OT: Volkswagen ownership experience? Options

[Cracker]

Beyond the cheating scandal...does anyone have direct ownership experience? Are there years or models to stay away from? I am thinking of a used car for my son - heading to college next month. Thanks in advance!

Tony

[90quattrocoupe]

You should have bought it. Most of the 2007 GLIs I found, with about that mileage were over a grand more. Timing belts on the 2.0 FSI are not hard to do. DSG is a reliable trans. My son has a 2009 DSG TDI with over 120,xxx on it and no problems with the trans. The TDI has more torque than the FSI.

The 2.5s have timing chains in the rear of the motor, so timing chain replacement requires motor removal. The timing chain guides on the early ones, not that good.

The FSI motor is better than the TSI motor. The direct injection motors on most cars these days, no matter the make, get carbon build up, that has to be removed by walnut shell blasting.

The gli has upgraded brakes and suspension.

As far as early examples of VW water cooled cars. Mine and my sons 89 GLI 16v had over 200,xxx plus miles on it before I rebuild the motor. Trans rebuild at 250,xxx. When the car was sold at 276,000+, all the electrics still worked, including the sun roof.

I have a 90 Fox Wagon, just because it was the only 2dr water cooled VW brought into the country. More like an Audi, mechanical wise than a VW. 200,000+ miles on it. Simple car, no power steering, wind up windows, mechanical seat adjustment, etc.

Wife has a 2008 R32 and my daily is a 2010 Jetta TDI.

Greg W.