Man, I don't blame you for being PO'd. I would go ballistic too
if they dropped 2 transmissions on me.

 

VW does not have sparkling reliability. In Germany, home of VW, they are rated between 12th and 14th for dependability in latest ADAC and TUV results.

 

Dont they have like 6 tries to fix your car before lemon law comes into effect?

Aftertall, you are only on your 2nd tranny

:-).

 

This is just really bad luck. Over 40,000 Camry's roll out of the dealerships each month and most of them are fine.

I'd still stay with Toyota.

 

I gotta make a few comments here. First, although Toyota is not known for transmission problems, it is clear that something here is amiss with this Camry going through trannies like it has. It could be a design problem with the transmission itself or just the replacement tranny not being installed properly in the shop.
Second, keep in mind, when you guys recommend an Avalon, that the Avalon uses basically a slightly redone version of the Camry transmission.....on a more powerful V6. The Toyota Avalon, Highlander, Solara, Lexus RX330, and ES350 all use somewhat modified versions of the Camry's basic transmission.
Third, the reliability of different individual VW Passat models has varied quite a bit......Consumer Reports, in its recommendation of the Passat, has noted this. They only recommend Passat models are the ones that have been average or better in reliability....in general, the fours have been better than the V6's, and Passats, like other VW's, do have electrical issues. Not enough diesel Passats have really been sold to have a good reliability gauge, and they have been dropped in the American market for 2007.....to be replaced in 2008 with all-new diesels.

Here's my recommendation if you want to stay with a mid-size front-wheel-drive sedan: Go down to the Hyundai dealer and take a good look at the new Sonata.
The previous Korean-built model had an excellent repair record...one of the best in Consumer Reports' database. The new one is built in Alabama, but they have had a year now to fine-tune the plant and get any bugs out.....so look for a new 2007 rather than an end-of-year 2006. The new Sonata is a nice car. I did a review on one several months ago and found it very competent and well-assembled except for some road noise...and that could have just been the tires on that particular car. All Sonatas (and all Hyundai-Kia products ) come with a 10 year / 100,000 drivetrain warranty, so any new trannies ( let's hope you won't need any ) will be on the house for 10 years. The Sonata compares very favorably with the Camry in many areas and noticeably undercuts the Camry on price....I would buy one in a minute if I was in the market for that type of car, but I myself am a convert to AWD.

( I also wouldn't delay too long....there is rumor, not confirmed yet, that this may be the last year in the American market for the Hyundai-Kia 10 / 100 warranty. My guess is that it will be scaled back to the 5 / 60 that most Japanese manufacturers are using. Their products have improved so much lately that the company apparantly feels that the ultra-long warranty is no longer necessary as a sales tool. And not having to do as much warranty-covered work will, of course, allow Hyundai to drop their prices even lower .)

 

correct me if I'm wrong, but I think he got the whole car replaced after 1st trans.

 

Great comments mmarshall and I agree with this one. Sonata's the bargain out there and a darn nice vehicle.

 

There was another guy on Edmunds (about a month ago) who also said that his replacement tranny for the 2007 Camry V6 crapped out on him.

I'm wondering if these replacement trannies are new trannies, or remanufactured trannies.

 

I drove the 2.0T Passat - and let me tell you - I was IMPRESSED ... very good build inside and out, very good interior materials and hardware action/movement. Smooth power, great transmission (6 speed auto) and an incredible value (you can typically buy them way below MSRP).

The new Camry is blah. And Toyota's quality problems make me laugh hysterically. They've totally forgotten how it is that they arrived where they are.

Too bad for them. Good for the other Japanese competition & Hyundai.

I second (or third as the case may be) Mmarshall's recommendation - go look at the Sonata Limited (V6). You'll have to do without navigation - but you'll save thousands of dollars over the Camry you have now.

If you must have Nav - go look at a Passat. Or maybe an Acura TSX.

M.

 

Finally! Someone who isn't biased and knows exactly what I'm talking about.

 

I was at toyota yesterday buying ATF fluid for my car and while I was waiting, I over-heard a guy coming in for a second time in 2 weeks because his second transmission failed. Apparantly, his tranny slips in 2nd after he has driven the car for more than 30 minutes. I hope toyota really doesn't screw up on this one.

 

It's not looking pretty.

-James (thinks they already screwed up)

 

James, clearly you are passionate about VW and they made good cars but Toyota just recenly has some quality issues and has already promised to fix ASAP. VW on the other hand seems to be clueless about quality and focused on becoming the luxury brand it will never be. VW hasn't been I think average in quality in recent memory. I said AVERAGE.

I have to see sitting in the Passat at the autoshow, it was huge inside. Clearly good materials used. I prefered the Aluminum to the faux wood trimmed interior. The exterior, IMO is lost, like the Jetta. Looks like a Toyota not a VW.

Looking at sales figures, VW is barely afloat in America. Piech just had a press release saying he is very disapointed in the brand and something has to be done quickly.

Because 35-40k Passats will continue to rust on dealer lots.

 

You are correct...Thanks. I sometimes make a slip-up here and there.

Still, the rest of my comments apply, and I think that he should consider a new Sonata. Hyundais and Kias today are hard to beat for the money, unless you want a vehicle type that they just don't offer in the American market.

 

If you actually read the post. 2ND CAR, replaced by Toyota to guaranteed to fix the problem. Now it blew again in under 2k of miles. No, they can't make us keep the car especially since we just signed the papers 1 week ago!