VW's Real Pickup

[RPetersen]

BCFAST said "I have owned/driven countless cars of different nationalities... BY FAR... NOT EVEN CLOSE... American cars are the worst. "



Long ago in a galaxy far... well back in the 70's I worked my way through college as a foreign car mechanic... came to look upon British cars as job security. One of the sayings in the shop was "Give an Englishman a piece of steel and he's bound to do something foolish. " I have absolutely no idea what present English products are like, but back then it was no contest, they were the absolute worst. The then current Renault's were paragons of virtue by comparison. Just the Lucas electrical systems were the cause of many a bonus.

Rodg in Bellevue

 

[redneckdr]

British cars

been there, done that--'66 MGB. picked it up in London. nice little car, and prolly had fewer problems than most... "Lucas keeps the world in darkness"... ... ... ... .....

 

[QRTRHRS]

Originally posted by bvanetten



Give me a mule and I'd be happy. I'm told their stubborn. Sometimes I wonder if they are smarter than we are! [/B]

I have heard it put like this, "mules is different". They aren't stubborn, they just have a stronger sense of self preservation than a horse does.



But to back on track with the topic, you can't get me in a VW. Well, not quite, I can get in. It's just that once I get in, I can't move. Just is no place to put my legs.



I will credit VW with solving 1/2 the current US diesel marketing problems we talk about. As redneckdr posted, here is a diesel that if taken care of will go a 100K+, get good milage and is reasonably priced. Now to fix the limited average Joe interest.

 

[BCFAST]

British cars

I once did the Lotus thing... . that poor car had more miles on it vertically!! My VW experiences are limited to 2 Old beetles, (couldnt kill them with an axe), one new beetle turbo and a new Passat. All fantastic cars. My American cars all sucked... except my Diesel Rams... and they're Mexican!!!

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

me and my dad both had '74 corvettes they where the biggest pos cars ever made. the interior fell apart etc i don't think the clocks, radios, ac/ heater controls, or ebrakes ever lasted more than 5 mins after the owner left the dealer LOL. There is a saying with a Jag when you need to add oil you pour the oil on the hood it makes its way to the top of the engine through the engine and out the bottom.

 

[LarryB]

I defence of poor little VW, they definitely have their place. I currently drive a 1980 Rabbit diesel P/U. I love my PU, It's my favorite vehicle I have ever owned. Comfortable ride, fun to drive, easy to work on, parts are easy to find and dirt cheap. I just put front rotors($36pair new), pads($7pair) and caliper kits($3. 20pair) on it in about 45 min. (all OEM parts). I commute 55mi/day and use just over a gallon of heating oil each day. It hauls 90% of the stuff I need to haul. For the other 10% I use the trucks from work. For what I use it, it's absolutely perfect.



My opinion as far as this new VW pickup? Looks like a good way to get $40K+ out of some poor working stiff trying to impress the world. Sorry, I'm just bitter about all the money I have given away to the smooth talking, fancy suited salesmen over the years. Just remember, If the salesman is real friendly, he doesn't really like you, he likes your money.

 

[FL70CAT]

The german cars I've had have been far better constructed than american cars of the same year.

As long as we got the UAW(u-aint'-workin') in our industries we are going to have trouble with build quality. Union is great for the worker and crappy for product quality, you don't even want to get me started on how many lazy SOB's are in the union to protect them.....

 

[Andy Perreault]

Originally posted by bvanetten

The 240d has the world record for most miles without a rebuild, almost 1 million!

On page 22 in TDR issue 33, there is an article about a Dodge/Cummins with 1,054,547 miles on it and it's still running, without a rebuild.

Andy

 

[TxDieselKid]

Originally posted by BCFAST

After all, you can buy a new BMW or Mercedes for $35k, why shouldnt we expect the same quality from our $35k Rams?

I did expect the same, just too bad I get lift pump problems, need gauges, waiting for it to shudder, prepairing for the death wobble, IF you goto Dodge for a fuel filter change you spend $80, and the list goes on. I love my Mexican made ram don't get me wrong, just wish I didn't have to wait for all these problems. :{ Darn you TDR



Andrew

 

[redneckdr]

NB diesel

well, the OWMBO got her new ride yesterday. the new beetle diesel was in there til the last round. she almost chose it. got beaten out by a Japanese vehicle--Lexus RX300. even this morning she said... "if the beetle had just had a little bit more room..... " oh well, still one gasser in the driveway. :{

 

[BCFAST]

That VW Smell

Mike Ellis asked about it... . here's your answer: horse hair. The seat padding is a mat of glued-together horsehair padding that, with time, emits that neat old smell. Stick yer nose in the window of an old Porsche or BMW 2002... . same bat channel, same bat time!

 

[bvanetten]

Originally posted by Andy Perreault





On page 22 in TDR issue 33, there is an article about a Dodge/Cummins with 1,054,547 miles on it and it's still running, without a rebuild.

Andy

Wouldn't it be great if we got Cummins quality in the whole truck! The 240d I was refering to got in the records several years ago and is still driving today as far as I know. It was also in the car catagory.



Bruce