Volkswagen Jetta 2005 and earlier

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Comments

  • modalitymodality Member Posts: 2
    Thanks for the car care links. This helps a lot.
  • eclipsegseclipsegs Member Posts: 66
    The viscosity level of synthetic is best for engines in use of extreme cold weather. I'll be changing my oil in a month.
  • bispanbispan Member Posts: 1
    Can anybody please explain about the performance of Jetta GLS 1.8T ( turbocharge ) ? What difference a turbocharged engine makes ?

    Apart from the price difference, how does Audi A4 compare to a high end Jetta ( GLS or GLX )
  • eclipsegseclipsegs Member Posts: 66
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Go to VW's web site (http://www.vw.com) and find out all the facts for yourself. Go to the menu at the top and choose "Jetta", then "build/price in the US" from the menu on the next screen.
  • delta5delta5 Member Posts: 4
    Bassman..your dealer need to be 'educated'. I test drove a 2001 Jetta TDI/5 speed with leather a couple of weeks ago. I feel sure the leather would be available with the automatic also. Did you notice if the steering wheel had the audio/cruise controls in the spokes?

    By the way, I am thoroughly impressed with the TDI.The dealers I've spoken to have mentioned 3% over dealer invoice. Let me know if you strike a deal..I live in the Atlanta area.......
  • bassman11bassman11 Member Posts: 1
    Thanks for the respones about the TDI. I have already been to the web site and built my own TDI. The dealership says that the TDI's with automatic and/or leather are rare and hard to get.

    I did look for the steering wheel audio/cruise controls and none of the 2001 jettas had them. I would wait for them as well if they are a mid-year addition. Hopefully someone will have some information about the addition
  • wsommarivawsommariva Member Posts: 157
    Try vwvortex.com. Many more VW owners; in fact, nothing but VW and Audi owners. From what I read the TDI owners like them a lot.

    I like to relate this story: I was in Ireland 5 years ago and we borrowed a Passat. Drove it all day and before returning it we filled it up with gas....................................................too bad it was a diesel......what I am trying to say is that it drove just like a gas engine car. No smoke, no smell, plenty of pickup.
  • jkinipellajkinipella Member Posts: 1
    Does anyone know someone in the Chicago area that would like to buy my 2000 Jetta GLS VR6...fully loaded...perfect...I bought it a few months ago and have not had any serious problems...I find that it is just not the car for me. I see that I am a minority in this opinion which is good for other Jetta owners...it is a nice car.
  • geniasgenias Member Posts: 1
    I own a 97 corolla,have had no problems but want to buy a 99 jetta.I've read good and bad things about the jetta.Can anyone tell me if this is a smart move??
  • tanker2tanker2 Member Posts: 1
    All,
    just picked up my new 2001 GLS TDI Jetta with the works and it is awesome. I have all the goodies on it to include beige leather and steering wheel controls for cruise and radio adjustments. After owning a Ford Probe for five years, I could not be happier with this automobile. If your looking at getting this car feel free to write me
    scott_a_tackett@hotmail.com
    Good luck in your search and I'll keep you posted!
  • bjandersenbjandersen Member Posts: 1
    Hi there,
    My wife and I just took a 99.5 Jetta for an extended test drive yesterday (the dealer handed us the keys and said "come back when you're comfortable with the car" WOW!...too bad he turned out to be a slug in the negotiations...another story).

    Anyway...we got to really play with the car, and discovered how hard it was for my wife to see out the rear window. She's 5'2" tall and I'm 6'3" (No Snickering!)so I have no problem at all.

    We tried taking the center headrest out, but the damn center light still sticks way up. We both kinda chalked it up to something you just have to get used to...we are currently driving an Escort hatchback...I can just about see the bumper of the guy behind me while I parallel park..

    Does anyone have experience with this kind of problem? Do you just "get over it"?

    Thanks!

    BJAndersen
  • eclipsegseclipsegs Member Posts: 66
    To answer your question susinctly, yes.
  • fischdafischda Member Posts: 272
    Did the dealer tell you about the height adjustable seats? No kidding, there's a neat handle on each of the front seats to move them up and down. My 5'2" wife has no problem with visibility. Our only problem is that she never moves the seat back so when I get in, I bang my knees under the steering column!
  • gladicheckedgladichecked Member Posts: 93
    I don't mean this disrespectfully, but I would not ask someone for a recommendation who just picked up their car. I would hope you had no problems with it driving home from the dealership. I sincerely hope you are willing to give that recommendation 6 months from now.

    Regards,

    GIC
  • elazaruselazarus Member Posts: 6
    Have been away from this board trying to get that 2001 Jetta GLS. Wrote a buyer's order with Congressional for about $19,500 out the door and had been waiting a week for him to find the car. Yesterday I emailed every dealer I could find in this area requesting the exact car we wanted. Yesterday morning got an email from Alexandria VW with an out the door price of $19,320. So we canceled Congressional and wrote a buyers order for that one. This morning got an email from another dealer with OTD price of $19,070; however this guy says the car is being built, not in port yet; talked to Alexandria and they matched his price!
    Turns out before we started this whole thing I calculated an OTD price based on $460 profit (about 2.5%) and it came to $19,064! Now that's close!
  • fischdafischda Member Posts: 272
    That's outstanding. A friend of mine bought a GTI GLX from Alexandria. Does your OTD price include everything - dealer fees, destination, TTL? Is it a GLS with 2.0 engine? Any other options? Has the dealer found the car yet? I know you'll enjoy this car immensely!
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    Are you talking Ray Burnette VW in Alexandria? If so, please be careful. Don't want to ruin your experience, but just keep your eyes open for funny number crunching in the finance office. :)

    Have fun with your new car! You will LOVE it.
  • drmike2drmike2 Member Posts: 5
    I don't know if this has been addressed at all, but I purchased a 2000 Jetta with the 1.8l turbo engine and a stick-shift about 6 weeks ago, and am really enjoying the car.

    My sole complaint (so far) is that fifth gear is not high enough. This translates into high engine revs at highway cruising speeds. (I find myself looking to shift one more time.) I realize that this eliminates some downshifting (in passing situations, for instance), but I would trade that for less wear and tear on the engine, quieter operation and better fuel economy.
    In fact, fourth and fifth gears are so close that fourth is just about unnecessary.

    Anyone else feel as I do, or have a response? Thanks.
  • jm4782jm4782 Member Posts: 2
    Hello all, I am soon to be in the market for a 2000/2001 Jetta GLS 1.8T. I'm hopin for Atlantic Blue or the green, thankfully I don't want the silver so I won't be waiting around. With the sunroof and heated seats and monsoon package. Website comes up with $21,445. I think base invoice is just over 18K for 2001 (http://www.kbb.com) Anybody know of any decent dealers in the central MD area (I'm near Columbia). How willing are they to negotiate the price, etc.? Thanks again.
    -Jon
  • venus537venus537 Member Posts: 1,443
    That's the first thing I noticed with my test drive. Even though you don't lose much performance from the VR6 model, you have to live with the high revs. Since I don't do a whole lot of highway driving, I can probably live with this. Better gas mileage and handling balance than the VR6 model are other plusses. I'm very excited about getting a Jetta and hope I enjoy it like you're enjoying your car.
  • moira_vwmoira_vw Member Posts: 17
    From the department of overthinking . . . I am ready to buy a Jetta GLS 5-speed with sunroof, but I can't quite decide on a few things. First, which engine? Yesterday I drove cars with the 2.0, 1.8T, and V6. The 2.0 seemed fine to me, but I'm tempted to go with the turbo for a little extra power (the V6 felt really nice, but it seems to be more than I need and I'm trying to limit costs). On the other hand, some say that the turbo is hard to maintain. Is there anyone out there who went with the 2.0 and regretted it? I'm currently driving an '86 Civic and most of my driving is city driving.

    Second, cloth or leather? I've never had leather, and it's tempting, but some people complain about sliding around, heat, etc. Also, the cars I drove yesterday had this black "format"(?) cloth in them that I didn't care for -- in most places it had no pattern or texture, so it seems like it would show every speck of dust. The salesperson said that's all that comes in the 2001 model, but the vw website suggests otherwise. Has anyone seen the silver Jetta with gray leather? They didn't have any in that combination on the lot (the black leather looks really nice, but I get hot just looking at it).

    Finally, is the sound okay without the monsoon option? I intend to add on the CD changer (though the prices I've seen -- around $375 -- seem high to me). The sound quality is important to me, but the costs on this car keep adding up -- I've got to give something up!

    Any thoughts would be appreciated.
  • drmike2drmike2 Member Posts: 5
    OK, Moira, I'll try to address your concerns. I own a 2000 Jetta with the 1.8T engine, cloth seats, Monsoon and single-disc in-dash CD.

    I agree that the VR6 would probably be overkill for you. For mostly city driving, the 2.0 would probably be sufficient (especially if you drove it and it seemed OK). I opted for the turbo because I originally wanted the six, but also felt it would be "too much". Also, the 2.0 will run on regular, while the turbo really does much better with premium (in my experience).

    The seats are a problem. I've always preferred cloth to leather, but the cloth fabric in the Jetta is a velour that catches on your clothing and shows every dust particle and thread -- very hard to vacuum. The leather seats would be better, except that I found them to have an uncomfortable bulge under the thigh area. But if you don't find that to be a problem, I'd probably go with the leather.

    Get the Monsoon system if you like music. I sounds better than any factory-installed car stereo I've owned. I chose the single-disc in-dash CD over the changer; I just can't see having to load CD's into the trunk. Since one CD gives me over an hour of music, what's the advantage to having a changer? Also, I too was initially quoted a ridiculously high price for the CD deck, and wound up getting it for free to clinch the deal.

    Having said all this, let me add that I'm enjoying the car very much and, if you enjoy driving, you will, too. Hope this helps.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    From my experience, the plusses with the VR6 are more smooth power, and you don't suffer at all if you put 87 octane in. The plusses with the turbo are better handling/less nose dive and better fuel economy. The negative with the VR6 is cost and bad mpg's, but the negative with the turbo is that you MUST use premium gas....

    The VR6 is a tried and true tested engine....seems quite durable. I am sure the turbo will prove to be as well..... Also depends on the sounds that you like the car to make. The VR6 does have that sort of hot rod sound.....:)
  • murphy23murphy23 Member Posts: 2
    Bought a 2001 VR6 about a month and a half ago...my wife has a 2000 VR6 that has been a dream...not the case with mine.

    Off the lot, I noticed a stall between 1000 and 1500 RPM...it happened without fail, accelerating or decelerating, in gear or out of gear. I was told it may be the engine block and scheduled a time to have it serviced.

    Before I could bring it in for service, the battery light came on and stayed on for an entire day (I'm at about 500 miles at this point), at the end of the day, returning from dinner, the car went haywire...all of the internal warning lights were flashing on and off, the car was revving and decelerating on it's own and it eventually stalled out and would not start back up, when I tried to start it all of the warning lights, etc...flashed on and off and all I heard was a clicking noise.

    I had the car towed in a week and a half ago to the dealership and was told that they were certain (right) that it is a battery or, more likely, alternator problem.

    So now I'm at war...the dealership has had the car for over a week (10 days) and continues to tell me that the parts that they need are on order.

    Has anyone heard of problems like this with the 2000 or 2001 Jettas? I
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    GIVE THE CAR BACK! I would not even mess with typical VW service people. They are great cars...but service stinks. And I will admit, I LOVE VW', but parts take forever.

    Get a new one.
  • fischdafischda Member Posts: 272
    Engines: I owned the 2.0 and was happy with it mated to a manual trans. Only complaint was noise at hwy speed. When it got totalled I replaced it with a silver GLS 1.8T in black leather. The 1.8 made a big difference, and the milage is the same. It's an awesome engine, and the low-pressure turbo will equal low maintenance.

    Seats: It's a personal matter. When I test drove a car w/leather, I fell in love. I did not think they were too hot on 90-deg days since the a/c works well. On cold days, the heated seats are killer! I don't slide around, but others say they do.

    Stereo: I really like the std radio with 6-disc changer. I like the variety and carry an extra magazine for more selection. I've never heard the Monsoon, but with the extra power, the sound will be cleaner. But to me, my deck sounds way better than any stock car stereo I've heard! I guess my point is that if you're looking to cut costs, and you don't have a professional ear for stereo, omit the Monsoon.

    Good luck, and enjoy!
  • cac5cac5 Member Posts: 3
    I got my new car this weekend! I had placed an "order" for a black with beige leather, and after waiting for 2 months was told it was showing up on the list as black/black and was 2 months out. So, I contacted another dealer who happened to have a silver GLS 1.8T with black leather, luxury, and monsoon coming in that someone had ordered and canceled. The next day the car showed up! A 2001 with the new multi function wheel and improved cupholders!!! I was starting to think I would never get a jetta! :)
  • swatts1swatts1 Member Posts: 1
    The dealer called today. The finally found the Silver/Grey cloth, Automatic, 1.8T, Monsoon, Luxury, Cold Weather 2001 Jetta! I'm really excited! It should be in the next two weeks or so! I'm really looking forward to this. And going from a V8 5.0L mustang to a 1.8 turbo Jetta was not a problem for me. I'm just happy to have an automatic.
  • gwd17gwd17 Member Posts: 13
    I own the 2000 1.8T and also noticed right away that fifth gear seemed to rev pretty high and that, like you had said, fourth gear was pretty unnecessary. This was coming after driving a 6 cylinder, though, and so I was used to having little torque at high speed but a low revving engine. I've come to realize now that it really is no problem and the noise doesn't bother me at all anymore; its really not that bad once you get used to it. As far as fourth gear goes, I use it a lot more now, usually in the 40 - 60 MPH range, which is pretty much by city range. I was in fifth before starting around 50 MPH, but was told all that would do is make the car work harder at higher speeds. So the only advice I can give is to use your 4th gear some more in that speed range, and depend on 5th gear at highway speeds only, this will probably strain your engine the least. Hope that helps.
  • jeanlucjeanluc Member Posts: 1
    Bought a 2000 Jetta VR6 in October 1999. Love the car and have had zero problems. It is a driver's car without sacrificing any comfort.

    Question: Has anyone with a VR6 had any experience using regular unleaded (87 octane) vice the 93 octane that was recommended (and which I've used dutifully)?

    Thanks.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    I had a 99 (gen IV) Jetta GLS VR6. Regular unleaded was fine. I did months and months of tests and experiments. No loss in performance, drivability, or MPG's. The extra money spent is a waste on premium in my opinion.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    How's the Elantra holding up BTW? Just curious...
  • elazaruselazarus Member Posts: 6
    Regarding the 2001 Jetta GLS w/2.0 engine. Only option is Luxury package and of course N.E. Emissions. Car is "in port" and is waiting to move to the front of the line for transport.
    The $19070 price is out the door. Actually this is my son's first car purchase. My last 2 have been Accords.
  • elazaruselazarus Member Posts: 6
    Thanks for the warning about the finance office, but we hopefully won't be going in there other than to hand them a check. Son is actually buying the car and I'm acting as the bank.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    vocus -

    the Elantra is doing fine. It is not a Jetta, I can tell ya that :( But, for the class it competes in, it does quite well. Those little Celicas and Integras (non VVTi and VTEC, of course)can't stand it when they can't beat me...:)

    Elazurus -
    A friend in Arlington said that Ray Burnette has turned around a little bit, so perhaps things are a little better now. I am sure you will do fine...
  • anniecristanniecrist Member Posts: 1
    I am considering the purchase of a '99 Jetta with only 10k miles. When I found this group exchanging emails about VWs and read about unreliability, I became concerned. I drove an '82 Rabbit for 120k miles - little trouble. Now, I am about to move on from my '91 Jetta with 140k miles. Both cars have been great (except in the last year, my Jetta is nickle'n'dimin' me). Talk to me about the reliability of Jetta's these days. Will this be a good investment? I want to hear from you '99 GLS 4cyl Jetta drivers!! Thanks.
  • moira_vwmoira_vw Member Posts: 17
    I've heard that with some turbos you have to wait a minute or two before shutting the car off. Does anyone know whether that's the case with the Jetta 1.8T?
  • gregj777gregj777 Member Posts: 67
    I have always used the 93 octane in the VR6. For a while I used Sam's Club 93 because it is about 6-10 cents cheaper in my market, but recently I started using Texaco Clean System 3. The station is beside my office as opposed to having to plan my Sams purchases when I'm on the other side of town, and it actually does seem to run better with the Texaco stuff. Plus I just don't know where Sams gets its stuff from. I doubt there's an oil rig outside Dallas with their name on it.
  • fischdafischda Member Posts: 272
    No, you don't have to wait to shut it off - wouldn't know why. LOVE my 1.8T!!
  • fischdafischda Member Posts: 272
    Took in my GLS 1.8T for 5K-mile service today. I brought Mobile 1 synthetic, but the mechanic forgot to put it in - used the ordinary oil. So they drained and refilled for me, and to compensate for the inconvenience, didn't charge me for the tire rotation I asked for (tire rotation comes at the 10K service but not 5K). Plus, I asked if they should balance the tires too, and they said they'll look at the wear and drive the car, but didn't think it was necessary. That's nice to see at a dealer's service dept. because many places do work to get your money whether really needed or not. Kudos to Frank Z imports of Dayton, OH!!

    Before leaving for the dealer, I noticed my middle rear seatbelt was jammed, so I asked them to check it out. Svc mgr said many have come in and needed the whole mechanism replaced - turned out they fixed it without needing a new belt. Anyone have this problem or heard of it?

    BTW, Justin, saw the 2001 Jetta w/sport suspension and racy 17" wheels - SWEET!! But, you're a Hyundai man now, right? He he!

    Also compared Volvo V-70 2.4T wagon and VW Passat VR6 wagon. Size and comfort nearly equal. Volvo more gizmos and airbags for 9K more (better cup holders too). One day I'm going to replace our minivan with a eurowagon :)
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I heard in this forum that you should let the 1.8T engine "cool down" a little bit before turning it off and it will last longer. I guess it really doesn't matter anyway, because VW covers the cars for 10 years/00K anyway, right?
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I meant 100K. Oops. :)
  • wsommarivawsommariva Member Posts: 157
    I believe that you should let the car idle for a minute or two to help the turbo cool down. I have the VR6, but owned a SAAB turbo which required a cool down period. Let's see if someone with a 1.8T can tell us what the manual says.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    I am mad at you :) VW drivers are supposed to be nice.....I am not a Hyundai man - though I must say I am enjoying throwing a car and around and not giving a darn about it. My Jetta was never allowed to get dirty (it was black)and certainly never allowed to go through brushful car washes. I have not seen my car anywhere - wonder if anyone has bought it. I know I will start sobbing if i see it. I have decided - by the end of 2001 I will have either a Passat GLX or, I know this will get me lots of remarks, a Cabrio - ONLY if they do something about the 115hp engine. Like drop the turbo in at least....

    I thought it was the old 2.2 liter turbo Chryslers that had to have cool down periods. What does the owners manual say? I can't believe 90's tech would dictate that you have to leave the car running for a few minutes to cool down....seems a little "off"...
  • fischdafischda Member Posts: 272
    Good on ya. I think the changes to the Passat look very smart. You know my feelings about the Cabrio, but hey, you're secure in your manhood so go for it if they drop in a more powerful plant.

    I'll look in my owner's manual, but I doubt you need to cool down a 90's turbo, especially a low-pressure one.

    BTW, I was back through DC last weekend, and I'm still glad I left! Got stuck behind an accident a mile from my exit off 295 - how typical...
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    You think having to drive on 295 is bad on the weekend? Try following it from where it starts in Baltimore to the Capital Beltway. I do it everyday, because I work near DC and live in Baltimore county (a 44-mile each-way commute). I have nightmares about 295 and the Capital Beltway sometimes! :)
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I am still worried about the quality control and all at VW. I would love to have a Jetta GLS 1.8T or TDI, but the whole quality control thing is still scaring me. How are the 1.8Ts and TDIs (if anyone on this forum has one) holding up? And what mileage are you all at now? Any problems???
  • vwguildvwguild Member Posts: 1,620
    The 20 Valve 1.8T engine is watercooled; so the
    policy of engine *cool down* that is normally
    45-60 seconds has been cut by more than half.
    Basic physics here...that turbo gets hot and expands with the heat; when the the engine is turned off without a cool down(letting cooler water and oil to pass through it so that cooling is gradual)the contraction is more dramatic & that
    hot oil stays there and gets sludge like as well as stressing the metal turbo. Fifteen seconds or
    so should do the trick and you'll all be fine. Just turn off the CD or AC first, or roll up the
    window... that's all the time you should need and shut her down...happy driving!!!
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    you are sooooo cautious. Buy the VW already. Look at me - I bought a Hyundai - that takes REAL guts. A VW won't let you down...:)

    But - since you do put so much wear and tear on cars, I would keep your little Protege too, let it take the beatings. You will want to keep your Jetta in good shape. That is what I plan to do - keep the Hyundai....it is so cheap that it would be dumb to get rid of it, with the warranty and cheap insurance and all.
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