Volkswagen Jetta 2005 and earlier

mseals

The size of the wheel really doesn't determine how harsh the ride is itself. You have to look at the aspect ratio of the tire, at 205/50/15 the aspect ratio is 50 which means that the side walls are a little shorter. Anything shorter than a 50 will probably give you a short side wall unless you go up in wheel size. Meaning, say a 225/45/17 still has a pretty decent side wall so the rim fo the wheel isn't that close to the ground, while on the other hand a 205/40/17 is going to have a very short sidewall. The ride won't be harsh unless you hit something like a pot hole, but even then, if you have a very compliant suspension, it could do more to smooth out the ride. What can happen though is more bent rims and blown tires from pinching.

vocus

I have driven a TDI. The car has ok power, but this one (automatic) was shifting every time I turned around. I wanted raw power, so I went for the 1.8T. It revs very quickly and gets you up to speed before you even realize it.

vocus

I got the car back once after the 5-week job, and it had to go back again. I got it back yesterday though, and it's still messed up. I talked to the dealership about meeting with the VWoA people, and told them I want my money back now. If they will not give me my money, then I will take another Jetta (but that's not my first choice). It's been like 7-8 times (I lost count!) between 2 different dealerships, and it's still not right. So they can have this thing back. I am tired of it.

justin

don't let them screw you over again! get your money back! but don't get another Jetta

save the money, buy a junky old 98 or 99 Accord and drive till it dies.

vocus

I don't know if they will give my money back or not, but that's what I really want. I have had pretty bad luck with the Jetta, so I don't know if I wanna try my hand again or not. We will see what happens when the dealership's in contact with me.

mseals

So you have driven the TDI. I was going to ask you if you think the 5 sp manual would be a better performer, but I just remembered that your 1.8t is a auto. I am not looking for blazing speed, but the idea of a turbo just doesn't seem right if it is not with a stick. That being the case, I will test drive both of them, but I think I will get the 1.8t.

vocus

I have a meeting with a rep from VWoA on Monday at 8am at the dealership about VW buying my lemon of a car back. We shall see what happens then. I hope they do buy it back though.

Another question for anyone who has gone through this situation: Do you HAVE to get another of the same make of car? Like would I HAVE to get another VW, or what? Just curious. I am not really wanting to do that after this experience, so that's why I wanted to know. Thanks for any input.

vocus

Even with automatic, my turbo is very fast. Will definitely spin the front wheels with the ASR off. That's one thing I will sorely miss about the car.

justin

i would get a lawyer maybe?

i would not settle for another VW. you might be one of the people that has good luck with the Camry or Accord. lots of people love those cars, and they are supposed to be great. no rattles. of course, there is engine sludge and transmission failure, but at least no rattles

galogvi

Hey Justin! Just got my Silver 1.8T's windows tinted. I believe you did the same with yours.

Medium legal looks great! Now, if the sun would just come out I'd get a chance to see how really great the car looks.

vocus

I am not going for another VW. I have had enough. I love the car, but I guess I am just not meant to have a Jetta or something.

I don't want another new car actually. I drive alot, and reduce the value of them too quickly. I will probably end up with a good 1999-2000 model car, but I don't know what yet. I shall see what happens.

I was thinking about taking a lawyer with me, but I think that's a little too much. They have been pretty good up to this point, so hopefully VWoA will see this thing my way and let me get rid of the Jetta.

mseals

I have never done it, but a guy here has had VW buy back his wifes Beetle after 8 months. He got what they owed on it, plus they prorated the money he put down, plus they prorated the money he paid for the extended warranty as well. He said all in all, he got about $4k back after they took the car. They tried to talk him into another car there, but his wife was like, there is no way in H@#* that I would get another one. He bought her the Beetle with the 1.8t and surpsingly all of the problems that they had were with the Engine! I was really shocked to hear that one.

vocus

My only problems are workmanship issues, read rattles. I hope they do decide to do something about this though. I have read posts about people who have sold their cars back because of rattles, so I know it's possible.

If they do prorate the down payment and all that, it would definitely be cool. We shall see what happens though.

fish8

Your main issues are rattles?

justin

galo -

send us a pic of the tinted Jetta. I love mine!

vocus -

think long and hard about the next car. i would say get something you don't want, so that you don't spend a lot of money on it, and so that when it gives you little problems, you just won't even care.

vocus

Yes, my main issues are rattles. They also have left this dash piece by the driver's side hanging out, on 5 different visits. The dash still rattles like something's loose, and it seems to be getting worse as well. Also, they didn't fix the lights behind the climate control panel this last time, and they were suppose to.

I just think the car was poorly built, and the shop is trying its hardest, but I got a dud and they can't do anything with it.

vocus

I am more than likely going to get a used car, like a 99-00. I don't know what though. I know I don't wanna spend over $250 a month in car payment, so that means $13,000 or so. I have alot of choices in that price class, so we shall see what happens.

anonymous02

Get a Jeep Wrangler.

With the top down and doors off, there is not much TO rattle, and even if it did, you wouldn't hear it. Besides, you'd be too busy smiling to notice it.

vocus

Drove one of those, hated it. A friend had one too, it had reliability problems at only 10,000 miles. No thanks. It's Chrysler anyway, a major no-no.

mdaffron

Paul, buddy, face it. I've followed you all over the Town Hall. NO CAR satisfies you; you find problems with all of them.

That said, $25,000 could pay for an awful lot of bus fares ...

Meade

justin

right on

vocus

..I am just a perfectionist. I never really had problems with my 1999 Protege though, but the CD player (not a big deal). I should have kept that one, stupid me.

mseals

mdaffron, that was hilarious, a lot of bus fare indeed. To be real, my Civic hasn't has any rattles or problems but, there are faults non the less. It is small, at times I wish it was a hatchback instead of a coupe. But, I did get 10 ft metal studs in my car to finish my basement, that really surprised me, I thought I was going to have to shove them out the window or something. But to be real though, let a car be a car. The roads are so bad here that I get an alignment every year, I check my tire pressure every other gas fill up. And there are times that I thought I had rattles and it turns out it was A) the change in the change drawer, the air pressure gauge in the glove box, or C) the loud racket car next to me It has never been my car. Hey Vocus, I am selling my car soon, I was going to ask for $14000, but I will take $13000 just for you if you are interested

vocus

I can't drive a stick, so I can't get a Civic Si.

We could always trade, since you want a 1.8T, but mine is automatic though.

blackjetta18t1

I took my car in and they are keeping it till tomorrow. It is getting new brakes, a new wheel bearing hub(knocking sound), getting the driver door issue fixed(car acts like it does not know the driver door is open, i.e.-interior lgihts won't come on, audible door open alert won't come on, alarm doesn't go off when driver door is opened etc) climate control lights needs to be fixed, and since the day I got my last oil change, the disptick reads like it is empty. But obviously, a 2001 jetta with under 15k miles is ancient....And not being able to get a loaner/rental cuz you're not 21, how annoying is that..........

protege_fan

I know you've said it before but WHY don't you learn to drive stick?? It's not that much of a PITA. Manuals cost about $1K cheaper and IMO, they're more fun.

It'll only take a day to learn how to drive decently, and then you can practice whenever you want to learn to drive better.

blueguydotcom

Learn to drive stick and pick up another Pro. Good cars, fun, cheap.

vocus

I don't know what I am going to do yet, I have to see what these clowns say at the meeting I have on Monday morning first.

fish8

They might be willing to take your car back because of rattles? O receoved a call from my dealer and they will give me a loaner. I hope they can fix the rattle.

hoodornament

Definitely learn to drive a stick, if you have a decent engine mated to it, you will be DRIVING, not just kinda moving to your destination,

Good luck,
Ho

fish8

On the way home yesterday I started to hear my drivers door rattling when going over unevev pavement. My rattle is getting much worse. The only positive about this is it should be easy for the dealer to find. When I push down on the vent on the top of my dash the rattle stops. This is the worst rattle I have ever had in any car I have owned. At 900 miles, I am a little concerned about my VW.

drmillhous

So I brought the Jetta in this week for rattles, recall, and driver wind noise. They want to replace the big black rubber strip that goes 360 degrees around the interior of the driver door. Doesn't seem like it will work, but we'll see. I saw that there is this little hard piece of black rubber on the top of the actual door which doesn't seem to close the gap it is supposed to. The rattles, of course, could not be duplicated. But if everyone has this (the one where you press the center vent and it stops) is there a quick home remedy? I don't even want to think about the rattle in the door.

fish8

I have an appointment next wed to drop my car off at VW for rattles, monsoon fading and cupholder not working. I hope this helps.

I have no home remedy for the center vent rattle.

Do you have the same rattle at the vent on the center of dash?

fish8

Do you drive a Jetta? Just curious

drmillhous

Yes, I have the center rattle, more like a
vibration. The big rattle comes from the door.
Anybody out there....take a look at your drivers
door on the top for a small hard black strip of
rubber. It will meet against the inside black rubber when the door is closed. Compare it to the passanger side. Is there a big gap at the top of the driver side one?

vocus

Sorry to hear you have problems with rattles in your car. At around 1000 miles is when my problems started as well. The car now has 14,830 on it, and the problems have not gone away yet.

fish8

I will cross my fingers that all will be fixed after my first service visit next Wed.

fish8

How have you lived w/ your car for all those miles. I am going crazy with my dash rattle. I MEAN CRAZY!!!!

vocus

I really hope it is. I don't want anyone to have to go through what I have with my car. And everyone always says it's not a big deal to have a rattle. Now that you have one, you see what frustrates me about my car.

I am anxious for Monday to get here, so I can see what's going to happen with this meeting.

fish8

I have always had some rattles in my cars. But, never as bad as in my Jetta and never at 800 miles. I know how you feel about your meeting monday and the anticipation. I can't wait for Wed to roll around so they can attempt a fix for my issues. I really love my car, but these problems sort of put a crimp in my excitement.

justin

both times, my VW has been the only car that i feel is safe and reliable. all of my other cars were tin cans. talk about noise!

vocus -

don't bother with the 5 speed thing. sure, they are fun. but they are NOT fun where we live. be smart. sure, you can learn to drive one. everyone should know how, just like swimming. but don't buy one if you don't want one

vocus

I really like my car alot as well. I just hope they tell me what I want to hear, and follow through on it. We shall see though.

I also have drama, because I am really close to 15K miles. (The Lemon Law limit in MD is 15k.) I have 14,830 already, and will run over 15K with normal driving this weekend. So I am going to have to not drive my car all weekend in order to stay under that 15K, for fear they will not do anything if the car is over 15K. That sucks! A friend is nice enough to lend me his car though, so that's cool.

vocus

Traffic is too bad for me to be driving a 5-speed all the time. Also, I can't be concentrating on how to shift when I am driving and scanning the radio, talking on the phone (with a headset of course), or trying to keep my best friend's kids from killing each other in the back seat. I wanna learn to drive a stick shift at some point, just not right now. I kinda know how already, I am just not good at it.

mdaffron

Wuss.

;-)

Meade

blueguydotcom

LOL.

I'm not sure why people are so skittish about the simple act of changing gears. It's like walking - you do it without thinking. Soon you're holding a drink between your legs, changing gears, talking on the phone and blasting across 3 lanes to get to an exit you're about to pass at 80.

Kirstie_H

... with a Crown Victoria with flashing lights trailing you til it all ends in tears

kirstie_h
Roving Host
Edmunds.com

justin

you said it! it is a known fact that all traffic fatalities are caused by stick shift drivers

anonymous02

THAT is the reason you're blasting across the 3 lanes in the first place.

;-) of course.

mdaffron

Funny ... you been reading about my misfortunes lately? In case you haven't, I'll whet your appetite ... 67 in a 35 a few weeks ago, pulled by an unmarked cop ... and I got out of it. Hee hee ... luck!

;-)

Meade

P.S. Blueguy, ditto my friend! Sometimes my steering wheel is only graced with one finger! But honestly -- you're right. Once you've gotten used to a stick, it's as automatic (pardon the pun) as turning the wheel. Now Vocus, you DO know which way to turn the wheel to go right and left, don't you? ;-)

justin

after driving stick since i was 16, it is like second nature, but i love my automatic now because of the fact that when it is in "D", it goes about 10mph, even up hill, without any input from me whatsoever. a hoot in beltway traffic.

again, everyone should be proficient in driving stick, but some people really have no business driving them. some really just need to concentrate and steering and brake and gas. usually, they can't manage that.....