Post by Volktales on Oct 18, 2014 13:25:13 GMT -8
Ok we all like our VWs and we all probably have our favourite years/models/etc. But what was the BEST Volkswagen ever built? And my definition of best might not be the same as yours. My parameters for best include most reliable and longest lasting. You know the type of cars you can drive for years, and as the kilometers pile on, you don't get a sense of impending doom... So after spending hours mulling over this (ok really about 2 seconds), here is my submission for the best VW every made!!!
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Yes here it is. The Mark II Jetta turbodiesel!!! Unlike many other VW's and indeed other manufactures' cars, this is one that will keep going on and on. Even with basic maintenance, these things are as close to an indestructible car as can be made. The engines in these can easily pass 500,000 km without trouble. My sister had one that lasted 525,000 before a piston ring cracked causing excessive oil consumption. The engine was rebuilt and the car had close to 700,000 before the original transmission had enough and lost a differential ring gear rivet which holed the casing. By this time rust had set in enough that I decided not to replace the trans. The car still ran perfectly and the interior was still mint including the original seats. The only reason it rusted was due to several previous deer related accidents and lots of replacement windshields. The car was on its seventh timing belt! If it was not rusty, I happily would have kept it and taken it up to 1,000,000 km! The Mark III model which replaced it had a much poorer quality interior, rust prone body, and the mechanicals did not seem quite as robust. VW still has not built another vehicle that could equal the Mark II. I seriously doubt that they or any other company ever will either...
The car was sold to a customer who is going to use the engine in a Suzuki Samurai off road machine, so it will still live on!
Scroll down...
Yes here it is. The Mark II Jetta turbodiesel!!! Unlike many other VW's and indeed other manufactures' cars, this is one that will keep going on and on. Even with basic maintenance, these things are as close to an indestructible car as can be made. The engines in these can easily pass 500,000 km without trouble. My sister had one that lasted 525,000 before a piston ring cracked causing excessive oil consumption. The engine was rebuilt and the car had close to 700,000 before the original transmission had enough and lost a differential ring gear rivet which holed the casing. By this time rust had set in enough that I decided not to replace the trans. The car still ran perfectly and the interior was still mint including the original seats. The only reason it rusted was due to several previous deer related accidents and lots of replacement windshields. The car was on its seventh timing belt! If it was not rusty, I happily would have kept it and taken it up to 1,000,000 km! The Mark III model which replaced it had a much poorer quality interior, rust prone body, and the mechanicals did not seem quite as robust. VW still has not built another vehicle that could equal the Mark II. I seriously doubt that they or any other company ever will either...
The car was sold to a customer who is going to use the engine in a Suzuki Samurai off road machine, so it will still live on!
) Fridolin in appearance.