The downfall of Volkswagen

[kombolcha]

man i saw one in person the other day.. its worse in person than on pictures :x

[Boz]

but isnt audi the upmarket brand for VW. Kinda like lexus and toyota?

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you are right. Audi is VW. They did miracles with new Audi designs and "generalized" VW division for the masses. Excellent move. They wanted to distinguish Audi from VW even more as a luxury cars and they did it. VW is probably going the Jap route for cars around $20k and lower and still keeping Audi design to the real values of german cars and bling bling. Btw, the new Passat is very nice and packs quite a punch.

[Pacal]

The new Passat is awesome :yes:

[San Diego]

The new Passat is awesome :yes:

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Indeed. I can't wait to test those when they finally arrive at dealers.

[timbo3]

I say that VW died after the A2 generation ended.

Hence my site, Vintagewatercooleds.

[xxpor]

that reminds me, are you seen the new volvos? they look like ****ing fords. I guess they would though considering thats who bought them :x

[xxpor]

It's only a prototype (...yet?)

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AHHHH! Its a eurovan!

[Whidbey05]

that reminds me, are you seen the new volvos? they look like ****ing fords. I guess they would though considering thats who bought them :x

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lol and that VW looks like a chevy, whats your point?

[joseph-]

Anyone can make that generalized statement about any car company they want to.  Personally I love mine and my wife's car.  Jetta and a Passat with no problems to speak of.

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It's not really a generalized statement when there is industry data backing up that claim.

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - European sedans may have many wonderful attributes. Reliability, however, is not among them, according to the latest Consumer Reports reliability survey.

Of the 11 sedans with the lowest predicted reliability, according to the survey, 10 were from European brands including Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and BMW. Most Volkswagen models were rated far below average for reliability. The all-wheel drive Volkswagen Passat received the lowest reliability rating of any vehicle in the survey.

A spokesman for Volkswagen of America did not deny that the company's products have had problems.

The automotive market is ruled by the japanese.

[threetonesun]

It's not really a generalized statement when there is industry data backing up that claim.

The automotive market is ruled by the japanese.

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Reliability wise, but Japan still doesn't make any upper level sedans or even large displacement engines. People looking for 4-door V8s or more still have to go to Germany/England/USA. If Toyota actually builds a V10 car though, and Lexus starts using it :o

[Pink Floyd Veteran]

I don't want to see the Jetta go the way of the riced out 120hp Civic w/"racing seats" a exhaust that adds 500hp.

Here is my former Passat; which, luckily, has escaped the way of the rice so far.

http://www.topdrunks.com/jordan/car.jpg

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an exhaust that add 500hp?

You will have to show me one

Exhaust actuallt decrease power of a car. I always laff at kids that put big pipe on their tiny civic!

haha

[Brandon Live Veteran]

It's not really a generalized statement when there is industry data backing up that claim.

The automotive market is ruled by the japanese.

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VW has had quality problems in past years, there's no denying that. Especially in their US vehicles, which are built in Mexico. However, they've recently invested a huge amount of money to overhaul the Mexico plant. They're determined to fix those problems.

More telling, though, is that Volkswagen was one of the highest rated brands in customer satisfaction in that same survey. The highest reliability rating went to a Hyundai, but it was at the BOTTOM of the owner satisfaction survey.

[Brandon Live Veteran]

I like the new jetta... have a 3rd gen Jetta myself (1996)

the one i drool about is the new Bora

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The Bora and the Jetta are the same vehicle. It is called the Bora in Europe, and the Jetta in North America.

Nevermind the new Jetta/Bora... the new GLI is where it's at.

Audi's 2.0T FSI engine @ 200HP, 207 ft. lbs @ 1800RPM.

Edited April 21, 2005 by threedaysdwn

[theyarecomingforyou]

The highest reliability rating went to a Hyundai, but it was at the BOTTOM of the owner satisfaction survey.

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Yeah, they may be the most reliable but they just haven't got the brand image yet.

[Brandon Live Veteran]

Audi's and VW's are made on the same assembly line, as are other cars from parent/partner manufacturers.  My wife has the 2001 1/2 Passat 1.8T which was comparable to Audi's A4 Turbo with the damn near exact same engine in it. 

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Completely untrue.

US market Jettas and Golfs are made in Mexico. Passats and Phaetons are made in Portugal or Wolfsburg (Euro Golfs/Jettas as well).

Audis are all made in Germany either in Inglostadt (A3, A4, S4) or Neckarsulm (A6, A8).

Audi's RS line of cars are produced at subsidiary Quattro Gmbh, also in Inglostadt.

[Pacal]

And the Audi TTs are made in Győr, Hungary.

[linsook]

Exhaust actuallt decrease power of a car.? I always laff at kids that put big pipe on their tiny civic!

haha

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depends, optimal airflow can be achieved with after market exhausts which will increase power. but ya... 500hp increase... haha. mroe like 5hp at most.

[Brandon Live Veteran]

an exhaust that add 500hp?

You will have to show me one

Exhaust actuallt decrease power of a car.  I always laff at kids that put big pipe on their tiny civic!

haha

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Err, that depends. On a stock Civic... yes it probably does.

On my A4, however, a larger cat-back exhaust (including downpipe) makes a noticeable difference. Backpressure is killer on a turbo.

[+orgitnized Subscriber¹]

Completely untrue.

US market Jettas and Golfs are made in Mexico.  Passats and Phaetons are made in Portugal or Wolfsburg (Euro Golfs/Jettas as well).

Audis are all made in Germany either in Inglostadt (A3, A4, S4) or Neckarsulm (A6, A8).

Audi's RS line of cars are produced at subsidiary Quattro Gmbh, also in Inglostadt.

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I wouldn't say completely untrue. I did error in saying that (in my generalistic statement) that they were (seemingly) all built on the same assembly line, but they are not. I will also add that it was in fact dated.

In 2001 when my wife bought her car, this was the case to my understanding. The Passat and Audi A4 were being built on the same assembly line.

[emo]

it does look ugly. i like the older jetta and the GTI, R32.

[Brandon Live Veteran]

I wouldn't say completely untrue.  I did error in saying that (in my generalistic statement) that they were (seemingly) all built on the same assembly line, but they are not.  I will also add that it was in fact dated.

In 2001 when my wife bought her car, this was the case to my understanding.  The Passat and Audi A4 were being built on the same assembly line.

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They were never built on the same assembly line. They were based on the same "platform" at that time (until the 2002 model A4). That's why they look very similar (although the Passat is slightly bigger).

They were still built in different places by different people. Audi has a much higher standard for quality.

[ClubNinja]

The best Volkswagon ever made was the old German Beatles :)

[+orgitnized Subscriber¹]

They were never built on the same assembly line.  They were based on the same "platform" at that time (until the 2002 model A4).  That's why they look very similar (although the Passat is slightly bigger).

They were still built in different places by different people.  Audi has a much higher standard for quality.

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I see. I guess it makes sense. There better be some type of higher quality in those Audi's if I've gotta shell out the extra cash for them. :p (Seeing as at the time the frame and engine was damn-near identical) One of these days I'll have to check out the differences in interior and available options, etc.

[thetman]

VA tags, va represent :p

[San Diego]

Reliability wise, but Japan still doesn't make any upper level sedans or even large displacement engines. People looking for 4-door V8s or more still have to go to Germany/England/USA. If Toyota actually builds a V10 car though, and Lexus starts using it  :o

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Don't speak before you do your research. The latest out of the Nissan/Infiniti stable, the M. 4.5 liter V8 with 4 doors. The latest from Lexus, the GS. Yet another V8 in a 4-door sedan. I'll stop there...