Re: 2000 Jetta GLS - already in the service dept

["Benjamin W. Stein" <bstein@medill.net>]

I don't see how you stand a chance of getting a new car for these two really
minor problems.  Both of these are adjustment issues.  It is the responsibility
of the dealer to correct both of these problems, but these both seem like the
sort of thing that are out of the ordinary for a brand new car.  My mother's
brand new Camry had a steering wheel squeek from the day it was delivered, as
well as a troublesome trunk latch.  The dealer fixed both, everyone was happy.

As far as your concentration at work... Much as I love my car, it is a car, if
it breaks... it will get fixed.  Don't let it get to you that much.

Take it easy
Ben

astrit@pop.dn.net wrote:

> Hello guys and gals -
>
> I recently found this mailing list and couldn't wait to share the bad news
> about my Brand New car, hoping for relief and  moral support.
>
> I bought a New Jetta GLS 2000 on July 24 (3 weeks ago today) + LoJack +
> extended warranty = 20K+
>
> Superfluous to say, I was the happiest kid in town. But the joy didn't last
> long. A week later or so, the front passenger door started making a
> squeaking noise when closing or opening. After a careful examination,
> looking at both front doors, I noticed that the squeaky one wasn't properly
> aligned, thus causing the horrible sound (or noise, if you prefer). Further
> more, to make things worst the door would no longer close properly without
> slamming it (literally). Same day, called the dealer's service dept and
> fixed an appointment that coming Monday.
>
> I had driven the car for about 500 miles and the steering wheel was next. It
> developed a cracking noise that would drive me nuts while trying to find out
> where exactly was it coming from. But that's OK, right? I still had to go to
> that appointment for the door. They (the mechanics) would take care of this
> little nerve breaking inconvenience, as well.
>
> Little did I know what was in store for me. The mechanic who looked at the
> car said that it would be very hard and take a long time to track down the
> noise in the steering wheel. After a day long examination, having taken
> apart the dashboard, the mechanic claimed to had found the problem. Can you
> guess? The TACHOMETER.
>
> That as the turning point for me. I decided I would stay away from that car.
> In my opinion these are very severe problems for a car barely 2 weeks old
> and in less then 1K miles. What am I to expect 2 months down the road? I
> don't want to even think about it.
> When I talked to the dealer and VW about my not wanting to keep the car any
> longer, they both insisted the car was under warranty and it was being taken
> care of, and I should not worry about it. “Cars are like children” added the
> dealer in an effort to point out that there is no worry free car. It still
> makes me mad whenever I recall it.
>
> Anyway, as of today I hadn't heard from the dealer (very irresponsible from
> their part), so I drove up there only to find my car hanging up in the air
> with the bumper taken off, and no one there able to tell me what was going
> on. (Why wasn't I surprised?)
>
> I bought a new car for several reasons:
> 1) My wife and I are expecting a baby late September.
> 2) The time, energy and money spent worrying about problems with the car
> would be substantially less then what I used to invest in the Ford Escort
> '89 (which I still have).
> 3) We both liked the car
>
> But, as it turns out  number 2) is no longer true, actually is the complete
> opposite. Now, am I right in wanting to get rid of that car and get
> replacement for it? I already submitted a claim to Better Business Bureau on
> VW and asked for replacement. Do you think I stand a chance? As you might
> imagine, concentration at work is that of a first grader in the class room,
> directly affecting my performance and the mood at home is a mix of anger,
> injustice and impotence.
>
> I apologize for the long email, and I wish nobody goes through what we are
> going. Your opinions are highly appreciated.
>
> A disappointed couple, owners of a 2000 Jetta.