Volkswagen Enthusiast

Some automotive brands have an enduring quality about them. They cultivate a passionate following building a common bond between consumers; a shared appreciation and culture for all that the brand represents. Volkswagen is undeniably one of those car brands.

VW, Fahrvergnügen, Beetle, bug, slug-bug, mini-bus, Jetta, Golf, Rabbit… the list of iconic Volkswagen automobile models goes on. And when any of them are uttered, read, or even come to mind they generate an image that’s both highly distinct and practically unforgettable.

Ontario Volkswagen, the premiere VW dealership in Southern California’s Inland Empire, not only attracts Volkswagen diehards (and converts newbies) but the location also employs some of the most extraordinary and passionate brand ambassadors in the automotive world.

In this iDriveSoCal Podcast, Jimmy Willhide – a long-time service advisor at Ontario VW, who’s had VW pumping through his veins for decades – shares his passion for the brand. He also talks with me about the eight VW’s he currently owns and maintains and explains how to keep yours running for hundreds of thousands of miles.

***Transcript***

Recorded August 15, 2018, at in Ontario, CA

Volkswagen Enthuaist - Day & Night

Jim: Something about a Volkswagen is always funner to drive than whatever else I've driven.

Each generation that comes out something else new, something else that has that same feel, but has a different look, but once you get in that car, you can tell this is a Volkswagen. Just by shutting the door on the car, you can feel the difference.

Tom: Welcome to iDriveSoCal, the podcast all about mobility from the automotive capital of the United States, Southern California.

Tom Smith here out at Ontario Volkswagen in the Los Angeles suburb of Ontario, California and Ontario Volkswagen is a great friend of iDriveSoCal of the program and with me today is Jimmy Willhide.

Now, Jimmy is an employee of Ontario Volkswagen, a long time employee, about a decade, but he's also like he drinks the Kool-Aid, ladies, and gentlemen. He is a Volkswagen guy through and through. I don't see any tats, but I would assume that if he did have tats, the VW logo would probably be pretty prevalent.

Jim: It's coming.

Tom: And so Jimmy is a Service Advisor here at Ontario Volkswagen. The Volkswagen brand, some of you know exactly what we're talking about 'cause you're in that passionate VW, fahvergnügen groovin' thing.

And I got buddies that are, and I totally appreciate it. I'm a universal car guy personally. So, Jimmy's worked here for ten years. He's a Service Advisor, but he has how many Volkswagens do you own?

Jim: I have eight Volkswagens,

Tom: Eight Volkswagens.

Jim: Eight Volkswagens.

Tom: That's more than one for every day of the week.

VW Love at First Ride

Tom: And so, the way you got into it. You were a car guy it sounds like as a young man.

Jim: Right. I was into big mini truckin' stuff. I liked trucks at the time.

Tom: Okay.

Jim: First time I got a ride into a nice GTI, 1991, shows my age. I took a ride in that car, and I was just sold. That car handled so well. The way it just drove was just awesome. And ever since then I've been hooked.

Tom: And was that car relatively new. Had your buddy done anything to it? Was it tuned up at all?

Jim: It had a slight little modification here and there. Some sport suspension. Wheels and tires, you know. Just looked nice and handled well.

Tom: Okay.

Jim: So, I guess you would call it a modified stock car.

Tom: Okay. And so,