not their fault.
>
> Donna, 87 Syncro
>
> On Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 6:00 AM, The Bus Depot <vanagon@busdepot.com>
> wrote:
>
> > > Being made in Mexico has little to do
> > > with the poor reliabilty or durability.
> > > German built Passats have most of the
> > > same issues as Mexican built Beetles.
> >
> >
> > I had a German built Passat and a Mexican built Beetle, a few years
> apart,
> > both purchased new. Contrary to my expectations, the Beetle was the more
> > reliable of the two (although both were generally reliable).
> >
> > - Ron Salmon
> > The Bus Depot, Inc.
> > www.busdepot.com
> > (215) 234-VWVW
> >
> > _____________________________________________
> > Toll-Free for Orders by PART # : 1-866-BUS-DEPOT
>
| 
