Interesting about your comments on the '85 model VW Vans.

My first Vanagon was and 1985 model, and never gave me any real problems.

The 88 GL Vanagon I currently have is a horse of another horsefeather.

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

Donald Baxter wrote:

>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.
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>