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F*** Volkswagen! Sincerely.
No I don't care very much that they've been cheating with the exhaust fumes.
But a culture of cheating is unfortunately spreading within a company.
I've just parted with €1700 in exchange for a new timing chain.
To lower fuel consumption, the "engineers" at Volkswagen has weakened the chain to the level of not being reliable any more. This is apparently a known problem but on the model I own it's not taken care of as goodwill for some reason.
The best part is that the engine also has a timing belt. Yes you read that right. It has a timing chain AND a timing belt. One for each cam shaft.
Earlier this year I parted with even more money after having to exchange both rear calipers. The handbrake is electric and both engines seized because they leaked and got full of moisture.
A new exhaust system is also costing €900.
So it's apparent to me that Volkswagen has become a company with French quality but German prices. Bad combo.
So, any suggestions for what brand to buy now?
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Jörgen Andersson wrote: The handbrake is electric
Some things on a car really should stay mechanical 
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And that's only for being able to make space for two cup holders.
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The handbrake on some Japanese cars is a pedal, making it a footbrake instead 
Saves space, and keeps it mechanical too.
(I'm not recommending a Japanese vehicle to replace a Volkswagen, though. BMW?)
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Indivara wrote: I'm not recommending a Japanese vehicle to replace a Volkswagen
Why not?
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Because I drive one and it can barely pull its own weight. It's the type that Top Gear describes here
http://www.quotes.net/show-quote/82350[^]
Actually I guess it depends on what you use to replace the Volkswagen with. Something like a Subaru should be fine.
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A Subaru is very high on the list at the moment. the obvious drawback is boot space.
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Too true, the stuff I have worked on has led me to belive Electronics are fine for most things but some things shouldn't be. Fly By Wire I was nervous of until I worked on some aircraft stuff and was supprised how strict it was (still think they should have a manual back though  )
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I've had good results with Mitsubishi (Shogun / Pajero) and Mercedes (A Class), but for gawds sake stay as far as possible away from Lancia. Yes, they are fun ... but ... reliability and parts are ... um ... difficult ...
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
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Lancia isn't even on the map. And Mercedes rusts a bit to much for my taste.
Not rusting in the climate I live in plus having a solid reputation for reliable engines was two of my reasons for buying the Volkswagen to start with.
Well at least it hasn't rusted.
But I believe their reputation for reliability has gotten a Titanic sized dent in it.
I'll take a look at Mitsubishi, but if I remember correctly their boots are a bit on the smaller side, which is a deal breaker for me.
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Fifteen years ago, during my first visit to the US, was discussing with US colleagues about the basic functionalities of a car.
Coming from the 'third world', I said three things - 'Should safely go forward. Safely go backward. Safely stop'.
This was vehemently argued upon, and my US counterparts said that a car has many more items in its functionality list.
Looks like modern car manufacturers are forgetting these three simple requirements. Bells and whistles are more important than basic functionality.
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I guess basic functionality is taken for granted.
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You know, it seemed like the relative quality of American cars was improving.
Now, I realize the true key to understanding this is the word "relative".
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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You know, there are many American cars on my wish list.
Amongst others:
Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz '59
Hudson Eight.
Pierce Arrow, any.
...
But the youngest one on this list is probably the '65 Mustang.
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Jörgen Andersson wrote: So, any suggestions for what brand to buy now?
American. 
Don't forget, VW was created by Hitler.
Marc
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I'm seriously looking at Ford now.
I mean, you know for sure it will break down, but you don't feel as raped when it happens.
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I drive a 2012 Ford Focus with a 3 cylinder 1 liter engine.
Has proven itself reliable, and I drive multiple thousand kilometers a month.
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I was a happy owner of several Fords in my youth.
But that was a time when you could fix everything yourself.
I actually changed the clutch on the Granada in 2.5 hours, on a modern car you would have to lift out the engine.
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Jörgen Andersson wrote: It has a timing chain AND a timing belt
I've been tinkering with VW's for ever and never heard of this.
What car / engine do you have?
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Passat 2.0 FSI.
Apparently there's a belt between the driveshaft and one camshaft on the front of the engine, and a chain between the two camshafts on the rear of the engine.
They have supposedly fixed this on their engines from 2012 and forward (no chain), while the 2.0 FSI has been dumped completely.
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For years I've been buying cars for about a grand with a year's MOT (test done by garage to prove road worthiness for a year) with the expectation that it will last a year without needing anything done.
When it needs a new MOT I weigh the cost of getting it to pass for another year against the cost of a new car.
My current car (a ten year old Vauxhall Vectra I paid £800 quid for) is due next week. Since buying it I've had to spend £160 on the breaks.
Previously I had two Ford Mondeos, the first written off in a crash I got my grand back from the insurers, the second I flogged for £400 after buying it for £800. Before that a Ford Focus I bought for £950, had for two years, flogged for £250. Then a Ford Fiesta I bought for £650 and flogged for £200.
None of them ever needed anything other than tires or breaks.
Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.
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That would be working for our second car, but the main car needs to reliably take us to and from mainland Europe several times a year.
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I've done nineteen thousand miles in the Vectra this last year.
The beauty of older cars, which I am sure I will stop seeing soon, is that they never stop working or refuse to let you in because a computer throws a wobbly.
Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.
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Get breakdown insurance, and with an old car, make sure the cooling system is maintained well, as in, make sure its flushed, and that the pipes are in good nick. That way it will cope with long summer journeys.
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I bought a VW once. I swore never again.
But a culture of cheating is unfortunately spreading spread within a company.
Charlie Gilley
<italic>Stuck in a dysfunctional matrix from which I must escape...
"Where liberty dwells, there is my country." B. Franklin, 1783
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” BF, 1759
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