Folks. Be reasonable. The Rabbit's gonna be $14,995.00 with 150 HP, ABS, dual airbags, curtains, alarm and an interior better than any Honda and equal to any Acura. The Golf has been reliable in Europe and I rotate my car every four years anyway. Got the manufacturer warranty for that ish. Maybe the second generation FIT will be something worth considering. But as of right now, my money's on the Rabbit.

 

When is the Rabbit scheduled to release in the US? This fall?

 

If you're happy with it, go for it dude.
I have heard too many horror stories about VW's reliability in the last few years to risk trying them out.

 

Different opinion: My 1975 Rabbit needed three clutches in five years & while fun, it was expensive to keep going. I try to keep cars for at least 8 years, and my Miata is now at 15, and it was as loved by Consumer Reports for reliability as it was for fun by Car & Driver. C&D loved the Fit, and I bet CR will too, so I'm still going for the Fit-- the rest of you have given the reasons repeatedly.

 

Well - I hope for your sake that your new Rabbit is still running before you can switch it out in 4 years. I currently have a VW Golf that I have only had for two years. In that short time, I have spent a total of $5,000 - all on engine-related problems. I finally had to put a new engine in there. And the car only has 64,000 miles on it and it's a year 2000. VW's reliability is total crap. I would gladly give up some of the luxury features for a sturdy, reliable car. Goodbye VW Golf...hello Honda Fit!

 

well be reasonable...if you think thats a better bargain go ahead yo but, with reliabilty issues, hondas not known for making cars that breakdown thats why they are a little more pricey than others you get what you paid for...good luck with your new car

 

Are you sure it's that cheap?

 

oof - many of my friends have had SOOO many computer/clutch/engine/electric problems with their VW's. good luck.

 

heres a nice VW POLO GTI too bad its only sold in Europe

 

The press release mentions the sub $15K price, but isn't specific about how "de-contented" that model will be. The current base Golf starts north of $16 on the veedub site. The 150 hp 2.5L five cylinder engine may not be the one included at the lowest price points.

Either way, the more competition in the sector, the better. I'm loving VW's safety commercials (the one's show "normal folks having a conversation" right up until the side curtain airbags deploy...very persuasive in favor of the extra bags!). And my buddy just decided to keep his old Golf instead of trading, cuz he loves the car.

The press release mentions a 4 year / 50K bumper to bumper warranty, plus 4 years roadside assistance.

http://www.vw.com/companyinfo/news_2...edh_rabbit2006

 

I've said this before, but I have had two VWs. An 85 GTI and a 95 Jetta GLX. I drove the hell out of them. The GLX went coast to coast about ten times, and I never had a problem with either of them with the exception of sun/moonroof cable adjustments. Great cars, and if VW wises up and brings the Polo over before I have to buy a car, that will be high on my list.

 

With VW reliability? No thanks.

On another note, I sat in a GTI once - if the Rabbit's the same body, then...just..eww. It felt big, heavy, and ponderous just sitting in it. The Fit will probably provide similar performance while getting much better mileage because it's lighter.

 

The first time I saw that commercial, I involuntarily gasped, and said "Oh my God!" pretty loudly. It TOTALLY caught me off-guard. Good commercial.

Too bad the car isn't as good as the marketing.

 

Amen to that - VW = big $$$ to keep running !!!!

 

Well, to each his own. But I will tell you that I have owned two Volkswagens, a Beetle and a Diesel Rabbit. I used to call it my "Diesel Dog". I had all kinds of problems with it. I had a Honda '96 Civic with 195,000 miles and had just spent $1,000 getting it all fixed up to do another 100,000 miles. Then, just as I was returning home, I got hit by a man who wasn't paying attention. My airbags deployed--after 195,000 miles--and my car was totaled. I had been doing research on cars and was interested in the Fit but then read probably here that they might bring out a Hybrid Fit. Well, hopefully, I will get my fit today. Wasn't happy about my Civic but am sure I will enjoy driving the Fit. BTW, when the airbags deployed after so many miles, I was impressed with Honda's workmanship.

 

In addition to reliability issues, you will get killed when you sell/trade. I had a '97 Jetta GLX that was a decent car (with annoying electrical gremlins), but I was glad I leased.

 

VW parts are expensive.

 

I'm being reasonable by staying away from anything built by VW for the rest of my life.

I don't buy low quality overpriced garbage.

 

YEH RELIABILITY IS AN ISSUE....REALLY THINK ABOUT WHAT YOUR DOING DUDE....

 

I'm tempted to go VW too, esp since the Rabbit will be German-made. However, even in Europe, VW is now considered less reliable than Peugeot! So I dunno - I might test drive the new VW but since I intend on keeping my next car for 15 years, Honda reliability plus the better gas mileage will be key.