A little background:
My g/f brought her car to Cooley VW (Rensellaer, NY) for a charging system problem. They say its a battery - $230 later its replaced and shes out the door (yes $230 for a battery). The next day the car dies. Turns out it was the alternator (warranty work). So she has it towed back to have them fix their mistake. Well 3 weeks later shes still waiting on the part they say is on national back order. She has no loaner.
I call yesterday to ask what they are doing to get the part. They tell me wating for it to be shipped from VW America. I ask if they even tried any of the local dealerships -
"No, but if you want to you can."
So I do, I find 6 dealerships with the part within 2 hours ( a part they can't find in 3 weeks -didn't try to find.)
So I call VW America ask them what they are willing to do about this unprofessional situation.
"We can make them aware of the complaint, but we cannot make them get the part from another dealership."
"So basically my recourse is to wait at their mercy until VWA ships the part, a month, maybe two?"
Basically.
Sorry about the long rant - I am unbelievably frustrated with my lack of recourse and the unprofessionalism that VWA cares nothing about. If my g/f had a loaner or was paying for the work she would have had her car back weeks ago, of this I am certain.
Anyone have any suggestions as to further actions on my part?
Anyone ever dealt with VW of America?
Thanks
VW of America sucks
vw stealerships are right up there with the KKK.
they are unreasonable, over priced, and a whole bunch of other stuff i can say that isnt very appropriate
one time it cost me 650 dollars to change my brake pads..... i paid the money and replace my own pads now.
my younger brother decided to take a swim with the automatic key, the chip burned down and the digital buttons dont work now, they tell me it will be 130 dollars to replace a transistor, i give them the finger and use the key like any other person, ( actualy sticking it in the hole)
my glove compartment door latch mechanism broke once, got it replaced for free, two months later it broke again ( i'm not the only one, this was a common problem with 2000-2001 vw's) now i go to them again and they said 250 for a new glove compartment door, i go WTF, they said i can buy a black one for 50 ( my interior is gray) 200 dollars for the colour gray?!! So now one end of it just kind of hangs, it doesnt rattle so it doesnt bother me that much, and it stays closed, just on only one end.
thats all the problems FOR NOW>
one i'm still going have to get over with is replacing my spark plugs, while the new VW engines are bullet proof, whoever designed the "over the top" intake manifold should be shot in the throat, jason bourne style, ( for those of you that read the book). Because to get the spark plugs out you need a custom VW tool that you have to buy, which is like 50 bucks if not more to get underneath the intake manifold and somehow wiggle out the damn spark plugs.
so yes, VW "corprate" sucks major cajones.
they are unreasonable, over priced, and a whole bunch of other stuff i can say that isnt very appropriate
one time it cost me 650 dollars to change my brake pads..... i paid the money and replace my own pads now.
my younger brother decided to take a swim with the automatic key, the chip burned down and the digital buttons dont work now, they tell me it will be 130 dollars to replace a transistor, i give them the finger and use the key like any other person, ( actualy sticking it in the hole)
my glove compartment door latch mechanism broke once, got it replaced for free, two months later it broke again ( i'm not the only one, this was a common problem with 2000-2001 vw's) now i go to them again and they said 250 for a new glove compartment door, i go WTF, they said i can buy a black one for 50 ( my interior is gray) 200 dollars for the colour gray?!! So now one end of it just kind of hangs, it doesnt rattle so it doesnt bother me that much, and it stays closed, just on only one end.
thats all the problems FOR NOW>
one i'm still going have to get over with is replacing my spark plugs, while the new VW engines are bullet proof, whoever designed the "over the top" intake manifold should be shot in the throat, jason bourne style, ( for those of you that read the book). Because to get the spark plugs out you need a custom VW tool that you have to buy, which is like 50 bucks if not more to get underneath the intake manifold and somehow wiggle out the damn spark plugs.
so yes, VW "corprate" sucks major cajones.
Funny how they use KKK turbos.7thGear wrote:vw stealerships are right up there with the KKK.
Ever since moving the bulk of thier production to Mexico, quality has gone down the drain.
Alot of VW dealerships are also Audi, so of course you're going to have to deal with some a55hole sales and service people. Unless you're "upscale" they don't care about you.
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Bubba1
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Sorry about your dealership experience. I actually like Veedubs and Audi's. It may not be that all Veedub dealers that suck, just that one. Of course VW of America's response was unsettling.
NY: Are there any other VW dealers in your area? The one you're dealing obviously acted unprofessionally, perhaps the others are not as bad. But I would recommend using a VW dealer for only warranty work, and a good independant mechanic for EVERYTHING else, including diagnosis. My last Chrysler had 6 separate warranty problems in 3 years. The dealer tried to weasel out of 2 of them. Fortunately, my independent mechanic told me exactly what to tell the dealer what was wrong, and the dealer ended up taking care of it. Arrogant dealerships can ruin a car ownership experience, since you're dealing with an arrogant dealer, I suggesting taking the diagnosis responsibility away from them.
Good luck.
NY: Are there any other VW dealers in your area? The one you're dealing obviously acted unprofessionally, perhaps the others are not as bad. But I would recommend using a VW dealer for only warranty work, and a good independant mechanic for EVERYTHING else, including diagnosis. My last Chrysler had 6 separate warranty problems in 3 years. The dealer tried to weasel out of 2 of them. Fortunately, my independent mechanic told me exactly what to tell the dealer what was wrong, and the dealer ended up taking care of it. Arrogant dealerships can ruin a car ownership experience, since you're dealing with an arrogant dealer, I suggesting taking the diagnosis responsibility away from them.
Good luck.
AZhitman wrote:I'm not a big VW fan.
Went to the local dealership (killing time) when my Civic was in the dealer shop next door. Sales manager was an arsehole, casually mentioning, "We don't see a lot of Honda's traded in here - Our customers are typically upscale buyers."
Bite me, Wankwagen boy.
Upscale buyers? who the ***** are they trying to fool. VW was started to make a peoples car. something cheap and easy to maintain for the common person, not upscale buyers. please, it seems the higher the price of a car, the worse quality it is, excluding japanese imports.
I bet the Honda dealers say, "Damn, we sure do get a lot of VW's traded in here."AZhitman wrote:Sales manager was an arsehole, casually mentioning, "We don't see a lot of Honda's traded in here - Our customers are typically upscale buyers."
Our local VW dealership also seems to think they're selling Mercedes or BMW and not VW/Audi. Actually, I've heard more good things about the BMW dealer than the VW one.
cars like the beetle are up there with the likes of the mini, ecco, honda element and those electric cars ( forget the name, its something stupidly simple)
there are people that like to be spanked, and those that dont, its really a matter of prefrence.
( ps i dont like to be spanked, dont get any ideas, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE)
EDIT: IMO Audi >>> merc's and bimmers ( and about everything else on the market, once again, IMO)
there are people that like to be spanked, and those that dont, its really a matter of prefrence.
( ps i dont like to be spanked, dont get any ideas, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE)
EDIT: IMO Audi >>> merc's and bimmers ( and about everything else on the market, once again, IMO)
mitsu is the only nice dealership i've ever been in. I came in when they were CLOSED and asked to test drive that pretty blue evo out front, he didn't even ask my age and told me to wait a couple minutes he was still here with a couple other sales people and it should be fine...3 minutes he comes out and lets me know he just closed the deal on that evo (the last one they have) and points to the guy who just walked out with him and is now sitting down with a stack of papers and a pen. Made me sad. Oh well. A few days later I go over to the other mitsu dealership with a friend and his semi-uncle to try and find one, I leave for canada the next day, but they go back and they want a CC to put a hold on for the whole amount, or a check. They think they are selling freaking Maseratis over there. They said "well it's such a collectors car we don't do many test drives" i was like PFFFT. and he looked at me funny.
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Cold_Zero
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2005 Nissan Pathfinder
Toki-Mitsubishi dealerships are like that with all their cars. My buddy went to go test drive a used GSX and they wanted him to agree on pricing before he test drove the car. They said that if you were test driving a Viper you would have to do the same. Like an Evo even compares to the price range and class of a Viper? They also mis-represented GM's 24hr test drive. They (Mitsu Dealership) said that when you participate with the GM 24hr test drive, you have already bought the car and have the ability to bring it back if you dont like it. My wife's aunt works for Saturn and that is not the case. You have to show your ability to buy the car (credit check), proof of insurance, you can not leave the state and you can only put 200mi on the car. I know this is a blanket statement but all Mitsubishi Dealerships suck. It is because of Family Mitsubishi that I am driving a Nissan Altima and NOT a Mitsubishi Gallant.
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AZhitman
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Apparently I'm not alone with my feeling about VW.
How the HELL did the car company catering primarily to malnourished, third-world citizens, illiterate uninsured taxi drivers and filthy, stoned, patchouli-reeking hippies suddenly become the company whose cars sticker for $10K MORE than any other comparable car? Can someone PLEASE explain that to me?
I looked at Passats with a sticker of $30K. I was like, what the hell is so special about THIS? I'd buy a well-equipped Accord and drop the other $9K on a sportbike. Whatever.
BTW, Touareg is the STUPIDEST name for a car EVER.
How the HELL did the car company catering primarily to malnourished, third-world citizens, illiterate uninsured taxi drivers and filthy, stoned, patchouli-reeking hippies suddenly become the company whose cars sticker for $10K MORE than any other comparable car? Can someone PLEASE explain that to me?
I looked at Passats with a sticker of $30K. I was like, what the hell is so special about THIS? I'd buy a well-equipped Accord and drop the other $9K on a sportbike. Whatever.
BTW, Touareg is the STUPIDEST name for a car EVER.
VW seats are <too> stiff. I'm not talking the feeling of a recaro that keeps you planted. More like sitting on a plank. Notice how the outside edge of the seats(the edge you slide across as you enter/exit the car) is worn/bent/pressed down and looks like a melted chocolate bar(or, white chocolate...thanks VW, for the ghey interior colors).
I remember a "new" Beetle came into our shop with 17K on the odometer. Rear(!!) brakes were completely worn out, rear rotors worn beyond minimum spec. Scary.
Just because a guy <thinks> his car is upscale, doesn't mean his car <is> upscale. A high price tag guarantees nothing in the class department, except that some fool will buy the car as a status symbol. Anybody who thinks their family sedan Passat or their anemic Jetta is a status symbol truly deserves such a bad car.
-Phil
I remember a "new" Beetle came into our shop with 17K on the odometer. Rear(!!) brakes were completely worn out, rear rotors worn beyond minimum spec. Scary.
Just because a guy <thinks> his car is upscale, doesn't mean his car <is> upscale. A high price tag guarantees nothing in the class department, except that some fool will buy the car as a status symbol. Anybody who thinks their family sedan Passat or their anemic Jetta is a status symbol truly deserves such a bad car.
-Phil
i'd take a mid 80s VW, some of the better cars for driving. my friends 89 Jetta GLI was a beast, so fun to drive. and loved those Recaros, kept my arse planted.
I had to learn how to drive ina Beetle. Soooo uncomfortable. and they handled really had. hit a small bumo and it felt like you just fell in a ahole. and everything was so, uh, breakable feeling? everything inside just felt cheap.
I had to learn how to drive ina Beetle. Soooo uncomfortable. and they handled really had. hit a small bumo and it felt like you just fell in a ahole. and everything was so, uh, breakable feeling? everything inside just felt cheap.
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Thee 240sx Owner
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I just came off of VW ownership. 2 years with a MK4 Golf 1.8t.
1. Although mine was made in Wolfsburg, The Mexican made cars all use the same parts and the same automated machines to put the cars together. To say that because Mexicans are the ones pushing the buttons makes no sense to correlate that to quality.
2. VW America DOES SUCK. Their customer service is horrendus. Lucky for me, my car didn't experience any of the routine problems of the MK4, but I've heard and seen plenty. They do not help you out at all, even if you're having a problem with a known part failure.
I was on VWvortex for a little over 2 years, and it takes 30,000+ people threatening to sue VWOA just for them to THINK about helping you.
3. VW dealerships are a bunch of weiners. And they do not give much slack in prices. Why? Everyone and their mother wants a VW since the MK4's released. When you don't have to be nice to sell a car, why be nice? And why drop the price when the next person in the door is willing to pay more?
4. Yes, VW's are more pricey then their japanese counterparts. But I will tell you this, VW's are the best put-together cars under 20k. Period. I'm not referring to part malfunctions, etc., but just overall build quality. If you drove a VW for a year, I gaurantee you that you'd be comparing build quality and parts quality of every other car to your VW.
My little Golf is more stable and quiet going down I-95 at 75mph then my mom's Infiniti and is put together with better parts compared to any honda/nissan/mazda that I have ever ridden in.
In the end, VW definately has it's quirks. But the experience of VW ownership ( from an enthusiasts POV ) is second to none. You will fall in love with the car gauranteed.
BTW, if you're curious, the new MK5's are releasing next year.
Engine choices in the Golf/GTI/Jetta platform is as follows...
1.base - inline 5 cylinder - 150hp2.2.0 liter 16v ( no more crazy 20v ) turbo - 200hp3.2.8 liter 24v v6 - 201hp ( I think it's going to be phased out by..)4.3.2 liter 24v v6 - 240hp ( also being offered with 6spd manual and all wheel drive in the "R32" model Golf ).
Also, the MK5 has an all new rear independent suspension configuration, whcih should improve handling by a ga-jillion percent.
That all being said, I'm enjoying my recently purchased 13 yr old 240sx. Glad to be here
1. Although mine was made in Wolfsburg, The Mexican made cars all use the same parts and the same automated machines to put the cars together. To say that because Mexicans are the ones pushing the buttons makes no sense to correlate that to quality.
2. VW America DOES SUCK. Their customer service is horrendus. Lucky for me, my car didn't experience any of the routine problems of the MK4, but I've heard and seen plenty. They do not help you out at all, even if you're having a problem with a known part failure.
I was on VWvortex for a little over 2 years, and it takes 30,000+ people threatening to sue VWOA just for them to THINK about helping you.
3. VW dealerships are a bunch of weiners. And they do not give much slack in prices. Why? Everyone and their mother wants a VW since the MK4's released. When you don't have to be nice to sell a car, why be nice? And why drop the price when the next person in the door is willing to pay more?
4. Yes, VW's are more pricey then their japanese counterparts. But I will tell you this, VW's are the best put-together cars under 20k. Period. I'm not referring to part malfunctions, etc., but just overall build quality. If you drove a VW for a year, I gaurantee you that you'd be comparing build quality and parts quality of every other car to your VW.
My little Golf is more stable and quiet going down I-95 at 75mph then my mom's Infiniti and is put together with better parts compared to any honda/nissan/mazda that I have ever ridden in.
In the end, VW definately has it's quirks. But the experience of VW ownership ( from an enthusiasts POV ) is second to none. You will fall in love with the car gauranteed.
BTW, if you're curious, the new MK5's are releasing next year.
Engine choices in the Golf/GTI/Jetta platform is as follows...
1.base - inline 5 cylinder - 150hp2.2.0 liter 16v ( no more crazy 20v ) turbo - 200hp3.2.8 liter 24v v6 - 201hp ( I think it's going to be phased out by..)4.3.2 liter 24v v6 - 240hp ( also being offered with 6spd manual and all wheel drive in the "R32" model Golf ).
Also, the MK5 has an all new rear independent suspension configuration, whcih should improve handling by a ga-jillion percent.
That all being said, I'm enjoying my recently purchased 13 yr old 240sx. Glad to be here
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Bubba1
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AZhitman wrote:Apparently I'm not alone with my feeling about VW.
How the HELL did the car company catering primarily to malnourished, third-world citizens, illiterate uninsured taxi drivers and filthy, stoned, patchouli-reeking hippies suddenly become the company whose cars sticker for $10K MORE than any other comparable car? Can someone PLEASE explain that to me?
I looked at Passats with a sticker of $30K. I was like, what the hell is so special about THIS? I'd buy a well-equipped Accord and drop the other $9K on a sportbike. Whatever.
BTW, Touareg is the STUPIDEST name for a car EVER.
I agree VW;s maketing department is pretty dumb. The soon to be released Phaeton is dumb. (People will pay $60K for an Audi, not a Veedub) An exotic W12 motor in an ordinary Passat is dumb. The Touareg is a nice vehicle what a dumb name. But I gotta tell you, the Passat is a real nice car. I test drove a Passat when I was car shopping last year for 4 door car for my wife. I thought the Passat's fit and finish was nicer than the Altima, and the price was in the same range. I went with the Altima because I thought it was a better value, and would cost less to maintain over the long haul than a Passat. And after hearing so many horror stories about Veedub dealerships, I think I made the right choice.