More on VW's Fahrenheit Special Editions

Last week we brought you word — and pricing — for four new special-edition Volkswagens. The two that will probably be the hottest of the bunch are, appropriately enough, the Fahrenheit GLI and GTI. The limited numbers will probably make them sought-after among enthusiasts, but VW has done a good job with tons of small touches, like door inserts and even color-matched wheels, to make them appeal to other buyers as well. Keep reading for more pictures.

Comments

Very yellow. I wonder if they plan to offer reliability on these models... Perhaps as an extra-cost option?

the rims are knock offs of the 02 camaro ss

I agree with segfault, the only reason why many people don't buy VW products is because of its dreadful reliability. I can understand that one of the more complex cars can be hard to engineer for optimal reliability (but if Lexus can do it...) But come on, the Jetta should atleast have a some what reliable engine. VW ought to set its sight on creating a frugal and ultra-reliable engine for the Jetta at the minimum, because that coupled with VW's impeccable interiors would be enough to attract tens of thousands of exra sales annually.

Yikes. GM's retina burning yellow plus red calipers. If nothing else they'll sell one to Ronald McDonald.

I think vehicles like the GLI and GTI are hitting a segment that may look past reliability for performance, looks, interior etc. The more mainstream vehicles like the Jetta, Rabbit and Passat will suffer most.
If VW is able to up its reliability (Audi is slowly creeping up the standings) their sales will also move up. But guys, we have to cover everyone. We can't not post about new models because a manufacturer has low reliability.
And Lil'tom, that was classic!

Dave, what is the segment demograpic you're referring to? I'm into the tuner scene and think the cars look really cool, but more importantly for me is to be able to drive a car and not have to worry about it catching fire whenever I turn the iginition. Maybe VW should produce a special edition called Russian Roulette.

Reliability as a factor in a car purchase? Just who exactly are you talking about? I don't think many typical American car buyers consider this factor at all. They don't seem to mind their SUVs rolling over as long as they are extra-large.

I have owned four VWs and have never had one of them start on fire. What are you talking about?

I have had vw's for years. Yes I've had my share of issues but, the issues were minor. I have had lots of American cars as well and always had serious from electrical to mechcanical. For some reason it's right when the warranty is up! At least vw will recall cars for issues before many people complain about an issue or folks die! Right now I have a TDI Jetta and my (like Tim put it) a Ronald McDonald machine. Man it's a fun car!!!

I have a 2003 VW Jetta Wagon 2 litre. Thus far I have had no problems at all with it. I'm at 70,000 miles this week. Having said this, it's certain to blow up on the highway on my way home.

Anyway, I took the Fahrenheit GTI out for a test drive last night...it was a nice ride. However give the VW track record I'm afraid to get rid of my old faithful wagon.

I don't know why some of you say VWs are unreliable. Maybe back in the '80s.

I have a '97 GTI I bought used back in '99 with 25k miles. The car now has 271,000 miles and still runs great.

everyone who thinks V-Dubs are poor quality is typical poor quality steriotype of an american who refuses to drive any thing except their gas guzzeling fords and GMCs

Well, The engine is the same as in the Audi A3. Same with the Transmission. So the Audi A3 is 2 to 5K more and it is on the same platform as the GTI.

I have looked at other cars and appreciate what VW is trying to do. If you price a regular GTI with the same options you end up spending 60 bucks for the paint. That is not bad considering how much they often charge for special paints.

I have driven the Honda - a tin box with a wind up engine. Not only that, at least the VW has good seats - which makes the car comfortable to drive. The Honda had poor short seats and was not meant for tall drivers.

The difference between excellent cars and the "bad quality" cars is not like it was in the 70's and 80's.

I say go VW!! At least they are trying to fight back.

All the American cars in that price range are butt ugly and the Japanese, well, jelly bean shaped cars are all you get.

dblair, remind me to stuff my foot up your ass if I ever see you. Matter of fact, I'll be at the VW Classic in LA this weekend. Hope to see you there, I'll be the one wearing a red hat, sunglasses, with a size 12 about halfway up your ass.

HEY FOLKS,
FOR ALL OF YOU POSING,SMACK TALKING WANNA BE'S TALKING ABOUT VW AND RELIABILITY TELL ME THAT WHEN I WALK PAST THE M3 IN MY YELLOW(FAT YELLOW)GLI.AS A VDUB SERVICE MANAGER WE SEE OUR SHARE OF ISSUES BUT AS A TOYOTA TECH FOR 17 YEARS,THE AUTO TRANS ISSUES,V6 HEAD GASKETS,MR2 WINDOW REGULATORS,$1200.00 LANDCRUISER BRAKE JOBS?VDUB REALLY CARES ABOUT THE CARS AND OUR MARKET.AND WAIT FOR THE "R" NEXT MONTH!

i love the colors i was goig to get one but i got the new r32 can i get that color for mr new r32 and how much willl it cost

I bought a Jetta 1.8T new in 2002 and I have had quite a few reliability problems including a moonroof that every now and then opens and closes on it's own. But even so, I love the way the car drives and the interior finish is nice. Yesterday I traded in for a 2008 GLI... hoping for less reliability issues this time, but if not I will still be happy with the car.

I agree that reliability was an issue for the 80's. I bought a jetta wolfsburg in 98 with 25k miles on it and have driven it hard for almost a decade now. Not one single problem. It's a tank.

VW/Adui is acctually steadily improving their reliablity. Most Audis have pretty good reliability (according to CR). if you look at VW as a whole, most of the reliability problems are with the Touareg, but those should be fixed as the Q7, which it shares much of its components, has proven to be quite reliable. the Passat 3.6 acctually has very good reliability, as reported by Consumer Reports. Plus, many VW's ahve standard features that the Japanese cars still offer as options (leather, ABS, ESC, side airbags, sunroofs [in the upper models]). Plus, VW's have a great ride and are very quiet, while most Japanese cars are not agile and are blasted with wind noise.

GM's cars are also improving in reliability.

Toyotas' and Honda's cars though, are acctually going in the opposite direction of VW's and GM's cars. GM is greatly improving the interior quality of their cars, but Toyota and Honda are adding more nasty hard plastic, ill-fitting trim, and dismal handling. VW's reliability is improving, but acctually, Honda/Acura and Lexus/Toyotas are getting worse. Honda has a few only average and some only above average reliability cars, while Acura had one well below average and a few average cas (according to CR), opposed to most that had well above average a few years ago. Toyota has one or two models that have only average reliability, and quite a few that have above average, opposed to most that had well above average a few years ago. Although Lexus' cars are generally reliabile, one of their models has slipped down to only average reliability (again, from Consumer Reports). CR assumes that because something is of a brand, that it is either unreliabile or reliable. Obviously, they will have to reconsider this assumption if these trends continue.

The easiest ways to track these trends is not to look at the overall reliability, but to find changes over the years in their reliability charts.

I'm sorry, I love the way VW's look and drive, but I've had it with the problems. Faulty transmission, window regulator broken, broken clip connecting window to regulater twice, leaky sunroof from clooged drain flooding car...its ridiculous

Hahah!

Are you kidding? After 8 years and a few VW meets I finally know how "reliable" the VW is.

Give it up. I know you make the car a part of your personality - I used to do it too. No more. I admitted to myself that I made a poor choice in a car. A GTI with 39K miles that blew its tranny. VW refused to warranty.

Fine VW 1 : me 0

Last VW I will buy though... Last lough will be on them with their falling sales. "

Sign THEN drive ... to the nearest service station ... year-end-event"

Good luck VW. You will need it.

Also, nebody wanna buy a slightly used VW GTI??? Being VW is sooo reliable, you're sure to be pleased with this model...

I bought this exact car brand new...just got rid of it after endless problems. Most expensive lemon I've ever bought.