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Comments
You've stated your observations about Jettas, so why hang around and pooh-pooh on people who post saying they want to buy one?
BTW, it's not like I have some outsider's view of Jettas. I own one of the blasted things.
See, you call your Jetta a "blasted thing." I call mine a beautiful thing. Besides, I still say your a very exacting car owner whose a real stickler for every detail - agree?
Most assuredly true. I have in my mind's eye the perfect car. The Jetta's about 75% of the way there.
I am so happy with the 18K miles of my Jetta Turbo. Sure it needs more rear seat room, but I own 2 Dachshunds, no kids, so I am content.
Sure Consumer Reports and the like all have adverse reliability about the Jetta based on their member surveys. I've been a long time subscriber to CR and have found it to be useful as an informed consumer. But hey, I analyze statistical data from a mental health perspective. And that too, can be skewed by a person's reasoning.
Insomuchas OBJECTIVE reporting, CR is the "reigning queen" and YOUR subjectiveness of driving a Jetta should be carefully weighed into the equation when making a dicision on making the purchase (or lease).
Statistics can be used to prove anything. Thus being, a negative response is more apt to be reported than a positive one. Some people have problems with their Jettas, some don't (I don't). Some people have problems with their Lexus, some don't. These are all MANMADE devices.
IMHO, utilize YOUR intuition. If it feels right, then do it. If not, then move on to something else. Let no person dictate that to get a deal, you must sign today. That same deal will be there next week.
Good luck to all. Baronsdaddy@yahoo.com email me for more info.
INKY
-Jim
If this VW continues to treat me right, I'll buy the wife a TDI Golf next year, and replace my Wolfsburg with a 24V VR6 GTI after that. Sofar, we love this car.
I love that car. It is not noisy.
INKY
-Jim
http://www.jettaownersclub.org
Inky-Which Jetta do you have? The 1.8 or V6?
As for long inclines, I just drove to and from California on Labor Day. That drive includes going over many mountain passes. The 1.8T made it over like they weren't even there at 70-100 mph. The auto tranny never downshifted once even on the steepest (7%) grades.
-Jim
I guess I need to go test drive a VR6 now... ;-)
-Jim
My girlfriend has a 2000 GLS.
We hear this thunking noise from under the car, almost directly under the driver and passenger. It sounds like something loose shifting about, knocking back and forth.
It happens most often during quick braking or turning, or any sudden shift in momentum.
Does anyone know anything about this?
Sorry if this has been discussed before, but I don't have time to browse through 2000+ messages.
Thanks.
I know what the noise is like in a 2.0 and a 1.8T. Just gotta try that VR6 I guess...
-Jim
Anyone who travels mostly at speeds of 70-90 mphs on highways and who would like a decent ride...please make sure to get a VR6...Also make sure you have the sound proofing that goes under your hood.
Iam selling my 2.0 as soon as the 24v vr6 comes out just for this reason...traveling to the mountains is noisy and the car struggles too much.
Around NYC my VW is cool...just the long highway drives out of the city.
ps - test drove a 12v vr6 and it was much quieter and smoother...of course.
That's the talk of someone's father, who bought used cars made in the 60s and 70s when all vehicles were poorly assembled and didn't generally last.
Today if you read anything about savvy money use they always point toward buying a 3 year old car. A 3 year old car has lost 40-50% of its value and it will run today generally (german makes excluded) for another 3 to 4 years without requiring major service. That's why certified programs are around now...the cars are so reliable that manus can offer extended warranties that really won't hurt the bottom line. Heck a 2 year old Mazda Pro at a dealer gets a 5 year 70k warranty. No Jetta new can touch that or a pro's reliability. Or low price and great handling.
Read the millionaire next door. And if you want to spend your money in a super smart way...
You're 17, so college is right around the corner. When you get to college use that cash as a down-payment on a townhouse or small home with at least 3 bedrooms. If you need mom and dad to co-sign, get it. Then rent out the other rooms. If you can get 4 in there, they'll pay your mortgage so now you have a tax write-off, you're building equity and when you get out of college you'll have stellar credit.
Lets see...waste money on a new car, or get a leg up on life so that by the time you're 23 and out of college you're in strong financial shape.
I pay out the behind for the car I have now and I just want to be free of it.
2k a year on repairs to your used car is a damn sight better than if you bought a jetta and drove it for 4 years - 4k a year. Of course, you're still gonna blow at least 300 a year on routine maintenance for your jetta so that it's warranty won't get nuked. Higher insurance premiums too. Work out your actual costs v. current v. a slightly used, decent car like a civic or corolla or malibu.
If I get a new Jetta, I plan to keep it for well passed 100K. I was looking at used Jetta's
Seconds ago you said used was someone else's problem. Uh-huh. As for 100k, so now we're up to 6 years or so and you're definitely in for some big, big bills when the Jetta gets out of the 50k warranty. Read Consumer Reports and JD Power- you're looking into buying a car that's not reliable or cheap in the long-term.
but you can't beat the 1.9% financing. I guess we'll see what happens in the near future.
Yes you can. Buy a cheaper car or pay cash for a used one. If you're adding interest to your 16k Jetta we're now talking about 18-19k or so after taxes. Ouch.
Don't fall into the american trap of thinking a new car is all that. Use your money for something useful...like property or investments.
Me, me! Am I the only one who thinks these people are being a bit insensitive? They think this is no big deal. I was originally told the car was "in the pipeline" and would arrive at my dealership off a nice truck. Now they say they think I should pay the few hundred dollars to truck it if that's how I want it transported.
Anyone had an experience like this with their dealer?
They'd have some lot-boy with a hot foot driving your new car during its most important miles of its life!
A definite, resounding NO!
-Jim
The dealer is doing their best to get the car the customer wants. Many dealerships do not have a flatbed and if a customer insists on having the car trucked it is only fair that the customer pay the additional cost.
Is driving the car 200 miles going to cause it to blow up?
I don't even buy new cars with more than 10 miles on them. My last new car had 4 miles on it, and my 2001 Protege had 2 miles on it when I took delivery.
In other words, those 200 miles were driven very hard and may have done unseen/hidden damage to your car. You could find out where the car is and pick it up there yourself.
it's your hard-earned money, so spend as you wish. but if you want the best deal, do NOT accept an exchange that is driven 200 miles in less than 2 hours.
on the other hand, it is very easy to disconnect the speedometer on the new VWs, they might just do that. and you will never know what happened.
I am satisfied with the the Jetta's performance as compared to the gas version but assume the 1.8T has better accel. It is great pulling up to the pumps with all of the SUV's and other gas hogs and calculating your mpg's with a smile. Mine gets 45 mpg consistently with 50 mpg on a highway only trip. Some get more I've read here. In CT Diesel is 10 cents less per gal. than the lowest oct. gas. Since I have 52k miles on mine in 20 months I figure I've saved a significant amount. Also I get over 600 miles per tank and only fill up once a week versus 2 or 3 times needed for the Olds. I plan to run this car to 300k miles, almost twice that of my previous gas sedans.
Last winter it sat outside buried in the snow and there was no trouble starting up. I do wish I bought the heated seats since the car doesn't throw much heat until your driving somewhere. Best wishes on your decision.
Synthetic oil is only $20 per 10,000 miles so is a small cost.
A block heater is not necessary as it was on previous generation of diesels. It is not a bad idea to have a block heater, but this is true for gas or diesel motors. The TDI makes plenty of heat in the winter but only after the car is moving, idling in a driveway will not heat the motor adequately. I recommend the cold weather package which includes heated seats, mirrors, and windshield washer nozzles.
There has been a $.30/gal price advantage for diesel for nearly the entire year in my area.
Drivability - the diesel is well matched for driving in US as power is immediately available.
If you have a need for intense speed then the 1.8T is the best choice as the 1.8T is a Rocket.
And the fuel filter is $37.
I am biased as I have a TDI and it is my first diesel and the best car I have ever owned.
The power was ok, but its not my 1.8T. If I had my way I would trade my 1.8T for a more powerful 02 1.8T but hubby says no, I either keep my car or trade it for an 02 TDI.
I figure with the gas mileage my car averages (28 mpg) and figuring the TDI would average 40 mpg (probaby more) I would save about $750 a year in fuel alone. I live 30 miles from the nearest town and 85 miles from the nearest city, so I drive........a lot!!
I guess its just a matter of talking myself into giving up my little rocket.
I do have one question for the TDI owners, I noticed that on VW's website that they don't list an intercooler for the turbo on the TDI like they do for the 1.8T. Do you have to let the car idle after driving it to cool the turbo down or do you just shut it off like a regular car?
BTW, you can chip a TDI and get tons of power without hurting fuel economy. Check out VWvortex.
The dealer will just put in the required 5W30 for the free changes. Call them to ask what brand. Other than that, they'll rotate tires and call it good. They might try and wash your car too, so if you're picky (like me) I tell them no thanks. No lot-boy wash jobs on my Jetta.
If you have any little quirks, now is the time to tell them about them. You only have the first year/12K miles to complain about little stuff.
-Jim
Thanks
Also, there is a rattling that comes from the backseat. Everyone keeps telling me to forget it, they say listen it's a nice car, but it isn't a Lexus or Infiniti..it will make some noise. What do you think? I hope it has nothing to do with the stiffer sport suspension. It shouldn't should it? Before you rag on me..I am a girl, so I am kinda clueless when it comes to cars. I can check my fluids, put gas in it, and that's about it.