How are the 06 and newer VW Golf/Rabbit's? I like the looks of them and the motor seems to be okay (I know its pretty much a tractor motor but okay for dd purposes). Are they any better than the mk4's in terms of reliability and quality? I know Jetta Wagon would be the better option for maximum space (could afford a 2.5 gasser. Tdi's are too expensive). How is gas mileage?
The MPG numbers for a 2.5 Rabbit are pretty weak. 29 mpg highway with a manual, in a car that small? I was interested until I saw that. Pretty basic inside, too, from what I saw.
I purchased a 2006 Rabbit the day they hit the lots. I grew to hate that car. the 150hp 5 cylinder made all the right noises but was very diesel like. It flat ran out of breath at 4200rpm. It got abysmal fuel economy in town. 19mpg city was the best I could do despite it hitting near 32 on the interstate. If I didn't short shift and actively try to get good mileage it would drop to 15.
I understand they did some fiddling by 2008 and the motors spec went up to 175hp so they probably fixed the wheezyness the early 5cyl had.
They are bigger than the Mk4's by quite a bit, the size of the previous generation passat actually. They lack any of the fun to drive-ness that the earlier VW's had. The center dash vent rattled and buzzed in a way that set my teeth on edge. The dealership could not fix it, said they all did that and suggested I buy an aftermarket cubby that replaced the AC vent. Speaking of the AC it kinda sucked and for some reason was piped into the glove box and center console storage area. This, I was told was a "feature" to keep my drinks cool. I don't ever have a beverage with me in any car so it was lost on me.
The only actual failure I had with it in 3 years was the seat heater went wacky and burned a hole in the seat cover, my jacket and shirt and gave me a bit of a surprise.
I foolishly traded in the most perfect, minty, troublefree 30K mile 2003 Jetta wagon 1.8t five speed on that rabbit. I ended up getting fed up with the MK5 and trading it in on a 2001 20V GTI that we liked a LOT more and easily returns 25mpg in town. Even the late Mrs. Ditchdigger (who wasn't a spirited driver) said "WOW this is SO much more fun to drive" within 3 blocks of getting in the drivers seat.
I can't recommend a MK5 and I tend to like VW's quite a bit.
"All the power of a 4 and the economy of a 6" - The new 2.5L - 5 cyl. from VW.
My wife and I just sold her 2010 Golf Wagon (they are sold as Golfs up here in Canuckistan). To be honest in almost 3 years never had a problem, except for a door problem due to ice build-up (front edge of driver's door folded over), that VW covered on warranty. Car was solid and drove well. The Mk 5's seemed much better than the Mk4's from a reliability standpoint. Fuel Mileage - I did better in my WRX! Now my wife's wagon had a slushbox in it. Newer ones made 175 hp up from the 150 hp versions.
We needed something bigger and went to a 2012 Ford Explorer.
I'll scratch this choice off the list of future DD's then.. I didn't think they would get such lousy mpg around town. Are the GTI's any better with mpg's?
The 2.0FSI GTI's get MUCH better fuel economy.
But, but, they have all that German engineering in them, so they must be great cars.
Way back when the 1st gen. Rabbits came out, VW constantly "tinkered" with the engine, changing displacements from year to year, (trying?) to improve power AND fuel economy. Something happened at VW about the time of the 3rd gen. Golf and "things" went downhill fast. That funky 5 cylinder was offered in Europe...and they hated it there for the same reasons we hate it here, but VW offered it here, anyway. For 2014 it's replaced by a turbo 4 cylinder and won't ever be offered again, except maybe in China?
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