Yep, I can pretty much testify that my experience with VW is about on par
with CR and JD Powers.  While the '85 Vanagon is holding it's own these days
(although i'm sure it caused its original owners no shortage of grief) the
'96 Passat is developing the most annoying little problems over time--now at
56,000 miles, it really shouldn't be developing window and electrical
problems.  I'll probably never get the rear axle to stop wearing out tires
oddly.  I'll spare you the long list.

I think the '85 Vanagon probably really is a more reliable choice than the
later models.  '85 was a surprisingly reliable year for VW in general.  My
least troublesome VW ever was the '85 Jetta--and an introductory model year
at that.

My other VWs have been fairly bad performers compared to cars like Toyotas
and Hondas.  I used to like VW despite this because the cars had a
personality i really enjoyed--it was worth it.  At 45, now i'd like to spend
my free time being lazy, reading, or cycling.  I resent having to tear apart
a door panel to get to a $100 window regulator gone bad at 54,000 miles.

The next car's probably going to be a Toyota.

Donald Baxter
Iowa City

----- Original Message -----
From: "Fred Brittain" <vanpire@CITLINK.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2003 1:19 PM
Subject: JD Power and VW

> Yo,
>
> Anybody looked up VW's on JD Power. They don't seem to think too much
> about our elite German, Mexican vehicles.
>