Volkswagen Jetta 2005 and earlier

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Comments

  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    I understand it. My father wipes down his 55 T-bird with a freaking diaper all the time. He'll drive five hundred miles to my home and the next morning wash his Excursion in my driveway.

    Me, I wash my car maybe once every month or two. It takes 15-20 minutes max to wash it, dry it and put away all the bits and pieces. I washed my previous cars more often but that's because they were mine, not a leasing company's. and yes I do dislike how the car looks when clean as it's too shiny, too look-at-me. That's why I love the newer gunmetal color...it's so lowkey, so undercover. To each his own. To me the car is a source of fun, not a source of pride.

    "A cynic is someone who knows it can't get any worse. An optimist knows it can always get worse." - No Man's Land (2001)
  • bmw330dbmw330d Member Posts: 3
    Hi all,
    I am the owner of an 02 Jetta GLS 2.0 engine, with almost 18K. I was reading the service manual, but I could not find how often has the fuel filter to be replaced. If any of you could help, I would really appreciate it!!!!
    Thanks.
  • adg44adg44 Member Posts: 385
    I believe it's done every 40,000 miles.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    hi everyone. i am in a 2003 Jetta GL loaner today. my car is having the 6 disk changer installed at the dealer today (FINALLY GOT IT IN STOCK!).

    the 2.0 in the Jetta seems smoother than the one in my Cabrio. perhaps because my Cabrio is really just a MKIII car....not an MK4. another big difference is brake dive. in my Jettas, the car would nose dive when i braked hard, and nose up when i took off. in the Cabrio, it doesn't do that? maybe because the car is smaller? this loaner Jetta does the same thing, so it can't be the engine. suspension tuning i guess.
     
    also, the 2.0 isn't very fast, but i have figured out that it doesn't....hiccup...when you just start it and go. my turbo required like 20 seconds to get the idle rev to go down, or else the check engine light would come on. the 2.0's seem to start and go, no problem. better for the environment!

    anyway, hope you are all having fun with your Jettas!

    blueguy - don't forget to tell me what you end up buying to replace the Jetta. i bet it will be an A4....just have a feeling you will get over your fear of VW products once you test drive one. :) get the convertible one!
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    blueguy - don't forget to tell me what you end up buying to replace the Jetta. i bet it will be an A4....just have a feeling you will get over your fear of VW products once you test drive one. :) get the convertible one!

    If i were to go a4, it'd be the sedan. I don't think thw a4 cab is that attractive. plus it's insanely slow and expensive. for that kinda green I's rather plunk down on something fast and sexy.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    in addition to the A4 and G35, you might consider the NEW big daddy S60 (type R or something like that). getting RAVE reviews. close to BMW M performance for Volvo money. and so nice looking. worth a test drive!
  • hoodornamenthoodornament Member Posts: 114
    I guess beauty is in eye of beholder, that Volvo rear-end/tailight design takes 2nd place only to the Maxima as "ugliest" in any car. Other than that , my friend has an 02 s80, which is pretty nice and he got it for an even $30k
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    40k+ for a 300 hp volvo? That's a crazy amount of benjamins for a hardtop sedan. Yeah it's fast and advanced but 40k+!

    30k gets you into a 6 speed premium package G35 sedan that'll scoot to 60 in around 6 seconds. I'd say drop the other 10k into something for the house!

    Better yet, buy a 99-2000 miata, slip in a supercharger and you've only blown 13-14k for a mindblowing little roadster. guess if we're leaving luxury behind then a WRX STi could do the job too. :)
  • AnakinAnakin Member Posts: 410
    also, the 2.0 isn't very fast, but i have figured out that it doesn't....hiccup...when you just start it and go. my turbo required like 20 seconds to get the idle rev to go down, or else the check engine light would come on. the 2.0's seem to start and go, no problem. better for the environment!

    I think there was something wrong with your car. The only time my CEL ever came on was when my coils needed replacing. I certainly have never experienced anything like what you're talking about.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    you are a lucky person. my 2002 1.8T was so touchy. i had coil issues, yes, big time. but even when i had all new J coils and a new Engine Computer, the car would feel...like it was holding back....if i just started and took off. i did notice that if i started it, and sat there for 20-30 seconds, it would be just fine.

    who knows, i probably had a major engine problems and they never diagnosed it properly.

    i need a forum of my own :(
  • adg44adg44 Member Posts: 385
    So you would fabricate "problems" which are most likely just characteristics of the car, or user error.

    You want to hear a 2.0 story? I took my sister's beetle into service last week for her because she is in california for a school internship and her car is having some problems.

    I scanned it and it read 6 DTCs:

    16725 - Camshaft Position Sensor (G40): Implausible Signal
            35-10 - - - Intermittent
    16684 – Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
            35-10 - - - Intermittent
    16685 – Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected
            35-10 - - - Intermittent
    16686 – Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
            35-10 - - - Intermittent
    17978 – Control Module Locked (Immobilizer)
            35-10 - - - Intermittent
    16826 - EVAP Emissions Control System (Small Leak) Detected
            35-10 - - - Intermittent

    Good luck, that motor has had the most problems of any recent VW motor. I hope it treats you well though.

    Be sure to check your oil level regularly.

    - Anthony
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    It would seem that I dodged the 2.0 engine bullet by getting a TDI. Any long term down side to the TDI model?
  • chmeeeechmeeee Member Posts: 327
    I drove the S60R recently at a Volvo event where they have you take it out on a small Autocross course, and that is a pretty amazing car. The interior is sweet, the 6-speed is fun, amazing acceleration, and a pretty impressive suspension setup. You would not believe how much pressing the advanced button on the suspension settings changes the whole car. It starts at about $36k, which for what you get I think is an incredible bargain.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I heard from a buddy of mine who works in the local VW parts department that the 'new' coils are coming from the same supplier. Any truth in this?
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I drove both, and both Tiptronic automatics. The VR6 felt slower to me, perhaps because it doesn't have the wallop of turbo power coming on and pulling the front wheels out of your hands. This is an age-old fight on the 'tex (and you 'texers know what I mean). I find the lag annoying sometimes, but not enough to get the thirstier, heavier, and almost equal in power VR6.
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    So I dropped by volvo and slapped a moonroof onto the S60R and metallic paint: $38,500. That's about 8k over the cost of a leather, premium package G35 manual. I'm pretty certain for well under $8,500 I can mod a g35 to break 300HP.

    Regardless for now the lowly Jetta 1.8T keeps on trucking. no problems this month!
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    You could always land yourself a W8 Passat... ;)
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    Vocus, yeah right after I have my Jetta gold plated and put on my mantle. :)
  • aaa_edgar_poeaaa_edgar_poe Member Posts: 24
    I was wondering if I could buy a Jetta TDI Deisel in Las Vegas after 1 Jan 2004 and bring it back to California.

    It is interesting that a car that get 49 miles per gallon will be out-lawed for sale in California, when anyone can buy a Hummer Deisel that get 8 miles to the gallon in Calofornia after 1 Jan 04!! The utter disgustingness of Liberals/Democrates is supreme!

    Also, at www.greasel you can get a vegtable converter for your VW disel and it has half the polution of desiel and no sulfer emmissions! Again, vote out all Democrates since they are anti american and trying to destory the country!

    So, back to 1 Jan 04 -- since I am not in the market until the next time my current auto dies (probably months from now); how do I get a Jetta TDI Deisel in Claifornia. THe dealers have already stopped stocking these in anticipation of the 1 Jan 04 anit-american Liberal out-lawing of VW Jetta Desiels!!!
  • AnakinAnakin Member Posts: 410
    It's not only about gas mileage. Diesel fleet vehicles in california are going to be required to convert to clean-burning natural gas. Unfortunately the TDI is affected on the sidelines.

    You can thank the conservative trucking lobby for the US not having cleaner burning low-sulfur diesel, which would bring us such engines as the euro 150hp TDI and the V10 TDI. More power, lower emissions, better mileage.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    adg44 - i loved my turbo and everything, but it had problems, and often. i KNOW the 2.0 can't have more problems that my turbo did. they ALWAYS diagnosed misfires, even with no check engine light on. but what could they do about that? my 2.0 is slow, but nothing to break down anymore, hopefully. oil level is just peachy. but trust me, i will be keeping my eye on it. i am mental like that.

    blue -

    you would buy a G without the sports package? have you driven one without it? RWD does not mean the car handles well....the Ford CV is RWD too, ya know :) so is the LS430 Lex. the G needs the sport suspension and wheel package to compete. so that puts you closer to the $38k mark. and then you are in S60R territory. it really isn't the 300hp that sells me. i LOVE that a family sedan can hang with S4's all day...for way less cash. :)
  • chmeeeechmeeee Member Posts: 327
    You probably could get away with doing that, or you could always buy one used, that cant be outlawed. Also, you can run BioDiesel with no conversion kit, its much easier than the grease thing, and its sometimes even available at the pump, especially out there in CA. Check out www.biodiesel.org
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    My Jetta desperately needed the sport package. The base wallowed and screeched around corners. The sport equipped one wasn't that much better but I'm still glad I bought one outfitted.

    you would buy a G without the sports package? have you driven one without it?

    Silly boy, the G35 manual comes with the stiffer sport suspension and supposedly sportier tires/wheels.

    the G needs the sport suspension and wheel package to compete. so that puts you closer to the $38k mark.

    same price. even if I needed to get the package it's cheap on the auto sedan.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    my bad. didn't realize that sport package was standard with the manual transmission. makes sense.

    took my car through a car wash today. pretty tight roof :)
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    no leaks on a roof are very nice. one thing I'll give my jetta, it hasn't leaked. so far.
  • aaa_edgar_poeaaa_edgar_poe Member Posts: 24
    You say: "Diesel fleet vehicles in california are going to be required to convert to clean-burning natural gas."

    What exactly does that mean? Does that mean if you and a Jtta TDI now, soon there will not be any Diesel oil avalible to fill up on?
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    What exactly does that mean? Does that mean if you and a Jtta TDI now, soon there will not be any Diesel oil avalible to fill up on?

    no way. I just read something from the head of CARB (ca. air resources board) and he said they're making every effort to ensure diesel is still sold in CA come 2007. with all the work vw and others are doing with tdi and common rail, it'll be mindblowing if they somehow ban the sale of new diesels for not meeting emissions requirements.
  • aaa_edgar_poeaaa_edgar_poe Member Posts: 24
    Say what? are they actully even thinking of no Deisal fuel? I mean, these popple are even toying with the idea.

    I want a Diesal Jetta, since I hope it will last the rest of my life, and I'm thinking 30 more years and 2007 is only 4 years to go. I'm certainly not doing to buy a Diesel Jetta if I cna not get Diesal until 2033.

    ANyway who are you: Blueguydotcom or Anakin or both?
  • chmeeeechmeeee Member Posts: 327
    There is no way in hell that they would ever stop selling diesel fuel anytime in the forseeable future. Every piece of construction equipment, truck, boat, train, bus, etc runs on diesel. It would bring the economy to a halt.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    anyone out there tried any type of "stain resistant treatment" on your seats? i am so used to leather, and that resists stains and spills. now that i have cloth, i have ALREADY stained my seat. should i buy a can of that Scotch Guard stuff and spray it on my seats?

    anyone ever tried anything like that? does it work?

    THANKS!
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    I saw a statistic that in effect makes the effort to "get rid of diesel" almost laughable. Fully one half of all transportation fuel that is consumed or burned in the United States is DIESEL.. Since we are talking in the realm of fantasy. It seems to me we should clean up diesel and get rid of unleaded gas. Don't forget we made the transition from leaded gas to unleaded gas back in the early 80's.

    On the economy alone for example diesel jettas get 49 mpg vs unleaded gas of 31 mpg. And unseen is that it costs 33% less to manufacture diesel rather than gasoline. In fact to get the unleaded gasoline the process creates large amounts of diesel.

    On the cloth seats, I would get some type of spray cleaner (I use a pink liquid) gotten at a auto parts store to keep your stains to a minimum and also I used multiple coats of Scotchguard.

    I sure dont miss the leather refresh cycle!!!!
  • bmw330dbmw330d Member Posts: 3
    Hi all,
    Hey, does anyone out there know where is located the dust/pollen filter? Does anyone know how to replace it?
    Thanks.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    The pink liquid in the spray bottle is Blue Coral "Dri Clean" It is especially for auto carpet cleaning and stains.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    For the pollen filter, all you do is remove the rubber at the base of the windshield, and take out the 4 screws on the right side under the wiper blade. A tray slides out and the filter's right there. Took me all of 15 mins. to do, and it beats paying the dealer about $45 to do it!
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    BE CAREFUL when doing it. the plastic cover where the screw holes are is tricky to get back in place. you have to ask nicely yet use a little force...it is stubborn. be gentle though - it seems kind of brittle to me....

    but yes, about 10-15 minutes the first time you do it.
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    Justin, so it's just like dealing with children? Muhahaha.

    Sarcasm Note: I neither condone nor partake in child abuse...often.
  • bmw330dbmw330d Member Posts: 3
    Thanks for the advice.
    See you later.
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    So for what price did you sell your jetta? this weekend I'm planning on getting my car smogged (mandatory to do if you sell the car in CA) and finally putting it up for sale.
  • fish8fish8 Member Posts: 2,282
    What cars do you plan to look at?
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    Argh, that's the pain...

    What I want is a MTX G35 with premium (30k), european delivery BMW 325i - 2nd best looking, driving and feeling 4 door sedan on the planet after the 330i - 30k (thus 3500 under msrp), not including airfare.

    The Bimmer's got the 4 years of free service which really appeals to me and in the latest JD power BMW shockingly comes in 3rd for initial quality. :O

    What I should get (especially with the possibility of 3 years of law school looming) is something used, cheap and reliable: miata, maxima, altima.

    What still has a remote chance of winning me over: an accord coupe (doubtful), Mazda6 (also doubtful), Mazdaspeed Pro (haven't driven one, who knows?!), WRX, certified pre-owned 3 series.

    Emotion v. logic.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    i got $15500 for my Jetta. no idea if i was screwed or not. i will say that CARMAX offered $13500, so the Ford Dealer gave me more.

    have you actually driven a 325? your Jetta will feel faster, big time. the 330 is the way to go if you want power. i was never impressed with the 325 comparing it to my turbo Jetta. yes, the 325 will kill me now that i have a cabrio, haha.

    i just read that the CL is being killed. can get great deals on CL-S right now. nice solid cars if you get the manual transmission so that you avoid the automatic reliabiliy problems. i think the CL always looked ageless compared to Accord Coupes....

    i don't think you will dig the Mazda or the WRX. Jetta drivers are used to a tiny bit of elegance....:)

    good luck, and let us know what you do!!
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    also, keep in mind, the 5 series is what keeps BMW up there in quality. 3 series are AWFUL used car buys, and new they are spotty too. what about a new 9-3? great lease deals, nice cars.

    there is also a Shinsen Miata :)
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    I drove a 5 speed 325i today and a steptronic 325i with sport suspension and premium. You're right about the power. It's smooth and linear but there's no serious thrust. Not sure i can live with that but I'm also not keen on blowing way more on a 330i.

    After driving the two bimmers my Jetta felt really squirrely. I actually felt uncomfortable behind the wheel of my Jetta for a good 5 miles. Weird.

    BTW, the difference between the sport package 325 and non-sport is huge. Same with the transmissions. The prevaricating salesman tried to tell me that the steptronic is just as quick and allows just as much engine control as a 5 speed. All I can say about steptronic is...<snooze>...oh, sorry, dozed off.

    I know the WRX is raucous. A friend has his modded and it's a gas to drive. not sure i'd want to own one. the shinsen miata is nice but I've determined with my family and new niece I'll be doing more carting around so a two-seater just won't fly.

    Tomorrow I'm gonna take a trip north to try a MTX G35. Hopefully it'll meet my desires.

    BTW, 15500 for a 2002 Jetta 1.8t? wasn't yours loaded? That sorta scares me. I was hoping for at least 14,300 on my 2001 but now that's sound like a pipe dream. :(
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    Oh, and while i love the lines of Saabs, I don't like that they're GM based, use turbos (still don't trust a turbo long term) or come with so much saab-cultural baggage.
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    You mention that you do not trust a turbo "long-term"... I am curious, what do you consider "long-term"?

    I know many TDIs that have well over 100,000 miles on them. There are 1000s of trucks on the road that go over 500,000 miles. Airplanes have used Turbochargers since WWII (this is where trubochargers were originally invented)

    Where does the "long term" kick in here? over a Million miles? ;-)
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    You mentioned diesel turbo car/truck engines, not gas ones. I don't trust traditional gas powered turbo engines...like my Jetta 1.8T.
  • AnakinAnakin Member Posts: 410
    As much as you complain about problems with your Jetta... I'd avoid the BMW if I were you.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Yeah, it seems that $15-15,500 is the 'going' price these days for 02 Jettas, used. My buddy traded his with 20K miles on it for a new 03, and he got $15,000 for it. Justin got $15,500 for his, and I think it had 20-25K on it. I was offered $15-15,500 for mine with 38.5K on it over the 'net.
  • adg44adg44 Member Posts: 385
    They aren't awful by far.... BMW was in the top three for initial quality by jd powers and associates.

    Reliability is average for the 3 series, but that's pretty much how it is for all german cars.

    We've had our 02 BMW 325i for 10 months, put on 21,000 miles and it has been perfect. A blast to drive, too.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    blue - my Jetta had 21k miles on it. 2002 GLS with leather and luxury. no big wheels or Monsoon. yes, Saabs have spotty pasts, but they are pretty reliable these days. the 9-5 was the best car in inital quality by JD....yadda yadda. i know what you mean about the "turbo" fears - was always in the back of my mind too.

    adg - i have had "my" (live with/drive on a daily basis) 2002 325Ci coupe since December of 01. steptronic, sport package, luxury package, zenon, and harmon kardon. my automatic Jetta was faster, to 60 anyway. the 325Ci is smooth, and GREAT on gas surprisingly, but not worth all the hype....i think you need a 5 series to get the real BMW experience. not sure i will ever understand this myth that BMW inline 6's are somehow better than V6's....they don't seem to extract a lot of power from them unless you go "M"....

    and, the BMW has been scary, reliability wise. door pulls on the outside keep deciding to break. either get stuck IN the car, or outside of it. Edmunds or C&D had a long term 330CiC with the same problem. like VW's coils, BMW replaces faulty parts with faulty parts. the leather has cracked on the driver seat, and the wood dash cracked. battery drains at least once a month - BMW roadside if great, but still an inconvenience. they say all is fine. car only has 20k miles! not a HUGE amount of problems, but for $37k, i expect better craftmanship....

    maybe your sedan is built better! hopefully it is!
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