Just help me out(newb ?'s)

[Makdaddymac]

Ok i wanna be blunt with you guys.
I want to possibly purchase a VW GOLF 2.0 or a vr6 gti...
If i got the golf i would supercharge it. If i got the vr6 i would wash it and drive it....So im leaning towards the vr6...Unless a golf pops up for a goo deal then its destiny...
but i want to know about reliabilty issues.I here people alwyas complaing about euro maintenance. So im guessing these things are hard to work on or get serviced....
Is a vr6 with or golf 2.0 with 130k to be looked at as over the hill or is it like a honda and just reaching maturity...???
thanks guys just want some guidance in the vw world

[jmbsk8er83]

well i know with vr's the main thing for maintence is getting the timings chains. Can be pricey. Other then that very reliable motor. But, keep in mind there is a good chance you will run into weird electrical probelms. Or so i have heard i have not had anything to crazy yet... My vote is vr6

[stevethefolkie]

I think the gap is closing between european cars need for maintenance and American cars needs - a major reason is the demise of the big V8 engines - which were really under-stressed - so you could do damm near nothing in the way of periodic maintenance and they'd live forever (or at least until the cars rotted away from them) -
With European cars, having smaller engines that are under a bit more stress, they've traditionally needed periodic maintenance to stay in top form (and keep running) -
I don't think Euro cars are any less demanding - I just think that domestic cars are more demanding from a maintenance point of view.
As for "problems" - well - VW's have been (in)famous for electrical gremlins since the later 1980's - but I believe that a LOT of this is myth - or has been caused by home-mechanics messing around with the electrical systems .... I could be wrong ... but it's rare to see a bone stock VW with problems - typically the car in question has been modified.
4cyl verus V6 - with gas at 3 bucks a gallon I'd go with the 4 - but then I'm an old fart who has to drive 130 miles a day to/from work - it seems a lot easier to buy the VR6 and NOT supercharge it than to buy the 4 and modify it right away - probably end up with a more reliable vehicle in the long run (just watch for cracked insulation on the coil packs of a VR6) -

My 2cents -