Very shocked at current VW build quality and price
- Thread starter Hades
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Soldato
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You brought this on yourself. 
I've got a VW Bora with the same interior as the MK4 Golf and the build/feel of that is certainly a lot nicer than the MK5 Golf, although I'd heard that the MK6 was a return to form, not seen one myself.
Have just got a MK2 Skoda Octavia and although the interior isn't quite up to the MK4 VW (plastics feel a bit flimsier, although nicely put together), it was certainly on a par with the MK5 and there is a lot of common switchgear. If you can ignore the badge, Skoda definitely a good alternative to VW with mostly the same shells, running gear and engines but lower costs.
Have just got a MK2 Skoda Octavia and although the interior isn't quite up to the MK4 VW (plastics feel a bit flimsier, although nicely put together), it was certainly on a par with the MK5 and there is a lot of common switchgear. If you can ignore the badge, Skoda definitely a good alternative to VW with mostly the same shells, running gear and engines but lower costs.
Perhaps. If the current manufacturing techniques and materials weren't decided upon long before the recession kicked in.
Besides which, companies which decide that because there's a recession and people can afford to pay less will suddenly accept products which are far worse than before and still overpriced are sadly deluding themselves.
The Golf 6 (2.0 140bhp GT) I demo'd, felt a nicer car to be in comnpared to my old Focus ST, everything that the driver came into contact with, had a nice feel.
But It needed better wheels to make the incredibily dull outside look better, they are expensive for what they are, but they have a very loyal and in some respects misguided/snobby, following. I'd love a job in their marketing department, easiest marketing job in the automotive field!
I'd certainly have the GTD, or R tho, but only as a company car
But It needed better wheels to make the incredibily dull outside look better, they are expensive for what they are, but they have a very loyal and in some respects misguided/snobby, following. I'd love a job in their marketing department, easiest marketing job in the automotive field!
I'd certainly have the GTD, or R tho, but only as a company car
Caporegime
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The GTD is a joke. Same power as the MkV GT diesel, 50% more expensive.
The R I would love to have, but not at that price.
The R I would love to have, but not at that price.
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
No.
The reality is that businesses exist to survive first and foremost. In a recession that has lasted three years, with experts foreseeing its arrival before 2007, it's not impossible to think that cost cutting decisions were made then. As you say, it takes a while for it to have a knock on effect.
I think 'far worse' is perhaps a gross exaggeration in the context as well.
[TW]Fox;16357469 said:
Oh dear! I thought they were doing something to provide a real diesel equivalant to the GTI! What the hell does it offer over a GT then!
edit - Bar powertrain and the GTI having a rear diffuser and exhaust pipes on both sides, they both get sport suspension and all other same features...... am I missing something?
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You are missing something - it might have 'Sports Suspension' but it wont be the same suspension, it will be different because the engine weights are different. The GTD also lacks the GTI's exhuast system (It doesnt have the cool twin pipes). It also lacks the 'funky' electronic differential the GTI has.
It is also considerably down on power!
It is also considerably down on power!
I don't think there were any experts in economic modelling and forecasting in VAG who were ahead of the remainder of the planet, if that's what you're suggesting. Otherwise VAG would own half of the USA now.
Also, I don't think the comment on build quality is a gross exaggeration.VW used to, quite intentionally, be positioned as a class and thought leaders in build quality and reliability, but have now slipped to the point where, in reliability and customer expectation and experience terms, they fall below cheaper Asian offerings. Let alone European badge competitors, even within the same group.
I'd say that is some fall.
Haha yeah I know it's down on power! I was trying to get at that it's not comparable to a GT trim level because its close to the GTI (i did think they were identical apart from engine..... (and obv power!)) but there are small differences. Like that Megane RS diesel!
We have owned both a mk4 golf and mk5 and the mk5 golf seems better put together than our mk4 was, although they are both feel well made. Infact the overall quality of the mk5 golf seems better than our 8P A3 was, the plastics arent as tactile as the A3s but they arent far off and dont suffer the wear that the Audi interior did. The mk6 golf was released to bring down the build cost which was to high on the mk5 Golf.
Caporegime
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Whether or not the GTi and the GTD are identical but for the engine, sticking an engine with the power featured in the previous generation's highline trim does not make it ok. It's marketed as a diesel GTi!
My "GT" is also down on power compared to the previous incarnation "GT", which confused me somewhat, presumably gimped specifically so that they had an excuse to sell the GTD at a higher price point compared to the GT.
Kappa - nobody said that the GTD offers nothing over and above the GT, I only said that the engine power being the same as the previous Mk GT is strange. I know power isn't everything, but still.
My "GT" is also down on power compared to the previous incarnation "GT", which confused me somewhat, presumably gimped specifically so that they had an excuse to sell the GTD at a higher price point compared to the GT.
Kappa - nobody said that the GTD offers nothing over and above the GT, I only said that the engine power being the same as the previous Mk GT is strange. I know power isn't everything, but still.