Ha! Karma is a bitch. [/cranky old man who loves manual transmission cars]. Seriously, though, when I drove the MK5 GTI for the first time, the DSG totally freaked out and went into some kind of limp mode. Whether that was a statement on VAG quality or DSG itself, I'm not sure, but it did result in a five-speed Mazda3 for my garage.
I wonder how they'll figure out a way to blame the drivers. That's what VW does. "You know, these transmissions are pretty robust, but if you leave them in auto mode like a sissy little girl, they wear out quicker. I hope you've learned your lesson. Here's your receipt. As you can see, shop incidentals came to over $30 because we had to eat so many Twix while fixing your car. How am I going to explain my fat ass to my wife? I'm going to blame you, that's how. Have a nice day."
@Ash78: And you wonder why they never were able to sell many Phaetons. Many said if they would have just branded it the Phaeton and left off the VW badge, they would have sold like hot cakes. Alas, no rich guy wants to hear it from the service center.
@maximum-sienna: A great car, but very poorly executed. Allegedly the whole thing arose because Piech was jealous of M-B and BMW execs showing up for meetings in their Q-ships. Sure, he could have used an Audi A8, but he wanted something with the core brand's logo on it.
Wes, while I normally have to agree with your reviews, this one seems a bit off target. Trying to evaluate any small car with an automatic, is like dancing with someone with a cast and crutches. Sure, you CAN do it, but it's not going to give you a very accurate approximation of what their real capabilities might be. You were right about staying away from the DSG. But not about the small TDI's in general, and their hooning potential. Dead wrong about that.
@DoctorNine: I think i made that point pretty clearly. The car's great, the transmission isn't. My biggest worry with it is that the DSG isn't being presented as an enthusiast option like in the GTI etc, it's there in place of an auto and behave like an auto it does not. For you and me, the DSG would be fine, if slightly annoying. For Jared from the Subway ads, it could possibly cause a fatal heart attack.
@Wes Siler: ".. For Jared from the Subway ads, it could possibly cause a fatal heart attack..."
I know he's lost weight, but I derive much pleasure from watching obese people try to drive small cars. Yes, I know it's childish. I remember when the Mazda MX5 came out. There was this 350 lb administrative secretary in the building where I worked, who bought a brand spanking new red one. She could get into it, only by turning kind of sideways, and falling inside, until she wedged herself into the driver's seat. One day I'm looking out my window above the roadway past our building, and a see her out for a quick drive (to pick up lunch of course). Top down, sunny day; any girl's dream lunch break. Just then, a hooptie Impala swerves in front of her, because she is driving her sports car timidly, and leaving way too much space between her and the car in front. She tries to swerve out of the way to avoid hitting him, but her belly pannus is covering half the steering wheel, and prevents the emergency move. It was caught in there somehow. So she bounces down on the belly/wheel and then back up like a jack in the box. Her little Miata is ruined by the massive Impala rear chrome, and he drives on. Leaving her with a bloody nose, steam spewing out of the front of the MX5 with less than 100 miles on it, and a crowd of bystanders, who all know her, paralyzed by the event, but not wanting to actually be so crass as to laugh out loud.
It sounds like compared to the DSG, and given what a good car it is, it's worth learning to drive a stick just to own one, if you're buying a new car anyway.
Hey! I spent 4 nights last week cleaning my handgun and rifle after shooting on Sunday. There's nothing wrong with a clean weapon! I AM OFFENDED. Having clean guns is like taking car of your car, if you want your life to depend on something, you had better take care of it!
@jodark: /not really offended, just manufacturing offense because you happened to touch the demographic of people who clean their guns and it seemed like the Jalop thing to do lately.
You know, on the VW website, the manual transmission is listed as an option for these cars. The dealer order sheet I looked at a few months back when I was considering one showed it, too...
That would solve most of your problems with this little oil burner.
You eat every meal at Mickey D's and your idea of automotive excellence is a late '90s Buick. You think diesel is the fuel of communists. The idea of your car doing anything other than slushing its way slowly up to highway speed questions your fundamental understanding of the world. The idea of a Palin/Limbaugh ticket in 2010 has you up at night polishing your guns with excitement. You're the average driver and, like all your peers, you've subconsciously learned to fear any car that requires any thought from its driver. You know how to drive stick.
Is that to say you shouldn't buy this particular car? Because I was under the impression that the only worthwhile configuration was with the manual instead of the DSG.
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It's the driver's fault anyway for paying attention to meaningless idiot lights.
08/20/09
It's one of the best "automatics", though, so that's something.
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Sometimes, aye!
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...as a scapegoat
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06/05/09
I think you're missing the point. Why not compare it to other compact wagon/hatches?
WRX (or Impreza or Outback Sport)
Mazda3
Matrix
Volvo V50
Audi A3
I suppose you could also consider all manner of compact CUVs, too (Escape, Tiguan, CRV, Rav4, Patriot)
In my mind, most buyers would be looking for this form-factor, and the great mileage is a feature exclusive to VW.
06/05/09
WTF is going on with that, anyway?
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I know he's lost weight, but I derive much pleasure from watching obese people try to drive small cars. Yes, I know it's childish. I remember when the Mazda MX5 came out. There was this 350 lb administrative secretary in the building where I worked, who bought a brand spanking new red one. She could get into it, only by turning kind of sideways, and falling inside, until she wedged herself into the driver's seat. One day I'm looking out my window above the roadway past our building, and a see her out for a quick drive (to pick up lunch of course). Top down, sunny day; any girl's dream lunch break. Just then, a hooptie Impala swerves in front of her, because she is driving her sports car timidly, and leaving way too much space between her and the car in front. She tries to swerve out of the way to avoid hitting him, but her belly pannus is covering half the steering wheel, and prevents the emergency move. It was caught in there somehow. So she bounces down on the belly/wheel and then back up like a jack in the box. Her little Miata is ruined by the massive Impala rear chrome, and he drives on. Leaving her with a bloody nose, steam spewing out of the front of the MX5 with less than 100 miles on it, and a crowd of bystanders, who all know her, paralyzed by the event, but not wanting to actually be so crass as to laugh out loud.
So no. Jared. No. You are indeed correct.
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/not really offended, just manufacturing offense because you happened to touch the demographic of people who clean their guns and it seemed like the Jalop thing to do lately.
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That would solve most of your problems with this little oil burner.
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So, about 80% of America.
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You know how to drive stick.
Is that to say you shouldn't buy this particular car? Because I was under the impression that the only worthwhile configuration was with the manual instead of the DSG.
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