Re: Scirocco religion

[Bob Farrell <farrell@icdh16.dseg.ti.com>]

> If I see any make VW stranded on the side of the road I instinctively 
> pull over to offer assistence..I won't for any other car..I just 
> don't trust anyone who doesn't own a VW.
> 
This sounds like a counterpoint to the Scirocco vs. Honda thread. Been
on list less than a week, but had to respond.

I own a '77 Scirocco since new, which I love but in '89 it was becoming
too unreliable and was costing inordinate amounts of money to keep running.
So I got a new Accord. Taken care of it has been very reliable but boring. 
The Scirocco has been in a garage for 8 years. Now I'm planning to get
it back on the road.

The Honda has 144k miles. Had new master cylinder and exhaust last summer.
Also new radiator fan. A couple weeks ago the driver's door window exploded.
Plus usual stuff: tires, batteries, headlights.

The VW has 120k miles. (Odo went out so not exactly sure, speedo went out
in early 80's, but was repaired.) Clutch went out at 35k. Exhaust replaced 
twice, brakes had two majors, including 1 master cylinder. Radiator replaced,
(leaked only when hot and under pressure, normal pressure check wouldn't 
fail. Water level would fall until it didn't cover radiator fan switch so 
fan wouldn't come on, had to turn off A/C, run heater/defrost and keep 
moving. Fun on a 90F day. Head/head gasket need work probably due to
overheating.) Starter motor replaced at least twice. (Drive through 2-3
inches of water and starter will fail 6 months later. Get heavily splashed
by a passing truck and the air intake picks up so much water that the 
air filter is soaked and chokes off the engine.) Alternator replaced
2 or 3 times (too much load from dealer add-on A/C?) Rear axle bent (shows 
up on alignment machine.) Silver paint is non-existent. Burns quart of oil
every 700 miles. (Valve guides were replaced under emissions recall.) Replaced
fuel pump. (On a trip from Nebraska to Texas, car died on side of road in 
Missouri. After twenty minute cool down, car would restart and go for another 
ten or fifteen minutes before dying again. Spent day in Nevada, MO having
system checked at Ford dealer, replacing fuel filter. Limped into Joplin that
had a VW dealer. He replaced fuel filter again, but really couldn't find 
problem. Limped into OK when gas level was low enough to be refilled, 
minimizing previous suspect gasohol. (Gasohol is the one thing I detest 
about driving in breadbasket states.)  Dealer in Dallas knew what problem
was based on my verbal description alone. He said it is a problem that only
occurs in very hot weather which Dallas sees lots of but other places may 
not.) Replaced struts with Bilsteins. A/C only worked the first year, and 
then again 8 years later when I replaced the compressor. (By then my dad
could get rebuilt compressors at a good price for me.) Even though A/C 
didn't work still had to keep replacing A/C belt and compressor bracket
mounting bushings, if not done, the geometry of the alternator belt 
changes enough that it wears out in a few months. Also the A/C belt is a 
dealer only item since the V angle is non-standard. Lost track of number
of C/V joints and boots replaced.


Yea, if I see a VW on the side of the road that is not total trash, it is
reasonable to assume the owner took care of it but something just broke. If
I see a Honda on the side of the road, I can assume the car was not taken
care of. No point in stopping to help someone who cannot help themselves.

Please don't flame for thinking Honda is reliable, thats just my experience,
and one important reason I bought that car. After getting the VW running
probably will trade Honda on family-sized SUV or whatever.

--Bob Farrell     bfarrell@ti.com
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