Need help getting daughter a car
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From: brighton Michigan
Just leased my daughter a 06 jetta 229 a month 1000 down 12k ayear for two years. she loves it. So Far so good. Only prob is the gas door is broken, Not sure if someone tried prying in to steal gas or not.
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From: Redmond,Washington
Thanks everyone for your input...I have my work cut out for me. I am sticking with something from Japan or Germany. She is helping with the purchase, just looks to dad for help in making the right decesion. If she could, she wants the 993...lol.
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From: Sugar Land, TX
I would suggest that you look at the Subaru Impreza - the WRX is a blast, but probably a bit much power for a first car, so the 2.5RS would be a safe enough bet. Bullet proof reliability, AWD, decent on gas and very safe when it comes to bumps and scrapes.
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From: Los Altos, CA
Randy,
I just noticed that you are in Redmond WA. Given your damp weather, I'd suggest a look at the Subaru WRX Sports Wagon. AWD, lots'a room, ralley-bred durability, many safety features, fun to drive, great gas mileage. I have often said that for myself, if I can have one car and one car only, I'd own the WRX sports wagon.
The used ones are REALLY cheap.
CP
I just noticed that you are in Redmond WA. Given your damp weather, I'd suggest a look at the Subaru WRX Sports Wagon. AWD, lots'a room, ralley-bred durability, many safety features, fun to drive, great gas mileage. I have often said that for myself, if I can have one car and one car only, I'd own the WRX sports wagon.
The used ones are REALLY cheap.
CP
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Get thee to a library and look at the April issue of Consumer Reports. For reliability, VW is way down there with -gulp- Detroit! Anecdotal evidence asside, unless you want your little girl stranded God knows where, go with something more reliable, like a Honda or Toyota.
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If I were helping my daughter choose a car, reliability would be #1 in my mind, so we wouldn't always be worried about her car breaking down on her. Because of that, I'd avoid VW, which gets horrible reliability ratings in general (anecdotal evidence like comments above notwithstanding). Even worse than american cars. An awd Suby is a great idea.
EDIT: lol, bruce just beat me to it. And more succinctly too.
EDIT: lol, bruce just beat me to it. And more succinctly too.
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From: Mount Prospect, IL
Originally Posted by TheOtherEric
If I were helping my daughter choose a car, reliability would be #1 in my mind, so we wouldn't always be worried about her car breaking down on her. Because of that, I'd avoid VW, which gets horrible reliability ratings in general (anecdotal evidence like comments above notwithstanding). Even worse than american cars. An awd Suby is a great idea.
EDIT: lol, bruce just beat me to it. And more succinctly too.
EDIT: lol, bruce just beat me to it. And more succinctly too.
People who tend to have gobs of problems with VWs tend to be the 20something kiddies who mod them and put turbos that are too big on them among other stupid things (like wheels that are too heavy, too big, or with HUGE fat spacers) that those cars just can't handle without countless issues!
It bugs the snot out of me when people badmouth VW without concrete proof of anything more than internet jabber or other goofy rumors.
There was a 2000 VR6 Jetta that was known for issues (1st year of that VR6) so avoid a 2000 VR6 Jetta. And there was a coil pack recall on the 1.8t (covered under warranty) and then a recall on a window switch breaking on my former 2001 New Beetle.
Granted I only have 15k miles on my R32 but I've done nothing but oil changes so far regarding maintenance!
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From: Chicago
Originally Posted by ceboyd
Eric, you don't know what your talking about! I've never 'broken down' in any VW I've ever owned and neither have my parent's.. the only bad thing was my dad's former 69 BUS that rusted out from under him and the axles rusted so badly that one wheel went one way and the other the other way...
People who tend to have gobs of problems with VWs tend to be the 20something kiddies who mod them and put turbos that are too big on them among other stupid things (like wheels that are too heavy, too big, or with HUGE fat spacers) that those cars just can't handle without countless issues!
It bugs the snot out of me when people badmouth VW without concrete proof of anything more than internet jabber or other goofy rumors...
...
People who tend to have gobs of problems with VWs tend to be the 20something kiddies who mod them and put turbos that are too big on them among other stupid things (like wheels that are too heavy, too big, or with HUGE fat spacers) that those cars just can't handle without countless issues!
It bugs the snot out of me when people badmouth VW without concrete proof of anything more than internet jabber or other goofy rumors...
...
Last edited by TheOtherEric; May 5, 2006 at 04:16 PM.
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From: Chicago
And if you don't like Consumer Reports, then here are some JD Powers studies that will tell you the same thing:
2004: http://www.jdpa.com/news/releases/pr...asp?ID=2004055
2005: http://www.jdpa.com/news/releases/pr...asp?ID=2005089
2004: http://www.jdpa.com/news/releases/pr...asp?ID=2004055
2005: http://www.jdpa.com/news/releases/pr...asp?ID=2005089
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From: Massachusetts
I've owned two Audi's and one VW, and they were all great cars, but reliability isn't a description that leaps to mind. But i have known people who have owned them with very few problems. In my experience i think there is a wide difference in reliability/durability across owners, and it seems like some people just get "good ones" and some don't. More so that other makes. Just my $0.02.
-Steve
-Steve
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From: Redmond,Washington
Thanks again for all the information...she gets home on next Wednesday and then it is off to start the search. I will get the Consumer Reports and take a look. Chris, she does like the Jetta so we will look, and Honda and Subaru. There are some good choices out there. I'll let you know how the hunt goes. 
