Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Brand Reputation: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
I always see Volkswagens as great, reliable cars. The GTI is special because of its utility and performance. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
german built, soild car see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 250-horsepower 3.2L V6 6-speed automated manual AWD |
Like the 2004 R32, the 2008 R32 had a limited production run of 5000, most of which are now sold. The R32 is really a well balanced "mini grand touring" car; without the stigma of being a "rice racer" like the Evo or STi. A great car for road and track! see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review |
2005 | 2dr Hatch 200-horsepower 2.8L V6 6-speed manual FWD |
VW builds a quality car, besides their electrical issues, which I have not had in either of my last two GTIs. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review |
2004 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD |
VW, to me, means smart and sophisticated; while, at the same time, being practical and understated. Owning one shows you know automobiles without having to shout about it. VWs are not appliances. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review |
Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Brand Reputation: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2016 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Low reliability see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review |
2013 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD |
VW does not have that great a reputation in the U.S. This is a shame because the Golf really seems to be a well-made vehicle. Time will tell whether it holds up, but there are many horror stories of poor service, poor dealers, and the factory not standing behind their warranties. I'm hoping that VW has improved their ways, but this remains a major sticking point. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review |
2009 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
VW dealerships have one of the worst reps. for fair service prices. The dealer I saw was great on the test drive front, but I feared the service desk a few years down the line. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review |
2007 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Too many people, VW are still seen as nice cars that break often see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review |
Kia Sedona Brand Reputation: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
There aren't any strong reasons not to buy the Sedona. Yet when a friend recently bought a minivan his wife wouldn't even look at the Kia. Why not? Because it's a Kia. Some bases for this prejudice remain. Past Sedonas haven't been nearly as reliable as a Sienna or an Odyssey. Plus many Kia dealers have been with the company since its less illustrious days. Their showrooms can be small and shabby (though some newer ones are anything but), and they developed a culture that focused on buyers most other auto makers would not loan money to. I recently stopped into a Kia dealer to research how the seats operate in a lower level Sedona--and was kicked out. I'd folded and unfolded the seats a couple of times, and was in the driver seat when the sales manager informed me: "We're going to be showing this van soon, and can't have you slamming stuff around in here. So I'm going to have to ask you to leave." I've been visiting car dealers to gather information for my reviews for over 15 years. The great majority have been very helpful. This is the first time I've been bounced from one. Maybe the manager didn't have faith that the seat mechanisms could withstand a couple of folding and unfolding cycles? Whatever the manager's motivation--I still can't believe it happened--that dealer isn't doing much to improve Kia's image. see full Kia Sedona review |
Kia Sedona Brand Reputation: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Minivan, ext. 250-horsepower 3.8L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
It says "Kia" on it, and people still think that Kia means "unreliable" - Wife and I love driving the thing. see full Kia Sedona review |
2006 | 4dr Minivan, ext. 244-horsepower 3.8L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Sedona and Kia have a reputation for low cost but also low brand image for quality. I think they have made great strides on the quality side and in improving the overall designs in the latest models see full Kia Sedona review |