Volkswagen Jetta 2005 and earlier

8u6hfd

I got the standard Premium IV system...back when I heard the Monsoon problems....I avoided it. Still a great sound system, the stock one.

Maybe someday (some year) I add a Alpine amp and some MB Quart components

anonymous02

Not to sound preachy, but I don't think a woman should leave her address and phone number for a stranger. I don't see a problem leaving your work number and address, especially in your case!

8u6hfd

she left her business card.

sarah233

i didn't feel uncomfortable leaving my card or apartment number, because the ding happened in the parking space next to mine at my apartment building. if it had been in a parking lot at some random place, i would have just left my card with my work number at the police department and had them contact me there. i doubt that people would try to mess with me knowing where i work, plus the cops do a good job of looking out for the civilians--check my building at night, etc.

anonymous02

I missed the part of it being in your apartment. Did you know each other?

sarah233

no. but she parks next to me.

justin

think of it this way.

base model Audi, BASE BASE BMW, or close to base Volvo S60.

Or loaded Jetta. Me, personally, would take the loaded Jetta. I wouldn't be caught dead in a 325 with cloth/leatherette and hubcaps. Ditto for non-quattro A4 or non Turbo S60.

vocus

My co-worker just bought a non-turbo S60. She pulled up the other day, and the engine sounded really bad to me. She likes the car alot though, and it's pretty sharp looking.

My other co-worker bought a used 2000 BMW 323i sedan (60K miles), and it's not too bad. It would be nicer if she actually kept it clean inside though. No respect, I tell you.

venus537

do you have multiple personalities? it was not too long ago that you swear you would never ever buy another VW and strongly encourage other people to stay clear of VW. now you're enjoying your Jetta again. which is good from my perspective.

need to straighten out your co-worker about the civic. only thing that's comparable between the jetta and civic is size and i like hondas. though the jetta is not really a competitor of the accord either, it has more in common with this honda in terms of refinement, power, available features and price. one of the things i like about WV is that the Jetta has the same fit and finish, quality of materials and build quality (this may be debatable, but not with my particular car) as the passat. the passat does have better carpeting than the jetta though.

it may be dangerous to compare the a4 to the jetta. a lot of people think the a4 is related to the jetta. this is untrue for the a4 is based off the passat (or vice versus). similar suspension and engine configuration.

vocus

I enjoy the way the car drives and all that stuff, but I did not enjoy the problems I had with it. There are still 2 more issues that have to be fixed, but I don't feel like being without my car so the morons at the shop can mess it up again.

anonymous02

I'd take a stripper audi, volvo, or bmw ANY DAY over a loaded vw.

8u6hfd

An audi is still a VW

blueguydotcom

Get in an a4, then get into a Jetta. Night and day difference. The Jetta, while nice, can't even come close to the luxurious feel of an A4. Just my 2 cents...

sarah233

i'd rather wait until i can afford a really nice "luxury" vehicle with all the bells and whistles. i'll stick with my jetta until then.

8u6hfd

....likewise, a Lexus is still a Toyota, etc....

vocus

I know what you mean. I really like the Lexus IS300, but the Jetta will do until then. It's a pretty nice car though, once you get the teething period done.

sarah233

i have no real complaints so far....much better than my civic!

vocus

The selling dealer of my car really didn't explain the Driver's Option finalizing procedure to me too well (I guess that's why he's not there anymore). At the end of the thing, he told me I could refinance or sell the car and pay off the difference. What he did NOT tell me is that, as long as the car's in good shape and all, I can take it back to them and just leave it. I know I will be over my mileage (60K limit in 4 years, and I am at 17.5K already), but that's better than having to worry about negative equity and all that stuff. Pretty cool.

newcar31

read the review of the upcoming Mazda 6? I know none of you have driven it (unless you are part of the press or work for Mazda), but how do you guys think it will compare to the Jetta based on Edmund's and others' reviews? From what I've read about the 6, I think VW has a competitor. Pricewise, they should be pretty similiar.

target3

It's really all a matter of how one wants to live. In Minnesota, you see a lot of nice cars in apartment parking lots. In my mind, that just amounts to a waste of money, which is fine if the person has no goals of retiring early.

On the other hand, many nicer neighborhoods have crappy vehicles in the driveway. Being house-poor is also no way to go.

Me, I live in an average home and would rather pay less for a nicely loaded VW and put my money elsewhere - namely, retirement and vacations. Am I right? Not necessarily, but it works for me.

Besides, while I have seen a BMW with cloth in Germany, I have yet to see one on the road in the U.S. BMWs and Audis are great, but I would rather be retired at 45 than drive an Audi or BMW. Just my $.02.

newcar31

Good points, but at the same time, you COULD die tommorrow.

blueguydotcom

No bimmers with cloth that I know of. I believe they all come with leathetette or leather in 2002. I think you might be able to get cloth in the A4 though. Not sure why someone would do that - I hate cloth though.

I'd have to agree with Newcar...live for today.

vocus

I have to agree with Newcar as well. My mother was a regional coordinator with the Hair Cuttery (pretty popular in MD), she worked very hard. She always talked about getting a new car, going on vacation, etc. She passed away in her sleep at 53 years old, still driving the same old clunker car and never did get to go RVing in her old age. I made up my mind at that point that I would not be that way, I was going to do, have, and see as much as I can.

So you are right, peoples' outlooks are different.

vocus

I sat in the 6 at the NYIAS when I went. It is not as upscale looking inside as the Jetta is. It was pretty nice inside though. We will have to see what the car is like when it debuts to us.

I also hope they decide to put in the stability control. Even the Jetta is going to have that option next year (the GLI and 200hp GLXs have it now!).

I am anxious to drive the new 6 though.

8u6hfd

get whatever fits both your tastes and budget the most.

harlequin1971

hmmm...

not sure I would take a stripper luxo car over a loaded VW. Miss out on some handy options and convenience features. One advantage I do see to the stripper luxo route is that it should hold resale value better, all that cash you spend on options evaporates faster than the moeny spent on the "car" itself. Options mostly help you sell it quicker when you are ready.

Resale aside. I think owning and driving a loaded VW Jetta would be a much more rewarding experience than a stripper A4, Volvo or BMW.

Then again, I would heavily consider a semi-loaded Passat at around the 28-30k range and get all the goodies and still get a German car made in Germany...that issue matters to me.

On dings: I once had the horific experience of listening to two people chatting about door dings. The one guy was telling stories about his instant retaliation response to any dings he finds on his cars. Basically, if he finds a ding on his door, he will kick dents into the car next to his...a true one-up job. He is meticulous and checks over his car carefully (so he says) everyday. His friend thought this was great and said he might have to do a little kicking on his own from now on.

I couldn't stand it anymore, so I finally chimed in, "What if the car whose door you just kicked in wasn't the car that dinged you? It could have been another car that had come and gone while you were away."

They just looked at me. Shrugged their shoulders and went back to telling their stories about road rage and "getting even" with the world.

Made me very sad, for them, and anyone unlucky enough to ever park next to them. Had the pleasure of getting my '84 VW's door kicked in when I went to school in Flint, MI...there it was because it was a foreign car - nothing more. Some out-of-work factory worker, or just angry young man, took a few good whacks just to say hello.

Then there were the kids who ran over the top of my Honda, denting the roof, hood, and trunk...just to show off and be mischevious...

Or the drunk college student who kicked off my passenger rear view mirror one night as he was walking home (I guess it was because he didn't "get the girl" - who knows)...

point? don't got one, just think it is funny, things happen, dents happen...no matter what measures we try to take...some people are kind hearted and conscientious, others are vile and aggressive and retaliatory...I never get upset over a small ding, unless I see it happen...better than some alternatives!

happy motoring

sarah233

I hope I never park next to that guy! I don't get "upset" over dings--I agree with you that accidents happen--but I am disappointed that my beautiful and fabulous car has a blemish. I really wasn't expecting the girl whose car I dinged to make a big deal about it, but I just felt like I needed to take responsibility for it because if it were on my car I'd notice it, PLUS she is my parking spot neighbor, and that would be "unneighborly" to ding her car and pretend like it never happened.

anonymous02

I like cloth better than sticky, slimy leather.

But, the leather does smell good though!

newcar31

Hey, I kick doors also. I also make damn sure that the car next to me did it. If the door of the other car lines up with the ding, and the color matches the scrape on my car, it gets a swift kick (or two) to the sheetmetal. I've only done it once because the evidence mentioned above was indisputable and the ding in my car was huge. I have NEVER dinged anyone elses door. Door dings are almost NEVER accidents; they are almost ALWAYS carelessness. If you don't care enough not to ding my car when you park next to it, you better watch out.....and if you have kids, keep an eye on them too. You "accidently" dinged my door? Well, I "accidently" kicked in your door panel. What goes around comes around.....

anonymous02

I guess I meant to say I'd probably take a stripper of the other makes over a loaded VW with some exceptions.

I like the simplicity and light weight of roll up windows, don't care for AC, and will take care of my own stereo needs.

I'd prefer a little more in the power/brakes/handling department, but either way is about the same there.

Each to his own, I guess.

jsstover

I am approaching 40K on my 2000 GLX and need new tires before winter. I currently have Goodyears on it, but am unimpressed with them. They are very loud. Can anyone suggest a safe and quiet alternative to the Goodyears? Thanks!

awino

Is anyone familiar with this problem. Suuposedly a valve or something on top or in the a/c unit. Not sure if it is the condenser or compressor or what. What happens is this valve or what ever allows refrigerant to escape and it travels along an electrical circuit. the car is 2002 1.8T and has been at the dealer since last Friday. They are having a difficult time with this problem. Anyone have any info on this?

sarah233

i have to disagree with your position that door dings are almost NEVER accidents, and yes, i really did accidentally ding someone else's door. i opened my door carefully and made sure it wasn't coming into contact with the other person's car. then, i ACCIDENTALLY bumped the door while getting out my groceries. so you're saying if someone does something on accident they deserve to get their door kicked? what if that person left you a note? intentionally damaging someone else's property (whether they dinged your door or not) can get you into some trouble.

i hope i never park next to you.

newcar31

This is my logic: If I have NEVER dinged someone else's door in my 10 years of driving, then there is no reason why someone should ding my door. I have been to the grocery store, I have opened my door when it's windy, I have opened my door in a tight spot, almost all of the cars I've owned have been two doors, yet I have never dinged someone's door. If I did, I would leave a note and offer to pay for it, like you did. If I dinged someone's car and didn't leave a note with payment information, I would expect some sort of collateral damage to my car because that's what I would do. My main problem with this issue is not whether or not it was accidental, but the fact that most people who do it don't think anything of it, and just leave. IMO, that's a hit and run.

8u6hfd

for an arm & a leg, the Michelin Energy MXV4 (luckily I got those for OEM).

A cheaper alternative would be BF Goodrich Touring T/A HR4 (yes they are made by Michelin, believe it or not).

I'm probably one of the few people that hate the Dunlop D60 A2 JLB tires.

winsan

what will happen to your spare tire? If you change your 4 other tires not with the goodyear, would it be quite funny if you need the spare tire in the future?

8u6hfd

it would be a temporary spare, assuming he has alloy wheels, then he has the steel wheels as the spare tire.

sarah233

yeah, and you kicking their car back would be what? Well within the realm of your rights? I don't think so if that person decided they wanted to report to law enforcement. If you feel that someone has hit your car and left the scene, then you should file a police report, not kick their car.

anonymous02

spoken like a true public servant!

(I am not quite sure how I feel on this one. I guess if they have the matching paint marks...Then again...)

sarah233

i just don't agree with that mindset--it normally just makes an already tense/bad situation worse. a lot of times (not necessarily in this case, but in general) people complain about how much crime there is, or how people get away with so much etc., but when they see something illegal happening they don't report it because they don't want to bother, or they think it's something too little. exacting your own revenge won't make things better, and the police can't make things better if they don't know about it.

anyway, if a car has it's wheelbase extended, does that make the car wider, longer, or a little of both?

blueguydotcom

Wheelbase extension would just mean that the space between the front and back wheels is larger. The Jetta's got a relatively short wheelbase at 98.9 inches.

Growing the wheelbase will not make the car wider. Some companies even make long wheelbase versions of their cars (Range Rover, BMW, Jag, etc).

anonymous02

extended is longer.

widened is wider.

Pontiac sometimes "brags" about going wider.

(sometimes, the police can't do anything, or the courts won't do anything. cops tell you all the time you're better off busting the punk's heads a little since that is the only thing that will teach them)

nyccarguy

So I told everybody about the broken window clips (which you all know about) that have to be replaced by the dealer, which are on back order for 4 months. The dealer was happy to install another set of the cheapo window clips until the good ones arrive from the motherland. On her way to the dealer, my sister noticed the temperature on the car was high and the light came on. The problem: A broken water pump.

newcar31

"the police can't make things better if they don't know about it."

Tell the police about a door ding? LMAO!!! I had my car stolen and they couldn't/wouldn't even do anything about that.

"exacting your own revenge won't make things better"

Yeah it will. It makes me FEEL better. It also may make that person a little more careful when exiting his/her vehicle. An eye for an eye, body panel for a body panel.

sarah233

you see, i knew you'd say, "it's just a door ding, i'm lmao about reporting it." well, according to you, a door ding is a "hit and run." hit and run should be reported, no? i think if it's important enough for you to think you have the right to intentionally vandalize someone's property, it should be reported. personally, i wouldn't report a door ding because i don't think it's that important most of the time.

maybe someone got pissed because they thought you did something to them and then stole your car to get back at you.

anyway, i'm sorry you had a bad experience with the police. all i'm saying is that it doesn't help the police if the community doesn't help out and report things.

jborden1

Hey everyone,

I am a junior mechanical engineering major. My family just bought a jetta for my sister. It has the 1.8t with the sport package, 17" wheels, and tiptronic. I am a car nut so I looked around alot for a 20,000$ car for my sister. She has no clue about cars so she let me and my mom pick. Originally I looked at gm cars, just because of the 0% financing. But mom hated the styling of all of them. When I showed her the jetta, that was it. We recently also got a new tt roadster with the 225 hp version of the 1.8t, so I hope this engine is reliable. We go to pick the car up friday and I can't wait.

I'll keep you posted.

sarah233

i have almost the same except with manual transmission, and have had a blast since november. have fun! the 1.8t is great.

Anakin

I don't think it would be named one of Ward's 10 Best engines if if weren't a reliable engine. :^)

You might hear things about Jetta reliability, but they're usually based on older 2.0 models or items other than the engine.

vocus

Congrats! We have the same car, too funny. Mine is Cool White with black leather and your options though. Had it since Nov.3 with no problems but rattles. I still love the car though. Happy driving.

moparbad

1.9L TDI is also a Ward's Ten Best Engine. http://www.etconnect.com/gt/best.htm