Volkswagen Jetta 2005 and earlier

vocus

You know, I can't even remember what the mileage is on my car, or how much fuel I left in it. I hope to get it back soon though. I wish they would hurry up and come on with the part they ordered.

I am kinda glad though, because I am going to take the loaner I have to Chicago, and save all that mileage on my Jetta.

protege_fan

Maybe they are adding all the miles that you put on the beetle onto your Jetta?? Wouldn't that suck!!

newcar31

But they ARE the end all and be all in reliability. Sure, some of them will have problems, they are the product of human beings afterall. The fact is though, some makes are statisically more prone to having problems. Honda and Toyota have deservedly earned a reputation for reliability. There is nothing really "perceived" (supposed, alleged, seeming) about it.

vocus

Ok, that would be grounds for me going crazy in the dealership and possibly strangling someone. I know the mileage was around 13,600 when I took it in, and it better not have much more than 13,605 when I get it back.

Also, it better not have to go back to VW for the same problem again or someone is going to be sorry to have heard my name.

vocus

If you got one of those lemon cars, you would not be saying that, right? If I bought a Toyota and the engine sludged up, I would not be buying another one no matter how good they seem to be.

Also, I had a customer years ago who had a Corolla (it was like a 1991 or something), and she said it died at 60,000 miles. She was very disappointed, and I was very surprised at that. It happens to all cars though, no matter the make and models.

newcar31

"Also, I had a customer years ago who had a Corolla (it was like a 1991 or something), and she said it died at 60,000 miles. She was very disappointed, and I was very surprised at that. It happens to all cars though, no matter the make and models."

Vocus, I don't think you understand what I am saying. I know stuff happens to all cars. You are less likey however to have stuff happen on a Lexus or Toyota as opposed to a Audi or VW. See what I'm saying? I hope so, because because I shouldn't even have to say it.

BTW, I know in general Audis and VWs are more fun to drive than Lexi and Toyotas.

justin

i see what you are saying. it is just that i think you are wrong. you think i am wrong. i think you are wrong.

we have had this discussion before. lets not go down that road again. i made a comment to someone else, AGREEING that they should buy the Honda/Toyota if what they want is the security of their perceived reliability. let them figure out the truth on their own. why is it that you can't leave it alone? what's going on with that? actually, that is a personal question - not my business. but seriously, come up with something else to "correct" me on, please.

newcar31

What do you think I'm wrong about? VWs and Audis being more fun to drive than Lexi or Toyotas? Or Lexi and Toyotas being more reliable than Audis and VWs? If it's the latter, this fact really isn't disputable. It isn't a personal problem of mine either. It's not a matter of me "thinking" you are wrong.

protege_fan

This is just a matter of semantics.
IMO perceived implies that this is based on one's thoughts and/or ideologies.

I think newcar is saying that there is more than just a vague perception...I think he is talking more about "statistical evidence".

I think he would have been ok with your statement had it read, "some people need to buy the Hondas/Toyotas sight unseen because of their statistically better reliability."

Now, statistics always have to be taken with a grain of salt...they can show pretty much whatever you want if you "work the data" enough.

Most Jetta owners are probably not a fan of statistics, because historically, statistics have shown that Jettas have many, many problems. However, statistics do not come out fast enough to reflect the most recent improvements and potential car buyers that only look at historical data will miss out on cars that have improved.

At any rate, I'm sticking with my statement that all car makers will have a few lemons.

newcar31

Yep, that's exactly what I mean.

"However, statistics do not come out fast enough to reflect the most recent improvements and potential car buyers that only look at historical data will miss out on cars that have improved."

That's why VW would have to have at least a couple statistically STRONG years before many people would consider one for purchase.

justin

but what does all of that mean? my brain does not think "statistically".....i was raised by my parents to have a mind of my own. pretty simple. so someone elses "statistics" say that Honda is more reliable than VW. so that means more people buy Hondas than they do VW's. And? Next - that is where I am lost. what does that mean, and who cares?

as my mother always said, "if everyone jumped off a bridge, would you do that too?" i just can't be that "safety in numbers" or "everyone else is doing it, so it MUST be right" person.

i have to base my decisions on my experiences. i can't let anyone else do my decision making for me. i can't be intimidated or sold by some numbers.....just not me.

and newcar, "It's not a matter of me "thinking" you are wrong." what is that supposed to mean?

newcar31

Without statistics, how could you quantify anything? How could you compare anything? I think I understand exactly what you are saying. You trust anecdotal evidence more than cold hard statistics. I realize statistics can be manipulated, but that doesn't mean that they cannot be useful if you know how to read them. Having a "mind of your own" has nothing to do with it at all.

"It's not a matter of me "thinking" you are wrong." what is that supposed to mean?"

Figure it out.

blueguydotcom

Give up. It's useless. Justin and I have gone rounds and the man does not believe in empirical data. For some reason he prefers to blindly trust one or two people over a sampling that's adjusted for errors. To each his own.

vocus

I guess car buying is like gambling. You take a chance on getting a good car. Sometimes you do, sometimes you do not. Some changes are just safer than others though.

justin

i do understand what statistics are, and what they do. but they don't apply to the automobile buying process for me. they apply to medicine (BTW, did you miss a dose today?), genetics, science, and things like that.

what i don't get it why you are so heck bent on attacking. it actually makes me wonder what is wrong with you that my civilized, SOLICITED, comment to someone else was read by you as an invitation for you to act out. especially since i agreed that the person should buy the car OTHER THAN the dreadful VW. i don't get it. and of course, i would say, if your 99-2002 Jetta model is giving you so many problems, shouldn't you sell it? instead of whining, what about taking action?

as far as your last comment, i assumed you were trying to state that you "know" that i am wrong. then i thought, you are an adult, you simply can't be that immature/arrogant. but then again.....

pat

Give it a rest, folks. Everyone has made his point. Let's move on to something else.

Pat
Sedans Host

blicero

I have been lurking on this board for some time, and it's obvious people have very passionate opinions on this car. I finally drove the 1.8T this week, and though it's not perfect, I think for the money it's about the best thing out there.

I have been unable to get the local VW dealer (next closest dealer: 60 miles away) to give what I think is a fair deal on a 1.8T with luxury package and Monsoon. The lowest they'll go is $20,600. (Inclues NE emissions.) I walked away from it this afternoon, thinking this deal was not that great. Am I wrong? (I live in upstate NY, if that makes any difference.) Any advice appreciated.

blackjetta18t1

I had some spare time today so I trecked out to the dealer because my car was making the infamous knocking sound so I took it in so they could at least know what I am talking about. Well it was very loud knocking, bu while waiting for the technician to come for a ride with me, I guess the bad part cooled or something and it couldn't be heard but i drove on, and finally it made the sound quietly but he heard it. He thinks it has something to do with the stabalizer or something bar, something similar to what the original encounter was. It was late in the day and the mechanics were going home but they said next time when I can bring it in, they'll lift it and do what they need to. As for the brakes, I mentioned how it vibrates and he said it is probably warped rotors, and I asked how that is possible with less than 14k miles and he said it is not that uncommon. So then I asked about the warranty issue and how I brought it in just before 12k to make sure brakes are fine(I did not notice and brake pedal vibrations, and even if I did, had no idea it was a bad sign) and he said most probably they will cover it themselves because my brakes are still new but the rotors may be bad. I then spoke to the guy at the desk and had the technician tell him what he told me and the desk man said he can't say for sure it'll be under warranty cause they need to check the brakes, talk to VW etc, but I think it'll work out. Hopefully everyhitng will play out nicely and I won't have to pay anything other than for my 15k mile service.
Question-It's been about 5 months I think since my 10k service and I think I am definately due for an oil change even though I have 13,600ish miles. Should I go ahead with the service? Dealer said it would be about $25.

blackjetta18t1

So if you are driving for a while, and hit a puddle and water hits the rotor, that can warp them?

vtripicchio

My 02 gls had a vibration in the brake pedal as well..it started to occur at about 4k mi....the rotors were re-surfaced at the dealer under warranty...things are ok now at 8k as far as the vibrations goes, however at times, the brakes make a rubbing/grinding sound when they are hot

blackjetta18t1

When I'm turning sometmes onto a driveway or just turning at lower speeds of 25 and below, I'll hear a grinding sound from beneath the car and my foot is usually on the brake at the time but not always.

sizzla123

I'm thinking about getting a Jetta 1.8T. I probably wont get the the Monsoon. I've heard that upgrading the headunit and speakers in the new VW's is quite complicated. Seems like the dimmer, alarm, everything is connected to the stereo and that there seems to be a problem with the wiring ect.. Can a pro installer accomplish the task? Or is it that complicated? thanx

Anakin

I don't think the problem is with installation. Rather, the problem is with the dealer giving you hassles about having an aftermarket stereo. I have heard reports of dealers refusing to service cars with aftermarkets systems because of the way the stereos affect the electrical system.

I decided to get the Monsoon because it's good enough for my purposes, and I don't have to worry about anyone stealing it. :^)

vocus

You have it on your service record that they checked your brakes at 12K right? If so, you will be ok because they knew the problem was there before the warranty expired. You should have gotten the tech to write something saying he heard your knocking sound too. If you take it back again and they can't hear it, get VWoA involved. It has done wonders for me.

vocus

It will be 4 weeks on Wednesday that my car has been in the shop. They said the part was backordered, and have been really attentive to my needs. I still want my car back. I know it won't be done before Wednesday of this week, so I will be taking my loaner to Chicago with me for a week or so. Hope it will be ready to be picked up when I come back from my trip.

My car payment just came in the mail the other day, and I am thinking about asking VWoA to split it with me or something, since I have not driven my car all month. I talked to VW Finance, but they said I would have to go through VWoA about it. I will call them Monday. Thoughts, anyone?

protege_fan

IMO, I don't think they are obligated to because they are providing you with an adequate replacement while your car is in the shop.

However, I don't think it would hurt to talk to VWoA about it. Maybe if you tell them that the loaner is not the same as your car, and that you're paying for your car, not the loaner, then maybe they may be swayed.
Good luck!

blackjetta18t1

I'd give it a shot and ask VWoA

vocus

I don't even want them to pay the whole payment. I would even take 1/4 or half of the payment. They did provide me with adequate transportation, but that's just it. Adequate. Of course, I had a Passat and took it back (which is better than the Jetta, but used WAY too much gas). I might not be able to get away with that then.

blueguydotcom

Go for it. Man, you're really understanding. I'd be flipping out over 4 weeks.

mseals

It all depends on what the laws are in your state, but you have to remember. Most laws for this are going to be written vaguely. Meaning it will probably say something along the lines of, must provide adequate transportation while failing car is being repaired. In fact, now that I think about it, I didn't get a loaner at all when my 98 Cherokee Sport had to go in to repair the front and rear driverside doors for molding coming off and causing the front door to bend the back door. They had the car for 2 weeks before they even tried to fix it. It was done in 3 weeks exactly. What I guess I am trying to say it that I am not sure if dealers are even required to provide a loaner.

justin

or, if all else fails, go in and DEMAND a Cabrio or GTI as a loaner. then have some fun while yours is in the shop

protege_fan

I think you explained this earlier, but I still don't understand why your car is in the shop if this part is on backorder. Shouldn't you just be able to bring the car in when the parts arrive??

vocus

I called VWoA and complained, since I had taken the car in like 3 different times for the same repair. They didn't wanna have me come back again, so they just gave me the loaner car to shut me up I guess.

I am not going to ask them to pay part of the payment though. It's a little too much, considering how nice they have been to me and all.

vocus

The dealership called today and told me the part FINALLY came in that they were waiting for!!! I am not going to pick up the car yet though, because I am taking the loaner to Chicago with me. Might as well get good use out of it, and save my mileage on the Jetta.

newcar31

I didn't know it takes that long for VW to grow a rubber tree, process it into the "rubber treatment", grow the tree to make the carboard box that the rubber treatment will be shipped in, put it on a boat in Rotterdam or something, and float it over here.

vocus

That was just plain cruel.

newcar31

Hey, at least it didn't take 4 months to get a part for your seat. I had my car in the dealership and one of the techs broke a plastic piece on the back of my seat. They ordered it and it took 4 months to get it, but I had my car the whole time and you couldn't even notice the piece was broken. It was probably because Mazda didn't anticipate anyone ordering that piece on a brand new car. After departing Japan, I think the Mazda parts ship stopped off in Hawaii for a long vacation. I probably would have gotten it done faster had I loaded up a raft in Los Angeles and floated my way to Hiroshima to pick the part up.

vocus

It took like 3 months for some kind of exhaust part or something they ordered for my Protege. I didn't even know what it was though. I traded the car before it came in.

They also took like 3 weeks to order my replacement radio when it blew out as well. It was bad again when the car was traded, but I didn't bother getting it fixed.

vocus

I thought about you yesterday, because I was perusing my VW dealer's lots for the heck of it to see what the had in stock. They had a tornado red GLI in. On the back, where they have the 1.8T moniker, it says "GLI", so you will know it when you see it. It was like $24,000 MSRP or something like that. They should be coming out soon, so keep your eyes peeled.

vocus

I was thinking about something. When I bought my car, my credit wasn't so good. Just alot of stuff, nothing late or anything. Anyway, I am definitely going to refinance my car. The rate is like 5-7%, depending on source. I wonder if it would be the same payment if I just traded and got the 0.9-2.9% rate that VW is offering? My car is worth like $20K now, so I would have to roll over like $3K or something to the new loan. With the lower rate (mine is 11 now), the payment would be the same.

Blueguy, I know you are good at finances. Analyze this a little for me and tell me what you think. Thanks.

blueguydotcom

Try going to the peoplefirst loan calculator that Edmunds has on every car page. You can plug in your numbers and see for yourself.

vocus

Ok, I did what you said. At my current payoff for refinancing (about $25K we will say), they can refinance me at 6.29% for 60 months, making for $486.70 a month. If I would buy new at 2.9% for the same $25K, the payment would be $448.11, according to them. So even if I carry over $4000 (which I am not going to have to do), the payment will still be about the same for refinancing vs. new. Make sense?

Tell me if this makes sense to you. Of course, I would have to qualify for both "low" loan rates (refi and new). I think it's easier to qualify for a new car loan than to refinance, but not sure. Clarity?

blueguydotcom

Hey, I'm no loan consultant. Sorry. If the numbers look similar on paper, go test it out in person.

crashtestdingo

Hi, all. Last week I returned from vacation in Greece, where I saw a couple of VW's that looked like Jettas but had a "Bora" badge on their trunk lids. My uncle from Germany said they were the same as Jettas, but his wife disagreed. Sometimes she can act like she's got something up her butt, so perhaps she was picking a nit because the Bora is the same car as the Jetta but with a different amount of options? (Like my '90 Olds Trofeo and its nearly identical twin, the Toronado.)

This reminds me that I've seen a couple of cars (one of them a number of times in my neighborhood in New York City) that looked like older Jettas but were Ventos.

Come to think of it, "Jetta" in German would be pronounced as "Yetta" is in English, nein?

Anakin

The 3rd Generation Jetta was called Vento in Europe. The 4th gen is called Bora. It has something to do with the marketing of the car in europe, since the Golf is a far better seller over there. Conversely, the Jetta far outsells the Golf in the US.

The Bora does enjoy many more options overseas than we get here. They get 5 engine options to our 3, and they have available AWD and HID headlights, leather Recaro seats, etc. and so forth.

Oftentimes, fans of VW in this country will put a Bora badge on their Jetta as well.

bpi

1. How much did you pay for your Jetta (on-the-road price)? Didn't you pay $600 under MSRP of $25K? That would make the on-the-road price more than $25,600 including the 5% tax.
2. If the payout on your current loan is $25K, and they'll give you $20K on the trade, how did you figure rolling only $3K or $4K into the new loan?
3. If you got 11% 6 months ago from VW, how do you expect to qualify for 2.9% for 60 months from VW now?
4. The payments on a 60-month loan for $25K at 6.29% and $27K at 2.9% are about the same.

vocus

1. On the road price was $26,500 including tax and tags. I didn't put anything down on the Jetta though. The money I put down went to pay off the negative equity of my trade. And payoff is about $25K now.
2. I plan to put down $1000 or so.
3. Now, all my credit cards will be paid off and I thought I might have a chance at the 2.9. If I did not get it, I would not trade my car.
4. I would assume so. But who said anything about $27K?

justin

Vocus - Jettas have good resale value, I know that from experience. But you owe $25K on a 2002 Jetta with high miles. How do you know what you will get for your Jetta? Don't fall into the same negative equity trap. Take the car to Carmax and just do it that way. If you can't get out even, then don't do it man! I was in that cycle for years, and it never pays. Just my thoughts....Good news is that I got $19k on my 99 Jetta GLS VR6 from Carmax in July 2000. It had 20k miles. I only paid $22k for the car. Not bad at all....but since this generation Jetta isn't in such high demand anymore, you might find yourself in a predicament....not sure. Don't do anything crazy. When I traded in 2000, there weren't enough Jettas in the lots for the dealers to sell. Now they have overstock.

Subject change:

My dealer called ME and said they want my car in right now. They said that in other states the ABS recall problem has caused FIRES and he wants to see my car ASAP. He said he DOES NOT want me to wait for two more weeks. He said if I bring it to him now, he will give me a break on the 10k service...

What is behind all this? Perhaps some big news is going to break soon?

Also - stupid me - I think my rotors are fine. It only vibrates from 80 down to 0 on this ONE stretch of the beltway. I figured it out - the road has little bumps in it. I drove 8 hours on 29 and 81 in VA on Sunday. No problems at all....it must be the road.

vocus

Did I not just say I was not going to trade the car if I would end up being upside down? DUH! Thanks for the concern though.

I took the car to Carmax already, and they said $17K. They are NUTS! They lowballed my Proteges as well, and I got $1-2000 more from trading them than Carmax offered me. They also lowballed me on a Bonneville, saying $2500 and I sold it for $4300.

blueguydotcom

Lucky. My VW dealer's idea of customer service is: drop the car off and get it in 9 hours, sucker. And find your own ride.