Moving on from MKIV ?

[rangeroad]

Tragically lost my MKIV wagon in a flash flood. This was easily the best car I’ve ever owned.

I’m looking forward looking to upgrade, wondering what other folks have moved on to from these now 20 year old vehicles. Is there anything comparable? I’m not attached to sticking with VW or diesel, but I would if there was something as good as an MKIV. Is
there a model of VW to avoid?

Thx folks

 

[oilhammer]

That was likely the high water mark... why I still drive one every day. Not that there are others that are not good, but these are great.

Sorry for your loss. Stories like this are why I have backups.

Sorry I don't have much to offer here. I drive a lot of different cars, and I still think the A4 and B5 VAG platforms are among the best all around cars.

Wife and I just bought a new 2024 Mini Cooper, and while it is a great little car, my 23 year old 612k mile Golf feels better. It's roomier, faster, and still bests the Mini's MPG by over 10 MPG (heck the Passat, which is bigger and faster yet, can still match the Mini's MPG!).

 

[Mpaw]

My wife has a diesel polo 2015 (maybe a comparable model is available in North America?). It's a 1.4ltr 3 cylinder. 90 hp
A small car, now done 130 K miles. All that has failed in that time is the alternator regulator (apart from oil filter housing which was human damage). I have regularly changed oil, filters brakes etc.
Since new it has given 57.37 MPG - US (calculated from tacho and petrol station receipts), VW claim it should be between 52 - 67 mpg.
The newer VWs have more electronics in and many more sensors. Like everything, this has advantages and disadvantages:
- more to go wrong
- small
- very low so really only drivable on 'nice' roads
- The parts are quite expensive and often are cheaper from VW (especially nuts and bolts). I just replaced the timing belt - the cost of a continental kit here for my MKIV with water pump was about 140 €, the polo almost twice that
- if you pay someone to fix anything on it, it's expensive.
- suspension is quite hard - hard for passengers
- complicated, e.g. emission control / EGR system is mega complicated

+ you gets loads of info from VCDS and there are loads of basic tests etc. My MKIV - 3 basic tests, the polo 41.
+ tax is very cheap for it here (MKIV 296€/year, polo 140 €)
+ road performance is very good, and it's certainly fast enough
+ timing belt only needs replacing every 130 K miles
+ self cleaning CAT etc.
+ if you used to working on VW diesels, then the basic stuff is very similar e.g. timing belt change
+ suspension is quite hard - good if you are driving
+ seats 5, fold down back seat
+ for commuting, exceptional

So if you're a do-it-yourselfer and you're prepared to be on a learning curve forever, I think VWs are still a good idea but, at least here, they are more expensive than other manufacturers.
BTW VW is 30% state owned by the federal state of Lower Saxony (not a lot of people seem to know this)

 

[oilhammer]

No Polos ever for us.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

I completely agree with oilhammer on this, and why I also have a backup:

I have a '15 GSW which is a very nice car, but I still like the MKIVs better. It's worth it to look for the best one you can find, in my opinion.

Having said that, my son just transitioned to a MKVI Sportwagen, and he likes it. He kept his MKIV, however.

 

[Prairieview]

A whole bunch of mediocre mares is always better than one big stallion.

 

[gforce1108]

In 2013 I bought a brand new NMS passat with the plans to phase out the BEW. Great MPGs, best looking on the bunch - terrible ride quality and overall fit and finish. Fixed the ride, handling, headlights - still had no soul and limited upgrade potential (weak 6sp manual). When VW offered $500 more than I paid new - I jumped at it (add in the $1000 gift/prepaid cards and the Bosch settlement). Went back to driving the BEW until I blew the diff. Ran a beater 03 for a while and then sold it and bought the best TDI sedan out there. A7, prestige s-line V6 TDI. Amazing car! Now it's tuned, straightpiped and lowered on coilovers and is an absolute blast. Now also have a lifted Cayenne TDI. Still have the BEW - going through the little stuff to make it mint again.

 

[mlemorie]

I think the newest id go to would be a mk5. Still has the nicer quality materials and fit/finish with some chassis upgrades over the mk4. Still a simple network and electrical architecture so it's easy enough for a DIY type to take care of and keep in good shape. Overall quality took a dive with the mk6+ so that they could build more cars for less money and compete with Toyota and Honda on the econobox front. I'm still keeping my 04 going, but she's in need of some fresh panels after nearly 20 years.

 

[JDSwan87]

If memory serves me, the Jetta 1.4t with a manual transmission is comparable in fuel economy and was fun to drive. Someone here bought one and likes it.

 

[jettawreck]

When my last 2003 MklV Jetta that I converted from 1.8T to TDI is done then there won't be any TDIs for me. The 2001 is my lowest mile (187k) TDI but the body corrosion is ruling that I sell it for someone's donor swap or parts car. ($1500 and it's yours).
Since I'm not commuting and working anymore I don't drive enough miles to have need of yet another extra vehicle. The fuel savings won't make up the license and insurance costs.
I had at least 7 MklV Jettas. Only one automatic (5 speed in a 1.8T) and only one 1.8T 5 speed wagon.

 

[J_dude]

Is there anything comparable?

Yup, another MKIV VW

 

[Gothmolly]

The MkIV/ALH is VW's magnum opus.

 

[P2B]

Tragically lost my MKIV wagon in a flash flood. This was easily the best car I’ve ever owned.

Why are you giving up on it?

Based on your other thread it should be salvageable.

 

[Nuje]

Depending on how adventurous you are....it's not impossible to bring in a VW / Audi (or whatever you like) from Europe - now that we're in 2023, anything 2008 and earlier meets the 15yr window where it doesn't have to pass NAR emissions / crash tests (or whatever it is that limits bringing in newer cars).
And given you're in Halifax, that's a pretty good destination port for a container drop-off.
@Frans here is based in The Netherlands and has offered this service in the past.

 

[snakeye]

New civic finally looks like something I'd get, but I'd pick an mk4 over anything else that's out there. Doubt I'll ever see another car that'll beat it in terms of design and ergonomics. Everything nowadays is chrome, shiny plastics, touch screens, non tactile buttons, too many buttons; all complete garbage if you ask me.

 

[turbocharged798]

Depending on how adventurous you are....it's not impossible to bring in a VW / Audi (or whatever you like) from Europe - now that we're in 2023, anything 2008 and earlier meets the 15yr window where it doesn't have to pass NAR emissions / crash tests (or whatever it is that limits bringing in newer cars).
And given you're in Halifax, that's a pretty good destination port for a container drop-off.
@Frans here is based in The Netherlands and has offered this service in the past.

Import rules in the US is 25 years.

 

[P2B]

Import rules in the US is 25 years.

The OP is in Canada.

 

[Nuje]

I figured that specifically mentioning Halifax would make the point that the OP was in Canada.

Also meant to include one of the used car sites where I spend way too much time window-shopping.

 

[rangeroad]

Why are you giving up on it?

Based on your other thread it should be salvageable.

Too much work and not enough time

 

[Rxfire]

25 years ago, the ALH was in the new Beetles here in the US. Was it used in any other cars/trucks in Europe (or elsewhere), especially 4 motion?

wikipedia ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Volkswagen_Group_diesel_engines ) had these listed (1999's also included):

Audi
A3 (8L): ALH (08/97-06/01)
Seat
Córdoba (6K): ALH (10/99-05/01)
VW
Polo AGR/ALH/ASV (10/99-09/01)
Golf AGR/ALH (10/97-05/06)
Bora/Jetta (1J): AHF/ALH (09/98-05/055

Would be interesting to see what was available, left hand driver preferred

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

This is a pretty good place to shop: https://www.autoscout24.com/

I usually look at cars in Spain, no snow.

 

[wonneber]

Tragically lost my MKIV wagon in a flash flood. This was easily the best car I’ve ever owned.

I’m looking forward looking to upgrade, wondering what other folks have moved on to from these now 20 year old vehicles. Is there anything comparable? I’m not attached to sticking with VW or diesel, but I would if there was something as good as an MKIV. Is
there a model of VW to avoid?

Thx folks

I'm happy with my 2014 Jetta Sport Wagen.
It is a TDI.
I get almost 40 MPG on the highway.

 

[ts888]

Depending on how adventurous you are....it's not impossible to bring in a VW / Audi (or whatever you like) from Europe - now that we're in 2023, anything 2008 and earlier meets the 15yr window where it doesn't have to pass NAR emissions / crash tests (or whatever it is that limits bringing in newer cars).
And given you're in Halifax, that's a pretty good destination port for a container drop-off.
@Frans here is based in The Netherlands and has offered this service in the past.

Dear Nuje,

I hate you. (I don't really hate you. I like the stuff you post. I bet you're a nice guy. But I am jealous.)

Sincerely,
Tony, a 'Murican constrained by 25 year import restrictions

PS: I the distant past when the US CBP were less bitter and vindictive (2011), I did manage to import my Land Rover 110 that I built when I lived in England. It was on a 1984 reg, looked like a Series III 109 v8, but a keen-eyed observer would have noted the interior and running gear were uncannily similar to a late 90's 110, right down to the 300TDi lump. How curious.

 

[Nuje]

I hate you. (I don't really hate you. I like the stuff you post. I bet you're a nice guy. But I am jealous.)

Haha!
To be clear, mind you, I haven't actually pulled the trigger on such a course of action - I concoct plenty of fanciful ideas that never see the light of day.