The Rabbit is Back!
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pug poo picker-upper
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: California
The Rabbit is Back!
The Rabbit is Back!
Basically it's going to be a stripper VW Golf.
Basically it's going to be a stripper VW Golf.
The Rabbit goes on sale this summer in both two and four-door versions, with pricing starting at $14,990 for the two-door. Standard features include an advanced ABS braking system, traction control, active front head restraints, front side airbags, air conditioning and anti-theft alarm system with remote locking. Always known for its value, this latest Rabbit is no exception, offering a high level of standard features and equipment at an attractive starting price.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,957
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From: a canyon, south Bay Area
Dave, I wasn't aware of that. Thanks for sharing!
VW is attempting to make a strong a push, and I sense it... I particularly like the concept GX3 that is appearing more and more will become reality. With the Rabbit at sub 15k, and the GX3 supposedly around 17, that's a good thing...
VW is attempting to make a strong a push, and I sense it... I particularly like the concept GX3 that is appearing more and more will become reality. With the Rabbit at sub 15k, and the GX3 supposedly around 17, that's a good thing...
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 441
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From: NW NC, USA, Earth
Maybe they'll do another GTI like the original '83. Light, simple, cheap. The original pocket rocket, wish I still had mine. Oh, wait, I have a MINI ! I actually was drawn to the MC because it seemed like the reincarnation of that Rabbit.
6th Gear
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From: Boerne/SAtown TX
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,062
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From: Boston, MA
I'll be much more impressed if they ever finally bring the Polo to the states, after talking about
it for years. VW has priced themselves out of the entry-level US market, and selling a
stripped-down version of the bloated Golf for 15k isn't going to solve that problem.
At the rate the Jetta is growing, it'll be the size of an Accord in a few more years. Will they
then sell a strippo version for 18k and call it a Fox?
Who cares?!
it for years. VW has priced themselves out of the entry-level US market, and selling a
stripped-down version of the bloated Golf for 15k isn't going to solve that problem.
At the rate the Jetta is growing, it'll be the size of an Accord in a few more years. Will they
then sell a strippo version for 18k and call it a Fox?
Who cares?!
7th Gear Gal
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 36,087
Likes: 3
From: Weeblegabber West (aka WLA)
My dad had an early Rabbit and so did lots of my friends. Their electrics were amazingly unreliable! I rented one in New Mexico once and it only started when it felt like it! ACK! I am not a fan of Rabbits! But I would like to see what it looks like! 
But I would like to see what it looks like!
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pug poo picker-upper
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: California
Originally Posted by golden_child
didn't the rabbit make its re-appearence w/ the 25th anniversary Euro edition GTI (337) and th 20th annivesary US edition GTI?
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Here is some harsh criticism from www.autoextremist.com on the up coming VW Rabbit: (I have to agree here with Peter de Lorenzo... don't resurrect old worn out nameplates, fix the cars, fix the body dealer network, fix the quality and give solid value to your customers instead!):
"VW. From the "They Must Be Crazy" File comes word that Volkswagen is bringing back the Rabbit nameplate for its small car in the United States and Canada, according to Automotive News. The change will go into effect for the fifth generation of the car, which goes on sale this summer. VW has used the Golf name in the U.S. and Canada since 1984. The original Rabbit was sold in the U.S. from late 1974 through 1984, and built in VW's factory in Westmoreland, Pa., from 1978 to 1988 - when ex-GM executives thought color-coordinated interiors were the sure-fire ticket to American consumers' hearts and damn near destroyed the VW brand in the process. Kerri Martin, VW's "director of brand innovation," said, "Volkswagen customers want a relationship with their cars. Names like The Thing, Beetle, Fox and Rabbit support this." Huh? You have got to be kidding. VW customers want cars that offer a fun-to-drive Germanic driving experience that is unavailable from the Asians, without requiring a "Frequent Guest Pass" to the service department - something that VW has been unable to demonstrate as of yet. This is pure, unadulterated lunacy from a gaggle of people who should know better. On second thought, they clearly don't have a clue. If Wolfgang Bernhard doesn't step in and say, "What the f--- are you guys thinking" - then these brainiacs will successfully accomplish what the ex-GM-ers couldn't do in the late 70s - destroy the brand in the U.S. once and for all."
"VW. From the "They Must Be Crazy" File comes word that Volkswagen is bringing back the Rabbit nameplate for its small car in the United States and Canada, according to Automotive News. The change will go into effect for the fifth generation of the car, which goes on sale this summer. VW has used the Golf name in the U.S. and Canada since 1984. The original Rabbit was sold in the U.S. from late 1974 through 1984, and built in VW's factory in Westmoreland, Pa., from 1978 to 1988 - when ex-GM executives thought color-coordinated interiors were the sure-fire ticket to American consumers' hearts and damn near destroyed the VW brand in the process. Kerri Martin, VW's "director of brand innovation," said, "Volkswagen customers want a relationship with their cars. Names like The Thing, Beetle, Fox and Rabbit support this." Huh? You have got to be kidding. VW customers want cars that offer a fun-to-drive Germanic driving experience that is unavailable from the Asians, without requiring a "Frequent Guest Pass" to the service department - something that VW has been unable to demonstrate as of yet. This is pure, unadulterated lunacy from a gaggle of people who should know better. On second thought, they clearly don't have a clue. If Wolfgang Bernhard doesn't step in and say, "What the f--- are you guys thinking" - then these brainiacs will successfully accomplish what the ex-GM-ers couldn't do in the late 70s - destroy the brand in the U.S. once and for all."
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Originally Posted by chrisneal
I'll be much more impressed if they ever finally bring the Polo to the states, after talking about it for years. VW has priced themselves out of the entry-level US market, and selling a stripped-down version of the bloated Golf for 15k isn't going to solve that problem.
At the rate the Jetta is growing, it'll be the size of an Accord in a few more years. Will they then sell a strippo version for 18k and call it a Fox? Who cares?!
At the rate the Jetta is growing, it'll be the size of an Accord in a few more years. Will they then sell a strippo version for 18k and call it a Fox?
Who cares?!I have seen the VW Polo in Europe and never understood why this model was never available stateside. Honda brought the new "Fit" 5-door hatchback which is known as the "Jazz" in other world markets without having to reposition or decontent the current Civic lineup. The "Fit" sells for about $2K less than a stripper Civic. VW could have done the same with the Polo and leave the already grown and overweight Golf/GTI do its thing.
Very weak effort It seems to me that "badge engineering" is all the rage at VW headquarters these days! These people are CLUELESS, period!
VW before engaging in a copy cat effort of "smart" and "funny" MINI ads, they need to:
1) Fix the damn cars. Sorry but the current Jetta and Passat are fugly and seem to be aimed at Toyota lovers not VW fans.
2) The Golf now "Rabbit" is 2-3 years very late to the US market. The car is a porker and is not the 1984 GTI it was once.
3) The Touareg suffers from spotty reliability and the car is finding fewer and fewer buyers.
4) Kill the obscenely priced Phaeton. One of the most idiotic moves ever made by VW.
5) Fix the quality and reliability. If you want Americans to trust again in VW products, you have to build solid products.
6) Fix the dealer network which is in shambles as we speak.
7) All this talk about the significance and "bond" to VW owners regarding old nameplates such as Rabbit and Beetle... Yet the Beetle is out there in the ocean, not knowing where to go. VW has abandoned the Beetle to a slow death and once the upcoming EOS convertible comes out at the end of this year, this will be the beginning of the end of one of their most "cherished" cars and nameplates...the BEETLE.
If VW engages in badge engineering like GM did for most of the 80's and 90's I don't see much of a future for VW in the USA. I think VW will be out of business before 2011, if they make it that long.
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More VW Rabbit bashing...
[FONT=Courier New]VW!?! [/FONT]
Change the name of the Golf to "Rabbit"? Great idea from more clueless MBA's. Hey kids- the reason your cars aren't selling is not because of the name, it's because they suck. My friends 4 year old New Beetle is costing her a fortune in repairs (SECOND new clutch in 80k miles?!?), and she's not the only one.
Weren't Phaeton and Touareg goofy enough? Do you think they'd sell better if they were named Cuddly Hippo and Fluffy Mountain Goat?
Whatever you people are on, you should be serving it to the customers in the service bays of your dealers....
Tom Pease
Beverly Hills, CA
[FONT=Courier New]VW cluelessness. [/FONT]
Ugh. Rabbit? Count me outI’m done with my Golf lease next week and won’t replace it. I don’t want a heavy, 5-cylinder car with dubious gas mileage. What about the cool Euro TS model, that’s fast and economical? Not here.
Speaking of ridiculous VW strategy, they blew it on the new Passat. They don’t offer manual transmissions with the station wagon. None. Monumental stupidityhey, VW enthusiasts always opted for the stick shift, it’s a big part of what makes a European car feel special. And if you want a stick with the sedan, you can’t order the options packages. Duh! Morons. Now if they offered the cool DSG tranny, that would be one thing, but no, you’re stuck with the boring tiptronic.
Anthony P.
New York
[FONT=Courier New]VW!?! [/FONT]
Change the name of the Golf to "Rabbit"? Great idea from more clueless MBA's. Hey kids- the reason your cars aren't selling is not because of the name, it's because they suck. My friends 4 year old New Beetle is costing her a fortune in repairs (SECOND new clutch in 80k miles?!?), and she's not the only one.
Weren't Phaeton and Touareg goofy enough? Do you think they'd sell better if they were named Cuddly Hippo and Fluffy Mountain Goat?
Whatever you people are on, you should be serving it to the customers in the service bays of your dealers....
Tom Pease
Beverly Hills, CA
[FONT=Courier New]VW cluelessness. [/FONT]
Ugh. Rabbit? Count me outI’m done with my Golf lease next week and won’t replace it. I don’t want a heavy, 5-cylinder car with dubious gas mileage. What about the cool Euro TS model, that’s fast and economical? Not here.
Speaking of ridiculous VW strategy, they blew it on the new Passat. They don’t offer manual transmissions with the station wagon. None. Monumental stupidityhey, VW enthusiasts always opted for the stick shift, it’s a big part of what makes a European car feel special. And if you want a stick with the sedan, you can’t order the options packages. Duh! Morons. Now if they offered the cool DSG tranny, that would be one thing, but no, you’re stuck with the boring tiptronic.
Anthony P.
New York
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 937
Likes: 1
From: New York City
The Rabbit is back.
I smell wabbit: http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publi...cle_1727.shtml
Car looks very tempting, espcially the price. I could see this car steal some sale away from Mini. People who would like to own a Mini but need more space and room. But we'll see once the traveler comes out. I could imagine owning a Rabbit if I was married and had a kid. I would still have my Cooper S of course
. The car looks like it has chock full of safety and standard features. The only options I would get is a sunroof, upgraded sound system (if offered) and rims.
Car looks very tempting, espcially the price. I could see this car steal some sale away from Mini. People who would like to own a Mini but need more space and room. But we'll see once the traveler comes out. I could imagine owning a Rabbit if I was married and had a kid. I would still have my Cooper S of course
. The car looks like it has chock full of safety and standard features. The only options I would get is a sunroof, upgraded sound system (if offered) and rims.