http://www.vw.com/gti/photos_ext.html


MK V, THREAT OR CHALLENGE ?

A CLASSIC RIVALRY, RE-NEWED FOR THE NEW YEAR.

 

Personally, I dont mind people buying other cars. For those who choose to modify their rides, it helps to keep things unique and not something cut out with a cookie cutter. VW has always had a strong following. Honda's following will always exist. It just motivates Honda Engineers to come out with somethig better. For instance, the Fit when debuted will be about the same price as the tC. Hopefully the fit will prove to be better especially when people start swapping in K20s.

 

Meh, all in all its still a VW. VW probably won't take away enough sales from the RSX or Civic to be noteworthy. And if you price it out i'm pretty sure (going on memory) that the unrelaible VW costs more to get the same options as an RSX or Si.

 

both your points are what I was thinking.VW=UNRELIABLE(not to mention a hard clutch)catch a charliehorse in your calve with their stock clutches man. And about those FITS, I think they should put the K20's in from the door. Im feeling the headlights on them too.. pretty cool cars. They have potential and are lightweight, maybe they can base a new hatchback SI after them.

 

If they put K20s in the fit, then it would more than likely take away sales from the Civic considering that the fit is suppose to run around 14g. Potentially the Si will take away sales from the RSX with only a minor Hp difference but the addition of an LSD on top of a lower retail cost and more than likely slightly cheaper insurance.

 

Coming from a VW and Honda owner I'd say the MkV is a threat but only because it's a hatchback. Hatchback owners are a loyal bunch and they may be willing to jump ship to stay in a hatchback.
I will say this though.
Honda = well made
VW = Good intent

 

What makes VW unreliable...I have a mkiv gti (had a 99 and a 96 civic before that) for over 2 years and im yet to have any problems with it and I see old vws from the early 70s like the beetle and bus drivin around town.... I have driven the new gti and it probably has the best transmission out there in the DSG... and YES it is a threat to the new si and rsx if compared equally (without bias)

 

What makes it unreliable? I don't know. Maybeeeee:

-In the bottom 4 of Consumer Reports car companies in repairs per 100
-In the bottom 3 in the recent German driver's satisfaction survey
-Tons of problems ranging from minor electrical things to windows falling out.
-And much more

It seems like its a hit or miss thing. Some people are very happy and swear by their VW's, others have been put through hell with their cars. My neighbour who is a VW/Audi tech (and now an ex. VW fan) has told me numerous stories from his dealership and many other people have complained about VW.

Chances are you won't be able to find a reputable company (JD Power, AJAC, Consumers Reports, etc.) that ranks VW above average, let alone near Honda/Toyota.

 

the major problem with VW is that there seems to be no quality standard to which they set their cars. it's seriously hit or miss on quality, and either you'll see nothing wrong or a million things that are a PITA

 

Coming from a Honda and VW owner.

I havent had any major problems with my VW.
have a 98 GTI VR6 turbo'd and the only issues I've had are axles breaking and fuel issues when my brother and I began to work on the engine.
So far its been problem free since I think 2001.

my hoopty is an 02 accord sedan. Minor problems here and there with the CEL light. Aside from that the accord is more of en economical car. Great gas mileage etc.....Only wish it had torque.

VW torque > honda torque