So why did you choose Volkswagen ?

[Whubbsie]

My old Lancer which I had for 8 years, I bought it new as my first car with money I'd been saving since I was 13. I was sick of the thing and was looking at getting something new but old specifically a 70's TranAm/Firebird but really I was dreaming as I could never afford to kept it as a daily specially not driving from the outer suburbs into the city everyday.
Looked at plenty of cars but after researching insurance and the banks not wanting to give money out for cars older than a few years without charging credit card like interest I was reluctantly going to buy another new lancer, till I stumbled across an ad for Polo GTI, went to do some research and google directed me here... well after reading all the praise for the polo and what potential it had it was a no brainer.

Had mine for 3 months now and I spend most of my weekends driving through the dandenongs with a stupidly big grin on my face.

The more I drive the more I learn off this place the more addicted I get, hoping to get a MK1 3dr and VR6 to go with the pogo.... TranAm dreams have been replaced with Dubs.

So it's all VWWatercooled's fault

[Golf Houso]

In early 06' when I got the GL there really wasn't much choice, for 7k. I never realised I could afford a fairly new German car before I started looking at the golfs. Started looking at them and the standard features air, steer, windows, cruise, mirrors etc and liked their look and value. Was pretty much sold after that, since then I've gotten 4 other people onto VW's

They all seem pretty happy...

[Preen59]

I was born into VW's. My old man had been into them since he was about 17. His first car was a beetle. Although he was/is a drag racer and into the 6 cyl. holdens etc, he always had a soft spot for the VW's.

Through the early 80's, my parents didn't own any, but not long after i was born, Dad began the restoration of a '62 Karmann Ghia (that some of you guys saw at the nats this year when i took it down.. and won), and mum had a 68 (i think..) beetle with basically the same engine and exhaust as the Karmann, same wheels and paint too. We also had a Dual cab Kombi Ute that dad used for his run about car. We did a lot of miles in that away Kart racing etc when i was younger.

So i was taken the school every day until high school in this loud blue VW beetle (VERY embarrassing at the time).

My parents also owned a VW parts shop (German Auto Parts) and were constantly buying beetles etc so there really was no escape.

By the time i got my L's, i decided that i wanted a Mk1 golf for my first car and i was lucky enough to find a good one in town, which was actually a car that my parents had bought years ago from the wreckers, cleaned up and sold. I still own it (see restorations and projects) and it will be a LONG time before i see it change hands.

I've owned a Mk4 2.0L sport, which i must say was a fantastic car. One of the best cars i have ever driven, although it was a little gutless.

I now own a red 1.9TDI Caddy van that i use as my daily car. Its just fantastic. Once i took one for a test drive i said "This is exactly what i want."

VWs are built extremely well, everything on/in them feels strong and sturdy. They don't feel like they are going to fold up the minute someone reverses into you in the carpark. They are reliable, they drive well, they're good on fuel, and price wise, they're very good bang for your buck.

I have a pretty big soft spot for VWs, and while ever they make a vehicle that suits my needs, i don't see a reason to own anything else.

[dubbed]

Some interesting and entertaining stories in here.

Well for me I grew up admiring Ferraris, Lambos, Bugattis (back when the EB110S was THE car), and then I got into Jap imports like the R33 GT-R, 3000GT etc (back when Australia had practically none of these and 95% weren't owned by tossers). I didn't even look at anything from overseas when I was quoted $5.5k to insure a R33 GTS-T - back in 2001 when I'd only ever seen about three on the road. I did look at some old 3-series but they were out of my budget plus parts would cost me $$$. I bought an ED Falcon that I spent bucket loads on and gained most of my motoring knowledge owning it (I still miss it ) and then to cut a long story short I had a 5-speed EA - bogan fun, pretty quick but just embarrassing to drive.

My oldest bro bought a 996 Carrera4 that he let me take for a blat and I had some strange feeling inside me. That was it. I had to own something Euro as I had long-admired M3s, M5s, RS4s, R32s etc. So I began looking for an E36 323i/325i but decided they were too old for what they cost. I always ogled at MKIII VR6s and MKIV GTIs years before but could never afford one.

Finally it was time. The MKIV GTI fit my budget, was fairly new, I loved the looks, it had all the features I wanted (except leather), it was turbo and the fuel economy is very decent considering my two Falcons used to chew 350-400km from a 65l(?) tank.

I absolutely love my Golf. And after trawling the net and VW forums I am totally in love with culture and following they have. It's the perfect niche for me.

Apologies for the long story.

[MultiplexMan]

Started on bikes and at uni had a mate who would not stop about Golf handling. Eventually got to drive his Mk1 "GTI" and was surprised. Not a bike but not bad for a cage.

When it came time to buy a car, a Mk1 Golf was my first. Side drafts made it useless for the road and very thirsty. By chance drove passed a private import Mk1 GTI (ex GTI Engineering UK). Made an offer and it was mine. Completed 256,000 km before it was torn down for a full rebuild.

Got a job out west, so the old GTI was sold whilst in bits.

Replaced it with a Mk3 Golf. Fitted an Oettinger "swing boost" asymmetric cam, a K&N panel filter and alloys. This travelled across Australia twice doing heaps of unsealed roads.

Bought a 1999 Polo that was my "site" car in Port Hedland. It made it across the country in a round trip before being sold in Sydney.

Followed the Polo with a Mk4 GTI (always wanted the "real thing" new). Oettinger Stage 1 at Muller & Muller and Eibach suspension was all I did to it. It did the cross country trip several times too.

It was replaced with a Mk5 GTI which I kept for a year. Drove to SA, VIC and QLD from NSW. Again a lot of unsealed roads and country kilometers visiting various properties and mine sites.

Last year sold the GTI and bought a Kombi Beach TDI.

VW in the blood as it is one of the few companies that builds a relatively reliable product at a reasonable price.

[anthony]

I became a VW fan in January 1988,when I bought a brand new Jetta 1.8 CLX to replace my trusted 1982 Ford Cortina 1.6 GL.
This car exceeded ALL expectations,and soon a lot of my freinds and family members were driving VW models...this was in South Africa.
When I moved to California late in 1993,I sold the origional Jetta to my Father,and it did over 300000 kilometers with most of its origional parts...engine,gearbox,etc.
My Father has said many times that this was the best car he ever owned,including 3 BMWs.
On arrival in America,I needed a good car,and bought a just launched Jetta A3 2.OGL,identical to the Vento Classics sold here.
I did 61000 kilometers in it in 2 years,and loved it,as it was automatic,a must in the US,had a factory glass sunroof,etc.
I had to return to South Africa,and on return bought the identical car new,which I had until late 2000.
The resale values on all of them were very good.
I then moved to Australia,and wanted a new Golf A4 1.6,but thought it was too pricey,so chose between a Toyota Corolla Conquest sedan,and a Holden Astra Olympic sedan.
I got the Astra,which I LOVED for the first 2 and a half years.
For the next 3 years I had lots of niggles,and it then calmed down for a year,but I deceided to get a new car.
Looked at the Jettas main competitors at the time...Accord Euro and Mazda 6,but deceided that the Jetta was the most modern,and offered the most features,so bought the Jetta.
It has done 32000 kilometers,and is a pleasure to drive.
LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

[Blitzen]

I didn't really get into VW's till a few years ago. When I was on the hunt for my last car(I eventually bought a 2004 Barina SRI), I stopped in and asked about the then new MK5 Golf GTI(It hadn't been released at that stage). I was in love with its styling.
At the start of 2006, I started my Army trade training the a guy, Terry O'donnell, who is now one of my best mates, and an avid VW fan, and also a man who has built and co driven rally cars and off road buggies, as well as working on european exotics in his spare time. At that stage he had a water cooled Kombi that he Khanacrossed, and he really got me into the Dub scene.
I fell in love with the MK1 and MK2 Golf GTI's, but didn't have time to look for or buy one. In about march 2006, I picked up the latest Motor or Wheels(I buy both religiously), and at smoko I was flicking through and saw that VW had released the Polo as a GTI. I was instantly in love, and as soon as they had it in, I took one for a drive at VW Wodonga.
Fast forward to December 2007, and I had finally decided to sell the Barina(It was a hair dressers car, but with Semi Slicks, a better exhaust and air filter, and I was keeping up with my mates Mazda Familia GTR 1.8T AWD up to Falls Creek!!), and I went to a VW dealer in Penrith NSW(A MASSIVE mistake on my part!!), and I ordered my Polo GTI.
It is a great car, and I love it every time I drive it.

[K-Train]

I still don't have one.

[greasykitchen]

My first car was a '72 Beetle and I got it after being exposed to the reliability, character and all round coolness of Beetles through my friend who had one. Then when it was time to get a new car, the most obvious upgrade was a MK1 Golf. Like the Beetle, the Golf is reliable and cool but a lot more practical and comfortable as a daily driver.

I was actually on the look out for any cool older car, not necessarily VW, but the I found my Golf and thus began my brand loyalty (it's only my 2nd car).

[gti]

I was overseas last year and had the choice of a VW Passat or Vauxhall... (the rental guy said get the Vauxhall).....we definitely went with the Passat. Ever since then have been thinking how good the VW actually was.....and almost a year later own a GTI After owning a VW I can't imagine owning something else (unless it was something over $100k).

[phaeton]

Xmas bump

[Russ59]

The GT TDI is my 3rd VW since being let loose on the roads back in 1976. I have had a few different makes of cars over the years from Toyota's, Holden's (never ever again!!) Ford's, Subaru's and even a Magna I still can't believe I bought that My first VW was a 1971 beetle (superbug) 1600 motor 4 speed manual, extractors, holley carby conversion, hotwire mags, an absolute beast on the flat but not all that keen on hills 2nd VW was I think about a 1976 Golf, 1.6, manual, stock standard, great little car, heaps of grunt and excellent on fuel, didn't have it for long, I think the 4wd bug bit me and I ended up with a hilux at the time. I had been more or less a Ford man since having owned XC, XE's, EF, BA XR6 (traded on the GT TDI GOLF) I looked around a fair bit before purchasing the Golf and I test drove the Ford Focus TDCI, Hyundai i30 CRDI, Mazda 3 Sport diesel, VW Golf TDi pacific and the GT TDI. Once I drove the VW GT TDI I knew that was the one it just felt like a better built car and being pinned to the seat with the power was an awesome experience and not at all what I expected from a diesel (especially after owning an 84 hilux diesel 4wd) although it was at least $10,000 more expensive than most of it's competitors, it was exactly what I wanted and although I have only covered around 6,500 k's in it so far, I couldn't be happier with my decision to buy it !!

[Mr_Drozz]

only ever owned one other make than a VW, a Merc, I guess I got into them as dad took me car shopping and only showed me mk1 golfs and always told me I can never park a Holden on the lawn... and I guess that is where the love began... For the price I don't think you can get better build quality either

[dubbed]

Haha Drozz, your dad is a legend! I wish my dad had that character about Holdens but it's a bit hard when he had a Camira *shudder* and now drives an Astra.

Hey Russ I've figured out why you're familiar - a Ford Forum frequenter (or was)?

[Russ59]

Hey Russ I've figured out why you're familiar - a Ford Forum frequenter (or was)?

Oh no !! I've been found out , I was a regular on the Ford Forums but mainly looking for advise on the cause of problems, especially with the BA brakes and suspension. It didn't take too much arm twisting to get me to buy a VW especially after driving the GT Sport I doubt that I would ever buy another Ford again, there are too many problems with them that are considered normal by the Service dept. but then again that seems to be the norm with nearly everything nowadays

Here's a couple of pics of the old beast for those that are interested !

http://www.aussiefords.net/categories.php?cat_id=489

Russ