Volkswagen Jetta 2005 and earlier

nubie1

i just got a new gls v6 fully loaded (leather pkg, sports lux pkg, monsoon pkg,6-cd changer)and paid 22,800 all told at 6.9%. And they paid off my '99 jetta. any thoughts?

cooljetta2001

That sounds good, I would love to have an in-dash MD with a CD changer in the trunk, but a couple of questions?

1. Did you have your car w/ Monsoon?
2. Does the volume etc on steering wheel work?
3. How difficult was it to get it installed?

Jericho - I haven't got my CAR yet so will pass on all the info once I get the CAR.

Thanks!

nubie1

cool jetta, i got the monsoon and they installed it. but i hear you can go to www.crutchfield.coma and get a changer and adapter for about $300. dont know about the MD personally but they sell those too. Good luck!

sacherel

Hi,

Well, yes I got a Jetta with the Monsson unit (apparently all Jetta's produced these days come with the Monsoon package). Unfortunately the steering wheel controls will not work, you need to get an aftermarket adapter (currently not available for Jetta's). Installation is pretty simple, just need a wiring kit and you'll be set, expect an hour to put in. Hope this helps.
Regards
Erik

wntajetta

I'm buying a Jetta in a few months. I really want the sun roof and all the fancy stuff in it. Money is a consideration...has anyone purchased a pre-owned? If so any suggestions on what year would be best to purchase?

maalea

Hey all I just got done lookig at the jetta, and I am thinking of buying one but I dont know the difference between the glx and the vr6?? Any help is greatly apprecaited, Ma'alea

downbylaw

you can get a gls with the vr6, as well as the tdi, 2.0 and 1.8t. the glx only comes in the vr6. the glx has some added amenities, so you'd have to find out if they're worth it to you before you decide.

junior75

Maalea, the GLX comes std. w/ VR6, leather, cold weather pack., sunroof, 16" alloy wheels and monsoon sound. All of these options could be added to a GLS and you would save $1800. BUT, you would miss out on the GLX's extras....such as power seats w/ memory, self dimming rear view mirror, climate control, rear sunshade, fog lights,trip computer & rain sensor wipers.
The only options on the GLX are automatic, sport suspension and 17" alloy wheels.
If you go for a manual trans., VW credit is offering special rates as low as 3.9%.

maalea

Thanks for the help all, I went by the local vw dealership and picked up a brocheure and glanced at their selection, I was pressed for time so didnt really get to look. Tomorrow I am going to take a couple different ones on test drives to see what I might like more standard or automatic. After this test drive I will have made up my mind on what to buy in the next few months, hopefully by summer! Are there alot of after market parts and accersories for jettas? Whats a good price to pay for a GLX? , hows gas mileage? I have to drive 60-90 miles roundtrip every day for school and work, and how is insurance on this car? I am 23 with a clean record so if there is anyone else my age who drives one thanks! Thats about all I can think of for now, looking forward to seeing how these handle tomorrow, and once again thanks for the help!
Ma'alea

driver36

I am about to finalize down to Jetta 1.8T for my next car and I will needed within two months. Can some current owner give me some insight on the back seat of Jetta can fit in with a baby seat. Any feed back would be much appreciated:)

Happy Jetta....ing

maalea

I test drove the VW yesterday and to say the least i was very happy, They didnt have any glx's at the dealership so i drove the gls vr6 and was impressed imensely with it, I just dont't know when I will be able to buy, although I cant wait!

bluejetta

The best way to find out how well that baby seat fits is to pack everyone up and go see Mr. Salesguy at the dealer and give that sucker a real test drive with baby seat and all!!

-Jim
http://www.bluelagoonjetta.com

cooljetta2001

Have "ordered" a 2001 GLX 5 speed trans, Black w/ biege lthr or Silver w/ Black lthr. The dealership says that it just cannot find the CAR. Do ppl think that the car I want is too difficult to find? He has one similar but is red in color which I do not want. Dealership also tells me that they "cannot" order cars from VW as per specs. Apparently, they just get what VW decides and not that they do not have a choice. Is this true? They are finding cars with Auto Transmission but not Manual, and I want to buy a manual trans 'cos I think it is a lot moew FUN to drive than a "Auto". Any comments?

driver36

thanks for the post bluejetta! I plan to have a baby in a year or two, but currently I don't have any addition family member except my wife

Thats why I am asking about the baby seat question. Any more feed back on the subject would be apprecited!

thx!

junior75

cooljetta2001, we usually can locate someone a car w/in a day of the sale. If a dealer does not have one on the lot they can trade w/ another dealership that does. They should be able to tell you when they have located one or if one is coming in pretty shortly after you made your deal.It sounds like they probably are a small dealer that is unable to trade w/ other dealers in your area or they took such a small profit that they put you on the "backburner" until something happens to comes along.

BTW, we have 2 silver/black leather GLX manual trans. in stock & a black/black one in port storage ( so they are out there). Availibilty just depends on were you are . Although I do believe the Black w/ beige leather is tough to come by.

blackjetta18t1

Please E-amil me, I'm IronLungun@Aol.com, you seem very help[ful, Appreicate if you coudl help me with getting a Jetta 1.8T in the Northern New Jersey area...

rwr1708

I live in western PA and can tell you that I have seen a ton of manuals at the dealers I've visited and quite a few of those were GLX's. There are three dealers in relatively close proximity to my house (three others that are a bit of a drive for me) and between those closest three I've seen one blk/tan, one silver/gray, and a few blk/blk. I did not see a silver/blk though. I don't know where in Ohio you're from, but if you're relatively close to PA, I'd wonder if you're dealer is working as hard as they should be.

cooljetta2001

The dealership has tons of GLS, but few GLX that seems to be a trend though. About the price, I have a FINAL quote which is close to the invoice price plus tax and title in OH, not sure how the profit works in this case.

rwr - if you could email me some more info about the dealerships, I can ask them to get in touch with your dealership.

Junior- give me a final quote from you and we can see if it works out.

My email naikdars@yahoo.com

Thanks for the response.

downbylaw

i'm in indianapolis, and i need to get in touch with some delearships that will actually LISTEN and DEAL with people. the indy dealers tend to talk and not listen. i have no problem driving a couple hundred miles to save a couple hundred dollars.

mrf8

Hi,
I'm trying to decide between buying a new Camry LE and a Jetta GLS. Jetta has more features and is more fun, the Camry is more reliable. I can't decide Any insights?
Thanks

awanteddriver

Curently I am driving a 1988 Mazda 626 with 220K miles on it. With the exception of normal maintenance items (tires, brakes, plugs, one exhaust system, etc), the only thing I've ever replaced was the altinater. I have looked at a number of Jetta's (1997 to 2000) but I would like some input on the Jetta's durability and reliability from car owners rather than salesman. Any input would be appreciated.

sorensk

I have a '94 Jetta and don't have any problem using a child (infant) car seat in it. I use the
center rear position although either side works also, it's just not as safe for the child. Another
advantage to using the center for the child seat is that you can still fit four people (two in back)
in your car (yes, it's a little tight in back but short trips aren't a problem) .

Also, I recently drove the Jetta 1.8T and was impressed at what a difference there is from
the standard four cylinder, for and economical car it has a lot of "pop."

Happy motoring.

junior75

I e-mailed you both the info you were looking for.

BTW, I heard VW was talking about increasing the 1.8t to 170bhp like on the new Passat!

fischda

Driver36 - Since you don't have one yet, you'll be starting with a rear-facing seat. They tend to stick out forward a lot, so I don't know what a squeeze it will be. Do you have any friends with one you could try. I have two kids in car seats (forward-facing) and it's a little tight because the seats are so bulky. I move my seat up a bit from my normal driving position to give my daughter a little more leg room. Once they're out of the seats, or using boosters, it'll be fine, but right now it's slightly cramped (that's why we ferry the kids around mostly in the minivan

jeepers1

I also tried shopping for a VW in Indianapolis and it was a waste of time. Try Royal on the Eastside in Bloomington. Ask for Larry Askren. I have bought two cars from him and am probably going to help my in-laws buy one too. They did 2% over invoice on a Jetta GLS TDI for me. You might not do that well but they should be willing to deal with you.

sorensk

I have a '94 Jetta and don't have any problem using a child (infant) car seat in it. I use the
center rear position although either side works also, it's just not as safe for the child. Another
advantage to using the center for the child seat is that you can still fit four people (two in back)
in your car (yes, it's a little tight in back but short trips aren't a problem) .

Also, I recently drove the Jetta 1.8T and was impressed at what a difference there is from
the standard four cylinder, for and economical car it has a lot of "pop."

Happy motoring.

scottphelps

Well I am a recent grad that is going to be purchasing my first car. I am not 100% sure what I am gonna get right now I have 93 Protege that is a great car put is starting to cost me a pretty penny with some minor repairs addin up. It has 112,000 on it and i do a lot of driving. What I am wondering is why everyone likes the Jetta. I love the style "look" of a Jetta however I am not sure I wanna throw this kind of money out on a car if I am gonna be almost as happy in a Civic or something and soup it up and not pay nearly as much. How is the reliable is it. And how great a car is it. Please be honest and if there is a decent car of another make I should really try please let me know.

scottphelps

Also what are the differences between the types.
I just want a 5 speed, sunroof, and silver. the rest i can live without. I am not the most car savy individual out there.

junior75

I don't see the color combo being a problem, but the 16" wheels are only available w/ the VR6 or wolfsberg. The wood trim can be added at the dealership. The Multi- function wheel now comes standard w/ the leather pack. (PLA). I would suggest going w/ the sport luxury package (17" wheels and sport suspension + the sunroof)
That is definitely the sportiest combo!

scottphelps

No one wanna sway me either way huh? I am just looking for some advise on anyone that already has a new Jetta if it is worth it.

vocus

I saw on EBay motors where they were auctioning a Jetta Wolfsburg off for $24,900 or something like that. The point was to say what a sharp looking vehicle it was. I really did like it alot. It has the 1.8T engine in it right? Just curious.

fischda

You don't have to be car savy to know what you like to drive. You have to decide what's important to you and to what degree. Style, comfort, performance, luxury, reliability, economy, budget? With that in mind, go test drive a bunch of cars as close together as you can (like in one day). Narrow it down to a few then drive them again, back-to-back. The choice should be easy...unless you're limited by $$ but really turned on by something out of your price range (congrats, you're just like the rest of us)!

I test drove many cars just for the hell of it - Focus, Neon, Stratus, Corolla, Camry, Accord, Civic, Lumina, Grand Am, Lincoln LS, A4, 325, S40, Golf, Jetta, Passat. The Jetta was the perfect fit and I love it to death - flawless after 9K miles. Look back through this topic and see all the happy Jetta owners - yeah, sometimes you get a lemon, as with Honda, Toyota or anyone else, but for the most part these new VWs are reliable.

Mine's a 2000 Jetta GLS 1.8T with leather, sunroof, alloys and CD changer - oh yeah, Silver!!

deano5

How does Volkswagen America (or Canada in my case)pricing compare with deals you have made? I'm using the Canadian price on a 2001 GAS/auto/2.0L/cold weather+luxury package($26760 +7%tax), as a starting point for the deal. The dealer wants nearly $2000 more than this MSRP. Any Canucks out there? What should I pay?

mamamia123

Hi all,

Im looking to lease a new car. I have boiled down my choices to 2 cars. the Nissan Altima GLE and Jetta GLS. I went down to Nissan today and got a lease deal offer and I will probably head down to VW tommorow.

This is the initial offer I got from Nissan for a 2001 Altima GLE (comes with leather + fully loaded car). The MSRP was 21,936, but I worked that down to about 19,000$ with the salesperson. Anyways, here are the exact figures:

MSRP: $21,936
Negotiated price: $19,018
Residual value after 36mths/12k miles: 52%
Down payment: $950 (includes tag + first payment)
Lease payment: 299$/month + 6.5% sales tax
36months/12k miles

ps: I told the salesperson I would consider his offer and get back to him, I hinted to him that I might be willing to deal if he could work on the price, and he mentioned that 279$ with the same terms and downpayment might be possible.

Now I prices a Jetta GLS/ Automatic with Leather and the Luxury package at an MSRP of 21,235. I have a couple questions for u guys. How much should I realisticly expect to work down the price to? 20,500? 20,000?

Lastly, the Jetta and the Altima GLE mentioned above are pretty close in terms of MSRP..do you think I can get a similar deal at VW that Nissan offered me for the Altima? If not, then what kind of deal can I expect for similar terms 36mths/12k/1000$ down?

Thanks very much in advance,

Davis

bluejetta

Jetta's are different. Owning a Jetta is different than any other car I have owned, from Hondas to Toyotas, to other Volkswagens. It's hard to explain. Check out this website and it will help explain things: http://www.dcubed.com/dan/jetta.html

Synchronicity.

It's just right.

-Jim
http://www.bluelagoonjetta.com

blackwolf

I am seriously considering purchasing a 2001 wolfsburg edition jetta, but I am puzzled as to why there is absolutely no mention of this vehicle on VW's website. I have learned more about this car from Edmunds.com and other non-vw resources than from VW itself! In fact, even the salesmen don't seem to know much about it! I walked into one dealership and had to teach the salesman the differences between the wolfsburg edition and the regular GLS 1.8T because he hadn't heard of the Wolfsburg! Does anyone have any explanation or guess as to why VW has nothing posted on the website about the Wolfsburg or why dealers are so uninformed?

Also, I am interested in knowing whether there is any way to ascertain from the VIN number whether a vehicle is a wolfsburg edition or other type of special edition. Does anyone know how to tell? I know that all Jettas sold in U.S. are made in Mexico, including Wolfsburg editions, so I know therefore that a W in the VIN digit space for plant location (digit #11) would not indicate a Wolfsburg edition jetta, because all newer Jettas will have an "M" there, for Mexico. I also know that all newer jettas will have VINs beginning with 3VW, also indicating Mexico production, so which digits might represent a wolfsburg or other type of special edition? Any thoughts?

vocus

I saw one at the Motor Trend car show here in Baltimore last night. It's nice, but bacically a 1.8T Jetta with some cosmetic differences inside and out and some suspension differences (I think). It's still nice though.

I also checked out a Golf at the car show last night. To me, the seats felt way too firm for a long drive. I don't think I will be getting one now, because I have back trouble and the seats are way too firm for me. I am really mad now!

fischda

How do you know the seats are too firm for a long drive? I find them VERY comfortable. Besides, isn't firmness and a good lumbar support what a bad back needs? When you test drive a Golf, ask the salesman to let you drive to Richmond and back (you live in DC area, right). They should let you, and then you'll know about the seat once and for all.

vocus

I work in the DC area, and will probably go to College Park VW for the test drive. I didn't think they would let you drive for like an hour on a test drive though. It would be really cool if they would though. I liked the GTI seats better than the Golf GLS seats though, but they are aggressivley bolstered. I have to see about doing a long test drive like that.

lnav2121

Hello everyone.. Figured I'd share my input here too. I had purchased a 2000 VW GTI last year after trading in my 96 GTI .. have a few issues with it but all is fine now.. My sister who also has a VW wanted a new car but has bad credit.WE ARE A VW FAMILY!! She wanted to take my VW GTI and I decided to buy yet another VW!! I opted for the VW GLS Jetta 1.8T SPORT. The guy who is looking for Baltic Green.. there out there trust me.. Your dealer can do a search and find you the car. When I went they had 3 on there list from surrounding dealers. I went all out on this car. The sport package with the sports suspension and the 17" rims. The sport is a great package comes with the sunroof and leather, heated seats. I also picked the one one with the monsoon and the 6 disk cd changer. I'm financing it and bought the car at 23,100 w/o tax. I hope this help some people with figuring th price that they should pay out. I think I got a really good deal. The car's got alot of pep and with all the options I'm one happy person. Good luck to everyone who is looking for their next car. :-)

fischda

One salesman from VW of Springfield offered to let me take a demo to Philly and back! If you tell them your back is picky and seats are a big deal, they should give you the drive. Maybe not a lot car, but one of the sales staff's cars then.

fischda

Congrats on your awesome new Jetta. Unfortunately, you did NOT get a good deal - sorry, man! Leather does not come with sport pkg; it's a separate option. Assuming you did not get the multi-function steering wheel, and you have side curtain airbags (Edmunds says it's mandatory option), then your MSRP was about $23,500 (depending on how much you paid for the CD changer), and invoice about $21,400. And that's without dealer add-ons like advertising, prep, whatever. So you paid almost full invoice. $400-1000 over invoice would have been more reasonable. You overpaid by $700-1300.

I don't tell you this to bring you down, but people should not take your deal as what they could expect to pay for this car! In your favor, I hope you got more options than you listed in your post.

lnav2121

"Leather does not come with sport pkg; it's a separate option. Assuming you did not get the mufti-function steering wheel, and you have side curtain air bags (Edmunds says it's mandatory option), then your MSRP was about $23,500 (depending on how much you paid for the DC changer)"

Thanks for your input but.... the car that I did buy at 23,100 does have leather, yes with the multifunction steering wheel and side curtains too. so if you add that in with what I paid its pretty much matches the Edmunds TV.

lnav2121

Not including the cd changer...

OPTIONS SELECTED:
Option Code Option Description Invoice MSRP
-- Transmission: 4-Speed Automatic $864 $875
4X3 Side Curtain Protection $133 $150
PLA Lthr Pkg w/Multi-Function Steering Wheel $929 $1,050
PMC California and Northeast Emissions $99 $100
PVA Sport Suspension $177 $200
PZA Sport Luxury Package $1,788 $2,025
RSM Monsoon Sound System $287 $325

Invoice MSRP TMV
Base Price $17,486 $19,200 $18,314
Optional Equipment $4,277 $4,725 $4,491
Destination Charge $525 $525 $525

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total $22,288 $24,450 $23,330

fischda

Oh, I didn't know you got an auto tranny. Although the sport suspension (PVA) comes with PZA, so that $200 comes off. So I'd say you did okay. People have been getting better deals than TVM though. Really, it's all semantics, because supply and demand varies everywhere. You got the car you want, you're happy - that's all that counts! Now enjoy your new toy!! Whoops, my dad told me cars aren't toys...check that.

teo

I am picking up some strong interest in the 2001 VW Jetta, specifically, the VR6 and 1.8T (Gas) models with automatic transmissions. I have heard some really bad stories regarding the reliability and dealer service on VW's; however, I have never ever owned an 'European' car before. Are there still any 'serious' quality and reliability issues pending with the 2001 models??? How's the reliability of the 1.8T (Gas) engine in comparison to the VR6 powerplant?? What are the pros and cons of these two engines??? Any other issues I should be aware of before hand???? Which colors and equipment package combinations are easier and harder to find??? Any pricing/dealing tips??

Please, save your comments regarding the base 2.0L engine (Don't care for it)and the 1.8TDI (Altough a good engine, don't care for diesel powered cars).

I tend to favor V6 and big displacement engines over smaller 4 bangers with forced induction; however, based on the Edmunds road test of the 1.8T it seems that this engine could well be a worthy alternative to the heavier and gas thirsty 2.8L V6. I also like the idea of 'chipping' the 1.8T to get it up to 200HP...but again I am open to suggestions from you experts..(I live in Miami so I have no 'high altitude' driving issues to worry about.)

I currently drive a 2000 Chevy Impala LS with a very powerful 3800 Series II V-6 engine (200 HP/225 Ft of torque) and a smooth silky 4-speed GM auto.....problem is these cars have serious issues with the aluminum engine cradles that support the entire front end......ticking sounds, suspension and steering clunks, no hope for a fix...my car is right now at the shop and it already has been 5 days out of service due to this crappola....I will be pursuing a buyback from GM (Manufacturing/safety defect flaw) or go straight to arbitration (Hope not). The Impala folks is a really nice car, powerful, good handling, but suspension and steering problems are a big NO NO and a red flag on any car...by the way my Impala is only 1 year old ;-(.

Anyway, I will be visiting my nearby VW dealer to test drive both, the VR6 and 1.8T auto and try to make a fair and good comparison between the 2. Again, in all honesty I am concerned about reliability issues with VW's...I don't want to see my self in a similar situation again...;-)

merckx

Last night in my 95 Jetta GL,I hit a pot hole so sharply that the wheel cover flew off. Now,at below 40 mph the steering wheel has a pronounced shimmy-it will rock back and forth.Do I probably just need a new front alignment?Small wheel weights fall off? Suspension damaged? Oddly the car still tracks very straight when I take my hands off the wheel. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

sonyfocus

I am shopping for a new car and pretty much have the 2001 Jetta GLS 1.8 as my first choice. I have narrowed by options down to an automatic transmission, Galactic Blue, with the luxury package (PDA) and grey leather package (PL5): MSRP is $22,875. A local dealer has given me a figure of $21,736 (including destination charge, but not incl tax/title), which he says is 3% over invoice ($21,103). In checking the TMV on Edmunds, this quote is on par with the TMV given. Just wondering to all of you recent Jetta buyers if this sounds like a fair figure. No papers have been signed as of yet, but the salesman says they are pretty much a "no haggle" dealer.

Please let me have your thoughts. Thanks!

vocus

Aren't you the one who had the accident in your Focus a couple weeks ago? Why are you deciding to get rid of the car all of a sudden if I may ask?

lnav2121

Sony Focas - Does the car come with the monsoon or a cd changer or with a sport package?

Teo - I have owned 4 VW's in my 6 years of driving lifetime. I love these cars. They are great and fun to drive. I do but heads with my service department sometimes their service has gone down since the first VW I bought, but over all, have had little issues with my new car. I don't know if you've seen my prior post but I'm getting rid of my 2000 GTI and getting the 2001 Jetta 1.8t sport.. and when I test drove it it put my a*s against the seat. Good Luck.. and make sure you get on it during the test drive to see what kind of balls it has.. LOL