Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Smart Consumer — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 13:16:58 GMT

Who wants to steal a VW anyways. Those cars have a lot quality issues. I used to own one and it was a lemon so I bought a Toyota. Good reddens.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Ed, Minneapolis, MN — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 13:52:39 GMT

Obviously Allison knows nothing about the male body. Nobody is too young for ED. Any male at any age can experience ED for a variety of reasons.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

E in TX — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 15:37:11 GMT

Smart Consumer, terrible speller. Try "riddance."

As for the ads, I just couldn't get past the leaving of the keys in the car. No sympathy whatsoever...

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Tom P. Arlington, TX — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 15:55:28 GMT

I have to ask: Why is this even an article? It doesn't bring anything to light. It doesn't inform. It doesn't explain nor expound.
This is an article saying "There's a VW commercial". Well, thank you but we know that all ready.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Lynn — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 16:06:00 GMT

Apparently people who are silly enough to buy a VW are silly enough to leave their keys in the car in this day and age. I guess it's meant to imply that people who own one are trustworthy, honest people. Maybe the owner hated the car so much, they were just praying someone would come and take it away!

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Robert O. Los Angeles, CA — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 16:11:35 GMT

VW. An overpriced, low quality car. I used to own one but got rid of it. It has too many electrical problems and the Window clamp is defective. Too bad for a beetle. Piece of crap...I got a Honda...

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Stephen, Chamblee, GA — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 16:16:55 GMT

Having owned a New Beetle... AAA Road Service Wrecker guy got to know me by first name. (I still get birthday card from him.)
Quality not so good in any case. And I am not an idiot to leave my key in the car too.

After several different cars I now drive a Nissan Versa... most trouble-free car I have yet owned. (5000+ miles.)

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Bruce, NH — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 16:48:51 GMT

Totally dumb, useless advert. But then, most of them are these days. I guess all of the really good ideas were used up back in the 50s and 60s. Is it any wonder most people just tune them out these days?

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

T Loftfield, Barbados, West Indies — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 16:51:47 GMT

In the mid-1970's I owned a VW Rabbit, German-made. A nice car. One day in an ice storm the windshield wipers froze to the windshield and when the wife tried the wipers a little hardened steel stud stripped out of a plastic drive gear. No problem, those clever German engineers had fashioned the wiper drive transmission with little screws, a backing plate, gasket, and some grease. I had it apart in two minutes, only needed to replace the 50-cent plastic gear. Alas, VW of America refused to sell the plastic gear, only a whole new wiper drive motor and transmission for $65 (then a lot of $$$$$ for a guy in grad school). I wrote VW of America complaining bitterly, to no avail. I melted the plastic gear back onto the steel stud and sold the car immediately. I have never even vaguely considered buying a VW again. There is such a thing as decent customer service and care, and VW of American hasn't got it and hasn't figured it out yet. I recommend leaving the keys in all VW's so that they can be easily stolen. The truth is that the thief returned the car when he realized just how shoddy the whole VW organization has become in the US.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Heather, Hawaii — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 16:57:05 GMT

Hmm, Tom Arlington you have a good point. This article is pretty pointless. Almost as pointless as me leaving this comment for all to read. Why is this article posted?

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Sheri — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:11:43 GMT

Inspite of what VW's ad dept wants to portray, May be the car thief just did'nt like the way the car handled and chose to give it back to the poor loser who owned it.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Chris, NC — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:12:32 GMT

The intended message aside. What troubles me about this commercial is you learn, at the end, the owner is a young female. Obviously not so bright in the first place for leaving her car unlocked with the keys inside. She is vulnerable and this guy with criminal intentions has just driven her car around town. Did he also get her house key and address and is waiting for her to get home? There an entirely different message here about security or lack of. Buy a VW if you want to get robbed and possbily raped ...

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Mike, Boston, MA — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:35:27 GMT

Remember the Seinfeld episode when he couldn't get rid of his BWM becasue of the smell from the valet?

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Marc, Ogden, Utah — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:37:46 GMT

I remember when VW used to be the best-selling import, and Doyle Dane Bernbach was their advertising agency. They had some really cute, believable, ads, and they were pretty good cars. My! How times have changed!

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

David Dallas, TX — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:39:31 GMT

Personally I think it's a great commercial. I guess VW is trying to restore the "bond" people had (and for those that still drive them HAVE) driving an aircooled VW.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Lois Mae — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:50:40 GMT

I too hated my VW, but that has nothing to do with the commercial. Advertising is about creating a feeling, not about reality. If we took every commercial literally, we'd be caught up in never ending debates over minutia. Grab a beer, a cola, or your neighbors wife and chill out.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

william l. madan. las vegas, nv. — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:56:55 GMT

Our Beetle convertable is now 1 year old and 10,000 miles. Zero problems. My wife and I will leave the LS430 at home and take the Bug, and yes people do give the thumbs up and wave.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

K in CT — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 18:03:34 GMT

I had a VW jetta for 8 years, virtually problem free (over 150k miles) - would have kept it longer except someone hit me and it was totaled. I have a loaded honda accord now and it's okay, no real problems just lacks some of the nice features my vw had - it's just not as much fun to drive. I think I got lucky with mine. Great marketing and styling have me tempted to buy a new vw, but the horror stories have me running the other way.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

jane doe — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 18:39:04 GMT

I own a 2002 Beetle, I got it in 2001. I have One hundred & three thousand miles on it. I used to commute from SD to LA. Great car! replaced the water pump once, I plan on getting another VW when this one poops out!

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Angela, Hamilton, ON — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 18:49:01 GMT

2 Jettas, no major problems with either, but they are diesel so no problems happen with proper maintenance. Love the VW and the fuel savings.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

JB, Pahrump, NV — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 19:10:28 GMT

The Beetle has a water pump? I thought they were air-cooled...

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Dave, NC — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 19:26:20 GMT

I have a 2003 Jetta turbo diesel wagon with about 80,000 miles on it and I've had one or two minor snags but they're quickly forgotten when you're only filling that tank every two to three weeks instead of weekly. As far as the story, I have to agree with the folks who've said it's kinda a non-story. Sounds like someone needed to point out the commercial wasn't all that great. Yeah, we got it, it's a dumb commercial but then i know that long before I read the story.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Emily, Waco, Tx — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 19:30:31 GMT

Yah, if I am going to jack a car it's going to be well worth it. Not a VW. Sorry VW owners I don't dig 'em. Maybe some car thieves would, but I believe you get more in the chop shops for luxury cars and SUV's.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Crod, SF, CA — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 20:01:12 GMT

He should have stole an Audi. At least then he could have pretended it wasn't a VW and it wouldn't have problems, and it is cool, and really it is different. in silver) Just like the other urban professionals with no taste and no style. Jettas and Passats with 4motion, I mean Quattro, oh wait Audi, no VW. Yugo of Germany!!

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

M. S. — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 20:18:48 GMT

Volkswagens are dollar for dollar the best cars on the planet. My family has gone through at least thirty volkswagens. My Dad, Mom, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, you name it, we're all driving Tuaregs, Jettas, Golfs, Rabbits (couple of diesels!), Passats, and even bugs. Some of our cars have OVER three-hundred-thousand miles on them! Sure, a few have had their quirks, like stripped windshield wiper gears or a dead taillight, but one thing they do is GO and GO and GO!

My wife's family, on the other hand, is Lexus crazed and they're always needing rides!

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Danny, Denver, CO — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 20:55:30 GMT

Is this author serious? How does this nonsense actually get posted online? Please tell me someone grabbed it from the author's trash can and posted it as a joke.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Santino — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 20:55:58 GMT

I LOVE MY VW CABRIO CONVERTIBLE! I have always hated the VW 'bug' though. I never thot I would own a VW. I have had 2 Mercedes, 2 Chevrolets, 1 Ford -(the worst car ever)a Toyota Celica and now my VW. By far the Mercedes were the best, but I couldn't stand the over-priced labor charges for service, etc. The Toyota was my 2nd favorite, and after giving it to my son, it was totaled in a hit and run. I chose the VW because of the "German Engineering." It has features similar to the Mercedes. Nowadays, with all the price increases on so many "everyday" things, the VW has met my needs more than I expected. Not much trunk room, but with everything going up except for my wages, can't afford to travel anyway. When it comes time to buy a new car, I will definitely check out the VW because of the great gas mileage. My 2nd choice would, of course, be the Toyota.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

txdog — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 21:10:36 GMT

Yugo is the way to go yall...VeeDubs are way too big..THATS why he broguth it back, couldnt find a parking spot. heh

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

MK, Fort Lauderdale, FL — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 21:57:51 GMT

Being on my third VW, I can honestly say I would never buy another brand of car. They handle well, nicely equiped, good warranties, and I have never had a major problem. People who say they hate them must not have ridden in one in quite a while. They are amazing cars! But if you don't want one that's fine, go ahead and drive your overly generic hondas and toyotas and your low quality fords and chevys. I'll happily drive my Passat (which gets great gas milage by the way)....

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Kevin Watson, Winston-Salem, NC — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 01:34:46 GMT

I love this commercial; it's one of the few good ones on TV. Ms. Soave, however, misses the point of the ad. It's not the car that makes you a better person, but other people's reactions to the car and its driver that affects the driver. Since other people percieve him as being a great guy because he's driving a VW, he begins to see himself that way. We don't see where the thief goes after this, but I prefer to think he begins a new life walking the straight and narrow.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

George, Saratoga Springs, NY — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 02:52:51 GMT

Tom P. got it right. Why is this even a story? Because it's a bid to generate buzz from an ad that came and went a few months ago on broadcast.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Andrea, Birmingham AL — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 13:03:48 GMT

Being a self-proclaimed VW freak I have to say I love this commercial. My family has always driven VWs and we're huge fans of them. VW owners are more in it for the feel their car gives them more than anything.
"When you get into a Volkswagen, it gets into you"

btw I own several of them.. from a 1981 Rabbit with 500K+ mi to a 01 Golf TDI

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

John Doe, Seattle, Wash — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 13:31:08 GMT

VW is the wrost car in America. Even Kia cars are much better now-a-days to consider for that matter...

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Mike,South Glens Falls,NY — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:24:41 GMT

My daughter bought a 2004 passat with 45,000 miles on it. She then took it to Florida for spring break and the engine failed, low oil pressure. Found out later 1.6 turbo engine has had multiple issues with it's oil feed system and you have to use synthetic oil or the engine get's full of sludge. It cost me $450 to have it towed to a dealer and $2500 to repair the engine. Plus she was stuck in Tallahasse without a ride(under 21 and couldn't rent one). Finally got the car fixed and service manager tells me over the phone to have the tranny looked at when she gets home, first gear is slipping. Tranny crapped out as she pulled in the driveway(at least she got home safe). Another $1500 to repair, luckily the place we bought it from reimbursed me for most of the cost(not a volkswagon dealer, they wouldn't give me the time of day). It does drive nice though!!!

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Steve — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:32:02 GMT

I Love, Love, Love, my 2003 VW Passat Wagon! It's my 3rd VW and I wouldn't by any other brand! Regular Oil changes and she's a sweet sweet ride with just the right amount of German sensibility. My previous car was a Jetta that I bought in So. Cal back in '91, and drove it home cross country to Mid Coast Maine, then back and forth to Minnesota several times. I felt so bad for all those folks I saw on the side of the road on my numerous road trips with their hazard lights on, hoods up, fire extinquishers out! NEVER had a major mechanical failure or issue with any of my VW's. I finally sold my Jetta in 2001 with close to 300,000 miles on it and it still drove like a charm.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Heather Wohl — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:44:36 GMT

Is this an ad for an ad? Did VW pay for this ad? Has MSNBC given up on reporting the news?

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Farfegnugen it, Dallas TX — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:47:04 GMT

Guess people don't realize the gas mileage potential of VW diesels. I have a 2004 Jetta Wagon GLS TDI and it gets 38 city and 47 highway. That means I can go from Dallas to Atlanta and only stop once - usually around Birmingham. I always love it when some Beatnik, "save the planet," enviro-Nazi, tree hugging Prius owner tells me about how he's saving the planet with his piece of crap hybrid. Then I tell him/her that my Jetta gets as good of mileage (based on newly released data), can hold 4 adults (comfortably) with any gear and/or a dog, and tow a 1100 lb. Sea Doo and trailer. Wonder if the Prius can do that? Hmmm... What? No response to that? Plus, the VW is cheaper and, oh yeah, diesel is still cheaper than unleaded. How much are those batteries gonna run you in a couple of years? So, who is actually saving more $$$ and the planet????

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

JJ — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 19:39:51 GMT

Strange. Someone said that no one provides good customer service with regards to cars. I had a Saturn, and an Acura before I switched to BMW. I'm not changing to anything else. The service is impeccable.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

eddie — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 08:03:44 GMT

I have been dealing with cars for years and have owned over 600 in the past 7 years. (yes I am a dealer)and crap comes in all makes and models if you want your car to last do the maintanence.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Robert, Charleston, SC — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 14:01:31 GMT

This thief was just capitalizing on the faulty door locks. The owner probably tried to lock the doors, but couldn't! How can a four door have seven door locks fail? Ask VW(!), they did it to mine.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Olive, Chicago, IL — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 01:31:18 GMT

It was the comical ad that made me buy the V W. "Drivers wanted". That's a joke! What's so funny? It's a job -- drive around, make it look like there is a lot of traffic on the roads, and you get the stupendous sum of 25 cent a week!

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Diane, from Sunny San Diego, California — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 04:28:44 GMT

I love VW bugs. I've owned two one baja bug and the other a street bug. No problems at all. I've also bought a brand new cabriolet, had small kids at that time here in California and enjoyed every moment of it. Then I graduated to a VW passat, wow, what a nice car. No problems with bugs here, so I wouldnt call them pests...just more money in your pocket book for other things because of the good fuel mileage. Maybe they'll do a hybrid some day, then that would be awesome!

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Joey, Corpus Christi, TX — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:23:17 GMT

I'm disturbed by a number of comments suggesting that leaving keys condones a "deserves to be stolen" mentality... Honesty does not come in various levels.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Traubenberg, Antioch, IL — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 17:52:04 GMT

VW has service issues! They're unreliable! Their service people hate you!

God (Jehovah, Allah, Budha, Jebus, et al) only knows that NO OTHER CAR COMPANY - EVER - has had a single thing go wrong with any of their models. And every MB service tech kisses your hand ala The Godfather when you bring your C-class in for an oil change (because there's no way the MB owner would deign to change his or her own oil and filter). And the Lexus dealer offers you a free full-body massage whilst they rotate your tires and read Proust to you.

My first VW was an '05 Passat upon which I heaped just shy of 30,000 miles in one year's time. I had exactly zero issues and a boatload of fun ...all while getting 28+ mpg on average. When I found out I was going to be a father, I traded my 5MT sedan for an automatic wagon with a whopping 1,400 miles on it. (I paid much less for the German-engineered wagon than I had for my stripped down Hnoda Accord a few years earlier.) It's been another 25k miles and the car runs like a champ.

I'm already shopping the '08 Jetta Sportwagon TDI. Something about a wagon putting out 235 lb ft (with minor adjustments) and getting 60mpg on the highway sounds great.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

caineme, Quincy Ca. — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 21:42:35 GMT

I have owned my VW Golf Wolfsburg since '98. It's a piece'o crap!!! In one year I dropped $1600 bucks on windows alone. The motor kept failing. I'm neurotic about keeping up on maintenance, but recently the emissions system started giving me fits. So, bye bye VW! Hello, to my new Chevy truck!!!!!

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Jeremy, Marlboro, MA — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 20:41:15 GMT

I had a 2000 VW New Beetle. Right after the 3-year warranty expired (~50k miles), every electrical system in the thing began to break. Repeatedly. When I was told the entire dashboard needed to be replaced because the wiring had disintegrated, I got rid of the thing. Got a Toyota and have not had any issues since.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

G. Behrend — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 21:59:46 GMT

I had three generations of VW's. Two Jetta's, and a VW rabbit. They were the best cars I have ever owned.

Set next to the American cars I owned at the same time (other than the Ford 69' Mach One) I spent four to five times on the U.S. cars vs. my VW's.

Then they sent the factory to Mexico...

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Allison, Lebanon, Illinois — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 17:35:57 GMT

I love my V-dub! I have a '99 Beetle, and sure I've had problems, but it's a great little car! Any of the problems I have had have either been expected (I'm inching every so quickly towards my 100,000 mile mark) or have been fixed at very little cost to me. If I've learned any lesson, it's to keep up with maintance...

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

teresa, birmingham alabama — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:23:34 GMT

people who don't love vw beetles simply don't understand, and you can't explain it to them, so don't even try. vw beetles are the cutest cars on the road and practically maintenance free. get a life.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

walt wicks — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 20:50:23 GMT

I whole heartedly agree with joey corpus christi TX. maybe someday there will be a comercial about honesty and integrity,and maybe someones first thought won t be hey its not chained down lets steal it. or hey i just found these keys i need to find the owner to give them back,not se what i can gain from their misfortune

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Robert, Baltimore, MD — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:30:05 GMT

On my second VW. First was a Passat, now own a GTI MkV. No problems with the Passat when I traded it with 50,000 miles on it. None so far with my GTI and it has 20,000. My Passat was roomy, fast and got close to 30 MPG. The GTI is fast, surprisingly roomy and also gets close to 30 MPG. Not to mention gets a lot of looks from other drivers.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Alex, Pasadena CA — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 16:30:24 GMT

People, you are missing the true import of the ad. We finally know what Gregory House did before he became a world famous doctor.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Paul Kreft, Carmel, IN — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 02:21:21 GMT

Someone please! Come still my VW Passat... it's a nightmare! Never again will I own a VW!

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Alan . VA — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 17:21:39 GMT

To those who say "the dub has a water pump?" All new dubs are water cooled. The beetle's engine is in the front. My car has 143k on it and it has been mostly trouble free. I have replaced a couple of parts, but mainly as preventative maintainence. The beetle handles better than my impala, focus, lumina, civic, and any other car I have ever owned/driven did. Cant beat the 47 - 54 mpg either (depends on how much I commute).

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Kimbo, Chantilly, VA — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:53:30 GMT

Maybe this has already been posted about (I didn't feel like reading all of these other posts in order to find out [sorry] which probably means that no one will read what I'm about to write either...but I guess that's beside the point) but I noticed that the chick was in a jogging outfit...as a runner, I never bring my keys with me when I go for a jog, I always hide them somewhere in my car (granted, I own a Jeep Wrangler so if someone wants to break in and steal it, whatever, good for them). But...yea, that's my point. I don't think she's an idiot for leaving her keys in her car while going for a run, keys get really annoying if you try to job with them.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Kim, St. Petersburg, Florida — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 15:07:17 GMT

I have a 2006 Beetle convertible and have never had any problems with it. (I'm approaching 19,000 miles.) I love this car, and when the top is down, people talk to me at traffic lights and tell me how cute the car is and ask if it's as fun to drive as it looks. And the answer is always a resounding YES!

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

john nyc ny — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:39:27 GMT

Is the guy driving the car one of the stars of the smash hit "Caveman"?

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Random guy on the street — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 16:36:28 GMT

I agree with anyone who said Volkswagon is lousy I dont get why anyone still buys thier cars.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Vicki — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 01:23:15 GMT

For Pete's sake, it's a comercial. It has a great little message: those unsrupulous people who steal cars no matter what type, the VW has a nice feeling when driving and will transform you into a better person.

VW GTI MkV Rules. My son has one and it is a zippy sporty little marvel. Lot's of way cool German engineering.

All car makes have problems, don't delude yourself. Every car born can't be perfect.

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

jean — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 10:18:33 GMT

question can someone steal a vw 01 model mexico spec

Even criminals can experience Fahrvergnugen

Robrto, Funchal, Portugal — Tue, 27 May 2008 10:52:43 GMT

I own a VW Sharan, and never had any serious problem with it. Even though it is very large - by european standards - it shares the VW TDI engine with other models, and also its great fuel economy: someting like 22 mpg on mainly urban runs. Europenas cars have for the last 30 years had a much larger stress on fuel-economy, driven by the much higher european fuel prices. A litre of diesel costs 1,2 euro. That's about 6,5 usd per gallon od diesel...