Goodbye TDI

[3rs]

Last November I purchased a new 2011 JSW loaded. The car had 98 miles and an August inspection sticker. The mileage didn't bother me at the time. The salesman located the car buried in the dealers back lot. I was a happy camper.

A few weeks ago at 3,000 miles I noticed a tire out of balance and took it to Discount tire for balancing. They would not balance the tires and pointed out to me very unusual wear on rear tires, the edges were chewed off. I posted this and got no answers.

I took the car back to the dealer for alignment, after about 15 minutes the Service Manager and technician asked me to come into shop. They pointed out to me that the left rear control arm was bent. It was bent down and back and had paint scratched off all the way around. They said I had run over something. I looked at the other side and found similar scratches. I told them that it looked like the car had been towed. They told me that could not have happened. I them asked to see service record for car and lo and behold it had been towed at 68 miles.

Further inspection of service records revealed that the DSG failed at 68 miles. It took 3 months from August to November for VW to supply replacement DSG.

I now suspected I did not buy a new car.

Resolution has been that I got all my money back and they have the car.

Given the DSG problems and HPFP, and cost of diesel fuel, panoroof, no more VW.

 

[fujii13]

What next?

 

[740GLE]

I'd be standing in your same shoes if that happened to me.

Post up the VIN so people know to stay clear!

VW continues marching on to 800,000 sold!!!

 

[yankauer]

I took the car back to the dealer for alignment, after about 15 minutes the Service Manager and technician asked me to come into shop. They pointed out to me that the left rear control arm was bent.

Same thing happened to my wife's car (Acura). We weren't so fortunate to get our resolution. Good luck with your next car.

 

[dieseldorf]

Further inspection of service records revealed that the DSG failed at 68 miles. It took 3 months from August to November for VW to supply replacement DSG.

I now suspected I did not buy a new car.

Good detective work, RS! That's a royal porking they gave you. I can understand why they gave you your $$$ back...they want you to go away quietly and not cause further (legal) issues for them

 

[zeuloa]

What car are you buying now?

 

[740GLE]

I'd love to stand outside the dealership with a big sign "Ask me how Dealership X illegally sold me a new car", I'd be willing to devote a week of sick time for it.

 

[Abacus]

Wow, I'd RUN from that stealership! I don't do business with people who try to screw me.

 

[IFRCFI]

What next?

A couple of suggestions:

Acura TSX Wagon

Subaru Outback Wagon (AWD a plus)

 

[Cleenlivin]

The Tow Truck Driver Deserves Some Credit....?

I know it sounds somewhat strange but I guess in a twist of irony you can thank the two truck driver who originally towed the car when the transmission went out. Evidently he did not know how to correctly hook-up the car or didn't car. If he had not done his job "right" you might have driven on without ever knowing your car had a replacement tranny installed.

Good luck in your future car search.

P.S What about a Volvo wagon?

 

[Absolute Diesel]

I hate when people post these horror stories and then fail to help us out by posting the name of the dishonest dealer.

 

[TwoTone]

A couple of suggestions:

Acura TSX Wagon

Subaru Outback Wagon (AWD a plus)

We've had our 6sp Subie Legacy for a month and so far love it.
However, just as I laugh at the 3k no problem threads here, I know a month means nothing

 

[HaveBulldogWillTravel]

I hate when people post these horror stories and then fail to help us out by posting the name of the dishonest dealer.

+1...nothing like leaving us hanging...grrr!

 

[3rs]

Hanging

I don't think I will buy anything now. I have a 2010 Lexus and a Ford truck. I wait until the 2012's come out. Outback not a bad option.

Always, "trust but verify". I didn't do that!

AbsoluteDiessel, don't hate me./

 

[JasonD]

I just sold a WRX and will say the build quality of subura's can not compare to VW in anyway. The only upside you get is the AWD.

 

[wutbürger]

I'll have to disagree with JasonD- I also sold a WRX for the TDI and while the materials used by Subaru are 1990's escort-esque, mine at least was put together extremely well. Even with upgraded springs, shocks, sways, etc. I was impressed with how solid the interior was. On top of that, in 52,000 miles of driving, the car was in the shop fewer times (0) than my new TDI has been in 3 months (4- all the same issues mind you). In typical Subaru fashion, their cars might not have the highest quality materials used, but they are solid, well-built cars that are pretty fuss-free in my experience. You can be that a new Outback will be in our garage for the wife before year end

Back OT, sorry to hear about your troubles- my car is currently at the dealer for a mysterious "out of balance" issue that has been there since 200 miles that they can never seem to fix. Hopefully mine is nothing as serious, but who knows- in any case, glad it was a good outcome for you given the circumstances!

 

[IFRCFI]

I just sold a WRX and will say the build quality of subura's can not compare to VW in anyway. The only upside you get is the AWD.

The only WRX's I've seen have been "modded" and had the guts wrung out of them by their ricer owners. Not sure I'd count them in the general population.

My 2002 Outback is built like a tank.

 

[JasonD]

To the OP, have you tried contacting VW of America? They might be interested in hearing your story.

I'll have to disagree with JasonD- I also sold a WRX for the TDI and while the materials used by Subaru are 1990's escort-esque, mine at least was put together extremely well. Even with upgraded springs, shocks, sways, etc. I was impressed with how solid the interior was. On top of that, in 52,000 miles of driving, the car was in the shop fewer times (0) than my new TDI has been in 3 months (4- all the same issues mind you). In typical Subaru fashion, their cars might not have the highest quality materials used, but they are solid, well-built cars that are pretty fuss-free in my experience. You can be that a new Outback will be in our garage for the wife before year end

Best of luck with the Outback, no doubt that it's a good car. Everyones experience is different. There is not a car company out there that does not have it's occasional problem. My friends 09 WRX sedan, bought late in 09, has been in the garage four times now and the engine was pulled three of the four times. My 09 was in the garage three times, once for turbo leak and twice because body moldings would now stay on.

I just wasn't impressed with the materials used, the quality of the paint job, the gauge of steel they used for the body, and the amount of road noise.

With that said, best car I've ever driven in the snow. I've never felt more confident while driving on snow packed roads.

The only WRX's I've seen have been "modded" and had the guts wrung out of them by their ricer owners. Not sure I'd count them in the general population.

Not everyone mods there WRX, I certainly did not. Mine was bone stock and that's how I preferred it. You're painting with some broad strokes here. You may have seen plenty of WRX's that have not been "modded" but could careless to pay attention to them.


Sorry to highjack the thread a little.

 

[IMAAaron]

To the OP, have you tried contacting VW of America? They might be interested in hearing your story.

They won't be, I promise. But you can try. The number is 800-822-8987.

OP - Though I'm sorry to hear about the situation, I'm intrigued by your "join date", and thoroughly satisfied by your outcome. Congrats.



Further off-topic: I kept my WRX and am on track with wutburger. The car has NEVER been in the shop. My VW has made 4 visits as well, and the last one has destroyed my spirits.

 

[3rs]

My previous TDi was a 2003 Jetta. Absolutely magnificent. 46 in town and 51 on road with an automatic. 300,000 miles, 3 timing belts, no brakes, 4 sets of tires and just a few minor issues. They had it right then.

 

[McKee]

I hate when people post these horror stories and then fail to help us out by posting the name of the dishonest dealer.

Seriously? You Hate people for that? ...or you could just ask. Of all the forums I read on the internet this one is by far the nastiest.

 

[oxford_guy]

You're overreacting. Given the context, the word is innocuous.

Anyway, one thing to keep in mind is that every horror story can be considered untrue until proven true. While innocent until proven guilty is what our legal system is supposed to have, the anonymity of the Internet and capitalist competition makes guilty until proven innocent a bit more practical in some circumstances.

 

[darrelld]

I'll have to disagree with JasonD- I also sold a WRX for the TDI and while the materials used by Subaru are 1990's escort-esque, mine at least was put together extremely well. Even with upgraded springs, shocks, sways, etc. I was impressed with how solid the interior was. On top of that, in 52,000 miles of driving, the car was in the shop fewer times (0) than my new TDI has been in 3 months (4- all the same issues mind you). In typical Subaru fashion, their cars might not have the highest quality materials used, but they are solid, well-built cars that are pretty fuss-free in my experience. You can be that a new Outback will be in our garage for the wife before year end

Back OT, sorry to hear about your troubles- my car is currently at the dealer for a mysterious "out of balance" issue that has been there since 200 miles that they can never seem to fix. Hopefully mine is nothing as serious, but who knows- in any case, glad it was a good outcome for you given the circumstances!

Good luck with your new Outback, wife has a 2010 3.6R and we have had issues with the famous "wheel shake", check out subaruoutback. com. Been in the shop 4 times for Nav system locking up rendering phone, radio, nav useless until you stop and restart the car (still not fixed). Had 2 wheel hubs replaced after bumping a curb. Take off hesitation and then sudden lurch when accelerating from a slow roll, think left turns from a median.

Wife doesn't drive the Outback since I got the TDI, except to work and back. Outback needs another shop visit for front wheels grinding again during a turn.

 

[TDIinMA]

"The price of Diesel"?????!

Wow, that's pretty shortsighted.

 

[nate379]

I agree. The interior of my WRX is way better than my Jetta. The Jetta sounds like it's going to come apart over every bump in teh road and the seats are horrible. 2-3hr drive in the thing is pure torture.

Only reason I keep the Jetta is for the fuel economy.

I just sold a WRX and will say the build quality of subura's can not compare to VW in anyway.

 

[TDIinMA]

I agree. The interior of my WRX is way better than my Jetta. The Jetta sounds like it's going to come apart over every bump in teh road and the seats are horrible. 2-3hr drive in the thing is pure torture.

Only reason I keep the Jetta is for the fuel economy.

Yeah well, the fit & finish has improved a lot since 2005. The MKVI (even in the 'quasi' form) is far superior to anything they have produced to date outside the Phaeton and Touareg.

BTW, I believe the other poster may have been disparaging the Subaru as opposed to the VW (?)

 

[JasonD]

BTW, I believe the other poster may have been disparaging the Subaru as opposed to the VW (?)

You are correct.

 

[nate379]

Perhaps but I was comparing my 03 WRX to my 05 Jetta and the 2010 Jetta I rented.

Yeah well, the fit & finish has improved a lot since 2005. The MKVI (even in the 'quasi' form) is far superior to anything they have produced to date outside the Phaeton and Touareg.

BTW, I believe the other poster may have been disparaging the Subaru as opposed to the VW (?)

 

[TwoTone]

Good luck with your new Outback, wife has a 2010 3.6R and we have had issues with the famous "wheel shake", check out subaruoutback. com. Been in the shop 4 times for Nav system locking up rendering phone, radio, nav useless until you stop and restart the car (still not fixed). Had 2 wheel hubs replaced after bumping a curb. Take off hesitation and then sudden lurch when accelerating from a slow roll, think left turns from a median.

Wife doesn't drive the Outback since I got the TDI, except to work and back. Outback needs another shop visit for front wheels grinding again during a turn.

Darrel you should check with your dealer. I've read the most recent TSB has fixed the issue for everyone that's had it done. Granted I'm on a Legacy forum so smaller sample size.

It's all personal preference. When we bought our 05.5 Jetta, we also looked at Subies, wife didn't like them then. This time she really like the 5th Gen Legacy and likes it much better than the Jetta, not that she was ever unhappy with the Jetta.

 

[fastalan]

Perhaps the lackluster dealer attitude in this example is due to a lack of dealer network in most US states. In the greater Vancouver area, we have at least 6-7 VW dealers all within 25 miles radius and it is my believe competitions among themselves drive up service quality. If I encounter an unpleasant experience at one dealer, I have 6 others that are eager to take my business and make it right. If the OP can find another VW dealer nearby, perhaps take a look there. Subies with AWD are awesome in snowbelt area but I am not sure one can handle the FE once you have gotten used with the TDI.