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Volkswagen Jetta vs. Honda Accord
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Comments
If you like Corollas, the Jetta is the car for you. Of course, you could just buy a corolla, get better mileage, save a ton (go downhill on interior niceties however) and get stellar reliability!
Having driven many miles in a Corolla, I can officially say it was just as exciting as turning on our dishwasher. DULL. The Accord at least has some spunk when behind the wheel. Exterior design? All three look pretty japanese, pretty boring. I didn't buy it to look at the outside, but the inside - and to drive it!
I had a Corolla once upon a time. It got me from point A to point B.
Probably it zened too much and must rest in a shop.
In the 1960s, VWs dominated the US import car market with over 50% of market share. Now they are just an obscure little car brand, selling about as much as Subaru (around 200k per year). The classic "tested and false" scenario. It's not like Americans didn't give VW a chance.
I guess some consider VW something of a luxury brand, but luxury-compact just doesn't sound like two words that go together. I sure don't see many new Jettas on the road now.
PS: Go Tigers
Ouch. :sick: ....
I'm actually pretty proud of our Bama boys. LSU didn't run away with it like everyone thought they would!
Back to the cars...
The engine sucks. Sometimes it feels that the check-engine light itself needs a recall for popping up too often (and this started in both cars after the dreaded 80K mile warranty). The mileage went down around 90-100K mile (based on my friends' calculations, and whatever I saw of it). The turbo lag, which was literally non-existent in 1998 Passat, had become a nuisance. Handling and steering? I would take my 182K mile '98 Accord over Jettas with half the life (and miles), anyday. Thats just the reality.
I considered VW in Fall 1997. It won't make my list now. At least for next six years or so, which will be an evaluation period.
If that is all you care about, why waste your time and the salesman's time? Why wouldn't you just look at that data first and test drive only those cars that are supposed to be above average in reliability :confuse: ?
Why??? Just because a car is compact doesn't preclude it from being a luxury brand. I commend VW for offering a compact car that's tops in fit and finish, interior decor, driving dynamics, safety and features AND is relatively affordable. Consumers who buy compact variants of the Acura, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus or BMW don't seem to have a problem putting luxury and compact together.
Don't be hatin'! lol
Is the Jetta's interior of similar quality to the GTI?
(I like the GTI and my brother puts a premium on speed and handling. But, I can't imagine spending $29k on a hatchback! That's a lot of $$ for not much interior real estate! Of course, it will run circles around my Accord!)
And, you say it isn't practical, but a GTI is a lot more practical for some with that hatch back than an SUV would be, true?
And the engine will age well, while after noticing a drop in quality (response/acceleration) from 1.8T over a few years and miles, I will continue to doubt turbos from VW until they prove my assumptions wrong. I will give them five years for it.
--interestingly, I didn't notice much turbo-lag on the GTI.
A decade later, and with extensive experience with two 1.8T engines from 5-6 years ago, with 10+ years and 183K miles I can now say I'm glad that I picked the Accord. The engine/transmissiuon in the Accord became smoother with age, or so it seems.
Not only does it feel a lot quicker, it is a lot quicker. It's more on par with the Accord V6 until you get up to high speeds. It truly is a phenomenal little engine with a very efficient transmission. It pulls hard like a good V6 and if you drive it normally you get the fuel economy of a good I4. Granted, it lacks the silkiness of a good V6.
robertsmx does make a good point about long term reliability though. But I will say this, the 2.0t is so much better than the 1.8t. There's virtually no turbo lag with the 2.0t and it has a linear power cure. In other words you don't notice you're driving a turbo.
Congrats ! How much did you pay for your V6 EX-L? With Navi or no? Thanks.
Welcome to the forums hokie!
-TheGrad
With the Accord prices, and the Jetta prices, I can get a sportier, loaded jetta for less than the Accord. I have been looking at both leases, and they are quite similar, but now I am not sure on which one to pick. My sister says, hey try other brands, have fun with leasing, but I can't pull myself away from the accord. Plus, who knows when they'll have better incentives, I am not in a rush to lease another car, but need to think about it since my mileage on my current lease is almost up.
The Accord is rated really high, great value, but the jetta has alot going for it too.
My sister said to test drive both, and get a feel on both.
VWs generally have good resale value. Comparing Jetta and Accord depreciation is about the same, if edmunds numbers are to be believed. In the "true cost to own" feature, Jetta 5 year depreciation is estimated to be $11,734 and Accord's is $11,199. Both lose about 50% of average purchase price over 4 years.
I have a 2000 Jetta VR6 w/ 5 spd manual tranny. I bought the car with 28,000 miles on it from the original owner. It now has 54,000 miles on it. I'm 58 and take very good care of it. At 35,000 miles I had a catastrophic failure of the water pump. That cost $450 to fix. This past Saturday I had the car in at the dealer to fix a broken glove box door. YES, the glove box door! For some reason, one of the two hinges on it just decided to give out. Just the part was $123. Also, the check 'engine light' had come on and gone off a few days later. That turned out to be the mass flow oxygen sensor, a $209 part. Altogether, these two fixes cost $753. I owned a Dodge Caravan prior to the VW. It had a 3.0 liter Mitsubishi engine & tranny. I bought the van with 44,000 miles and sold it with 175,000 miles. The only mechanical I had was replacing a worn out starter motor. Prior to the van, I had a Jeep Cherokee with the straight 6. Bought it with 75,000 miles and sold it with 175,000 miles. NO mechanicals in 100,000 miles. My advice to you is this - buy the Accord. It's hard to go wrong with a Honda or Toyota. I prefer Toyota because they have non-interference engines. My son is a car guy (05 Subi WRX STI) and he thought I was crazy when I told him I bought a VW. Good luck whichever way you go..........
For a few thousands more the '08 Accord V6 EX-L passes the 18 wheelers like "ZOOOOOOM". I own one so I "guarantee" it. You can hear the 6 or 3 or 4 engines purring & revving. It's 100% enjoyable.
On the VW routine maintenance is also more difficult and I would assume more expensive at the shop. Synthetic oil is a requirement on the turbo engines and you dare not go over 5000 miles before an oil change. Changing the air filter on the Passat is also a lot more troublesome than any other car I've ever owned.
All that complaining aside, I still like my Passat. I think the ride is superior and the cabin is quieter than the Accord. The only thing malfunctioning on it at the moment is the driver side door latch (doesn't always lock with the remote). I've afraid to repair it (for the second time) because every time I fix something, two more things break. I test drove a Passat and a Jetta back to back, but it's been 7 or 8 years ago. I don't think the Jetta's cabin will be any quieter than the Accord.
I wondering if I should get a 09 Jetta SE/Wolfsburg edition or 09 Accord EX-L??
Which model is leasing better? The VW is offering a Sign and drive event, I think I could get into a Jetta for $330 or so on the SE and a bit more on the Wolfsburg edition. The Accord, I think if I am right I can get into one for $330 up to $370?? I am not sure of the real numbers on the Accord. This would be the 4cyl, navi.
Also, not in the same class, but the dealer offered a deal on the Tiguan, nice smaller SUV, never drove it, but big sale on it I guess. Not sure I want an SUV type car.
I really want an Accord back, but I will also tell you that the VW dealer has a possible customer that would take over( assume ) my current lease on a 08 G6. So, then they would take that off my hands which is very HARD to do, then go to a new lease, but I am not sure if I should get an Accord, which I have always wanted or get a VW. My mom has an 08 VW so I am familiar with it, I love them too.
Let me know what you guys think. Or do you guys think I am crazy getting out of my G6, which has everything I want, leather, roof, sound, but wanting something else.... I never wanted a G6 anyway though... lol. If you were able to get out of a G6 lease with only 6mth into it, would you do it? Or do I seem greedy? lol AHH!
Let me know!
I am starting to think that I want an Accord back, but if the VW being easier and having a better lease program, than I might go that route. Though getting at least an EX-L on the Accord, with $340 payment would be easy to do I think.
The only issue I got to thinking is that if I go the Accord route, and say the customer that the wants to take over my lease says YES he wants to take over the G6, then what am I supposed to do as far as the processing fee, which is $595, I think really he should have to pay for it all, if he wants it. Then, I feel the VW dealer got nothing from me. Now, the ball is in the VW's court, as they will try to get my out of the G6, and into a VW, then they are getting something out of the deal. If I go the Accord route, they really won't, the customer will get a good lease on a car, but that is it. As GMAC is not leasing or leasing badly now, as they are fading that out.
Its almost like if I don't take this opportunity to get out of a lease, then it will become more impossible to get out, more miles, more age. Now my car is still young with only 8500 miles. So its like now or never perhaps, its really hard to get out, plus, I can;t trade it, as I am so upside down.
Also, if I get an Accord Which TRIM do you think I can get for under $400.
I would want the navi, or go all out and get the V6 Navi... What do you think, maybe I can get more for my buck!
Thanks again guys! I am going to get answer tomorrow if the customer wants my G6. I want some solid advice to go in with. I know, I write alot..lol srry.