Volkswagen Jetta 2005 and earlier

justin

why do people de-badge, and/or re-badge? buy the car you aren't embarrassed to be seen in, then don't worry about what it says on the outside.

chmeeee

"the trendy, gimmicky 17" ones"

Gimmicky? I understand if you have no interest in larger wheels yourself, but it is more than just a trend. I don't want to fall back into this argument, but they definitely have significant handling benifits.

chmeeee

Re-badging is for people who wish they had something more than they really do (i.e. a 1.8T badge on a 2.0), while debadging is usually more for either styling reasons (clean rear end) or stealth (1.8T mistaken for 2.0). It is also popular in Europe for people with the larger engines, because they feel having the S600 badge on the back for example, is prentious.

protege_fan

Re-badging is for people who wish they had something more than they really do (i.e. a 1.8T badge on a 2.0)...

That's too funny!!!!!

I've never seen that on a Jetta....have any of you guys??

vocus

The 1.8T engine is about $1500 and includes ASR traction control. Where did you get $4000 from? And you can chip a 2.0 and change this and that as well. The 1.8T is not the only engine to be modded.

vocus

I changed the badge on the back of mine from Jetta to Bora because I wanted to. I also changed the 1.8T badge to a different Euro rendition, because I like the way it looks as well.

vocus

We are talking about VWs here, not Hondas.

And also, show me a Protege with 255hp AT THE WHEELS, with less than $4000 in mods. Not gonna happen! I am sure everyone doesn't wanna do that, but it can be done with the 1.8T engine. (Can anyone say fried rice???)

vocus

You are right, the 17s make the car handle significantly differently than the standard 15s do. They have alot more grip, of course. They also don't leave the wheelwells looking as empty as the 15s do (IMO).

sntx

vocus: Thanks for the tip. The law in Oklahoma is pretty liberal. The state allows 25% light transmission (which is way darker than I want to go) on all but the front windshield.

Regarding badging: I have been to Europe and it is true, I noticed especially in germany that most of the higher end cars were not badged at all. I saw many VW's that even had the VW badges removed from the front and the back. I like the Bora badge, but it makes me wonder why they keep changing the name of the Jetta in Europe. First it was Jetta, then Vento, now Bora. I am sticking with Jetta since it is the original name for the trunked golf. IMO The Bora badge is a subtle and nice mod though.

protege_fan

Vocus, are you saying that only Honda are made to look ridiculous (ie. souped up)?

I don't get what you're saying about Hondas and VW's.

ashutoshsm

He's just implying that the Type R badge only adds 1-2 hp at the wheels, unlike a Bora badge, which is good for at least double-digit hp increases.
:-p

anonymous02

"You are right, the 17s make the car handle significantly differently than the standard 15s do. They have alot more grip, of course. They also don't leave the wheelwells looking as empty as the 15s do (IMO). "

I see you both have your subscriptions to "Sport Compact Car" up to date.

LOL.

anonymous02

Don't forget to paint your brake hardware!

Yellow, red, or blue add about 5 HP, whether under the hood, in the wheels, or on the windshield.

go to http://wwww.beaterz.com/ if you want some laughs on a rainy Friday!

newcar31

"A $15K Jetta, with a couple of simple mods, will walk all over a Protege."

Prove it. I know you can't because that statement is absolute and complete B.S.

"The 1.8T engine is about $1500 and includes ASR traction control. Where did you get $4000 from?"

"Get a GL 1.8T, $19K sticker, probably get it for $17.5K. Comes with all the power goodies, safety stuff standard. Get some sport springs for $400 or so (installed), then some wheels and tires for $700 or so. You have spent $19K on a car that will totally outperform a Protege six ways from Sunday."

That's where I got $4000. $19K-$15K=$4K. You need to spend extra money in order to get alloys, performance tires, and sports suspenion on the Jetta.

"The 1.8T is not the only engine to be modded."

Compared to the 2.0L, it might as well be. If you're into engine mods, you get the 1.8T. Period.

anonymous02

If you WANT a faster car, it is easier to BUY a faster car (than to build it).

:-)

vocus

I really have never seen a VW covered in decals and the like, like I have Civics. I have seen them with body kits, which I hate, but at least they don't ruin the paint like the decals do.

And the baby-carriage type spoiler on the Protege MP3 and MS3 looks ugly as crap too. Looks like you could use the car as a push mower.

justin

anon -

i agree, TOTALLY. a Jetta is a Jetta. maybe i will take my Jetta badge off and put Miata on it, cuz I love Miatas......hahaha.

stnx -

not sure where you live, but if you can get a film called "ONYX" - go for it. it looks really good on a silver or black car.

vocus

I just told you how to get a $15K Jetta to walk all over a Protege. But you have to add the mods, so I guess the point is moot then.

And ok fine, your Proteges are the best thing since sliced bread. No other car is equal to them. God, grow up and stop being kids.

That's it, it's quittin' time! Later yall.

vocus

You don't have to have a subscription to Sport Compact Car to know a car with larger tires will handle better than one with smaller ones. Any moron knows that.

And with tbe brake hardware, I painted mine yellow when I had the Protege. I thought it looked pretty cool. And I had to stick to appearance mods on the Pro, God knows there was nothing to help it in the way of performance.

vocus

Has nothing to do with any other name going on a specific car. That would be equlivalent to sticking a "Type R" badge on a Civic DX. I have never seen a VW have a badge on it for something the car didn't have. And most people who have VWs modded take all the badges off for a clean look. Get with it! This is not a Civic forum...

newcar31

"I just told you how to get a $15K Jetta to walk all over a Protege."

Oh I forgot, you get a chip and change "this and that". OK, I guess you're right. My apologies.

vocus

Read VWVortex.com. You will learn how to do it.

Different springs and wheels, perhaps a chip, or even a supercharger. It doesn't matter anyway, because the car won't cost $15K after you get done anyway. :0

blueguydotcom

If you WANT a faster car, it is easier to BUY a faster car (than to build it)

But what if you want a faster car in that chassis? What then? I tried everything under 30k and the 1.8T fulfilled most of my needs (best interior hands down, nice size, tons of safety features). If I want more speed one $600 mod to the engine gets me 200 hp/240 ft-lb of torque and it's still a Jetta.

What are my other options? A faster WRX comes with a horrendous interior. A faster Altima is large and the interior also isn't as nice. Maxima again is large and feels floaty. Really, if I wanted luxury, safety and speed there weren't many choices. So this notion of "buy a faster car" doesn't always hold water. and for 19k there's no way I could find a faster new car that fit my other needs. Couldn't be done.

blueguydotcom

I only like debadging. In fact BMW offers that as an option on the M5. Very nice idea. Sure some people will recognize the different rear and front fascias but the majority will just think it's a 5 series.

Same with a chipped 1.8T that's missing the badge.

vocus

THANK YOU! I cannot believe it, but we actually agree on something! (Just kidding). That is what I was trying to tell people. If you wanna drive a car that's classy, well designed, and handles well without driving a trashy looking (IMO) vehicle, there is not going to be anything out there like this package.

I keep telling people this, and only some believe me. There is just a feel to the Jetta that's been unreached by dozens of cars in its price range that I have driven over the years.

newcar31

Whatever suspension mods that can be done to a $15K Jetta can also be done to the Protege and mod for mod, the Protege will always come out on top with regards to handling. As far as supercharging or turbocharging a brand new 2.0L Jetta, well, that is idiotic when the 1.8T is available with a pretty good factory powertrain warranty. So, you CANNOT make a $15K Jetta "walk all over" a Protege with a few "simple mods". Will you now admit that your statement was B.S.?

vocus

Like I said, whatever you say. The Protege might handle pretty well, but when you step on the gas and that tired, underpowered mill under the hood goes "uuuuhhhhh", then you will know what you have. A Japanese appliance car with a good suspension. Too bad you can't stuff a 1.8T under the hood, eh?

Like I said, the Jetta can walk all over a Protege anyway, even without mods. It's called class.

blueguydotcom

I know. I may have quibbles with my car's handling and power but after experiencing a German designed vehicle there is little chance of me returning to non-luxury Japanese or any american cars. I'm spoiled. Upgrade the interior of the WRX and we might talk but it better have a lot more sound deadening material so i rarely have to listen to that turbo on the freeway.

vocus

That's it, luxury! I have had people make comments to the affect of how solid and quiet my car is. My dad always knew when I was speeding in the Protege (the engine ran 4000rpm at 80mph, I think everyone knew!), but he can hardly tell in the Jetta because it's so quiet.

"Oh what fools these mortals be", comes to mind...

sntx

Thanks for the tip. I just did a search on the Onyx tint. It looks like a good quality product. I found some pictures of a silver Passat with Onyx tint and it looks very sharp.

newcar31

"The Protege might handle pretty well, but when you step on the gas and that tired, underpowered mill under the hood goes "uuuuhhhhh", then you will know what you have."

Can't the same be said about a $15K Jetta? (except for the handling part).

kyleknicks

"Maxima again is large and feels floaty. "

Blue, i would have to disagree with your statement about maxima's being floaty... i have a maxima and my gf has a 01 wolvie...same like yours, i could definitely out run and out handle the jetta.

but then again, it is about 6k cheaper than my max..

blueguydotcom

Blue, i would have to disagree with your statement about maxima's being floaty... i have a maxima and my gf has a 01 wolvie...same like yours, i could definitely out run and out handle the jetta.

Outrun in a flat sprint, yes - that's why I pointed out it's a faster car. Outhandle my particular car? No way. I just drove an 03 Max SE two weeks ago and the car rocked and rotated and squealed far too much in moderate cornering (say 35 mph corners at 60 mph). That sway bar I put on my Wolfsburg transformed the handling. I'm neutral in corners now and can induce oversteer with a blip of the throttle. The understeer and body undulations on the Max actually made me uncomfortable.

Great interior though. God, that 255 HP VQ is a thing of art. I only wish it had an indie suspension and 5 speed auto (the 6 speed manual felt notchy). Switch to the IRS and 5 speed auto and the Max is one drivetrain away from being a g35.

anonymous02

for you big wheel lovers:

http://www.beaterz.com/one_liners/1199/oneline_popup_1.htm

anonymous02

http://www.beaterz.com/reviews/1299/p38.htm

(our old, yellow, vinyl friend)

anonymous02

"Notice the Weapon R (makers of fine stickers and license plate brackets) placard lovingly affixed... crooked!"

pat

Folks, please do not use the img src tags to display pictures in your messages unless you actually own the picture.

Links are fine (as long as the host site doesn't mind), but actually displaying pictures that someone else may have copyrighted can get the Town Hall into serious hot water.

Thanks!!

anonymous02

Here's a link instead.

http://www.beaterz.com/reviews/1199/p9.htm

(a good use of rebadging!)

anonymous02

here are a couple links for you to get a TGIF! laugh over

the elusive Celebrity GT

http://www.beaterz.com/one_liners/0201/images/celebrity_gt.jpg

the hybrid honda camry TRD type R

http://www.beaterz.com/one_liners/1199/images/trd_camry.jpg

fish8

Dropped my jetta off today and got a Pontiac Sunefire......YIKES, makes me appreciate my Jetta.

vocus

Oooh, I am sooo sorry for you today. I used to have a Cavalier, so I know how you feel. And it's hard to believe that there are some Sunfires out there that MSRP for $18K...

fish8

All I can say is the Sunfire is very loud and it seems that there is NO insulation to drown out all the road noise. Man I miss my jetta already.

justin

is that a new car?

vocus

I hope you are kidding...

fish8

Yes, it's a 2002 with a little over 5,000 miles....but drives like a 1982 :-)

vocus

The Sunfire has the same basic platform from 1982 when the cars debuted. The chassis was updated for the 1995 model year, still an eternity in the auto world. Also, the engine is the same one that dates back to 1991. The one good thing is that the Sunfire gets the new GM Ecotech engine for 2003, and it's a great engine. It's the one from the Saturn L Series.

I assume the Sunfire is a rental?

fish8

Yes, it is from Enterprise. That answers alot of question since it dates back to 1982.

The dealer did not have anymore loaner, so they sent me to Enterprise.

justin

that Sunfire car! it looks like a Pontiac, that is for sure! it MUST be related to a Cavalier or that other small Olds. when is GM going to get on the ball? outside of the Corvette and that wonderful looking Aurora, the only decent cars they make are made my Toyota. it amazes me that they are in business. cars that are from 1982? i thought the Mustang was the only car with that claim to fame...haha.

my car was washed and dried this weekend, and vacuumed. looks lovely. when should i wax it? had it a year tomorrow...

vocus

You should wax it when the water on the paint stops beading when it's wet. And congrats on a year! Mine will be a year old on November 3 already, and I have almost 24K miles on it.

GM is replacing the Cavalier soon, but it was suppose to be this year. They delayed it again.

vocus

The last time I went to Enterprise from the dealer, I ended up getting a Crew Cab, 4WD, long bed Dodge Ram truck! It went through 1/2 tank of gas in 150 miles (that's 12 gallons!), and I had to park it 4 blocks from my house because I couldn't even fit it up my street!