Re: VW sucks (the company, not the cars)

[Tom Nas <tnas@euronet.nl>]

Dan Simoes <dans@ans.net> wrote:

>- - VW is still trying to sell us old A3 Golf/Jettas here, no sign of the
>  A4 platform car, which has been on sale in Europe for over 2 years
>  (probably 3 now) and is about to be replaced again.

? The Golf IV was introduced in Europe late last year/early this year, and
sales have only just started. The Jetta (Vento over here) is still in III
phase, ready to be replaced by the all-new IV-platform Bora soon. The
Cabriolet is a warmed-over Golf III, tweaked to look like a IV-series car
externally.

>- - VW gives us the crappy 90hp TDI engine, which was one rev behind
>  the euro model (110hp) and is now 2 revs behind (115hp).
>  The latest engine is highly tweakableof course, while ours is
>  not.

Variable-vane turbo etc.... Wel, actually, we get the 90hp TDI as well, and
it's easily tweakable to 110-130hp.

>- - VW refuses to sell us the Polo, which comes as a nice 4 door, hot
>>hatchback,
>  or wagon (OK, I'm less crazy about the latter, which is actually a
>  rebadged Seat model).  It can't be the size, because Hyundai is selling
>  cars smaller than the Polo here.

Agreed- a good car. Drove a 1.6 last year, it goes like a Golf GTI and
feels utterly safe at 100 mph.

>- - VW won't sell us the Passat with 1.8t engine, 5sp, and Syncro
>  (available as the A4 Avant 1.8tq for an extra $4-5k).  It's the
>  logical successor to the Quantum Syncro wagon, and a great way to
>  keep buyers away from SUVs.

You can get 'em here, but you'll think twice. Takes about a year, and a
large chunk from your bank account.

>- - VW won't sell their minivan, the Sharan, which although I don't like
>  minivans, becomes an interesting vehicle when outfitted with a VR6
>  or TDI engine and a 5 speed.

And, being jointly developed with Ford (Galaxy), it's problem-ridden and
unreliable. According to my VAG mechanic friend, at least.

My $0.02

Tom

 _______________________________________________________________________
 Tom Nas                                          Zeist, The Netherlands
 tnas@euronet.nl
 1987 Audi 90q 2.3E, Tizianrot metallic, 167,000km

  Your manuscript is both good and original, but the part that is good
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                                   -- Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)