Re: 2000 Jetta GLS - already in the service dept

[Khan Klatt <kmk@pacificrim.net>]

Some comments on your e-mail:

At 5:23 PM -0400 8/14/99, astrit@pop.dn.net wrote:
>I bought a New Jetta GLS 2000 on July 24 (3 weeks ago today) + LoJack +
>extended warranty = 20K+

Congratulations, VW Jettas are excellent cars. There are usually 
little issues that need to be addressed as soon as you drive the car 
off the lot, and hopefully it won't take much time to get yours 
resolved.

>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.

You got a free loaner car right? If not, you need to talk to VW USA, 
not to your dealer. If you got a free loaner, what's the problem? I 
mean yes, your car had a problem, but they offered to fix it. Give 
them a chance.

>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.

VW has had amazing sales over the past three years. They didn't do it 
by shipping lame cars. If they have a problem, they'll fix it. If the 
problem doesn't get fixed, then your state's lemon laws protect you.

>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.

That manager is an idiot. Perhaps the dealership is not well run. The 
manager seems to be an idiot, and perhaps the mechanics working there 
don't have the proper motivation.

I suggest taking it to another dealer, and BE NICE to the service 
manager. Explain it's your new car, you're expecting to expand your 
family, and you need a dependable car, and that you've had a bad 
experience elsewhere. Mention what the problems are, and that you'd 
like to get a free loaner until the problem gets fixed.

If the answers aren't to your liking, then you can begin to complain loudly.

>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.

You don't stand a chance, and it appears you are allowing this 
situation to go out of control. You need to take a step back and 
allow the processes and procedures that protect you and your 
investment to work for you. Allow VW to fix it. If they don't fix it 
after three attempts (yes it's frustrating if it gets that far) then 
you can try to invoke the lemon laws. Until then, realize that you 
have a good investment in a car, and don't let the initial issues get 
in the way of realizing that value.

>I apologize for the long email, and I wish nobody goes through what we are
>going. Your opinions are highly appreciated.

I'm sorry your car experience turned out to be less than ideal, but 
all is not lost. Have faith, and relax a little. Things will turn out 
fine, and if they don't, you have alternatives. But again, things 
will be just fine, just give VW and a decent dealer a chance to fix 
your problem.

>A disappointed couple, owners of a 2000 Jetta.

Good luck,

-Khan