Volkswagen Jetta 2005 and earlier

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Comments

  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    What the salesman meant by "destruction proof" is that the Tiptronic tranny will not let your engine rev over redline, like a true manual tranny would. It will change to the next highest gear. Also, the tranny's computer will not let you downshift if it thinks the engine will hit redline.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    My car's been in and out of the shop a couple more times than yours has, but I would still get another VW. There is nothing out there in this price range that I have found as of yet that's as comfortable, powerful, or safe feeling as the Jetta.
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    Have you taken out a Mazda6s yet? For 22k you can pick up a loaded manual one with just about everything. I drove an automatic version yesterday with all options (23k) and I have to say it's quite tempting.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    is the Mazda6 still built at the same place the 626 was built? if so, your Jetta might as well be a Lexus. take a look at the Ford Contour/Mystique and Mazda 626 problems....all built at the same place I believe...
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    At point I'd take just about any japanese car over a VW or my Jetta...my interior lights go on when they want to.
  • venus537venus537 Member Posts: 1,443
    you're tempted by an automatic mazda 6s. me too, but i'm disappointed by the loss of power going from the manual to auto. this car takes around 8 seconds to reach 60 with the auto and the car feels less lively than my auto jetta 1.8t. not the case from my test drives of the altima and accord. i'll stick with my jetta for a while i guess.

    maybe the mazda 6s engine really loosens up after a while. you'll let know me know if you get one won't you?
  • AnakinAnakin Member Posts: 410
    It probably feels less lively because of where it makes its power.

    The 6 makes 192 ft-lbs of torque, but it's at 5000 rpm.

    The 1.8T makes 173 ft-lbs, but you get all of it at 1950rpm.

    So you've got full power in the Jetta while the 6 is still revving up.

    It's because of the lack of torque at low RPM that I traded my Accord for my Jetta. Japanese cars seem to want to make all their power on the top end, which isn't as satisfying a feeling IMO as having power down low.
  • cards28cards28 Member Posts: 145
    Anakin,
    What you say about low end torque, low end rpms makes sense. Toyota.com has a glossary explaining torque (lb.-ft.) and all that good stuff.

    I don't have 200 miles on my Jetta and I'm already afraid of what's going to happen when I hit 500 miles. I may take it back to the dealer and drive it through the show room windows. I've never heard this many tales about a car before. But, I have not talked to other owners like I'm now. This is certainly the place to go before you buy. My excitement is fading fast.......man!!!

    By the way, I envy your job. I love cars and airplanes. I get a rush form both.
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    enjoy your car and don't sweat it. go to vwvortex and you'll find thousands of rabid enthusiasts.
  • adg44adg44 Member Posts: 385
    As blueguydotcom said, just cause a few people had issues with their cars, doesn't mean yours will be bad. I haven't had a problem other than the normal coil pack and window regulator, and they fixed those for 03 (except for maybe the coil packs).

    Yeah check out vwvortex.com, pretty cool site, nice peope who run it too. ;)

    - Anthony
  • cards28cards28 Member Posts: 145
    Thanks guys for the all the encouragement. I've ordered the sway bar and that will put back some of the excitement.
    Happy Motoring
  • cards28cards28 Member Posts: 145
    What is the coil pack? What happened to the window regulator?
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    the window regulator is assembly looks like a cast part with a small plastic insert. The casting takes the geometry of most of the plastic clip which fails.
  • AnakinAnakin Member Posts: 410
    My 1.8T has over 21,000 miles and I haven't had any problems at all. :)
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    you only have 200 miles on the car? if you are concerned, take it back! go get an IS300! :) btw, for 2003 there are no window reg problems, and apparently the coils are fine too. food for thought!
  • chmeeeechmeeee Member Posts: 327
    Why the hell would you do that? Thats a pretty random suggustion. I assume that if he bought a Jetta, then thats what he wanted. He is just worried because he sees a disproportionally large number of complaints on the boards.

    BTW: My Jetta is still flawless at 22,000 miles.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I think that was sarcasm...
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I am suppose to go and drive the Mazda6 this weekend. I hear it's pretty nice, but I don't plan on trading my car anytime soon. I am just driving the Mazda cuz I got a deal for a gift certificate in the mail if you do drive one.
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    Here's what you posted on the Protege discussion on October 31, 2001, about your less-than-a-year-old Protege:

    "...it's running just fine and I like it alot. I plan to keep it for a long, long time to come."

    You traded it for your Jetta THREE DAYS LATER!!!

    The true cliffhanger ... WILL PAUL keep his Jetta? WILL the new car smell overwhelm Paul's good senses? WILL Paul's drive of the Mazda6 bring forth the end of Paul's one-year-old lease? FIND OUT NEXT WEEK ... Same EDMUNDS time ... Same JETTA discussion!

    Believe me, Paul ... You've got a lot of Protege lurkers hanging on your every word!!!

    (But I hope you enjoy your test drive anyway!)

    Meade
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    you only have 200 miles on the car? if you are concerned, take it back! go get an IS300!

    Take it back? And lose thousands of dollars instantly. That's a sound decision. Hey, I've had my car one week and I lost 2k.
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    worth two grand? That's a tough decision.

    Meade
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    That's the question right there that got me into a Jetta.

    I am glad you Protege people are so interested in my life, I love it. :)
  • cards28cards28 Member Posts: 145
    When I got into the Jetta to drive home, the salesman leaned over and said to me, 'you now own a used car'. He was joking, I hope, although it is true. I got to know him over about a two period when I was shopping for price. We continue to "razz" each other. He is not the pushy type and he handled my deal very well. He is more of the marketing type, and he gave me a small scale model of the Jetta that I keep on my computer. I play with it and say, zoom, zoom...That's kinda catchy, don't ya think?
    Has any seen the Feb issue of MOTOR TREND? It compares the Mazada 6s, Altima 3.5 SE and the Jetta GLI. Interesting!!!
    Happy Motoring and I wish you all green lights and blue skys.

    I'm new with message boards. How long does it take to post a message? And what else goes on that I don't see?

    Thanks
  • AnakinAnakin Member Posts: 410
    So they're comparing two cars the size of the Passat vs. the Jetta?

    *scratch head*

    This month in Motor Trend: Mini Cooper vs. Accord vs. Town Car!
  • cards28cards28 Member Posts: 145
    The Jetta scored second best just behind the Mazada 6s. Its torque is way up there: 192 @ 5000 vs the GLI with: 195 @ 3200.
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    I wasn't going to comment until you misspelled it in two posts.

    So the Mazda beat the VW, huh? How "trendy"!

    :)

    Meade
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    They post as fast as you can type the message and hit "post my message."

    Meade
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    = crackheads.

    Actually, I'd put all magazines writers in that category.
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    not being sarcastic at all. if someone has a new car with only 200 miles, and they are having problems, you better believe you can take it back. happens all of the time. and if i had a car with only 200 miles, with no problems at all, i WOULD NOT sell it, so there would be no money lost on depreciation. break it down for ya here: car with 200 miles, and NO problems? then chill out! car with 200 miles, and problems already? take it back! is there a post missing somewhere?

    i personally wouldn't buy a car that i did not want, but i guess that happens too. but then again, i wouldn't buy a car, then 2 days later start modding it. the idea of a NEW car is that it is perfect, for at least a few months :). makes me wonder if the car was test driven at all. if i thought a car wasn't fast enough, or handled poorly, then i would not buy it. :) i always thought mods were for people that already had the car, but didn't want to make the financial leap to a car in the next class, so they just spend a few hundred to make due until the next promotion/lease end date.

    Vocus - don't ya just love internet stalkers? ;)
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    Especially when you disagree with them, right?

    I never agree with them. Like movie critics they're useless.

    not being sarcastic at all. if someone has a new car with only 200 miles, and they are having problems, you better believe you can take it back.

    Yeah you can and absorb a 2k hit.

    happens all of the time.

    Only in buyer's remorse states or among the foolish.

    car with 200 miles, and problems already? take it back! is there a post missing somewhere?

    Car with 200 miles and problems is still your car and not the dealer's problem.
    i always thought mods were for people that already had the car, but didn't want to make the financial leap to a car in the next class, so they just spend a few hundred to make due until the next promotion/lease end date.

    LOL...or they're unable to find any car they want. Or maybe want a bit more out of their purchase so they spend $200 rather than blowing $3k on a whole new vehicle.

    A good for instance is the Jetta 1.8T. Say for 22k one can't find many sedans that offer speed, luxury, limited style, safety and fun. 25k...essentially the same ballpark and no choices. 29k. Same still and no choices. $32k...okay now you've found it but that's a $10k leap.

    What to do then if one wants more performance without sacrificing other things? You can spend another $10k for a BMW or G35 or drop less than two grand on a 1.8T and get a car that's got razor sharp handling, gobs of power from a chip and new exhaust and all the original safety, style and luxury items.

    Yeah that modder sure is living in a dream world. He should just pony up $8k for a Bimmer or G.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    i don't think you understand what i am saying. if you buy a car, and within 200 miles, NOT 2000, but 200 miles, you are having problems, you simply RETURN the car. NOT trade it. i mean, RETURN it. sure, you can trade it, or get it fixed, but for ME, i would return it. when i return things, I get 100% of my money back. i would not be losing 2 grand....not sure i understand why others wouldn't do that same thing. a problem at 200 miles is a freakin omen! haha.

    i see what you are saying about why YOU modded YOUR Jetta. but, you had your Jetta for awhile, and grew to despise the way it handled. i bet if you hated the way it handled on the test drive, you would NOT have bought it.....:)
  • kyleknickskyleknicks Member Posts: 433
    **Say for 22k one can't find many sedans that offer speed, luxury, limited style, safety and fun. 25k...essentially the same ballpark and no choices. 29k**

    i would beg to diff.. here's my point, the 02/03 maximas go from 22k for a 255hp base SE but with tons of standard features (HID lites, 17inch wheels, etc) to a loaded SE which goes for 25.5k. you can't tell me your jetta is suchhhhh a great value.. i agree that it's a good value..but according to you, there's nothing even close. my gf has a jetta and i have a maxima... so i know the differences. you factor in the jetta reliablity issues, im not so sure there's nothing that comes close to your jetta for "speed, luxury, limited style, safety and fun". just my 2cents
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    and they both have that HORRIBLE AWFUL non-independent rear suspension! haha, kidding.
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    i don't think you understand what i am saying. if you buy a car, and within 200 miles, NOT 2000, but 200 miles, you are having problems, you simply RETURN the car. NOT trade it. i mean, RETURN it.

    Yeah, return it and take a $2000 hit. Can I be any clearer for you?

    Maybe you live in a state with buyer's remorse laws but there is no "cooling-off period" on a car sold in CA. You buy it, you own it. No other options.

    sure, you can trade it, or get it fixed, but for ME, i would return it. when i return things,
    I get 100% of my money back.


    Again, maybe in your state. But not here. They'd laugh at you and show you the door.

    i would not be losing 2 grand....not sure i understand why others wouldn't do that same thing.

    Because if you buy car it's yours and not their problem, Justin.

    i bet if you hated the way it handled on the test drive, you would NOT have bought it.....:)

    True, but i didn't push the Jetta to over 90 mph on the freeway or fling it through a 35 mph on-ramp at twice the limit to know that the car couldn't take what I wanted to dish.

    Kyle:
    i would beg to diff.. here's my point, the 02/03 maximas go from 22k for a 255hp base SE but with tons of standard features (HID lites, 17inch wheels, etc) to a loaded SE which goes for 25.5k. you can't tell me your jetta is suchhhhh a great value.. i agree that it's a good value..but according to you, there's nothing even close. my gf has a jetta and i have a maxima... so i know the differences. you factor in the jetta reliablity issues, im not so sure there's nothing that comes close to your jetta for "speed, luxury, limited style, safety and fun". just my 2cents

    Yes your two cents. For my 2.5 million cents the Maxima is worthless and doesn't meet my standards for style, safety or fun. The 4 speed auto and 6 speed manual handicap the car, the size and suspension make it undulate too much in hard cornering and switchbacks. The Maxima is fast, luxurious and reliable.

    Trust me, I've tried every car under 40k and the Jetta was the default choice because I couldn't reconcile spending 32k on a BMW (no G35 at the time) that I knew in my heart would be unreliable and expensive to repair. Fast-forward 19 months, I'm in the same boat...lousy current car (Jetta) but nothing in the same price range that is better for my money. The only option...drop 15k on a bimmer/infiniti to get the same payments.
  • drc4drc4 Member Posts: 56
    Anyone know the procedure for removing the front & rear door panels on a '02 Jetta? Got some internal squeeks and general annoyances that need tending to.

    Thanks....DRC
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    glad i don't live in CA! that is a sucky place to be a consumer!

    i agree that the Jetta is the only sedan that meets of all my requirements, in my price range. the great part for me, is that it was on the low end of the price range. i think for a lot of people looking at Kia/Hyundai, Focus, Protege, etc, it is NOT perceived as a great value. but those that are looking at the other end of the econo-sport sedan segment, it is the only game in town.

    i guess all that says is we in the U.S. don't have much to pick from :(
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I had an 02 Maxima SE as a loaner. The seats hurt my back like crazy when I drove it, and the torque steer was enough to pull the wheel from my hands. It was a nice car otherwise, but I wouldn't own one.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I have to somewhat agree on movie and magazine critics. It's like they are trying to tell you what to think, kinda. Just like when friends, family, etc. tell you "this movie is good/bad". That's their thought, not yours. You may like it.

    Do you have to go to some sort of "programming" school to be a critic? No. Anyone can do it off the street. So how do they come to their decisions? Personal preference HAS to take some kind of place there...
  • venus537venus537 Member Posts: 1,443
    "Do you have to go to some sort of "programming" school to be a critic? No. Anyone can do it off the street"

    my definition of a critic is anybody who gets paid for doing it. not anybody off the street can do that. know one is paying you or me for our opinions. probably the most crucial skill for a good critic is having good writing/communication skills.
  • venus537venus537 Member Posts: 1,443
    i hear what you're saying. but the new accord has more than 174 ft-lb at 1950 rpms and the altima surely does. don't know about the 6, but it feels like it doesn't.
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    What kind of gas mileage do you get with your tiptronic?

    I'm getting 23 mpg pretty consistently with my manual 1.8T mixed 60% freeway/40% city.

    As for the critics (movies, music, cars, food) it's all subjective and basically it comes down to solid writing and enough experience in that realm that you sound like an expert. Mention the subtle, almost complimentary flavor of the crispy butter-fried shallots in Burmese Chicken Curry and people think you've got some culinary expertise. Same with movies and cars. No big deal.
  • kyleknickskyleknicks Member Posts: 433
    you guys are so blinded by the fact that you own a jetta... u could love your car..but not being objective is a whole another story
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I have nothing against the car actually. I liked it, but if the seats hurt me, then why would I like it?
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I always use 89 octane fuel, drive the same mix about as you. Always doing 80-90 on the highway, sometimes tapping 100. I get 23-25mpg as well in my car. Not too bad at all for the power. I got the same mileage with my last 2 cars actually, and they had 103hp and 130hp, respectively.
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    you guys are so blinded by the fact that you own a jetta... u could love your car..but not being objective is a whole another story

    There's not a person who knows me that would ever say something as libelous as blueguy loves his jetta. Yeah, the word I'm thinking of starts with an "l-o" but from there it all goes wacky and adds on "a-t-h-e". I literally pray daily that my car will catch fire in the parking lot, get hit by a semi loaded with concrete or mysteriously disappear to Mexico forever. but alas it hasn't happened.

    I'm objective when it comes to cars (I'll drive anything and if I like it, I like it) and I have a massive soft spot in my heart for Nissans as they're the only reliable cars I've ever owned. That said, the Max to me is still just fast, reliable and somewhat luxurious. That's a step over the Altima which only gets fast and reliable assigned to it. And way over the Sentra SE-R which merely gets quick and reliable. It's not my fault Nissan didn't put a decent suspension, good tranny (4 speed auto or a notchy 6 speed manual!) or nice exterior on the Max.

    Heck they even cheaped out with the G35 while the Murano - a nissan SUV for pete's sake- gets the best interior of any Nissan/Infiniti under 40k. They have real aluminum everywhere in that thing. And solid, quality plastics! Good grief.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    even Edmunds has commented on the G35 coupe interior. i thought they would snazz it up over the sedan - guess not. :(
  • chmeeeechmeeee Member Posts: 327
    That whole mess started when card said that he was worried that it MIGHT have problems. He never even said that he actually did have any problems, which is why I thought that even considering returning it would be a bit silly.
  • cards28cards28 Member Posts: 145
    Not until I get 500 miles on it. Then.... I'll take a good look at the tires to see how much tread is left.

    I'm sorry I brought the whole thing up!!!
  • cards28cards28 Member Posts: 145
    Where is everybody???
    It's been so quiet out here, that I could hear a mouse piss on cotton.
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