Thoughts on Rabbit?

[schnellsy]

I still haven't purchased a new car (since I'm undecided on which to buy) and of course, the Civic or SI are at the top of the list. I'm also considering picking up an RSX before they vanish. But now, I see VW has brought back the Rabbit name with 150 hp 170 torque, head airbags, etc... pretty good list of features which even with options like 17 in wheels would be comparable to an LX price tag (think base price is around $15,000 but don't quote me). I know VW reliability is an issue but I read the Rabbit will be built in Germany and will always be built in Germany (at least according to some website I came across).. If a VW is built in Germany as opposed to Brazil/Mexico would that increase the chances of getting a reliable vehicle?

[djoliverm]

Not at all. Its the team who develops the car that will ultimately determine the quality of the car (plus whatever region it will ultimately end up in also factors into the quality). The X5 of BMW is built in South Carolina, yet I don't see how its either more or less reliable than a 5 series which is built in Germany.

[Cybergypsy]

Had a few Vw....loved them... BUT...the problems were expensive

[CHRIS]

Originally Posted by Cybergypsy

Had a few Vw....loved them... BUT...the problems were expensive

wth is with ur advatar!

[skittleslegend]

Originally Posted by schnellsy

I still haven't purchased a new car (since I'm undecided on which to buy) and of course, the Civic or SI are at the top of the list. I'm also considering picking up an RSX before they vanish. But now, I see VW has brought back the Rabbit name with 150 hp 170 torque, head airbags, etc... pretty good list of features which even with options like 17 in wheels would be comparable to an LX price tag (think base price is around $15,000 but don't quote me). I know VW reliability is an issue but I read the Rabbit will be built in Germany and will always be built in Germany (at least according to some website I came across).. If a VW is built in Germany as opposed to Brazil/Mexico would that increase the chances of getting a reliable vehicle?

If you want it go for it. But even Hyundai's got better reliability than VW. Pretty sad to be honest.

[06CivEXJon]

VW=Virtually Worthless lol got it from http://www.carbuyingtips.com/humor.htm
The "rabbit" is just a 4door golf/gti not impressive.

[Celcius]

The commercial's cute. You should probably ask on a VW website too. Of all the makers, it seems like VW gets trashed on the most here. Of course, Honda is all about reliability, so maybe that's why.

[BLU BY U]

VW, lol. Another overpriced underachieving vehicle.

[DNieves]

Since picking up the Si, I've been planning on selling the wife's '02 Elantra GT and seeking a suitable replacement (three criteria -RELIABLE, cheap, sporty). Originally we were set on the new '07 VW Rabbit but got scared off after reading about all the reliability issues, the SCION seemed ok but not feeling it 100%. But I think we're going to go for another Hyundai.. the '07 Tiburon. We've never had a problem with the GT and it seems the Tib is an even better built car and more bang for the buck. I don't care so much about the resale value since this car will be the daily beater (but it'll be babied as much as the Si and GT).

[2evolved]

a new tiburon as a daily beater... how nice.

[06CivEXJon]

Did you see the next hyundai santa fe?

[skittleslegend]

Originally Posted by DNieves

Since picking up the Si, I've been planning on selling the wife's '02 Elantra GT and seeking a suitable replacement (three criteria -RELIABLE, cheap, sporty). Originally we were set on the new '07 VW Rabbit but got scared off after reading about all the reliability issues, the SCION seemed ok but not feeling it 100%. But I think we're going to go for another Hyundai.. the '07 Tiburon. We've never had a problem with the GT and it seems the Tib is an even better built car and more bang for the buck. I don't care so much about the resale value since this car will be the daily beater (but it'll be babied as much as the Si and GT).

I'm lost...the Tib is a better built car than what?

[skittleslegend]

Originally Posted by 06CivEXJon

Did you see the next hyundai santa fe?

The one thing I dislike about Hyundai/Kia is that they look like everybody else's cars. Like the Sonata and Optima. I know it's a marketing strategy, but still....

[schnellsy]

Originally Posted by Celcius

The commercial's cute. You should probably ask on a VW website too. Of all the makers, it seems like VW gets trashed on the most here. Of course, Honda is all about reliability, so maybe that's why.

lol.. Yeah they have some great commercials these days. If you can't put out good product, kill em with marketing I always say!! Anyway, I like the looks of the new Rabbit (and I am aware it is a Golf) but I think I'm gonna pass. Even with that price, the reliability factor is huge. The fact that its mileage is 22/30 is also huge. Like someone said. It's sad.. Has a nice warranty though..

[DNieves]

Originally Posted by skittleslegend

I'm lost...the Tib is a better built car than what?

It seems better built than my wife's '02 Elantra GT it's going to replace.

[skittleslegend]

Originally Posted by DNieves

It seems better built than my wife's '02 Elantra GT it's going to replace.

Oh....the way you worded it, I couldn't tell if you were referring to the Elantra, Si or Rabbit.


I think the Tib's a better built car than the Rabbit though. Maybe not in J.D. & Power's Initial Quality testing (which I think is the worst way to judge a car), but if those articles I read regarding VW future reliability are correct, the interior materials and overall build quality is going to last longer than the VW. Kia is near passing or has passed them in overall build quality as well, which is something a few years ago, would've been unheard of.

Celcius, I don't think we really trash VW here, I just think most of us here know which product is more reliable. I've loved Honda since 1990, when my dad bought a brand new 1991 Accord coupe with the gold package. But if Honda had dropped the ball on the Si like the EP3 (my own opinion of course), and if the GTI had a better predicted long-term reliability rating, I wouldn't even be here.

[DNieves]

Originally Posted by skittleslegend

Oh....the way you worded it, I couldn't tell if you were referring to the Elantra, Si or Rabbit.


I think the Tib's a better built car than the Rabbit though. Maybe not in J.D. & Power's Initial Quality testing (which I think is the worst way to judge a car), but if those articles I read regarding VW future reliability are correct, the interior materials and overall build quality is going to last longer than the VW. Kia is near passing or has passed them in overall build quality as well, which is something a few years ago, would've been unheard of.

Celcius, I don't think we really trash VW here, I just think most of us here know which product is more reliable. I've loved Honda since 1990, when my dad bought a brand new 1991 Accord coupe with the gold package. But if Honda had dropped the ball on the Si like the EP3 (my own opinion of course), and if the GTI had a better predicted long-term reliability rating, I wouldn't even be here.

Ditto, I agree with you 100%. I'm so disappointed with the VW's track record. So much for the stereotypical superior German engineering and stringent QA -I guess that applies to BMW and Mercedes

I had one friend with a '90 Golf that started to fall apart after a year and another friend with a 2000 Golf that he got rid of a few years ago, he said he liked the boxy look, the price was right, and that it was a German car but in '03 got tired of replacing his O2 sensor every six months (under warranty) and how his A/C suddenly died after 3 years . He advised me to stick with Korean/Japanese cars since I've become so accustomed to taking reliability for granted!

To hell with unreliable cars, I dealt with a Mercury Lynx in college that made me miserable and I never want to put up with anything like that again (especially with a new car that should be perfect).

[Apex77]

I saw the Rabbit commercial last night and decided to look at the specs today.
It has 150HP and gets only 22/30 mpg .

The Si has 197HP and gets 23/32 mpg. A little more expensive but after adding a few VW offered accessories you will be in the same price range.

Si wins.

(Note: I still wish the Si got 35/40 :) )


Just lost interest in the Rabbit.

[gimmedat2640]

i like the rabbit 4 door at the Chicago AUto SHow i sat in one they get prices if u want an auto tho...??

[CaliGuy]

I had an 83 Rabbit Gti and loved it...had a few mods...but the repairs were expensive and numerous...