Hi I am new on this forum. I just tried a EOS 2007 roof down and roof up. It has 64000 km. Felt really good. Noticed some creaking noise from the dashboard? and some from the roof. The thing is when I look in the Consumer Report they don't recommend the 2007 at all. I mean the 2007 scored the worst in their tests. As service goes I live 100km away from a Volks dealer. The asking price is 19,495$. Noticed some creaking roof down and some from the roof when up. Brakes were sluggish. It had not be maintained yet by the garage though. Tell me: Is it a good buy? What can I expect service wise? Thank you very much.
buying a 2007? your opinion please
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My initial reaction is, "Don't buy it!"
To begin with, the 07 and 08 models have poorly designed roof seals and timing belts, as opposed to timing chains.
Having almost 40,000 miles on the speedo wouldn't normally be a problem for the 2009+ models. Without knowing the detailed service performed on this car over the last 5 or six years, I would be leary.
I can't speak for the price as the Canadian market is totally different than ours due to the differences in our dollars and the extra cost of doing business in Canada.
Hopefully, some of our Canuck members on this forum will give you a more educated answer.
To begin with, the 07 and 08 models have poorly designed roof seals and timing belts, as opposed to timing chains.
Having almost 40,000 miles on the speedo wouldn't normally be a problem for the 2009+ models. Without knowing the detailed service performed on this car over the last 5 or six years, I would be leary.
I can't speak for the price as the Canadian market is totally different than ours due to the differences in our dollars and the extra cost of doing business in Canada.
Hopefully, some of our Canuck members on this forum will give you a more educated answer.
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I have an 07 Eos that we bought new. With 60k on it, we haven't had any real problems yet. I use the special lube on the seals and haven't had the leak issues you hear about. As for buying an 07 used, I would say look for an 09 or newer. If you have CarFax by you get one for the car. If the car has been in a serious accident, walk away. Seriously bent Eos roofs never seal right. The newer series don't seem to have the oil usage problems. The belt vs chain issue? All Eos need proper maintainence.
Thanks Andy. Glad to hear that your EOS is giving you all the satisfaction in terms of reliability. The thing is where I live this kind of car is not common at all. That is why I got caught up when I saw it in the garage yard. I really did enjoy the ride apart some noise here and there (car had not been pre-sale serviced yet). I see some 2009+ for sale (mainly in big cities) but I have some hesitation to buy from a dealer or private that far out. I can tell you that if it had been a 2009 in the yard I would have given very very serious consideration. Too cool a ride. I was gladly surprised. But it seems that I got to take a cerebral decision here.
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Denis, forget the 2007 and take the time to look for a 2009 or later model.
The extra cost involved will result in less expense later on and far greater enjoyment with the car as the 2009 model included fixes for most if not all of the teething problems experienced with the 2007 and 2008 models.
My experience over the years is that the first 2 models of a new car are best avoided as the owners are basically conducting long-term road tests for the manufacturer to identify deficiencies that did not show in the manufacturer's pre-release testing.
The extra cost involved will result in less expense later on and far greater enjoyment with the car as the 2009 model included fixes for most if not all of the teething problems experienced with the 2007 and 2008 models.
My experience over the years is that the first 2 models of a new car are best avoided as the owners are basically conducting long-term road tests for the manufacturer to identify deficiencies that did not show in the manufacturer's pre-release testing.
Guys I value your feedback tremenduously. Merci Beaucoup!
Now that I will direct my research towards models 2009+ I have another question for you. I do understand that VW has a hierarchy in the models they offer: Trendline then Comfortline and Highline. What is the main difference between them in regards to the EOS and does the upgrade justify the extra money? I do see a Luxury edition offered here and then...same as Highline??
Now that I will direct my research towards models 2009+ I have another question for you. I do understand that VW has a hierarchy in the models they offer: Trendline then Comfortline and Highline. What is the main difference between them in regards to the EOS and does the upgrade justify the extra money? I do see a Luxury edition offered here and then...same as Highline??
I'm confused by what people mean by 'years' of improvements. Can someone explain when years begin and end - for instance, if i bought an Eos registered new in Jan '09 would it be less likely to leak than one bought new in Dec '08? And who knows how long a new car has been sitting in a parking lot before it gets delivered to the owner in Germany, or UK, or USA? I'm confused, but I wonder if the VIN can tell me something? And Do VW have fixed, pre-determined months when improvements take place?
I'm unconvinced about the 'Updated Seals' argument. MY07 still has many original seals but did have warranty 'remedial work' done . Seal leaks are caused by assembly problems, the design which hasn't changed much, and/or lack of seal care maintenance by owners. When the EOS was first sold, dealers were telling buyers that only routine maintenance was required when in fact there was a specific V.W procedure for roof seal maintenance, but at extra cost.
Who has replaced a 2007 top of roof important seal with an 'updated part' - show us the evidence of changes? If you look at the maintenance operations for replacing EOS seals, there are some pretty tricky things to do which would have been part of the assembly process. The average garage workshop would not be familiar with this kind of work.
Whether an EOS roof leaks or not (They probably all do to a small extent) depends on how much care has been taken with roof seal maintenance and spotting any leaks before they get worse. All EOS's whatever their year require regular preventative roof maintenance.
MY07 is the TDi Sport. Timing belt? - No issues whatsover when replaced according to V.W recommends. The main issue for looking at a later model would be the level of spec. because this affects many 'options' which you can expect as standard in a new Asian brand vehicle. My TDi Sport is Lowline spec. which means basic features like cruise were missing. Some features can be added retrospectively, but from about 2009 their electronics were more versatile and had more potential for making these changes.
IMHO Apart from the above, if somebody offered me a low mileage 2007 that was dry and had had roof service and leak checks done twice a year and a 2009 that had had nothing done (Sir, later EOS's had better seals and don't leak!) I would take the 2007 and pay less money.
If you want to buy an EOS of any year, assume they can all leak , particularly parked outside 24/7. Avoid the worst and give roof seal TLC to the others from day 1. That's the problem with desktop research and buying off the page. Too many assumptions can be made and it's only by carefully looking at a car in realtime can you reduce the risk of buying a lemon. Don't buy an EOS unless you are prepared to put in more time yourself or pay others to keep it well maintained and leak free. If you want a reliable 'jump in and go' regular regular commute car, there are plenty of non-cabriolets alternatives to choose from.
Perhaps we should start a survey listing EOS years by number of leaks? I bet most will get leaks of some sort once they are over 3 years old. All the other cabriolet brands can have similar issues, but an EOS is probably cheaper to put right than a Merc.?
Who has replaced a 2007 top of roof important seal with an 'updated part' - show us the evidence of changes? If you look at the maintenance operations for replacing EOS seals, there are some pretty tricky things to do which would have been part of the assembly process. The average garage workshop would not be familiar with this kind of work.
Whether an EOS roof leaks or not (They probably all do to a small extent) depends on how much care has been taken with roof seal maintenance and spotting any leaks before they get worse. All EOS's whatever their year require regular preventative roof maintenance.
MY07 is the TDi Sport. Timing belt? - No issues whatsover when replaced according to V.W recommends. The main issue for looking at a later model would be the level of spec. because this affects many 'options' which you can expect as standard in a new Asian brand vehicle. My TDi Sport is Lowline spec. which means basic features like cruise were missing. Some features can be added retrospectively, but from about 2009 their electronics were more versatile and had more potential for making these changes.
IMHO Apart from the above, if somebody offered me a low mileage 2007 that was dry and had had roof service and leak checks done twice a year and a 2009 that had had nothing done (Sir, later EOS's had better seals and don't leak!) I would take the 2007 and pay less money.
If you want to buy an EOS of any year, assume they can all leak , particularly parked outside 24/7. Avoid the worst and give roof seal TLC to the others from day 1. That's the problem with desktop research and buying off the page. Too many assumptions can be made and it's only by carefully looking at a car in realtime can you reduce the risk of buying a lemon. Don't buy an EOS unless you are prepared to put in more time yourself or pay others to keep it well maintained and leak free. If you want a reliable 'jump in and go' regular regular commute car, there are plenty of non-cabriolets alternatives to choose from.
Perhaps we should start a survey listing EOS years by number of leaks? I bet most will get leaks of some sort once they are over 3 years old. All the other cabriolet brands can have similar issues, but an EOS is probably cheaper to put right than a Merc.?
Caveat Emptor! Nobody including the internet or the salesperson can tell you what to buy or whether something as complex as a car won't go wrong after you buy it. Even new cars go wrong or need recalls. The decisions and risks are nearly always with the buyer. All a buyer can do is mitigate those risks with research and eyes on the car being looked at. If a buyer doesn't have the knowledge and skills to do it, they could pay for a thorough independent technical inspection or agreeing to pay extra for warranties that will work. Even then, inspections cannot always find problems hidden from view. Most forecourt dealers don't know the history of a car unless they sold and serviced it regularly for a trade-in customer. The 'leap in the dark' as you call it is always there but consider paying for warranty if it worries you? But be aware that EOS water leaks and seals are often not covered. Many buyers who are averse to the risk of buying a used car will either lease, buy new and replace every three years or try to get protection from a warranty, which will be doubtful for an old car. IMHO most people don't sell used cars in perfect condition and there's always money to spend after buying it.
Like most, you regard several factors as important and put them in order to decide which is the best car to buy. This is flawed. A higher mileage used car regularly driven and garage maintained can be a better car than one stuck in a driveway and hardly driven. The same is true of year. A badly owned and maintained newer car can be a worse buy than an older car that has been privately looked after. How does multiple owners relate to the car condition? I used to drive a company car which I eventually bought at 30K miles. It was a 'pool' car, one owner and 15 drivers. BUT it was serviced every 6 months with no expense spared on it.
If you were buying a Classic or Vintage car you would learn a lot about it before buying. The EOS isn't quite Classic yet but it's potentially very complex and expensive to maintain if things go wrong. Lets say you choose a run of the mill Ford Focus and get a rear end shunt. Most body shops will repair it. But get a rear end shunt on an EOS and the roof will most likely be totalled, no insurance company will pay the real cost of repairs and you will get write off value if you are lucky.
Like most, you regard several factors as important and put them in order to decide which is the best car to buy. This is flawed. A higher mileage used car regularly driven and garage maintained can be a better car than one stuck in a driveway and hardly driven. The same is true of year. A badly owned and maintained newer car can be a worse buy than an older car that has been privately looked after. How does multiple owners relate to the car condition? I used to drive a company car which I eventually bought at 30K miles. It was a 'pool' car, one owner and 15 drivers. BUT it was serviced every 6 months with no expense spared on it.
If you were buying a Classic or Vintage car you would learn a lot about it before buying. The EOS isn't quite Classic yet but it's potentially very complex and expensive to maintain if things go wrong. Lets say you choose a run of the mill Ford Focus and get a rear end shunt. Most body shops will repair it. But get a rear end shunt on an EOS and the roof will most likely be totalled, no insurance company will pay the real cost of repairs and you will get write off value if you are lucky.
The way to tell the model year of the car is from the VIN. Your VIN will look something like WVWZZZ1FZxVNNNNNN and the little bold x is the year digit - which is a number for 200x and a letter beginning with A starting from 2010 if I remember correctly.
The "improved roof seals" thing about the 2009 Eos has become a legend, I've never seen "before and after" photos that explain what the difference is. But there are a bunch of other improvements made between 2007 and 2009, and I wrote about them recently in this post.
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Voxmagna might be able to supply more comprehensive information - it is my recollection his 2007 model with the original seals was modified under warranty with the later upgraded seals fitted to MY09 and later models.
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