On the verge of huge mistake: New VW content

Wife is interested in new car (I'm study ad-nauseum, so have contributed to lots of topics talking about Foresters etc). So on paper, the new forester meets all our needs. The '02 WRX has crapped it's AC, has a niggling oil leak that I've been unable to completely fix, has a rear wheel bearing that is probably going, squeaks and rattles like a mother, and is trying my special lady friend's patience. I've been trying to stave off new car purchase for a number of months- lets call it two years. But yesterday, after I broke down and offered to go look at the new foresters with her, the windshield seal flew almost completely off and was slapping the side of the car as we drove down the highway.

Long story to get to this: I wanted to love the Forester. It is right for my family (11 yr old son and 7 yo daughter) in every way. But neither of us clicked with it. Coming from the WRX wagon, it felt like we were sitting on top of the thing. Nothing "fell to hand". No seat support. The cloth felt really really cheap, and the leather did too. I feel like the cloth in the '02 WRX still feels sorta premium. And the cvt took the joy out of the NA engine and turbo. Top it off, and the "tip in" is very jumpy. Like press the throttle 1/8" and the car surges forward. I can't imagine that being nice in city traffic, and it wasn't on the test drive. Maybe I like being "cocoon'ed" a bit more. The rest of the car, as expected, was excellent- great space, great view, great sunroof.

Ok, so I've been moderately infatuated with the idea of the GTI since I've read such rave reviews, and having sat in a '14 at the auto show. Everything just feels right. She doesn't like that there's little space in the back, hates the plaid seats (heathen!), but liked how it felt inside. We're walking out of the dealership and I just take a peek inside the Tiguan. The pretender. It was like a jacked up GTI with more space in the way back- in the good way. The leatherette felt better than the real Subaru leather. Everything was nice. Everything "fell to hand", and the wife instantly was infatuated (as much as someone who doesn't care much about cars can be). I'm afraid we are going to make a big mistake and buy one of these things.

Cue VW reliability concerns. Can a '14 model, 5 years into the model run, have the niggles cured? Is this wishful thinking? Should I try to find a '14 WRX hatch and get another trailer hitch? Is there any other way to get something with a soul, some fun with any degree of practicality? Option two is to get a GTI or something small, a hitch, an HF tire trailer for camping gear, and in two years, a small diesel toyota truck.

Can't really comment on VW, had an 06 Jetta 2.5 for 39 months on lease, no problems and nice car, but didn't keep it. Might want to check out the Outback 3.6R. Went to Subaru yesterday to test drive the 3.6, Cross Trek and Forrester. Cross Trek was too small and "toy like", Forrester felt awkward inside, and does have a sub premium feel for the price. 3.6R was a totally different world not only from the other two but also from our '03 3.0 LL Bean. Coincidentally, the '03 has an oil leak, and the AC just shot craps which led to the trip to the dealer. Just replaced front wheel bearings and both front axles, too. Needless to say, that wagon is sticking around for me to drive in the winter regardless.

No experience first hand with new vws but if you do go that route. What about a Jetta wagon? They have more ro than the gti and I'd imagine are more fun to drive than a tiguan

I'd consider them, but they only come with the 2.5 turd or the TDI. And no AWD, which the wife would like, after a few pretty snowy winters here in DC. If I'm going that route, we'll look harder at the Outback.

In reply to mattmacklind:

Could you get the same good feel from something less than the 3.6R? I'm trying to limit us to sub $30k. I got the same feeling going from the 2.5 Premium to the XT Touring. Whole different car, but we're also looking at $7k price difference. And the guy said there are like 2 XT premium foresters in the nation, and they don't come with leather (want, not deal breaker).

My best friend has a 12 tiguan for his wife to drive and they love it. thats all I can say but he is a german car freak btw.

I will be under warranty...what's the worst that could happen?

A family friend has one, typical VW experience. Its at the dealer all the time.

Buying and owning one under warranty? Sure. Buying a used one? Nope!

it'd be under warranty- CPO or new. Problem is, we keep cars for a decade or so. And I positively hate relying on someone else to work on my cars- mostly for the inconvenience of going back and forth to the dealer.

Don't do it man. VAG is never the answer. Unless it's a rental, an old mk2 gti, or something air-cooled.

The wife has a 10' Tiguan with 4motion. Really can't come up with anything to bitch about. It does everything well. She would like to go back to a Ridgeline because it's a "truck" but other than that there are no issues. The 2.0T does pretty good, mid to upper 20's mpg and gets out of its own way.

My wife's old beetle and the Jetta we got my Mom of this generation in our hands were decent cars though we only leased.

I have the 14 forester and I feel like the car is great value and construction for the money in the lower spec's. Mine was 21,700 or so out the door without tax and there was nothing out there that could match the capabilities of the thing. It is incredibly boring through, like mind numbing, sitting up high, no feel, just boring. I could not spend 30K+ on one in a million years like the high spec ones are. 20K though and its in the sweet spot. Also the 2015's are an extra 1-2K now dependent on spec.

Teh E36 M3 wrote: In reply to mattmacklind: Could you get the same good feel from something less than the 3.6R? I'm trying to limit us to sub $30k. I got the same feeling going from the 2.5 Premium to the XT Touring. Whole different car, but we're also looking at $7k price difference. And the guy said there are like 2 XT premium foresters in the nation, and they don't come with leather (want, not deal breaker).

I should have specified-we tested a 2011 model, certified used for $23K.

New Subarus feel like economy cars: tinny, poor materials, low power, CVTs.

My 2006 Outback XT Limited has a great interior, great leather, good power, handles great.

Car designs do not always improve over time.

David

If you like the Tiguan, and you were looking at the Forester, now you're looking at CUV's. What else is out there? The CX5 is supposed to be dynamically great and they sure are pretty.

Other than the turbo boxer 4, I have never understood the appeal of Subaru. Nothing about their cars feels right, IMO.

A new VW will be a joy to own at least until the warranty expires. I know plenty of people who have driven VW's for 100's of thousands of miles and absolutely love the cars. As with all vehicles, proper and timely maintenance is key.

I sound like a broken record here I know but I love my VW. I had a Tiggy loaner for a couple weeks a few years ago and I liked it. (The Phaeton was getting warranty work done).
See about a CPO Passat wagon while you're at it (B6, not the Alabama built one) the VR6 and 4motion is unstoppable and has a very nice interior.

Teh E36 M3 wrote: Cue VW reliability concerns. Can a '14 model, 5 years into the model run, have the niggles cured? Is this wishful thinking?

No and yes, in that order. The company track record speaks for itself. Maybe you'd get lucky and get one that's trouble free, I'm sure they exist just like somewhere there was a Toyota Corolla that was a lemon, but the odds aren't great. I'd be all for leasing a VW, but would want no part of one out of warranty.

mazdeuce wrote: If you like the Tiguan, and you were looking at the Forester, now you're looking at CUV's. What else is out there? The CX5 is supposed to be dynamically great and they sure are pretty.

This.

Although I'd say that if the wife if just in love with the Tig-juan then simply sell it when it goes out of warranty.

The Jetta Sportwagen is bigger inside than the Tiguan, for what its worth. Rumor is that the JSW was intentionally designed to be able to swallow anything sold at Ikea.

That said, the Puebla assembly line is being retooled for the '15 model and new Sportwagens are thin on the ground - TDI M/T cars are virtually non-existent in dealer stock, from what I can tell.

VWOA's newly redesigned website blows, I might add.

wearymicrobe wrote: My wife's old beetle and the Jetta we got my Mom of this generation in our hands were decent cars though we only leased. I have the 14 forester and I feel like the car is great value and construction for the money in the lower spec's. Mine was 21,700 or so out the door without tax and there was nothing out there that could match the capabilities of the thing. It is incredibly boring through, like mind numbing, sitting up high, no feel, just boring. I could not spend 30K+ on one in a million years like the high spec ones are. 20K though and its in the sweet spot. Also the 2015's are an extra 1-2K now dependent on spec.

I felt the same about the forester. Completely uninspiring. I should have bought an '08 turbo manual. That said, it is hard to beat the value on the lower end models, just that the wife would like something just a tad nicer.

DWNSHFT wrote: New Subarus feel like economy cars: tinny, poor materials, low power, CVTs. My 2006 Outback XT Limited has a great interior, great leather, good power, handles great. Car designs do not always improve over time. David

Couldnt' agree more- I could never understand why reviews would say Subaru interiors are cheap, until I drove the latest. My '02 wrx cloth interior is very comfortable, nice feeling, and wears like iron.

mazdeuce wrote: If you like the Tiguan, and you were looking at the Forester, now you're looking at CUV's. What else is out there? The CX5 is supposed to be dynamically great and they sure are pretty.

There's a mazda dealer up the road I'll take the wife to. It would be great if that car knocks our socks off.

bludroptop wrote: The Jetta Sportwagen is bigger inside than the Tiguan, for what its worth. Rumor is that the JSW was intentionally designed to be able to swallow anything sold at Ikea. That said, the Puebla assembly line is being retooled for the '15 model and new Sportwagens are thin on the ground - TDI M/T cars are virtually non-existent in dealer stock, from what I can tell. VWOA's newly redesigned website blows, I might add.

Ok, last post whore, I swear. I'm not by any means set on VW, but the wife showed some enthusiasm for a car- she doesn't show enthusiasm for cars. She also feels better having awd, so I'm going to keep the sportwagen off the list for now. I'll check into the passat though.

Seems like the only wagons are either built by unreliable company (VW/Audi), expensive (BMW/MB/Audi), or just meh (Subaru).

Guy at work bought a GLI Jetta Wolfburg edition and is loving it, no issues so far.

I have always loved VWs interior