Sorry to gripe, but reading the list mail upsets me. Hearing stories of lifters for $78 dollars each and $2000 dollar markups on new cars and any part you need for a waterboxer motor costing more than the van is worth makes me wonder about the direction VW is going. The econo car company has turned into a money hungry machine. Probably been that way for years, I just recently pulled my head out of the sand. I work on cars for a living. All makes and models(with some exceptions). My opinions are not that bias. A power steering hose for a Chevy Celeberity costs 12.95 from autozone. Thats an entire hose with metal lines, fittings, hardware, the works(made in USA). A rubber gas hose that connects the fuel tank to the fill pipe on a 78 VW bus costs 82.90. Thats eighty two dollars and ninty cents US currency. No clamps, no hardware, just a hose. This piece of hose is 3 inches long, but because it is "molded" to a certain angle, it is expensive. I guess. I'm sure thousands of examples of VW blatanly ripping people off with inflated part prices and dealer mark ups can be cited, but thats not the point. The point is, VW takes advantage of a situation, and takes advantage of its customers. "Dealer only parts" are inflated like crazy. Hot new cars like the golf with bug-style sheet metal are inflated. This is wrong. I guess I'm upset because I like the product(vanagon), but can't stand the process(vw tactics). Maybe other car companies stick it to ya too, but I have the biggest laugh with vw. But I still drive them. I guess that says something. |
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