Bought an Albino Bunny

[ScottyB]

just curious...how is this car treating you? haven't heard anything for a while, what with the OH NOES VW reliability. seems like these are compelling new car buys now what with the pricing and equipment.

[ViPER1313]

Treating me alright - I still love the way the car drives and handles, the stereo kicks ass and it seems to be getting better gas mileage now that the car approaching 12k miles. My only true irks are about the build quality / reliability and the heavy ass flywheel - the motor takes 4 seconds to settle from 3000rpm to 800rpm and the electronic throttle doesn't close completely when the gas is released.

-Transmission is still leaking. VW dealer was a complete and utter bitch about it and claimed it was oil from an oil change (even though I have done both of them and the fluid was there before the 1st oil change.) I'm about to take it back in - 3rd time same problem.

-Rattle in dash. There is a TSB on the issue. Also tons of rattles throughout the car.

-When I did the 2nd oil change I noticed one of the clips holding a coolant bypass hose had come unclasped and let the hose dangle closer to the engine block. Clipped the hose back in place.

-Ignition switch feels loose compared to the way it used to (seems like there is a lot of play when you put the key in.)

Its a shame too because the car is so much fun to drive and uses really high quality build materials - it just seems that VW really needs to step up their quality control. When every owner complains of rattles with the dash vent, it makes me think about how much time VW actually spent testing and ironing out the bugs in the platform.

[ScottyB]

heavy ass flywheel

its amazing how much fun that takes out of driving. my audi was the same.

[.RJ]

seems like these are compelling new car buys now what with the pricing and equipment.

Has your A4 experience taught you nothing? Dont do it scotty! :lol:

[ScottyB]

Dont do it scotty! :lol:

:lol:

meh....every time i change the oil in the scoob i remember why i don't suffer as much from stress-induced migraines anymore... :lol:

damn german engineers and their complicated automobile tomfoolery.

edit: but i keep coming back to the rabbit...i mean it even has an I-5, how cool is that?

[ViPER1313]

it even has an I-5, how cool is that?

The engine note is wicked although the redline is a buzzkill (5600rpm or so). The 08' Rabbit claims to have 20 more horsepower (170 vs 150hp), but dynos seem to show 07's were under-rated (142whp) while 08's are a tad-bit over-rated (149whp). Either way, globs of torque. Not to mention the 08' comes with a lightened flywheel :twisted: .

[Feersty]

How is it for daily driving? I assume alright? Are you going to do any mods to it?

[ViPER1313]

How is it for daily driving? I assume alright?

See the full review, page 2.

Are you going to do any mods to it?

No.

[ViPER1313]

Almost at 14k miles, trans is still leaking. According to the dealership, "it leaks, but it doesn't leak enough to warrant a repair." When I told them they could shove that explanation and fix the issue, they put some UV dye in the trans in an attempt to see exactly where the leak is coming from. Gonna take it back in soon.

And I have a new problem to add - the stupid thing stalls out :wink: How a car made in 2007 can still out while idling amazes me, but somehow VW has managed to package that feature into the Rabbit as well.

At this point I have to laugh, because I throughly researched this car before it came out. The 3 problems I found some owners (who seemed few and far inbetween) experiencing were:

-Stalls while warming up if idling for long period of time
-Dash vent rattles
-Airbag warning light

So now I have experienced them all. And more. When I get a weeks worth of vacation I am going to fly to Germany, track down the inspector for this car and smack him.

[Andy]

So now I have experienced them all. And more. When I get a weeks worth of vacation I am going to fly to Germany, track down the inspector for this car and smack him.

Aren't those things made in Mexico?

[ViPER1313]

Engine: Mexico
Transmission: Argentina
Final Assembly: Germany

[CaptainHenreh]

You know, Adam, that really sucks, and I'm biting my lip not to say "I told you so".

It was established in my mind long ago that VW is the Kia of Germany.

[Jeff]

I already told him "I told you so" on the phone...he took it quite well :wink:

[BLAIR]

awesome.. FUN of owning a VW :lol:

[ScottyB]

Almost at 14k miles, trans is still leaking.

that's just sweat from all the horsepower.

[Apoc]

Things like this is one of the reasons I'll never buy the first year of a new model or a redesign. At least with European cars, there always seems to be bugs that need to be worked out or at least fully understood.

[ViPER1313]

Stall thing seems to have been a 1 time thing, although other people on the forum seem to be able to recreate the problem. VW still hasn't released a TSB on the issue. Transmission has now been taken out of the car and resealed - leak should be fixed (although I have been too lazy too look.)

Also had a 1-time no-start condition that has left me stumped. Car was warm, went into a store, came back out and the car would not turn over - not even a click from the starter. Took the key out and tried again, and again, and again - nothing. Went and ate some dinner, came back and the car still wouldn't turn over. Tried to kick-start it in reverse 2 or 3 times - massive fail due to the electronic throttle spoiling my attempts. As I parked it, I figured why not try it 1 more time - turned the key and the car started right up :x .

Took it to the dealer, they said they couldn't find any loose connections and couldn't do anything unless they could recreate the problem. Anyone have a bright idea as to what could cause a condition like this? Cause I'm stumped.

[Sijray21]

Anyone have a bright idea as to what could cause a condition like this? Cause I'm stumped.

it's a VW - their electrical systems are like black boxes

only thing i can think of is a ground somewhere linking back to the ignition. did the rest of the accessories work?

[ViPER1313]

affirmative

[Sijray21]

maybe the clutch-in sensor when you start the car? anyone else have a thought?