What would your next car be after the Polo GTI?

[gavs]

It's the luck of the draw sometimes, and sometimes it's a whole model of cars that are just shyt! From experience, sometimes you get a lemon and sometimes you don't. Had a new 2004 BMW 530i for four years and not one issue. A friend bought at the same time and constantly breaking down. Built about two weeks apart same factory. Then had a 2008 BMW 328i, and the same friend bought the same. Hers was faultless for three years, whereas mine constantly had issues, valve problems, injectors, exhaust, power seat failures, fuel pump failure, steering pump leaking, HID bulbs burning out, and the list goes on. So needless to say who knows what we will get. But I totally agree with you Gavs that with that many issues, and of course no backing by VW as usual, I wouldn't touch another.

French cars are known for electrical issues, but not too bad otherwise. Similar to Alfas, but then again those are more than temperamental. Everything breaks, and as Jeremy from Top Gear stated so eloquently, "there are those five minutes in the life of an Alfa where everything works and the experience is amazing!"

If a company won't stand behind their cars, within warranty period or even slightly after, then screw em, why be loyal to a company that doesn't care about its customers. If VW makes components that are known to be faulty, redesign them and support those loyal customers that still buy them. I've known a few people that have had major failures on their VWs within the first year and opted to ask VW for a new vehicle rather than their money back to go and buy another brand. That's loyalty and if a manufacturer puts its nose up to you, buy something else. My favourite car I've had was a Saab and it was a POS, but loved every minute, but Saab NA didn't back their product so I never bought again. BMW did the same with the 3, never again. Just the way it works. So Gavs I think you are right to be upset and say you'd never take the plunge on a VW again.

And people don't say that Japanese are the best because some are great, but some are bad. Just like any other car. Ill say that a few Lexus's I've had have been faultless but lately lots of recalls and just boring ass cars lol. Ill take a few problems for a better driving experience!

But VW Australia, if you are listening, pay attention and back your products and if there are issues, own up to them and fix them!

See, if it was just me, then I would be inclined to agree but the fact that these issues (i had a guy at work come see me yesterday because his 2.5yr old golf 118TSI wagon sarted shuddering violently) plague sooooooooo many cars, then that isn't just coincidence.

At some stage, all VW owners of car with this specific gearbox need to reliase the truth in that it will inevitably fail at some point. Either the (rarer) mechatronics unit or (ridiculously common) clutchpacks. The fact that a car as low powered and as light as a 77tsi polo has the same issues as a 1800kg passat with the same drivetrain is astounding and shows what a failure the dry clutch DSG is. Probably the biggest fu*k-up in the history of Borg Warner in all honesty.

Even the ones with the latest software still do the same thing! Look at prcurrie for an example. He had new clutches installed and the latest software, within 1000kms, the pig of a thing was shuddering again!

[Bassik]

To be honest although I have taken my Pog to VW a handful of times, the problems have been fixed and I haven't hand any issues. The last thing I had was a knocking noise from the rear left. Turned out to be a sway bar and even though that's an added accessory they fixed it free of charge. I was impressed.

I just cross my fingers that nothing else goes wrong now because my car is driving beautifully. Having said all this I'm still keeping my eyes open for my next car which I'd like sometime nearing the end of this year or the begin of 2014. It took me nearly 2 yrs to find the car I'm driving now so I better start researching and the A250 is one of them.

[prcurrie]

It's funny how you get into the mentality of justifying that it's ok to be taking the cars in for problems. Buying a brand new car shouldn't mean consistent issues.

For me, it's become second nature. My car has spent nearly 5 weeks off the road since I've owned it (only 18 months).

I just now expect that something will go wrong and I'll need to make the trek 40kms to the only dealer in Melbourne that is (was...?) good(ish)

[Zakarados]

I just now expect that something will go wrong and I'll need to make the trek 40kms to the only dealer in Melbourne that is good(ish)

That is my problem now, after 3 break downs, I'm so scared to do long distance drives... I will be driving to the snow this winter, and have no confidence in the car.

[gavs]

It's funny how you get into the mentality of justifying that it's ok to be taking the cars in for problems. Buying a brand new car shouldn't mean consistent issues.

For me, it's become second nature. My car has spent nearly 5 weeks off the road since I've owned it (only 18 months).

I just now expect that something will go wrong and I'll need to make the trek 40kms to the only dealer in Melbourne that is (was...?) good(ish)

This is EXACTLY the point. One should not have to expect a product to fail and keep returning it. If one was to pay $10,000 for a top line fridge and the plumbed-in ice maker failed resulting in a flooded kitchen, you would be pretty pis*ed off. If it did it again, and then again and then the shelves collapsed, then the freezer died and on top of this, you have to throw away all that food, and get the floor re-done because the flooding has warped the floorboards and cracked the tiles on top, would you still be happy just because the manufacturer covered all those costs of repair and replacement, even after you took the fridge on a trip, 40kms each way to the point of sale and left it overnight, sometimes even 3-5 weeks each time to have it fixed? I think not. Before someone says 'oh, but those things aren't the same, replacing floorboards is much worse than being without a car for a day...' Well think of it this way. You live (like prcurrie) 40+kms from the dealership and your car suddenly drops all the odd gears. You call VW assist, they pick up the car which now leave you car-less an drop it at your local dealership. They don't have a car to give you, so they ring you a cab. Now, not only are you without a car, how in hell do you get to work the next day? You ring your boss saying 'hey, sorry, would you believe I can't come into work today because my 12 month old car is broken down, AGAIN! So I'll be in when I can'. Even the most understanding boss will be worn pretty thin by the 5th time this happens in 12-18 months!

Then you get the call 'your car needs part blah blah but there is none in the country so it will be about 3 weeks until its fixed, here is a courtesy car for you' so this car that you waited 12 months for is already off the road for 3 weeks.

Then after 3 weeks, you get the car back, 4 weeks later your back at the dealership because something else is wrong, so that is more time off work, loss of income, a waste of time, a major inconvenience. Just like not having a floor, or waiting for a cheque to come through because you just had to throw away $250 worth of food.

Manufacturer warranties are realistically for marketing purposes. They are there as a sign the manufacturer is so sure that there will not be any problems with their product that they will fix/replace any defective parts in the specified period.
If VW was so confident in their product, why is it that when an indirect issue arises (I'm not referring to my case either) rather than valuing customer relations and backing their product, they try to find loopholes within the ACL so they can make their warranty statement seem like if you do anything other than leave your car in the garage, you will void this 'warranty'?

[Vdubboys81]

This is EXACTLY the point. One should not have to expect a product to fail and keep returning it. If one was to pay $10,000 for a top line fridge and the plumbed-in ice maker failed resulting in a flooded kitchen, you would be pretty pis*ed off. If it did it again, and then again and then the shelves collapsed, then the freezer died and on top of this, you have to throw away all that food, and get the floor re-done because the flooding has warped the floorboards and cracked the tiles on top, would you still be happy just because the manufacturer covered all those costs of repair and replacement, even after you took the fridge on a trip, 40kms each way to the point of sale and left it overnight, sometimes even 3-5 weeks each time to have it fixed? I think not. Before someone says 'oh, but those things aren't the same, replacing floorboards is much worse than being without a car for a day...' Well think of it this way. You live (like prcurrie) 40+kms from the dealership and your car suddenly drops all the odd gears. You call VW assist, they pick up the car which now leave you car-less an drop it at your local dealership. They don't have a car to give you, so they ring you a cab. Now, not only are you without a car, how in hell do you get to work the next day? You ring your boss saying 'hey, sorry, would you believe I can't come into work today because my 12 month old car is broken down, AGAIN! So I'll be in when I can'. Even the most understanding boss will be worn pretty thin by the 5th time this happens in 12-18 months!

Then you get the call 'your car needs part blah blah but there is none in the country so it will be about 3 weeks until its fixed, here is a courtesy car for you' so this car that you waited 12 months for is already off the road for 3 weeks.

Then after 3 weeks, you get the car back, 4 weeks later your back at the dealership because something else is wrong, so that is more time off work, loss of income, a waste of time, a major inconvenience. Just like not having a floor, or waiting for a cheque to come through because you just had to throw away $250 worth of food.

Manufacturer warranties are realistically for marketing purposes. They are there as a sign the manufacturer is so sure that there will not be any problems with their product that they will fix/replace any defective parts in the specified period.
If VW was so confident in their product, why is it that when an indirect issue arises (I'm not referring to my case either) rather than valuing customer relations and backing their product, they try to find loopholes within the ACL so they can make their warranty statement seem like if you do anything other than leave your car in the garage, you will void this 'warranty'?

I agree 100% we shouldn't have to bring a car that's so new into a dealer constantly. Modern cars with technology where it is should be as reliable as a ten speed bicycle. It does get annoyed constantly calling your VW dealer for this and for that. And it's sad to think that many things are becoming like this. This past summer we bought some new high end washer and dryer A**o won't type out the brand lol, but constant issues, leaks not spinning etc. I know of the car forum subject matter but it's the same thing. Annoying that we need to spend our time arranging repairs, calling the dealer , emailing VW etc to get these things sorted. Maybe a class-action is the way to go. A major component of a car, it's gearbox should not fail within even a 100k km let alone within 1000k km. That's plain BS. I'd be furious. I won't say anything about our polo as to not jinx it lol but I feel your guys pain. Why should you be scared to drive your car cross state etc in fear it will break down. Not cool and the fact that they just repair it then it happens again obviously a major design flaw which should be acknowledged and Fixed. And they should offer owners new cars without the faulty DSG, on top of a major refund of the purchase price for the headaches and hassles.

But I have to thank you guys for sure for posting your issues on here and allowing me to make the choice not to buy the DSG. Had I not joined here and read all your postings I would have gone for the DSG. So maybe if people stop buying this faulty DSG they'll make a change and fix the failures from the factory. And I hope that VW does the right thing and does right by you guys and refund your money, give you a choice of a new car for what you paid for yours etc.

Just hope it all turns out good eventually for everyone stuck with the shyt product.

[amazeer]

I dont understand why they still have them on the market with all of the problems they have had. One of my workmates has just had the engine, gearbox and aircon replaced/rebuilt in his dsg 118tsi golf. Everyone in my team knows about it, and they would maybe mention it to other people, who might pass the story on. People are asking me if I am going to sell my car before it falls apart! Fortunately I didnt like the DSG even when it works properly. The damage this is doing to the brand will take a generation to overcome. They needed to withdraw them all from the market years ago when it first occurred. It shows that their testing was either non-existant or it shows contempt towards the customer. Hardly a sustainable business plan.

[RoknRob]

Do they launch cars to the public at a race track, then include a clause in the purchase documents that says the warranty is void as soon as the car enters the completion area of a race facility? No.

Gavs, how sure of this are you? Seems to me it would be a pretty standard clause - despite how all these cars are marketed...

And most importantly! Do they treat their customers, who have a massive dedicated following and an amazing support community like a pack of idiotic, juvenile nuf nufs who, when contesting the legality and truthfulness of their claims they not only ignore but blatantly lie about the true root cause if a problem and then instill this same mentality at the dealership level because they in all honest, just don't give a sh*t?

Well, maybe, but at least the car will monster anything short of a stage 4 VAG and be less likely to break down

Again, I think the answer to this is not "maybe" but "most definitely"! Just like insurance companies - or most companies for that matter - they all try to make it difficult when things go wrong - hoping that you'll walk instead.

I'm sorry you've had trouble with VAG. I too wish companies would take freakin responsibility for the things they are responsible for, but that's pretty rare these days. So I doubt it would be that much better anywhere else...

Feel free correct me if I am wrong - because knowing you, you probably know people or have seen the contracts... I could then probably be swayed to trade the bloody thing in...

[gavs]

Gavs, how sure of this are you? Seems to me it would be a pretty standard clause - despite how all these cars are marketed...



Again, I think the answer to this is not "maybe" but "most definitely"! Just like insurance companies - or most companies for that matter - they all try to make it difficult when things go wrong - hoping that you'll walk instead.

Ha ha, yeah mate, I know people in insurance and the amount of times I have heard of people being screwed is phenomenal. The amount of times I hear of people contesting a decision though is very rare. I did it with AAMI with my first car and they didn't even put up a fight!

RE Renault, as of the last warranty statement I looked at (admittedly it was 2-2.5 years ago, maybe longer even) and there was no mention of track based activity. Use in Motorsport I vaguely recall though, not that I'd be worried, I have a supplier who used to race a RS250 F1 edition and the thing never skipped a beat.

Side note now though, Peugeot has just announced the new 208GTi and not only is it faster than the polo, it uses the venerable 1.6t BMW-built Mini engine (a cracker engine! Fabulous for tuning too!) but has greater standard equipment spec, by the looks of it better seating, has already gotten rave reviews of it being the true spiritual successor to the 205gti (a fantastic car, drive one if you get the chance!) but most importantly, A PROPER MANUAL GEARBOX!!!!!!

If I can't stump up for a megane, I might hav found a replacement

[RoknRob]

Ha ha, yeah mate, I know people in insurance and the amount of times I have heard of people being screwed is phenomenal. The amount of times I hear of people contesting a decision though is very rare. I did it with AAMI with my first car and they didn't even put up a fight!

RE Renault, as of the last warranty statement I looked at (admittedly it was 2-2.5 years ago, maybe longer even) and there was no mention of track based activity. Use in Motorsport I vaguely recall though, not that I'd be worried, I have a supplier who used to race a RS250 F1 edition and the thing never skipped a beat.

Side note now though, Peugeot has just announced the new 208GTi and not only is it faster than the polo, it uses the venerable 1.6t BMW-built Mini engine (a cracker engine! Fabulous for tuning too!) but has greater standard equipment spec, by the looks of it better seating, has already gotten rave reviews of it being the true spiritual successor to the 205gti (a fantastic car, drive one if you get the chance!) but most importantly, A PROPER MANUAL GEARBOX!!!!!!

If I can't stump up for a megane, I might hav found a replacement

Well, that sounds interesting! Any idea on a price??
Edit: Just had a look at it - it ain't pretty!
Edit no. 2: In fact, I think it's downright ugly! I can't take my eyes off it! But I've never bought a car for its looks, anyway...

As for insurance companies, same story here! They tried to split the fault 50-50, until I said I don't think so - ask your own evaluator... that was all that was needed. Called me back within a minute. No fault on my behalf.