A German rust-bug?

Sir,

Heavily influenced by Motor Sport (advertisers take note) I purchased a 911SC Targa Sport and a Golf GTi two years ago. More recently I added a 928S and enjoyed what I considerd the “three dimensions” of motoring excellence. But all too briefly, because the VW had to go with a trifling 30,000 miles on the clock. Why? Answer: the bodywork was rusting at about the same electrifying rate of acceleration as the car provides on the road! Needless to say the 6-year bodyshell warranty was greatly reassuring — until I sought to invoke it. Neither dealer or VW wanted to know. My rust, it seems, was speeding along in the wrong direction.

According to the small print, VW pay up only when your Golf rusts from the inside out. Now reduced to “ideal pair” status I miss the very specific virtues of the GTi which, like its Porsche stablemates, was finished in metallic silver. The question is, should I try an ’83? Or are there legions of similarly disgruntled and surprised ex-GTi owners out there to confirm my experience was not a one-off?

Alan Field, Car Colson, Notts.