Fizzboy7

The downgraded warranty is old news. And a cheap move on VW's part being they have poor reliability. You think VW isn't aware of this? There is only one reason the corporation made this move and that was to save money. Guess who will pick up the tab? I had a 1999 Passat that had some issues. The warranty back then was only 2/24k and of course, all kinds of things went wrong after I hit 24k. Yes, service was free at the time, but the cost of three oil changes compared to fixing a broken car is off the charts. Again, you think VW doesn't know this? I'd never buy another VW until they stopped insulting us with these warranty gimmicks and trying to make suckers out of the buying public.

tex2670

I thought only Luxo brands had 4/50. If Toyota's smart, with the gas pedal mess, they'll bump up the warranty.

bagwell

yep, it was/is effective for 2009+


I don't like the new front bumper treatment either...2011 jetta.....



I like this style better...

jruhi4

For the record, Mazda also downgraded their warranty to 3/36 from 4/50 (or, possibly, 4/48), but I don't recall the precise dates.

mmarshall

If that's what you want, Mike, then get a Smart-for-two.

Roger Penske, the guy who imports it here (it's not imported by Mercedes itself, the car's designer) is Mr. Scrooge himself.....he only offers a 2/24 warranty, including the drivetrain. I commented on that short warranty when I reviewed the Smart. It's so cheap, SmartUSA (seems) too embarassed to even put it on its own web site.

Fizzboy7

I agree, VW's new face (bumper) is a big let-down. How much more plain and unimaginative can one get? It's just a plain and straight opening all the way around. The upcoming 3, 5, and 7-series also have the same drabness with the lower bumper area. How that is sporty or elegant is beyond me.

mmarshall

Perhaps it's the other way around. Maybe some manufacturers are starting to realize that cars should look like cars, and not a rolling circus coming down the street. Audi, Acura, and the Chrysler 300 are all examples, IMO, of oversized and/or garish-looking grilles.

Fizzboy7

Great point. Having thought about your comment, I rather take a plain bumper design like the VW's over something like the Acura's "circus." But I think that would still be a compromise. There are nicely styled front bumpers out there. They do not have to look like a show nor do they have to be as plain as what's above. Lexus, Toyota, Nissan, and some others seem to know about this. I personally like the front bumper and intake area of the 2009+ IS the most. It's clean, not overstyled, looks hefty (substance), and is slightly aggressive- all in one.

hughh

I have to agree with MMarshall. The grill should be just big enough to accomplish it's job...allowing air to enter the engine compartment. The excesses that we see in todays cars leave me numb!

bagwell

a conservative grill is fine...but its 1996 all over again....



or 2000....

IS-SV

Dull and duller grills, yep.

hughh

There's no rule that says you cannot create an artistic grill conservatively. Look at some of Pininfarina creations.