Am starting to want a Rabbit- but nervous

[hammy]

I have a 17-yr-old Honda getting 22mpg, only trouble with it has been the suspension, previous owner ran over something. 140hp in it, so while I could deal with new cars with something around 130, the ones under that were underwhelming and left me wondering if I could drive to the mountains with that.

Am not sure why I am looking for a new one other than I am looking for a new one... perhaps one with a warranty, perhaps I don't want to show up to my 10 year college reunion with the same car, perhaps so someone else can inherit the major repairs that will come up for my old car in the short term. From the time I was a kid, I dreamed of having a beetle or a mini, and then I grow up and there new ones of those. Beetle is out, I am too short to have any visibility in it, Mini has gone up in price every year but my income has a teacher has almost gone down! Gotta get realistic.

I have looked at and drove every hatchback I could, and I loved the feel of the Rabbit. I liked the handling, I liked the zip, I liked that I could wear polarized sunglasses and still see the dashboard. Small things were expected but nice- cup holders (traveling teacher, I somewhat live in my car), clock placement, feel of the turn signal, stock radio well above other cars I tested, nice because when I'm done, I won't have any money to do anything to the car for awhile. Liked that walking into the parts dept, I could get right to the bike rack info I wanted and it's exact price, when everyone else said, "Let me look up if there's a bike rack available for you."

Still nervous about moving from something old but reliable to something new and fun but with 8 bulletins already, 3 on A/C, 1 on the brakes, and one on a problem with the locks on the rear doors, etc.

I love people who can mod their cars for something fancy. I'll be honest, I want a 4D automatic, and what I'm likely to do for mine is put neoprene seat covers on (because I sometimes have to eat in the car) and tint my rear windows, and that's it. I'll have to drive conservatively because gas is already $5/gallon in my part of the world. (In my mind, though, I'd like to race like a rally car every day.)

Questions, of varying levels of importance, if you might comment on any that appeal to you:

1) Really, 2009 might have free maintenance? Would that actually offset the additional cost of getting a 2009 in the fall, in your opinion(s)?

2) I've tried to peruse the forums for issues people have had with their cars, I know no car is perfect, but I've heard VW stories from the time I was a kid. Has anyone had issues that were part of a TSB or one that was not that made them sad?

3) Ipod connector in the console- do you have to have the ipod inside or can the ipod itself sit in a cup holder without the cable being pinched/damaged? (I am a music teacher, I keep my curriculum on an ipod and like to prepare for new music for work while in the car.)

4) ESC- is it worth it?

5) One disappointment in the car I test drove- opening rear windows did that air pressure thing that makes my head want to explode. Makes me want to have the sunroof more so I have another way of getting fresh air in if I don't want it in my face. Other people with a 4D experience the same thing?

6) If anyone did have problems with it, how problematic did it/does it have to be before you get a loaner car? I go to work with 70 lbs of equipment in residential areas and have to be there before 8am, "the bus" is not an option for me.

7) Could anyone with an 08 they purchased in CA tell me what the title and license fee ended up? I am seriously counting pennies to make a new car possible.

Has anyone been able to drive gently enough that they got better than the EPA-est. city mileage?

9) The plastic clips on the back of the seat- I think they are prolly for a cargo net or something. Has anyone removed them/can they be removed temporarily without damaging the seat?

You all clearly love your VWs. After checking out 10 cars on my list, the Rabbit is winning. Second-best is the Matrix, but I don't like the whole two-trim level conflict, and Toyota is being less straight with me about financing.

[TTTurbo1.8T]

Of course on a forum you're going to see threads about someone having a problem with their car, but you have to think, how many other cars of the same model/year did people NOT post about? People tend to post when they have a problem, not when they had a smooth ride that day. I wouldn't be TOO paranoid about it, VW's have their problems just like any other brand of car, but you'll fall in love with them so much it won't even matter.

[golfzex]

I have a few friends with new Rabbits and they all love them. They are fun too drive, nice on the inside, solid engine, and all with a very good price.


Id say find the one you want and go for it.