Volkswagen Jetta 2005 and earlier

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Comments

  • geoffdgtigeoffdgti Member Posts: 83
    blueguydotcom writes:
    Buzzzz, try again. The Jetta was designed by VW. The focus was designed by Ford (regardless of which studio on which continent). Ford = American = wretched "cars."

    I've driven some pretty impressive British Fords over the years. The mid-1980's to early 1990's Ford Sierra AWD ripped! They came in both a V6 and a 200+ hp turbo 4. There's no way you'd confuse it with a Taurus. They were a really good alternative to the Audi Quattro and were very successful rally cars. It's pathetic that they were never imported into the US.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    VWs are known for their upscale interior ambience.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    The European Fords might be impressive, but Fords have suffered quality problems in the US for as long as I can remember. Although back in the day, my mother had a 1977 (I think) Gran Torino that never gave her a problem.
  • geoffdgtigeoffdgti Member Posts: 83
    vocus writes:
    The European Fords might be impressive, but Fords have suffered quality problems in the US for as long as I can remember. Although back in the day, my mother had a 1977 (I think) Gran Torino that never gave her a problem.

    Tell me about it. I've owned two Exploders (92 Navajo & 98 Mountaineer V8 AWD). I had a 1981 turbo Mustang with T-top/Reccaros/Michelin TRX that used to eat engines and transmissions. (Great fun car, incredibly unreliable.) I wouldn't consider owning one without an extended warranty. My trusty old 1972 Maverick with the old 200" 6 and 3-on-the-tree that I had in High School and College was so simple that it was extremely reliable.

    I have friends with a Ford Windstar minivan that's on its 4th engine and 5th transmission. Ford paid for everything and ended up giving them comp loaner cars but they've spent hundreds of hours dealing with the car.

    I put a 5/100 premium OEM VW extended warranty on the GTI. At 15 months/35K miles, I'm starting to wonder if I'll finally own my first car where I didn't make my money back 5x on the extended warranty price. The only repairs were a leaking oil line to the turbo and a replaced temperature sensor that tripped a fault code. Those were caught during the comp 20K service interval.

    People who complain about window regulators should be counting their blessings.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    Porsche has NEVER been known to have nice or well assembled interiors. to this day even. the Cayenne will change that though.

    blueguy -

    you mean you would buy a Mitsu Galant over even a Ford Taurus? i don't like either, but the Taurus is a solid safe reliable car. but because it was American, you would buy a Mitsu instead? sure, anyone would take a Camry or Accord or Passat instead, but you said ANY Japanese brand. just wondering....

    i would buy a Jeep Wrangler over an Isuzu Rodeo Sport anyday....same for Explorer/Envoy/Trailblazer over a 4Runner/Trooper/ etc.

    Americans do some things better. Just not much. :(
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    The SVO was a real nice car. My buddy had an '86 he bought new. Lasted a lot longer than yours. He blew out the driveshaft doing reverse donuts. Eventually, the turbo went and he had it rebuilt and then sold it.

    He now has an anniversary TransAm (78?) with a Shelby GT350 and another TransAm in between those two. He is currently looking for a Corvette.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I would pick a Wranger over the Rodeo Sport as well, because the Rodeo Sport has one of the worst crash test scores of anything in its class. But my cousin had a Wrangler, and the brake rotors were cooked at 9K miles, and he drove like an old lady too.
  • geoffdgtigeoffdgti Member Posts: 83
    vocus wrote:
    But my cousin had a Wrangler, and the brake rotors were cooked at 9K miles, and he drove like an old lady too.

    Yeah, but old ladies tend to ride the brakes. If you get the rotors nice & hot and plunge them into a puddle, they warp and get cooked. I had that problem on my Navajo until I adopted the motto:
    I don't brake for anybody ;-)
    I used to have a Salomon bumper sticker with that slogan on the back window of the Navajo.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    your cousin can't drive :) as you know, have had two Wranglers. no brake issues at all. in fact, the 95 Wrangler had over 50k miles, never even had pads replaced. of course, both were 5 speeds. it does seem that automatics go through brakes more frequently....
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    you mean you would buy a Mitsu Galant over even a Ford Taurus? i don't like either, but the Taurus is a solid safe reliable car. but because it was American, you would buy a Mitsu instead? sure, anyone would take a Camry or Accord or Passat instead, but you said ANY Japanese brand. just wondering....

    Mitsu is mopar. In fact a lot of their cars are even made at DC factories in the US. So the answer is a definitive: NO. If a company gives away over 1 year with no payments and 0% financing, you know something is seriously wrong.

    I'll stick with my VW for a bit thanks. I took my brother-in-law out to find a new car and returned to mine thinking, "I do not see how half these cars are ever sold."
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I thought the same about Mitsubishi. How do they make any money on their cars by having deals like that?
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    i agree. can't get into it in this type of forum, but they can't be making any money on those deals....

    i like the new Outlander though. even with the 4 cylinder engine.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Folks, the hang-out-and-talk-about-anything topic is in your Owners Club (link at the top of the page -- "Meet the Members).

    It'd be nice if we could talk about the Jetta here and all these other cars there.

    ;-)
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    (pat HOST) Lets keep this about the Jetta.
    I will try to open a JETTA discussion.

    Does anyone know what the 'lead time' is when a 2003 TDI is orderd?

    I want to buy one in the spring amd want to place my order in time for perhaps March-April delivery.

    Also, is the process like ordering a US-named vehicle?... what I mean is... When I ordered my Dodge Dakota, since the dealer only had to take my order and send it to the factory, I was able to get a VERY GOOD deal. (A dealer PAYS to have new cars sit on the lot but an 'orderd' vehicle is PURE PROFIT to him) Less than a month later, my custom-built truck with MY NAME ON THE WINDOW STICKER showed up for me to drive home.

    Can I expect to go thru the Jetta brochure and custom-select the options/colors/engine...etc that I want... then submit my order?

    My buddy that just took delivery of his "Mini Cooper" had to order thru a dealer 500 miles away and wait 8 months for delivery.... I trust that the Jetta is not that involved.
  • chmeeeechmeeee Member Posts: 327
    I think it takes a little bit longer than that, but I am not sure. I think the VW order process is rather complicated. Its not due to too much demand like the Mini, but just because you are ordering from the factory in Germany, and so they try to find what you want at other dealers, the port, etc first.

    You may want to try just looking around yourself at dealers, I had surprising luck in finding exactly what I wanted at the third dealer I went to. I knew I had to have the Monsoon and Cold Weather on a 5-speed TDI, and didn't really want to pay for any other options. I found exactly that at Patrick VW and walked away that day with a new car. :-)
  • geoffdgtigeoffdgti Member Posts: 83
    chmeeee claims:
    but just because you are ordering from the factory in Germany

    Errr. Don't you mean "factory in Mexico" or "factory in Brazil"?

    I'm pretty sure that a "custom order" means the dealer requests a specific color and configuration from the regional distribution center. When one happens to come off the boat that matches the order and the order is at the top of the waiting list, it gets shipped to the dealer. That's how most Japanese-origin cars work. It's not like a custom ordered American car where they actually build the car to match your order.
  • chmeeeechmeeee Member Posts: 327
    The Jetta Wagon is indeed built in Germany, not Mexico for whatever reason. As for cars coming off the boat, that was what I was saying. I think if they don't find one after some amount of time, they will just custom build it though.
  • rs_pettyrs_petty Member Posts: 423
    I've been looking at a Jetta to replace my wife's car. I test drove a Jetta and a Passat this past weekend both with manual transmission. I did not like the clutch engagement because it came in the last 3-4 inches of top travel versus beginning engagement at the bottom of the clutch pedal travel (which is what I'm used to). My question is, is this the VW design or can this be adjusted? I assume this is a hydraulic clutch and generally they are not very adjustable. Any experienced opinion with these clutches would be appreciated.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Pretty much a design.
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    Are these available with the new VW 4x4 system?

    What about the "tiptronic" type system?

    Both?

    What year did the new Jetta and Passat wagons come out?

    What I'm getting at is I'd be interested in an auto 4x4 wagon, with the "semiauto" tranny, as long as I could find one used. I'd imagine they are outrageously expensive new.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    the clutch is a VW thing. i did not purchase a 5 speed VR6 because the car was not able to be driven smoothly by me, and I have driven manual tranmissions since 1988.

    the Jetta wagon is not available with 4Motion. The Passat wagon is. the Passat wagon with V6 and 4Motion is not cheap though....pushing 30 big ones....
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    How long has that Passat wagon with 4motion been out?

    Think it will be available on the Jetta some time soon? Ever?
    Is ANY Jetta with 4motion available? If so, starting when?

    On either, what engine(s) is(are) available for the 4motion system?

    (sorry for the slightly OT, people).
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    I think the Passat 4Motion is since 2002.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    no Jetta can be had with 4Motion. the Passat 4Motion is only available with the 30V 2.8 Liter V6. well, and it is standard with the W8 Passat. the V6 4Motion has been around for 2 or so years. The W8 is pretty new.

    not sure about plans for a 4Motion Jetta. probably not in the US, though there are 4Motion GTI's in Europe (they get all the good stuff).

    mmmm, a nice Bettle ragtop with the Audi S4 engine and Quattro (4Motion) would be HOT!
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    Are they the same thing?

    How much you think a 2000 4motion Passat wagon might go for? Same year quattro audi wagon?

    ???
  • rs_pettyrs_petty Member Posts: 423
    thanks! I could adjust I suppose - just doesn't feel right though. Probably better off w/v6-auto combination. Thanks again.
  • chmeeeechmeeee Member Posts: 327
    http://www.edmunds.com/used/2000/volkswagen/passat/4drglsv64motionawdsedan/prices.html


    Looks like it would go for about $20,000 - $23,000 depending on options, miles, etc.


    The next generation Golf/Jetta (MK5) is probably coming out as a 2005 model, and I would be surprised if they do not have 4motion at least as an option.

  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    i am not sure, but i do believe they are the same thing. which is good - quattro has been around for decades. not the newest technology, but it has proven itself again and again...
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    Maybe a used Audi would be a more financially appealing choice then. Thanks!
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    i hate to do this, because i am a believer in VW/Audi, but i would not buy a used VW/Audi. they are really nice cars - think about why the original owner isn't enjoying the car anymore....

    gives me shivers just thinking about the headaches of a used VW/Audi. a used anything really. an old model car is just too old. and a new model car is too new to be traded, unless it is a Miata or something, where space issues can legitimately come up. why would anyone get rid of a beautiful VW product? only one reason :(

    just get a non-Outback Subaru wagon and be done with it :)
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    Money?
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    That's not always true. I traded in a 2001 Protege and only had it for 8 months. The car was fine, I just wanted something different.

    I was thinking about selling the Jetta to put the money into fixing up my house, and that car would be pretty new and sold as well.

    Not everyone gets rid of their cars because they have to. The only car I traded (out of 5) was the Cavalier, because it fell apart at 40K miles.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    i wouldn't touch your Jetta on a used car lot with a 10 foot pole :) performance tires, sporty car. no way hoz-ay!! you can look at that car and assume it was DRIVEN. not a good used car choice in my opinion.

    if i was buying used, i would go for Buick or Caddy (non-Escalade of course). maybe Lincoln.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    First of all, it's J-O-S-E. :)

    Secondly, if all the maintenance records are there and the car's in beautiful shape, there is really not reason to doubt.

    Third, it's the same philosophy I would have about your car. You think I would wanna buy a car from someone who revs a COLD engine to redline? HELL NO!
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    He gave a good example of indicators that a car has been abused. How does one know a car has been revved while cold again? (*unless the engine sounds like it, which is a possibility)
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    of course it is Jose. but HOZ-AY! looks better in print. so there.

    and i wouldn't LET you buy my used car. whatchoo think about that?? ;)

    seriously - i am just responding to Anon's observation that a used VW or Audi might be a good financial decision. i am disagreeing. that is allowed in here ya know....:) sure he might save money on the purchase price, but the mental anguish and potential for costly repairs kind of outweighs the pretty purchase price, in my opinion.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    You could always get one of those Certified ones, they are covered for as long as the new ones, or close to it.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    And Justin does make a good point. But just because my car has performance tires and is sporty doesn't mean it's abused.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    i PRAY for the person that buys my car. i am now constantly spinning out (is that the term?) by pressing the gas at a light, but holding my left foot on the brake. it peels out until the ASR kicks in. as you can tell, i am getting just a little bored with my car sitting in traffic :)
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Shame on you for abusing that car like that! :(
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    It is called a brake stand.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    How do you do that in a FWD car without using the E-brake? Maybe Justin is just spooling the turbo and letting off the brake for a no-lag launch. That makes more sense.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I did that once in my car, but it wastes gas and messes up the brakes.
  • mliongmliong Member Posts: 231
    Kinda late post, but.

    Yes, VW has a hot weather testing facility in Phoenix, Arizona. How they could have missed the regulator problem is beyond me.

    Maybe they kept it in an airconditioned warehouse?
  • reddevilreddevil Member Posts: 4
    I have placed an order for a TDI Wagon and am now in my 14th week of waiting. the dealer has advised it is "in transit". However, one option I ordered is not on the vehicle. Very disappointing. If you want to order one, be prepared to wait for a very long time. Hopefully you will get what you order.
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    (reddevil) It sounds as if ordering a VW is kinda a hit-n-miss propasition. If one exists in your area that matches your desires... great. Otherwise one has to wait... like you have....perhaps for months.

    For me, being in Vermont, there are not a lot of VW dealers in the state thus, my chances are not too good.

    BTW... If they tried to pawn off something I did not want, I would use that as ammunition to get them to cut the price some more. Another option is to ask the dealer to install that option. For example, If a car has everyting you want except heated seats or fancy wheels, have the dealer install them for you as part of the deal.

    You (the purchaser) have all the power to request things be part of the deal. I ALWAYS insinst they 'throw in' the factory shop manual. (for VW... this is available in the form of a CD)

    You want pinstripes... Make it part of the deal.
    You want special tires... make it part of the deal.
    You want a lonar-car every time you get service... put it in writing as part of the deal.
    You want free state-inspections every year as long as you own the car....put it in writing as part of the deal. (My 12-year-old Honda still gets free state inspections at the dealer)

    After you hand them the check, you would be lucky to get the time of day from them;-)
  • venus537venus537 Member Posts: 1,443
    the latest info from cr...

    "The Volkswagen Golf and Jetta dropped below average, leaving the Passat as the only VW to maintain average reliability and remain a recommended model"

    the jetta has been oscillating between average and below average but even the golf is below average now.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Altima and Camry dropped in reliability also. Mostly sqeeks and rattles. Sound familiar?

    quote-Champion said he was surprised by the decline in scores for the Camry and Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.'s Altima, saying consumers' top concerns were squeaks and rattles on the all-new models.-end quote
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    When I got my 2 CR surveys in the mail (2 within 4 months, I was shocked), I really was heavy on the car. That's when I was having the rattling problems, and marked down heavily for them. If everyone else did the same, that explains the drop in reliability.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    I doubt it was just rattles that brought the score down. Thousands of broken power windows couldn't help either.
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