What is an Allroad and why can't even McGuyver keep one running?

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

I usually say the problem with Volkswagen is its owners who seem to expect the newer ones to stand to abuse and neglect much like a Beetle or a Dasher would do. Well, considering that Volkswagen still has a strong foothold in my POS of a home country with its harsh road and environmental conditions, it may not be so unreliable at all.

[Ecky]

Dashboard-light's data has much to say on the topic:



Just as an example, Honda/Acura lost a lot of points for selling an Isuzu on their lots for a while, and for the disaster that was their V6 automatic transmission during the early 2000's. How the crap did VW/Audi get a score like that?

I was under the impression older Beetles weren't particularly reliable, at least when you look at life expetancy. Sure, there weren't a ton of poorly built parts to fail, but how many 1500sp's (just as an example) are still high compression, burning zero oil and have needed no appreciable maintenance after 250,000 miles, as is common among modern engines? The plus side is (again, to my limited knowledge) that they're stupidly simple, easy, and inexpensive to fix.

[Xist]

How in the world is Hummer between Toyota\Lexus and Scion?!

Then Porsche.

This is a crazy world.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by Xist

How in the world is Hummer between Toyota\Lexus and Scion?!

Then Porsche.

This is a crazy world.

Science!

Apparently the H2 and Boxter are/were just well put-together vehicles, which had few problems that would take them off the road. Electrical gremlins maybe, but nothing that would require a tow.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Ecky

The plus side is (again, to my limited knowledge) that they're stupidly simple, easy, and inexpensive to fix.

IIRC in my country most of them were still fitted with that 8-valve 2.0L which is basically a crossflow version of the EA827. And exactly due to it being simple, easy and inexpensive to fix and mod it's still one of the most popular engine among drag and street racers in my POS of a country. Instead of a small-block Chevy, the first option of many local street racers is an EA827 with a turbo.

[Ecky]

Being easy to fix does not make them reliable, at least in my book. Cheap and attractive to own, sure.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Ecky

Being easy to fix does not make them reliable, at least in my book.

Older VW engines were frequently praised for being more reliable than their modern counterparts, plus being cheap and easy to fix. And you know, being able to fix something quickly with unimproved tools and other limited resources is a valuable asset for commercial operators, farmers who live considerably far from authorized service, or slumdogs who replace an MPFI setup with a 150cc motorcycle carburettor (which in Brazil and Argentina is not unheard of).

[jcp123]

Originally Posted by Xist

How in the world is Hummer between Toyota\Lexus and Scion?!

Then Porsche.

This is a crazy world.

I really can't speak to the Hummers, but I know that a lot of Porsche owners are fairly fanatical about routine maintenance. Early Cayennes were a disaster, but the consensus I hear is that while preventive maintenance on Porsches is expensive, rarely does anything just break or leave you stranded.

Maybe the rest of VAG should take a page or two from Porsche's book.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by jcp123

a lot of Porsche owners are fairly fanatical about routine maintenance

Since they can afford to have it done the right way, well, at least the first owners, it might sum up for the reliability of their rides. Used ones on the other hand, when their price decreases a lot exactly due to the high cost of maintenance, end up attracting some folks who only want to show off and brag about how smart they think they are for paying the cost of an average new econobox for a rich man's surplus.

[jcp123]

If you can afford a used Porsche and the aforementioned maintenance - especially a Boxster or Cayman - I could think of worse things to buy. Good indie mechanics exist, too.