J.D. Powers low rating for VW

[SpeedThree]

Brand new to this site, which is a terrific source of information.

I am convinced that the price of gasoline is going nowhere but up. With the Chinese middle class beginning to buy more and more cars and with an Indian middle class not that far behind, it is a foregone conclusion.

I am not interested in a hybrid nor in an all-electric car, so I began researching diesel-engine vehicles.

My search led me towards either the Audi A3 or the VW Passat, primarily because they both have above-average legroom in the front seat...which is something I absolutely need.

I was sadly disappointed with the results of the J.D. Powers & Associates U.S.2012 Initial Quality Study http://autos.jdpower.com/ratings/qua...ss-release.htm

The 2012 U.S. Initial Quality Study is based on responses from more than 74,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2012 model-year cars, trucks and multi-activity vehicles surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study is based on a 228-question battery designed to provide manufacturers with information to facilitate identification of problems and drive product improvement. The study was fielded between February and May 2012.

It places VW only three from the bottom of a list of 34 car makers; only Mini, Fiat, and the Smart Car rated lower.

Audi, with 105 incidents per 100 new vehicles, is just one under the industry average of 102 incidents per vehicle.

Guess what I am looking for is some assurance from new Passat owners that I should still consider purchasing a 2012 or 2013 Passat.

Anyone wish to chime in???

Many thanks

[BrShootr]

Look at the thread "purchased SEL TDi...some observations". What happened there is very common. Dealers don't explain things to new owners, new owners underestimate how feature rich the cars are and don't read manuals. The result? People blame a car for not working when all it is is that they don't know how to use it.

The TDi platform is decades old and very reliable, I had the most unreliable touareg model ever made and it worked flawlessly. As others say, drive more and worry less.

[DubFamily]

OP;

I have a friend who purchased a '12 Passat TDI SEL shortly after they came out; initially he went to look at them on my recommendation (at the time I didn't even have a TDI, just a VW).

Once he decided he liked them and bought one; I took a long look at the car; and they are really well designed. I think BrShootr may be exactly right when he says it's more an issue of not knowing how to work things, or that options are there rather than actual car problems.

The Passat in general, and the SEL and Premium models especially, are really well loaded for their price range and market; so there is a lot there for people to mess up with

My honest recommendation would be to go drive one. ask for an extended test drive and put a good hour or two in it. Then decide for yourself. Personally, if it were between a Passat and an A3 I'd be all over the Passat in a heartbeat

[SpeedThree]

Thanks to both of you for your replies. I plan to go to the dealership on Sunday afternoon and take an extended drive.

[sportriderseattle]

As an owner of a '10 TDI Golf, I have to say I love my car, but what a ***** it was for the first year...if not a piece of **** IMO. My car was back at the dealer about 5 times the first year. "Teething Problems" some may say. I think the issue is that VW is soo up on becoming the #1 car manufacture that they are cutting corners and their Quality control went down the tube. Issues ran from a defective radiator to major water leak because they missed to seal a weld at the LT front wheel well where it meets the firewall (that took two separate visits because the dealer couldn't find it the 1st time), then the TDI hiccup/stalling, to the damn squeaky/creaking door seals whenever you go over a bump or uneven surface. There's a few other things but I mention the big issues.

[VdubDiesel]

Speed 3,

I have owned my VW PASSAT TDI for along time since October 5th 2011, and with 17,900 miles I am happy with my vehicle, no issues as of yet other than 2 missing screws on my heat shield, bastard must have went to lunch and forgot my screws LOL... Anyway the car is awesome... I have had the Windshield replaced but that's because a rock hit it and cracked it, does this mean I report it to JD power no, but most idiots do. SO don't go by what those surveys, most americans are not up there. I totally recommend you buy the vehicle, mine is purchased not leased and I recommend it. It's the smartest thing you would have done, what makes are you comparing it to let me ask you that?

[dezel]

VW's are hated and loved as Labron James!! Will you have it serviced at the dealer or independant garage? Can they work on a TDI? Factor in the cost of Timing Belt change and other sched. maintenance. Dont be afraid to look at the service manual to see what is involved. I would do this with any vehicle not just a tdi. I average about 90-110 miles a work day so it is a good car for me. Again look at what it costs to maintain the car, not strictly mpg. It may get 50 mpg but if it stays in the shop where is the $avings.

[jake and monika]

I also was looking at the A3 and Passat. I started looking for a used A3 TDI. After spending the entire day looking at every dealer, one dealer showed me the passat TDI. I loved it my wife still wanted the A3. both of these cars hold there value so we decided to get a new one. The vw dealer near me is also a Audi Dealer. I called and asked if they could put both cars (a3 and passat) side by side. Both 2012 models. It did not take long to see we both loved the passat. They both cost around 32k. The audi was nice until you looked every thing you get in the passat that is not in the a3. We now have a Passat SEL TDI Premium. The manual does not even cover everything this car can do. This site has lots of tips that helped me get even more out of this car. This is now my 3rd VW fom new. With what I know about all of my cars I would get another on a heart beat.

[SpeedThree]

Again, to all who have replied, my thanks.

I drove a TDI today; not an extended drive. Guy drove me about five miles down the road and I drove back.

It was an SEL, automatic transmission.

In order of importance my wants are: a car with legroom, with excellent mileage, "nice" (i.e., not cheesy, not low end), standard transmission (love shifting; always have & always will), and with a light-colored interior.

He found 2012 gray Passat with standard transmission and with a black interior that some guy had ordered but had to renege on due to financial difficulties. Said no thanks because the black interior is a deal breaker.

If you have _ever_ had a nice car with a light interior, you will know what I mean. When you drop something on the floor in a car with a black interior, you can't find it. Black interiors always show the dirt; light ones don't. When they get dirty, light ones are easier to clean. I know, it's counterintuitive, but it's true. Had a BMW 328i and a 525i, and a Subaru wagon with light interiors and they were all great. My current ride, great fun to drive, a Mazdaspeed3, has a black interior and I _hate_ it. But with a 265hp, turbo-charged engine, a sports suspension and a 6-speed standard shift, it's the most fun you can have with your pants on. :-)

OK. Back to the Passat.

BOATLOADS of legroom. I am 6'3" with a 34" inseam and with the seat all the way back and the wheel telescoped to its limit, it was bliss. The seats _seem_ nice, but that will require a long road trip (four hours in the driver's seat) before a final determination can be made.

With the front seat all the way back, I got in the back seat, and with my long legs I was still comfy. However, since the passenger seat will only go back and forth and tilt, but not up and down, the legroom there was just OK. Better than my Mazda 3, but not as good as in the driver's seat. When my wife drives on long trips, I will be _moderately_ cramped, but OK.

I will have to order a 2013 and that will require a 90-day wait for delivery. He said he could let me have the SE model with a standard transmission for a price of $26,200. Period. No other hidden charges other than tags and taxes.

I think I will go for it, but I was hoping to find one for less than this. The dealership, BTW, is in the greater Washington, D.C. area.

What do yo guys think of that price???

Thanks.

[rico567]

We have owned 14 SAAB over a period of 40 years. Most of these cars were well-used (only three new out of all those, and two were leases) when we got them, most with mileage in the 75-80K range, which we then drove, in most cases, to twice that. Nobody.... but NOBODY ever gave SAAB a good rating. But the strange thing is, we never experienced many maintenance issues other than the routine scheduled items, and the things that fell outside of that were never break-the-bank, or anything one would not expect of a particular vehicle at whatever the age / mileage it occurred.

We are currently driving an '04 SAAB 9-5 wagon with 127K on it, bought as a CPO vehicle with 21K, and have never owned a better car. We are looking hard at the VW Passat TDI as our next ride. While we regret the passing of SAAB, I don't think we'll have any hesitation about buying VW, if it comes to that. Don't draw conclusions from ratings without understanding what's behind them.