VW Reshuffles Product Deck

[MR42HH]

the Golf V was introduced in Europe in 2004

2003, actually.

 

[dieselyeti]

If this combination is available I'll take one. 2008-2009 TDI Wabbit coupe with 6 speed DSG gearbox.

Caveat: If the Tiguan is available with the diesel that's worth a look-see too

 

[105Uphill]

Will velour seats be back?
I love mine.

 

[brucetmoose]

I'll see your velour and raise you 2

The crushed velour seats in my 2002 TDI are to DIE for - Anyone who prefers the leather has to be crazy. Combine that with the winter package you have a very comfy winter car. Ticked me off you had to buy the leather seats to get those 6-way adjustable lumbar seats. That's the only option I didn't get. Everyone who sits in my car doesn't want to leave.

In my mind, they HAVE to offer this as at least an option. I won't buy one without it. My 1984 GTI had it and my 2002 TDI has it. I won't buy one without it except a Polo but only due to the mileage. I don't care if I have to STEAL the seats out of it if god forbid it goes to an early grave.

Up here, that synthetic crap they call leather ( I don't know what it is but I hate it ) is sticky and it's cold and stiff in the winter. I don't even live that far north and I hate that leather stuff. It's not much better in the warm climes or in summer either as it gets hot. I have solid crushed black velour seats and they don't get too hot or too cold.

Have I mentioned I hate that leather-like stuff ???

 

[pdxgrease]

try spilling a latte on the velour vs. leather. Leather is more durable and stays looking newer.

 

[frugality]

try spilling a latte on the velour vs. leather. Leather is more durable and stays looking newer.

I'm with brucetmoose. My 2000 Golf GLS TDI has the velour seats in that very light tan color. After 204,000 miles, they're still like NEW. I am REALLY impressed. The only velour that got worn was the edge of the center console armrest. I replaced that recently for $84, IIRC. When I bought the car, I would have preferred the flat cloth, because I thought it'd wear better than the velour. I expected the velour to get bald spots in high-wear areas. Only on the edge of the armrest did that happen. I've spilled drinks on that light tan velour, gotten greasy smudges from a belly pan that was in the back seat, and it all cleaned up great with simple carpet cleaner. If I had kids, I would probably not want that light tan, however.

I also like the way you don't feel like you're sliding around, like you do on leather or pleather (plastic leather). The only downside to velour is if you wear corderoy pants. You almost stick like velcro on that stuff. But the velour is never cold in the winter like leather/pleather, or hot in the summertime.

 

[rotarykid]

I'm with brucetmoose. My 2000 Golf GLS TDI has the velour seats in that very light tan color. After 204,000 miles, they're still like NEW. I am REALLY impressed. The only velour that got worn was the edge of the center console armrest. I replaced that recently for $84, IIRC. When I bought the car, I would have preferred the flat cloth, because I thought it'd wear better than the velour. I expected the velour to get bald spots in high-wear areas. Only on the edge of the armrest did that happen. I've spilled drinks on that light tan velour, gotten greasy smudges from a belly pan that was in the back seat, and it all cleaned up great with simple carpet cleaner. If I had kids, I would probably not want that light tan, however.

I also like the way you don't feel like you're sliding around, like you do on leather or pleather (plastic leather). The only downside to velour is if you wear corderoy pants. You almost stick like velcro on that stuff. But the velour is never cold in the winter like leather/pleather, or hot in the summertime.

The cloth seats in my 1985 700,000 miles on the clock Jetta TDs still look like new . Compare that to the last Audi 5000 TD I had with leather seats hard enough to drive a nail with then . Nothing like a 24 hour drive while sitting on a rock , hard & cold .

Give me cloth anyday over leather in my old German cars .

 

[pdxgrease]

the velour just reminds me of a honda and cheezes me out. I'm glad its more durable than i thought.

 

[TornadoRed]

But the velour is never cold in the winter like leather/pleather, or hot in the summertime.

That's the way I feel about my fleece seatcovers. I'm pretty sure the cloth underneath is like new.

 

[PlaneCrazy]

try spilling a latte on the velour vs. leather. Leather is more durable and stays looking newer.

I agree, but I have to say that I am VERY impressed with the leatherette in my new '07 Passat wagon. It looks like leather. Only thing missing is the smell.

Best of all, it seems to breathe great, even better than the leatherette in our '05, and it is more supple. I just got back from a 750 km road trip (each direction), and these have to be the most comfortable seats of any car I have ever owned. I did not get sweaty whatsoever.

Real easy to clean up spills, and a must if you have pets or young children. Plus no extra cost unlike leather which can add thousands...

 

[kwhiner]

I'm with brucetmoose. My 2000 Golf GLS TDI has the velour seats in that very light tan color. After 204,000 miles, they're still like NEW. I am REALLY impressed. The only velour that got worn was the edge of the center console armrest. I replaced that recently for $84, IIRC. When I bought the car, I would have preferred the flat cloth, because I thought it'd wear better than the velour. I expected the velour to get bald spots in high-wear areas. Only on the edge of the armrest did that happen. I've spilled drinks on that light tan velour, gotten greasy smudges from a belly pan that was in the back seat, and it all cleaned up great with simple carpet cleaner. If I had kids, I would probably not want that light tan, however.

I also like the way you don't feel like you're sliding around, like you do on leather or pleather (plastic leather). The only downside to velour is if you wear corderoy pants. You almost stick like velcro on that stuff. But the velour is never cold in the winter like leather/pleather, or hot in the summertime.

Couldn't agree more, have the grey in my '00 and it's great.

 

[Dorado]

The Polo TDI would be a big hit. Too bad they already named the Golf the new Rabbit, because they could have used that name for the Polo.

But to sell bigger volume of smaller cars, they do need to address the dealer network in the US. Copy from the success of the Mini: no haggling and internet customized ordering. Use the web for service too: have a website in which owners can access their service records, check for upcoming service, etc. SO basically, get off their ...

 

[lbhskier37]

The Polo TDI would be a big hit. Too bad they already named the Golf the new Rabbit, because they could have used that name for the Polo.

But to sell bigger volume of smaller cars, they do need to address the dealer network in the US. Copy from the success of the Mini: no haggling and internet customized ordering. Use the web for service too: have a website in which owners can access their service records, check for upcoming service, etc. SO basically, get off their ...

I would love if they did what Hyundai does. Offer a free website with all their service manuals and listing all their TSBs. One of my favorite things about owning the Hyundai, I never had to buy a service manual to do anything.

 

[Lightflyer1]

Got a web page for that? My daughter has one I have to work on.

 

[frugality]

Y'know, it isn't THAT hard to find this sort of thing...

http://hyundaiusa.com/owners/myhyundai/login.aspx

 

[lbhskier37]

Y'know, it isn't THAT hard to find this sort of thing...

http://hyundaiusa.com/owners/myhyundai/login.aspx

Actually to get service manuals go to hmaservice.com and sign up. You need to do it in IE, foxfire wont work.

 

[PlaneCrazy]

Guess I won't get one. I don't use IE...Safari and Firefox all the way, Mac OS X 10.4.9, Mac Pro, dual Xeon dual core 2.66 GHz (4 cores running, lusting for the Woodcrest processors...), 2 GB RAM, 250 + 500 GB hard drive, 23" monitor. Boot camp allows me to dual boot into my MSDN copy of Vista Ultimate...but I only use that for Flight Sim and testing the application my employer builds. Vista sucks otherwise: resource hog eye candy with no significant advantages over XP, and security so awfully annoying that any power user is compelled to disable it making it worthless. If I didn't have to use it to test our application, I wouldn't, I'd stick to XP for the flight sim stuff.

Sorry for the thread drift...

 

[lbhskier37]

Guess I won't get one. I don't use IE...Safari and Firefox all the way, Mac OS X 10.4.9, Mac Pro, dual Xeon dual core 2.66 GHz (4 cores running, lusting for the Woodcrest processors...), 2 GB RAM, 250 + 500 GB hard drive, 23" monitor. Boot camp allows me to dual boot into my MSDN copy of Vista Ultimate...but I only use that for Flight Sim and testing the application my employer builds. Vista sucks otherwise: resource hog eye candy with no significant advantages over XP, and security so awfully annoying that any power user is compelled to disable it making it worthless. If I didn't have to use it to test our application, I wouldn't, I'd stick to XP for the flight sim stuff.

Sorry for the thread drift...

It may work with opera or some other browser, just found firefox to not work. Thats actually the only time I use IE is to go on that site.

 

[frugality]

I've found the same thing -- my credit card site, I think. It required 128-bit encription, which Firefox didn't have (?), so I had to use IE.

 

[Meek]

Hope the Scheisskopfs at VW bring over a TDi w/some sport. Why can't I get a GTi type car with a TDi? VW used to have a Golf GTD back in the day...Remember Wolfgang, Fritz?

I want a Fabia RS FWIW.

I am sick of VW of America and their ridiculous attitude towards Americans. Look at the stupid marketing of their latest GTI and 'Fast'.
I love VW and have had close to ten, but Subaru had it right when they said they didn't have to make up a character to sell STi's...

A lot of Golf/GTi owners are going to be upset if we don't get a hatchback TDI here soon. Been waiting with cash in hand for a Golf V TDi...in vain...

Thanks for letting me vent...

 

[PlaneCrazy]

I figure that when the last young 'un leaves the nest, it should be pretty close to the time my lease expires on the B6 wagon. I won't need such a large car then, and a Golf VI (probably that's what we'll be up to) TDI would be perfect, if they don't dumb it down too much. Sadly they have cut corners on the new Passat compared to the B5.5, so I am not optimistic for the Golf.

 

[VelvetFoot]

But will there be a Beetle TDI?
It's a hatchback too!

 

[vwmk4]

Yes VW, when will the GOLF 2dr. be on sale in the US. Trade in waiting and CASH in hand. By the way in Europe the TDI is avalable in the GOLF GT. Wake up VWOA!

 

[frugality]

Wake up VWOA!

Rather, "Wake up, stupid American consumers!" VW would love to sell more diesels here if they could justify it. There's a huge cost involved with bringing over a whole new line of engines/trim/replacement parts/etc. So far, VW's management hasn't been able to justify it. Add to that the more stringent emissions requirements, and I'd have to say that VW is doing pretty good, all things considered.

 

[gleep]

It may work with opera or some other browser, just found firefox to not work. Thats actually the only time I use IE is to go on that site.

Firefox has an add-on called IE Tab that emulates IE within Firefox. Try it. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

Gleep

 

[vwmk4]

frugality, true as you say "wake up American drivers". Many in this country complain about high fuel (gas) prices yet do nothing. As someone said in one of the threads, if they got behind the wheel of a TDI many minds would change.

 

[MrMopar]

Rather, "Wake up, stupid American consumers!" VW would love to sell more diesels here if they could justify it. There's a huge cost involved with bringing over a whole new line of engines/trim/replacement parts/etc. So far, VW's management hasn't been able to justify it.

It's not a business case that is holding back diesel in the USA - it's purely emissions and EPA rules. VW sold every TDI they shipped, mostly without incentives or price cuts. The same thing can't be said for their 2.0 and 2.5 models.

Emissions in general has been holding back new VW diesels, and their market share of diesel sales was further capped by the ratios of TDI vs. Gassers that VW must sell. Don't know exact numbers, but an example of balancing the fleet sales is that VW can sell one TDI for every 4 gasser models that attain ULEV standards. So their TDI sales are limited in absolute numbers due to overall sales of gassers.

 

[domboy]

It's not a business case that is holding back diesel in the USA - it's purely emissions and EPA rules. VW sold every TDI they shipped, mostly without incentives or price cuts. The same thing can't be said for their 2.0 and 2.5 models.

Emissions in general has been holding back new VW diesels, and their market share of diesel sales was further capped by the ratios of TDI vs. Gassers that VW must sell. Don't know exact numbers, but an example of balancing the fleet sales is that VW can sell one TDI for every 4 gasser models that attain ULEV standards. So their TDI sales are limited in absolute numbers due to overall sales of gassers.

Yeah, I've heard that too. But I've also heard that the ratios won't apply to a 50-state certified diesel. To me that sounds as if they should be able to sell as many 2008 diesels as they want. Is this correct??

 

[supton]

Their fleet of sold cars must average out to only so many gm/mile of emissions; and they can't balance out selling 1,000 black smoke-spewing beasts by selling a million of uber-green cars. They can balance the poor emissions cars (our TDI's) by selling a bunch of clean gassers--our TDI's are at the limit but still w/in the limit. But the required average is still much better than the worst allowed car.

It'd be as if your teacher would allow you to pass only if you got a C average. D was ok, but you aren't allowed to get any F's--or you would automatically fail. So, you could balance one or two D's with some A's, as long as you didn't get a single F.

 

[milehighassassin]

try spilling a latte on the velour vs. leather. Leather is more durable and stays looking newer.

Exactly... I wish I would have got leather.

Try dog hair on a daily basis. Vacuums up with leather... bust out the lint roller/duct tape on the cloth.