Volkswagen Jetta 2005 and earlier

blueguydotcom

Yeah, i drove a step and 5 speed 325i yesterday. I'm passing on that one. I was considering the performance, xenon, park distance, moonroof, power seat on the 325i (a little less than 30k for Euro delivery including shipping and $1200 dealer profit). For that sorta green the car better be mindblowing. Handling wise, it was. but that engine felt anemic - essentially like a less peppy version of my Jetta turbo.

Drove a 2002 Jetta GLI today. Wow, nice engine. I randomly stopped in to look at A4s and W8s (i'm trying everything on again) but the dealer didn't have a manual A4 V6 or a manual w8 to try. The salesguy talked me into trying the 200 HP GLI. Great power from that little bugger. like the 6 speed on it too. handling with the heavy V6 is atrocious though...massive understeer. Fun to drive, and cheap (23k with a 26k msrp) but wouldn't buy another Jetta.

Drove a MTX G35...sorta. The cheeseball dealership had me get on the freeway, get off, back on the freeway and back to the dealership. I told him I wanted to test the car's handling vis a vis a BMW. Salesman insisted that was the test drive and i got to drive it on the freeway, so that should let me know how the car performs. Spoke with the manager and he reiterated his belief that the 4 mile freeway roundtrip is sufficient for most G35 drivers and if i don't like it too bad. I told him I'd never buy from that dealership and that BMW took me on a real test circuit.

Drove a Saab 9-3. turbo felt okay, but nothing amazing. still uncomfortable with the GM connection and turbo and funky cult of Saab.

Tried to take out a 330i but nobody had a manual at the dealership. I'm supposed to get a call next week.

Stopped at Acura but they lacked a TSX with manual. Waiting for a call. not much faith in the car but one never knows...

Drove a 04 Maxima SE manual on a whim. Power was nice, seating position much better than the G35. Some torque steer on hard acceleration. Salesguy listened to my desire and had me carving canyons in the hills over El Cajon. Very sure-footed with those 18s and all indie suspension. Whisper quiet too. Very, very impressed by the size, luxury, speed, smooth manual (unlike G35's notchy one) handling and dealer treatment. 29k loaded up as i like it (32k msrp). Pretty ugly exterior but not WRX ugly. Top of my list but still have more to try...W8, A4 V6, Volvo S60, TSX, 330i.

BTW, my jetta feels dog slow after driving all these hyper powerful V6s. Save for the 325i's pathetic inline.

fish8

Interesting write up!!! Sounds like you drove some sweet cars.....let us know what you end up getting!!

justin

you had a fun weekend!

the new Max is definitely promising. i personally like the exterior, but i would dump the standard roof and get the regular moonroof. interior, with 4 buckets seats, looks really cool too.

you won't like the W8 Passat, or anything less than an S60R either. don't bother with a Volvo unless it is the S60R...

TSX? not sure....

keep us posted!

adg44

Don't bother with the TSX.

I drove one just last month when I was car shopping. I actually drove all the same cars you did.

The TSX is too heavy for a 2.4L I4. The interior is nice, the car looks good, handles ok, but it doesn't move unless you are past 6000 RPM. Good price though - but you're really just getting a more expensive accord.

Go drive the A4 3.0. That is what I bought a couple weeks ago - it's an amazing car. For the price for what you get, nothing can beat it. I have the A4 3.0 6 speed, sport package, premium package, and bose stereo. Sticker was $37,200, I got it for $34,900. Car shopping on Wednesday afternoon seems to work out fairly well. :P

The 3.0L is nice, good sound, the gearbox is amazing, and it's got decent power. 220 HP and 221 tq, it's enough to move the 3500 lbs car. Quattro is great - I didn't even want it at first, but after driving in the rain with it, and speeding around corners with no wheel slip, it is truly amazing. And you have no choice if you want a 3.0 with a 6 speed - it comes with quattro.

Features on the car are great, auto dimming side mirrors that also automatically fold in when parking, 12 way adjustable power driver and passenger seat with power lumbar. The xenon lights are great, I could go on forever. The car has everything you want, and more than enough of what you don't need. If you get the heated seat package (I couldn't afford that - it's $650) it also heats the rear seats.

Drive the A4 after you have driven everything else. Seating position is great, the car rides butter smooth, but is really mean in the corners and it has an awesome highway ride. There is also barely any lean in the corners. Many places don't carry the sport package because some people complain it's too aggressive.

I agree with you about the Saab. I was really disappointed when I drove that car. Other than it's good looks, it has nothing. The engine was bogus, the interior quality felt like I was in a chevy. For the price near an Audi - no way.

Don't spend 40k on a W8 passat. It's basically the same thing as the 3.0L audi except for the engine. I would never beable to spend over 25 grand on a VW. I just have a mental block about it...

- Anthony

blueguydotcom

The Audi guy said he'll call me when a manual 3.0 arrives. He told me they're pretty rare and he has a list of 4 or 5 people looking for them. The guy was a full-on car nut. He's the one who convinced me to drive a GLI and when we came back he agreed that if I like to drive like I did with the GLI then I'll love the A4's quattro and V6. We'll see - i've got time. It's not a life and death immediate thing for me.

the only issue I see is an A4 v6 manual runs about 34-35k, which is what I'd spend on a euro-delivery 330i. Gotta get my butt in the seats to see which one rewards me more.

blueguydotcom

Hey, I know a guy at work who owns a Boxster S and a TSX. Strange thing is, he says the TSX is a boatload of fun and that he lets his girlfriend drive his Boxster most of the time. He insists the power's there. Maybe Alex isn't hooked up right?

BTW, if anyone is thinking about a 1.8T but isn't certain it's the car for them, test drive a GLI. If that had been around when I bought my car...

Oh, and I test drove an accord v6 ex coupe with manual today. tighter suspension and 17s, two things the ex automatice lacks. Wow that engine is fun with a manual. not sure about the car's looks but for the price - 23-24k it's a freaking rocketship and whisper quiet.

justin

yep, $24k for 240 HP and loads of luxury in the Accord is so tempting. but i think the A4 should be on your list, definitely.

if VW would make the Jetta wagon with AWD/Quattro, and only increase the price by one grand or so, they would have a major hit on their hands...

vocus

I don't see VW offering a 4Motion Jetta here in the states. I think people would rather go upmarket to Audi than drop that kinda dirty cash on a VW.

blueguydotcom

After driving the GLI I'd say with 4motion the car would be unstoppable in the 24-25k range. blistering speed, amazing handling (with 4motion, not FWD) and luxury touches.

justin

won't offer 4Motion on the Jetta line because they aren't the smartest company out there. you should see how much after market stuff there is out there for my Cabrio. i ALWAYS said, if they would have dropped the VR6 in the Cabby (so easy to do - the VR6 fit in the old Golfs after all), and gave it some bigger tires, that car wouldn't have had to have been discontinued....

but, i gave up on figuring out VW a long time ago. Gerd Klauss, the CEO of VWofA was at my dealer a few weeks ago. wish i would have been there to meet him! i wrote him a letter once...back in the coil days...

vocus

I actually know people who have dropped VR6 engines into Cabrios, but stick shift ones of course. They are very fast little cars, especially with a nice suspension upgrade.

bpeebles

I beleive that the passat with the W8 has VWs 4motion.

chmeeee

You can get a non-W8 4Motion as well.

8u6hfd

not in the US of course

Anakin

Uhh yes you can. You can go right on down to your local VW dealer and buy a Passat V6 4Motion.

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/volkswagen/passat/100161570/price- s.html

wetwillie

Not with a manual tranny you can't. And if you can't mate the 6-speed with the V6 on the heavy Quattro, why bother?

justin

i know that the VW makes Quattro/4Motion for U.S. cars. but not on the Jetta/Golf line yet. though isn't a new GTI coming here with AWD? to compete with the ugly WRX and Lancer EVO?

cruising at 80 mph with the heated seat on 3 and the top down this morning, sun in my face. doesn't get any better. well it does, but i can't afford a TT Convertible or Boxster...haha.

bpeebles

(justin) I agree with you. I know that the awd Jetta would sell like hotcakes here in Vermont. But VW/Audi knows that the Audi sales would be where most of the customers would come from. It would be stupid of them to offer the only competition to the Audi quattro and loose money.

I settled for the next best thing... my 1991 AWD Honda Cvic was traded for a 2003 Jetta with ESP. The ESP option includes EDL (Electronic Differential Lock) which provides pretty good traction in the snow.

8u6hfd

Damn I misread chmeee's post...i thought it was non 4Motion w8...

justin

my 02 Jetta with EDL and ASR was great in the snow. just like braking with ABS, the ASR/EDL combo works great. keep your foot floored on the gas pedal, and the car does the rest. you don't have to do anything! pretty cool!

walkabout24

The little spring-loaded latch that keeps the lid of the armrest compartment shut in my 2001 Jetta broke today. One of the little plastic nubs on which it hinges on cracked off.

There's a number printed on it: 807688. Is this a part number? Will I be able to get this from a dealership? Any clue how much it will cost?

Good news that my bumper to bumper expired two weeks ago eh?

chmeeee

You might still be able to get that covered under warranty, I have heard of people who manage to get things covered with a recently expired warranty, kind of a good faith type of deal.

blueguydotcom

2001 WE and the spring broke on mine too. It's a quick fix and they probably won't charge you.

vocus

That's another thing that broke on mine around 15K. They fixed it for nothing, at the same time as the broken dashboard air vent, the broken passenger door panel (something internal broke), and the bruned out lights behind the climate controls.

My Jetta doesn't see many miles these days. I had the rear rotors and pads changed on April 28 at 37,200 miles, and I have 38,800 miles now almost a month later. I love having a shorter commute to work.

One other nice thing is having the only VW in the entire parking lot. See, I work for DiamlerChrysler financial services, that's probably why. Since we get a good price on all Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge/MB cars(which I will qualify for in about 6 months), everyone has them (no MBs though, only the formers).

walkabout24

Went to my dealer last night. Apparently they "sell lots of those". Tells me that the thing needs to be redesigned so it won't break.

Part cost $14 after tax.

I tried to get it covered under warranty (25 old months this May but this dealer doesn't know that since I didn't buy it from them). The service manager asked me how many miles I have, 20, 900. He says, "Nope over 20,000 can't do it."

Good grief. $14 isn't worth keeping a customer happy I guess. Well I bought it myself and snapped it in place. Perhaps I should have bought two for when it breaks again?

I absolutely love my Jetta but my dealer experiences have been poor.

venus537

well my ignition coil(s) finally died (1.8t). all four of them were replaced along with the wiring harness. apparently supply has caught up with demand. i was given a taurus for a loaner car. talk about double punishment.

a few hours hours after i picked up my jetta the windshield cracked (starting at the base on the driver's side). careful observation showed that the cowl at the base of the windshield was removed (in order to complete installing of the wiring harness i guess).

showed this to the dealership and they agreed that they were responsible for the cracked windshield. i was given a jetta gl with the base engine this time. slower and louder than my 1.8t, but still much better than a taurus.

the next time it rains or if i go through a car wash then i'll know if they screwed up installing the new windshield.

vocus

Sounds like the both of you haven't had any luck with dealerships recently.

Venus, the dealership themselves didn't replace your windshield, I hope they told you that. Dealerships all send their glass work out to specific glass shops, so don't let them tell you they fixed it, because they're lying.

One more thing about the coils I found out this weekend: When the 1.8t engine starts idling funny or lumpy (like mine does), it's because of the coils. These also cause a feeling of loss of power, which I have experienced slightly (but it's been awhile). I only blew one coil, and that was back in November 02. I called my dealership, and they told me they aren't proactively replacing the coils unless you have a problem with one of them. Typical VW customer service.

And this is the same company that hopes to sell $40,000 Touraegs (sp?) and $80,000 Phaetons, right?? I can't even start that laugh, it will make my sides hurt...

wwhite2

Been shopping for a TDI wagon ... Wife has a 140 mi round trip commute and piles on the miles . I figure diesel may be the way to go durability and 50 mpg . Well the dealers around here say pay sticker or no deal . The wagon is RARE ? /?? . a volkswagen rare ? since when should " the peoples car" be defined as "rare " . as rare as replacement ignition coils were ? I asked the dealer . Well the diesel was our only reason to look at VW and We would have sprung for one for a reasonable discount . Oh well keep looking

justin

you JUST figured out that a rough idle is coil related. that is one thing i don't miss about my 1.8T. i had coils replaced and replaced and replaced. what you do is this - go to the dealer and say "my engine light has been coming on sporadically." they are forced to run a diagnostic, and they will see hundreds of "random misfire" codes. forces them to replace coils and ECM. that is what i did - it worked like a charm. bring ALL of your keys with you to the dealer - they need them ALL when they replace the ECM. if you don't give them all of them, and then start the car with the one that wasn't reprogrammed, the car dies in about 3 seconds. anti-theft system at work....:)

not that anyone cares, but my CEL came on this weekend. a filter needed to be replaced - it was clogged. car drove fine, and the light wasn't blinking, so no biggie, thank goodness! ordered some new wheels and tires from TireRack. Borbet Type B. look better than hubcaps, and on the inexpensive side too

moparbad

Jetta Wagon TDI is "rare" since demand is high for it and supply is limited. This vehicle is more popular than expected as it can achieve 50 mpg plus and take the place of some of the small SUV's. Your timing is bad. This is the end of the 03 model year and TDI Wagons are in very short supply. Also there will be no 04 TDI in CA and the 4 states that follow CA emissions regulations. If you are in one of those states it will be difficult to find an 03 TDI Wagon.
There are dealers that will negotiate. I can get w/in $100 of invoice on a Jetta TDI Wagon in my area.
Supply and demand nearly always affect cost.
And the day's of VW being a "peoples car" ended with the Rabbit;)

drmillhous

Just the past few days, my 2002 Jetta 1.8T engine will shake left to right when it gets to @35-40 mph and then stops shaking after passing 40 mph. Any ideas?

vocus

I know there were misfire codes, I pulled them out myself with my buddy's VAG-COM. Also, I am working 2 jobs and don't have time to have the car sitting at the dealership right now. I will get to it sometime soon. I am at 39K now, and will need to do the 40K soon too.

vocus

Someone decided last night sometime after 12am (when I parked the car) that it would be funny to smash one of my windows and throw something inside my car that was on fire. They burned the seats (front and rear) up, the windows are smoked black with soot, and it's all over the inside of the car. The car was parked 2 blocks from my house, on the street.

I am waiting for a tow truck right now to come and get it, so they can assess the damage to it.

Happy Holiday to everyone...

pat

Wow, Paul -- I'm so sorry.

ruking1

Sounds like ARSON to me!! I would certainly press the case with the PD !!

alyssazmom

I am so sorry. How horrible!!

Carrie

fish8

Sounds like you may be going car shopping this holiday weekend????

Would you buy another Jetta?

blueguydotcom

Sorry about your car woes. That's a bummer. Even more of a bummer when you consider that I actually hope for my car to get stolen or destroyed and it never happens.

BTW, this past week I had the ultimate pleasure of driving a Buick Lesabre rental for 5 days! Wahoo. It drives just like a camry only with a chincy interior. How do they sell those things? And people wonder why Japan and Germany are eating marketshare daily!

chmeeee

Wow Paul, that really sucks. I hope it all works out for you.

vocus

I walked toward the car on Friday morning to see all the windows black. I thought someone spray painted them or something, but then I smelled this noxious odor, like burning plastic or something. It literally made me sick to my stomach. I then saw the window out, and the seats burned and stuff. I didn't open the door, I asked the cop to (I didn't know what was inside, or whom). The cop wrote it up as a 'malicious burning', and we rode around the 'hood looking for other cars like this. There were none, that day anyway. About a week prior, someone's suped-up Cavalier was stolen, stripped, and burned about 2 miles away. My guess is they saw the flashing theft light and got mad, hence this. No evidence of what they used in the car though, which signifies they're professionals. Called the ins. co., filed the report w/police report #, and got set up for a rental (I have 2 jobs, and can't be without a car). I had the car towed to a dealer about 20 miles away, waiting for them to tell me what's going on Tuesday. Without even estimating it, the body shop guy said he's 90% sure it's totalled. They left it in the parking lot with the window busted out, and it rained here all weekend.

So that's the story up to now. I will find out more Tuesday.

As far as rentals, I have a Suzuki XL-7. I don't wanna hear complaining about a Buick, Blueguy! I would GLADLY take one of those right now...

And as far as car shopping, I want something cheap or without a payment at all. Just recently losing my job made me realize I need to go back to school, and that requires money.

So the job, now the car. My PC also crashed Friday, which is why I haven't been here. I did get it fixed though and got another job already, so I am sure the car thing will work out too.

blueguydotcom

dang. bunch of savages.

carluver22

I have 34,000 miles on my 2000 Jetta GLS 5-speed. At 15,000 miles the tired "cupped" meaning they wore irregularly and rippled. The symptoms are similar to the tires being out of balance. At that time the dealer had a program with goodyear on the Eagle LS, and in 4 weeks got me 4 new tires + labor. Now its 34,000 miles and the same problem is back. I spoke with Goodyear, and apparently due to the light weight of the rear, the tires bounce and cup. This happens because VW mandates rotations ever 10k, when in fact it should be 3500-4k. The program that was used at 15,000 miles to get the tires was abolished. After fighting with goodyear, they are giving me four new tires at $50.00 a piece (they retail at $162.00). If this happens to you, speak up.......Goodyear and VW are aware of the problem.

Anakin

I get my tires rotated every 5k around the same time as my regular oil changes.

vocus

I had Goodyears at one point on my car. One of them was bald within 10K miles for some reason. They are crappy tires, that's the problem. Get another brand, and you should rotate them every 5K miles.

adg44

That really sucks. I hope everything works out in one way or another.

blueguydotcom

So, know anybody in So Cal who wants an unloved Jetta 1.8T Wolfsburg with 6 disc changer, moonroof and 28mm swaybar? 32k miles. Less than year old tires. 14500 OBO.

Today, I picked up a 2003 Silver Gray 330i with the Performance Package (ZHP), Leather, Xenons and Moonroof. I've already put close to 200 miles on the car and I was the first one to drive it. I've been to the beach, hit the mountains in Julian and buzzed La Jolla already. I've never been more enamored with a car. I command, it responds. Totally sublime.

The salesman claimed the car doesn't need to be babied and that I should drive it as I normally would. Uh, I don't think he realizes how I normally drive because it's akin to as if I stole the car. I'm gonna take it easy, regardless of his suggestion...

Some pics:
http://www.blue-guy.com/images/Direct_Front.jpg
http://www.blue-guy.com/images/Front_Left.jpg
http://www.blue-guy.com/images/Rear_Left2.jpg
http://www.blue-guy.com/images/Side.jpg
http://www.blue-guy.com/images/Front_Right.jpg

Now to sell that blasted Jetta!

vocus

You bought another car without selling the first one?!? Dang. Congrats on the new ride though, it sounds wonderful.

blueguydotcom

If i sold the first one, what would i drive until i found the next one? And what if the deal was on a very short clock? This deal was definitely a ticking clock. $400 over invoice on a performance package 330i doesn't happen often. Match that with a MF of 0.0003 (yes 0.0003) and you've got a screaming deal. I couldn't pass that up. Even if the Jetta takes me a month to sell I'm still way ahead.

vocus

I am reposting my former post of the pics, because the link didn't work. These should.

From the pics, it doesn't look as bad as it is, mainly because I didn't have alot of time to take the pics. Also, you can't smell through pics. The smell literally made me sick on Friday when I went near the car. Also, my interior was black before this, and the windows had only factory tint on them. You will see what I mean when you see the pics...

http://www.hostdub.com/albums/Turboguy/IM000377.sized.jpg
http://www.hostdub.com/albums/Turboguy/IM000378.sized.jpg
http://www.hostdub.com/albums/Turboguy/IM000379.sized.jpg
http://www.hostdub.com/albums/Turboguy/IM000381.sized.jpg

fish8

That is one BAD ride. That IS my dream car. I would love to get a BMW 3 serious in the future. I am really glad you are enjoying it. Remember, a BMW is meant to be driven hard. ENJOY!!