I'm going to fucking kill someone.....again

So I buy a 05 VW golf with 20,000 miles on it on wednesday. This morning I go to start it and it doesn't start.... The radio, lights and all the things that run off that battery start, but the car will not turn over, nothing, no chugging, just a click.... Temp this morning was 0 F.... IMO in MN the car should be fine and start no problem every other car I have owned in MN has.

I have 5 days to decided if I want the car through the dealler I bought it from....

So, I'm pissed, I go to a different dealer to look at a 03 GTI (fully loaded) for $12,995, I test drive it and I'm fine with the car.... I then go to the dealer that I purchased the car from and tell them the problem and the other problems.... The FOB they gave me for the car doesn't work and since I'm only getting one key for the car (something they didn't tell me) it's going to cost me $230 to get a new key for the car. I ask then to kindly take car of that for me since they have wasted 3 hours of my day already.

So, if you were in my shoes, would you keep the car and see what else you can get in compensation from the dealer or retun the car and pick up the other one?

If I were in your situation I would return the car and get the other one unless you were really in love with the VW.

Errrr, just my experience but it could simply be a low battery, which is probably no one's fault outside of manufacturing. Very low temperatures can and will cause problems with batteries. The click you described is a starter solenoid, meaning the battery has power, but not sufficient to turn over the engine.

Personally I'd march back to the dealer and yell at them loudly in a public area with photocopied fliers of my problem, handing them out to everyone - customers and employees alike (yes I have done this before at a car dealership).

I might be a bit of an asshole, but after you buy a car from a dealership you smell bad to them and they don't want to talk to you.

I guess it depends on how you feel in general about the situation...do you suppose things will be fine after you fix this one setback or are you getting the sneaking suspicion that this is just a sign of things to come? I'd say to go with your gut on this one, for whatever my opinion's worth.
:glee:

return it.

if the dealer is not helpful at the beginning, it's just going to get worse. Everything about a VW is overpriced, so a good dealership would go a long way.

Without starting a flame war on what cars are best…

If I were in your shoes, I'd avoid VW like the plague. My personal opinion based off so many others (including friends and family, IE: electrical issues) that have nothing but issues with VW's.

You want reliability, Toyota. Want great value for the dollar, Toyota. Want great resale value, Toyota. The numbers don’t lie.

Those statements may come off as being biased, but do your research and you’ll see for yourself.

You asked for the advice/opinion. Take the car back and shop around. Don’t take no for the answer or let them talk you into keeping it. The problems have just started; take advantage of that 5 day return policy before you get shit on later.

Fuck a Toyota.

Ban GT40PWR for providing a completely idiotic and off topic answer to the question and making me turn this thread into a flame war.

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Originally Posted by Nesagwa

Fuck a Toyota.

Ban GT40PWR for providing a completely idiotic and off topic answer to the question and making me turn this thread into a flame war.

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OhNoes!! Ban me!

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Originally Posted by Magnaflux

Errrr, just my experience but it could simply be a low battery, which is probably no one's fault outside of manufacturing. Very low temperatures can and will cause problems with batteries. The click you described is a starter solenoid, meaning the battery has power, but not sufficient to turn over the engine.

Personally I'd march back to the dealer and yell at them loudly in a public area with photocopied fliers of my problem, handing them out to everyone - customers and employees alike (yes I have done this before at a car dealership).

I might be a bit of an asshole, but after you buy a car from a dealership you smell bad to them and they don't want to talk to you.

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At the dealer I was a bit of an asshole.... it's in my nature, since I am one. I told them they need to tow my car, fix my car, the FOB and get me a new key. I let them know that I was very frustrated and would be test driving cars the rest of the day...

problems this early spells trouble, and I don't know about you. BUT I wouldn't want to take the chance with that car. Cut any losses you may have while they're still pretty small.

...unless you like being frustrated.

FYI:

I don't car about other peoples preference on vehicles, so don't post them or tell me to buy anything else. If I wanted that info, I would have asked for it.

Ha, welcome to owning a VW.

I just had to replace the rear motor mount on my Beetle yesterday (at 72k miles) and at 62k miles I had to replace the brake booster ( 2k miles past the warranty expiring over covering it).

I've also had to battle with a never ending slew of electrical glitches that cause assorted warning lights to go off for no reason.

The transmission went out on my friend's GTI over the summer. It went out exactly 1,600 miles after the powertrain warranty expired.

Dealer just called to let me know that they towed the vehicle and they are getting ready to look at it.....

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Originally Posted by melchia

problems this early spells trouble, and I don't know about you. BUT I wouldn't want to take the chance with that car. Cut any losses you may have while they're still pretty small.

...unless you like being frustrated.

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I would have to agree with this. If you just got the car and you are already have problems (even if they are minor), it makes me wonder how well they checked it out.

If you do keep it, they need to get you another key for free. $230 for a key, fuck that.

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Originally Posted by melchia

problems this early spells trouble, and I don't know about you. BUT I wouldn't want to take the chance with that car. Cut any losses you may have while they're still pretty small.

...unless you like being frustrated.

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The Carfax report on the car is crystal clean and it was part of the reason why I picked the car....

Blah....

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Originally Posted by djdelly

The Carfax report on the car is crystal clean and it was part of the reason why I picked the car....

Blah....

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yeah, but at least this problem happened early, and you can still rectify the situation (mostly). i know it sucks and you've essentially wasted valuable time, but you'll waste more if you keep the car.

All I can say is that when I used to work as a mechanic the ONLY one I never worked on was Subaru.

I've personally owned Honda, Toyota, VW, Mitsubishi, Chevy and Ford.


But yes like Mangaflux said, it is quite defenite that it is due to a low battery. I mean it is a factory battery, which usually only lives 3 years at most and since the car is an 05 and next month its 08 already it makes sense. Also if the car has any aftermarket audio stuff that would also contribute to the almost dead battery.

i'd have tried jump starting it, if that didn't work, i'd have whacked the starter. i'm too self sufficient with cars and will try to fix it myself before ever taking it back to the dealership. and yeah as someone who used to work on cars for a living the do it yourselfers out there piss me off, but at the same time i want to make sure i can't fix it with what i have on hand before taking it to a shop because well...they're expensive and i don't cost a dime to use.

If you get a VW, get one that was built in Germany and not Mexico which leaves your options at: A) Passat or B) Touareg.

My Passat has been a reliable car, with minor but expensive problems.

I'd also recommend Toyota or Honda... but thats biased.

VW dealers are dumbfucks anyway so you might as well research the problem.

They replaced both control arms on my Passat and that wasn't even the problem.

I took the car and told the mechanic to shove the bill up his ass.

It was a tierod, and I was right.

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Originally Posted by djdelly

The Carfax report on the car is crystal clean and it was part of the reason why I picked the car....

Blah....

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I know there is an '02 Montero Sport out there with frame damage that won't show up on CarFax...

CarFax is useless.

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Originally Posted by TonK

If you get a VW, get one that was built in Germany and not Mexico which leaves your options at: A) Passat or B) Touareg.
.

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Hah I was about to say, here lies the problem.

My sister bought an 05 Jetta and it was a piece of shit. Transmission went out at 48K miles. She sold it 6 months after she bought it.

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Originally Posted by TonK

I know there is an '02 Montero Sport out there with frame damage that won't show up on CarFax...

CarFax is useless.

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Nice.....

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Originally Posted by djdelly

Nice.....

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Can't trust CarFax...

And since they came out, EVERYONE has been hiding repairs that didn't involve a police report.

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Originally Posted by Xian Xi

All I can say is that when I used to work as a mechanic the ONLY one I never worked on was Subaru.

I've personally owned Honda, Toyota, VW, Mitsubishi, Chevy and Ford.


But yes like Mangaflux said, it is quite defenite that it is due to a low battery. I mean it is a factory battery, which usually only lives 3 years at most and since the car is an 05 and next month its 08 already it makes sense. Also if the car has any aftermarket audio stuff that would also contribute to the almost dead battery.

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I love car batteries in cold climates. Remember the Five Year Guarantee that NAPA used to give on the NAPA Legend? They quit doing that, at least where I live in Alaska. They would barely last three years, and then all they would do is give you a discount towards a new one instead of replacing it.

Optima

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Originally Posted by TonK

Can't trust CarFax...

And since they came out, EVERYONE has been hiding repairs that didn't involve a police report.

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Great.... this is why I never liked the idea of buying a used car....

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Originally Posted by djdelly

Great.... this is why I never liked the idea of buying a used car....

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nothing wrong with buying used, it's all i ever do. it just takes some gumption and guts. and a bit of learning about cars and car repair

My family's had so many awful problems with cars (and many different cars, all used) since I can remember that I would get out of this ASAP.

That's also why I lease now, but I acknowledge that's not for everyone.

To me, vehicles are a necessary evil until/if I get so rich that they become disposable.

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Originally Posted by TonK

VW dealers are dumbfucks anyway so you might as well research the problem.

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I bought it through a Jaguar deal.... I was annoyed by the people at the VW dealer, but I'm meeting with them at 3:00 to talk about the 03 GTI I test drove earlier today.

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Originally Posted by djdelly

I bought it through a Jaguar deal.... I was annoyed by the people at the VW dealer, but I'm meeting with them at 3:00 to talk about the 03 GTI I test drove earlier today.

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Check all TSB's on it and see if any and all recalls were taken care of.

These are good little cars if maintained well.

You gotta take care of the car - changing the oil doesnt mean shit.

I'm underneath my truck once a week.

Under the hood once a week as well.

If I were you I'd get a TDi.

Then I can fix your car for you.

You would NEVER have to worry about the engine for at least 300,000 miles.

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Originally Posted by Kim _Kaphwan

i'd have tried jump starting it, if that didn't work, i'd have whacked the starter. i'm too self sufficient with cars and will try to fix it myself before ever taking it back to the dealership. and yeah as someone who used to work on cars for a living the do it yourselfers out there piss me off, but at the same time i want to make sure i can't fix it with what i have on hand before taking it to a shop because well...they're expensive and i don't cost a dime to use.

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You dont whack it if you hear a click. When you hear a click its the starter popping out gettting ready to turn the engine over.

If you dont hear a click then you whack it to pop it out.

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Originally Posted by TonK

Check all TSB's on it and see if any and all recalls were taken care of.

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That is what I am going to do next.

I'm also thinking of telling the dealer I want it brought to my local mechanic, who is a friend of mine, to have the car inspected 100% at their cost.... so I can see if there is anything else wrong with the car from an unbiased party.

TDI are hard to find in MN. :crying:

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Originally Posted by djdelly

That is what I am going to do next.

I'm also thinking of telling the dealer I want it brought to my local mechanic, who is a friend of mine, to have the car inspected 100% at their cost.... so I can see if there is anything else wrong with the car from an unbiased party.

TDI are hard to find in MN. :crying:

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You gotta look.

You have any idea how long it took me to find my truck?

Its worth more now than when I bought it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by djdelly

I bought it through a Jaguar deal.... I was annoyed by the people at the VW dealer, but I'm meeting with them at 3:00 to talk about the 03 GTI I test drove earlier today.

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I second what TonK said about VW dealers. Had one try and sell me a VW that they said was in a minor fender bender. Front right fender, hood, top, and left rear fender were a slightly different color than the rest of the thing. I think they rolled it. :oh_no:

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Originally Posted by TonK

You gotta look.

You have any idea how long it took me to find my truck?

Its worth more now than when I bought it.

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I've always heard the diesels were bad for cold weather climates, like MN...:spock:

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Originally Posted by djdelly

I've always heard the diesels were bad for cold weather climates, like MN...:spock:

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We have many diesel vehicles up here in Alaska.

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Originally Posted by BioMotor_Unitron

We have many diesel vehicles up here in Alaska.

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Exactly.

On every diesel minus a Cummins - they have glow plugs to heat the fuel to aid in combustion.

And as long as you add in an anti-gel formula, your fuel won't wax up.

My truck fires up with a bump of the starter every morning.

Cummins engines have grid heaters like a toaster, which heat the incoming air to make combustion easier.

With the new diesels, you can't smell or hear them and they are VERY easy to start.

Mine smokes like a broken furnace and smells just as bad.

But it runs like a scalded dog.

And gets 22MPG @ 8800lbs.

lol i've owned one VW and i will never buy another one.

same problem as yours.

car never starts. so...

1. replaced the starter
2. replaced the alternator
3. replaced the starter again after being stranded in virginia which is about 600 miles from where i was supposed to be.
4. added a relay switch in the electric system that cut power except the power that went directly to the starter.
5. got rid of the car cuz it was a piece of SHIT.

seriously, i've know tons of people who've had VW's last over 300k but some are just SHIT. you can't polish a turd. just get the GTI checked by a mechanic and if it looks good, go for it.

Incidentally, Delly, if you do kill someone, call me ;)


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Mr. Delly, your case is exactly what I need to rebuild my shattered practice. Care to join me in a belt of Scotch?


http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/b...nel_hutz_2.jpg

What in the fuck is an FOB?

Regarding the car situation, get your money back and run for the fucking hills.

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Originally Posted by galfordo

What in the fuck is an FOB?

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key fob, the part of the keychain that's got the door control/etc.

I like the one for my car because I don't have to ever remove it from my pocket --it works on a proximity sensor in the car, so as long as its on my person I can unlock the door and start the car without ever having to take it out --very convenient when you have on a heavy winter coat and thick gloves.

So are we still trying to see Wu-Tang on sunday?

All cars I had in my life were used, I would never buy new -- unless I wanted to buy it as an investment.

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Originally Posted by Bobak

key fob, the part of the keychain that's got the door control/etc.

I like the one for my car because I don't have to ever remove it from my pocket --it works on a proximity sensor in the car, so as long as its on my person I can unlock the door and start the car without ever having to take it out --very convenient when you have on a heavy winter coat and thick gloves.

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God damn it, I want a new car now. :envy:

I hate having to fumble around in my pockets when I'm carrying ten tons of groceries.

If you're not taking it in under warranty, never deal with a dealership for repairs.

I've always taken mine to a VW repair shop near my house, not a dealership. The dealership wanted to charge for 3 hours labor (at $75 an hour ) and $114 for the motor mount.

Place I went go to charged me $64 for the mount and only 1 hour labor at $60.

Update:

Jag dealer calls at 2:30 and leaves a message. I call back three time and have the guy paged to no response......

3:35 Stopped by the Jag dealer, get no help...... after 5 minutes they point me to who I need to talk to. Battery was dead, they fix the battery in the FOB, but no new key.... So I ask about it.... Nope nothing. I move the car out front, grab the key, get in to my other car and head over to the VW dealer.

3:50 VW dealer
I talk the guy down to the same price I paid for the 05 on a 02 GTI I had looked at earlier in the week (not the 03 I test drove this morning) and I tell him I'll be back tomorrow 9:30am to pick up the GTI.

I call the Jag dealer ask how early they are open tomorrow...she tells me 8, I say ok and hang up. I call back 10 minutes later and ask to speak to a manager.... Manager gets on the phone. I explain the situation to him and tell him I will there tomorrow morning at 8:00 to return the 05 Golf keys and paper work to the golf that is currently park outside of his building and the guy freaks out... panic wise. He tells me that no one will be there, so I tell him that the lady said you open at 8. He try's to talk me out of it and I tell him I'll be there at 8:30 and to have what ever paper work needed ready, because I have an appointment at 9:30 to pick up my new car....

I'll be going off on the jag dealer super fly TNT style tomorrow.

Jaguar dealer hates me, and the VW dealer loves me.

It's all done and over with. I made a bit of a spectacle at the jag dealer, since they kept tying to talk me into keeping the car.... I finally told the sales rep the only way I would keep the car is if they gave me monies..... he said we can't do that I said ok get the paper work for me to sign, he said how much money. I told him $2000 he tells me they are already losing money on the car.... 15 minutes later, I leave the dealer having filled out the paper work to finalize the returning of the car....

I'm now the proud owner of a 02 GTI.... I even managed to get a lower interest rate and didn't put any money down, since the money I put down on the other car is still in banking limbo.

:D

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Originally Posted by Bobak

Incidentally, Delly, if you kill someone, call me ;)

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Oh no, Bobak the ambulance chaser :oh_no: only in America.

Nicely played.

Its a pity that a dealership won't simply stand behind what they sell (it would have been cheaper and easier for them to simply fix your car and honor the contract). However you handled it well.

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Originally Posted by ttooddddyy

Oh no, Bobak the ambulance chaser :oh_no: only in America.

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You may want to brush up on the American slang... that wouldn't be an ambulance chaser (or an Enemy Chaser, for that matter :emb: ) .