Volkswagen Jetta 2005 and earlier

ruking1

SPARE PARTS !!!

rc7762

I think it's safe to say we have all been there at 17 and could not wait to buy a new car, my father was in the car buisness my whole life and when I worked for him and being around new cars all the time drove me crazy, my father pushed very hard for me to understand that my first car should be used, reliable and inexpensive (I know this is not always easy to find). My best suggestion to you wanting to buy a new Jetta is to wait until you can comfortably afford it. I know you get a warranty and as I posted earlier warrantys are not always 100% and I will tell you this from experiance VW's are expensive to repair and you just don't need that aggravation at 17. Earlier someone posted that new cars will come and go and that person is exactly right. VW's are not going anywhere if anything they will only get better (hopefully) and even cooler looking. At 17 you should keep that extra money where it belongs, In the bank.

ruking1

I think that is very wise. The truth be told, not many adults can really afford a new VW for cash. You also have implied that the new car depreciation is MASSIVE ! When you add the operating costs.... Spare parts do cost a lot of money also!

jtrujillo86

I have a problem vehicle now. That's what I'm trying to get away from and that's why I don't want a used vehicle. By getting a used car, you're only getting someone elses problems. I pay out the behind for the car I have now and I just want to be free of it. If I get a new Jetta, I plan to keep it for well passed 100K. I was looking at used Jetta's but you can't beat the 1.9% financing. I guess we'll see what happens in the near future.
Jeremy

ruking1

In line with buying a used car, for someone your age, look to income properties. How does this relate with cars you are probably asking?

A house, while it has a tendency to appreciate, is usually not an investment per se, unless you are comfortable with running a "rooming" house. In a fairly conventional deal, you can not expense your ownership portion. So say you have 3 renters with you as the fourth, you can only declare 75%. Unless your house is GENERATING INCOME, a house is one of three things: 1 someplace to live 2. a speculation 3. a money pit.

Income properties, properly bought, generate income. (first requirement of an "investment") There is also an expense side, which in nexus with this thread, you can write off partially the expenses to your "Jetta." If you did that with your "house" you would increase greatly your chance of the IRS inviting you to a "money" party and of course you would BE the hors d'oeuvres. As you accumulate income properties, you can of course take a great % expense deduction to your "Jetta". Of course that is in "service" to your investment. Investment properties also give you the ability to borrow more money. So the question is what can a 18-20k amount (what you would spend for a "Jetta", buy in your area? If you do from 5-20% down, 100,000 to a high of 400,000.

blueguydotcom

A house, while it has a tendency to appreciate

Depending on the area, naturally. But even without appreciation you get a tax deduction. Of course, if he attended a CA school, the property would appreciate.

So say if you have 3 renters with you as the fourth, you can only declare 75%. Unless you do this a house is one of three things: 1 someplace to live 2. a speculation 3. a money pit.

Say you have 1100 a month mortgage payment. That means you've got a 13k+ tax deduction (not including tax write-offs on your taxes too). Now say you're renting to two people for $400 each. At this moment you've got $300 a month, plus taxes, going out and you're looking at a fat tax break that never would come as a renter.

Even assuming the townhome, condo, home doesn't appreciate over 5 years you still had tax breaks of over 50k in that time. Can someone save 50k on taxes with a Jetta?

Of course if he starts a business and leases a jetta he can write-off the whole of his expenses on the lease...

So many fun options to skirt the IRS.

Oh and because he has an $1100 a month house payment, school grants and scholarships and student loans will come far easier. It's a great deal, he shows almost no income, yet has people paying him to make his mortgage and the school will hand him extra cash.

Now who would buy a jetta when they can get free money instead?

ruking1

"So many fun options to skirt the IRS."

For my two cents ALA CONTRARE !!!

If anything, the rules are MADE to be followed !

To follow them "CORRECTLY" you must INTERPRETE them!!!!!!

(for example, see how "JETTA" can be weaved into this)

Don't you JUST LOVE AMERICA !!!!

bpeebles

I have to agree with blueguydotcom with one small additional detail. A properly selected used vehicle is the best way to go.

Any problems have been worked out of a properly selected used vehicle and you are purchasing a KNOWN ENTITY. Three of my VWs were purchased with over 50K miles and they all went well over 120K miles. I considerd the occasional repairs as "car payments" and they were well under an average of $50 month. Perhaps some tires this month, several months later an alternator, next year brakes...JUST WEAR ITEMS, NO BIG DEAL!

A used vehicle may have more trips to the repair shop... but the total cost of ownership is less than a new one in almost every case.

I have worked in the electronics industry on million dollar computer equipment, a NEW part was always 'suspect' because it was an unknown. A part that has perhaps been repaired but has been running flawlessly for 6months was considerd FAR more valuable than that stinkin "new" unknown part.

"NEW" does not equate to "PROBLEM FREE" by any means. You are purchasing an 'unknown'... all brand new problems.

Kirstie_H

Don't forget tonight's member-to-member chat -- Our topic tonight is "Warranties: Are they worth it?"



http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat/townhallchat.html

6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET. Drop by for live chat with other members. Hope you can join us!

kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

adg44

newcar31

Isabel now....

pnwskier

I have a 1990 Jetta, Wolfsburg Edition (last German made model) that has been awesome for me! It just turned 183,000 miles yesterday. I've driven all but 6 miles of them. My husband would like me to be driving something that is maybe all wheel drive and at least has airbags. I'm looking at either a new Jetta, a Rav4 or the Mini Cooper. Any thoughts?

CED

Kirstie_H

pnwskier, you might want to visit the active discussions on each vehicle to find out the pros & cons. You can just use the search tools in the gray sidebar at the left. At first glance, though, it doesn't seem that any of your choices fit the criteria!

And yes, newcar, pat is experiencing some Isabel issues, but should be in the clear later today. In the meantime, I'll be making sure the winds stay calm in Sedans

kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

blkjetta

Fish8 thanks for the feedback about the windows last week. My VW dealer replaced the clips with no questions or charges. Took a great road trip last week and as I got close to home my check engine light came on. Upon a quick "check of the engine" I saw nothing low or unusual. Anyone have any ideas; 2000, 2.0, 65,000 miles. Taking it in tomorrow.....

Kirstie_H

blkjetta, make sure you post your problem in our "Check Engine" light discussion today. Even though no one has posted there in awhile, when a new post appears, it usually gets answered there very promptly.

kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

steven39

hi skier, congrats to you for getting that kind of mileage out of your jetta. have you been the original owner all these years? its nice to hear about someone owning a jetta for so long and getting all those miles out of it, as opposed to so many negative comments regarding the jetta in this forum.
i myself am considering a 2003 wolfsburg edition jetta with auto, monson, ect. and it is black which looks pretty cool. anyway, after reading your post about your jetta and all the years and miles you got out of it,although iam sure that you would be the first to admit that through the years it was not exactley trouble free, i just might consider one myself.

steven39

hello, iam considering purchasing a 2003 jetta wolfsburg edition with auto, monsoon,
ect. are they still haveing problems with the windows falling in and the coil problems
its a late 2003 jetta so i would think that they would have resolved some of these issues already.

blueguydotcom

You've been asking questions about the jetta, then bashing it. Little confused by your agenda...

vocus

The Jetta isn't going to be as reliable as the Mazda6 or any other Japanese import. What you will get is a very safe car that's pretty solidly built and fun to drive.

The window problems are more than likely fixed, as are the coil problems. That doesn't mean everything will be perfect. But little problems can happen with any car. It's just a matter of being able to handle them.

Whatever you decide to buy, don't get a car that you don't really like as much, you will be sorry.

Also, I agree with Blueguy. Why the bashing then more questions? Kinda weird...

wsommariva

I have a 2000 VR6. Although I've had the typical problems, nothing with the engine or my 5 speed manual transmissions. I also know someone with the same car with over 140,000 miles.

justin

at LEAST get a different user name if we are going to have to see your same posts for the 34th time this month...

don't get a Jetta, okay!? or an Accord. they are awful horrible wretched cars! go get a Mazda6.

blueguydotcom

Sheesh, what sorta person would buy an accord?

BTW, did you drive the coupe with the V6 manual? Man that's a smooth engine and nice tranny. Much smoother than a Jetta GLI's six speed. I simply adore Honda's trannies. Wish my car had a shifter as silky as the TSX's...

justin

i know what you mean. although, i will say that the 6 speed in the Jetta is not bad, not bad at all. the shifter in the GLI is still a little....vague at times, but, once you drive for a bit, it is easy. when i looked at 99 VR6 Jettas, i got the auto, because the 5 speed was virtually impossible to launch, for me anyway, without traction control kicking in. the clutch had dead spots, big time. drove two red ones and one black one. all the same back then. the new Jetta GLI is much much much improved.

nope, never driven a 6 speed Accord. i could see the 6 speed being offered in the CL and TSX, but in an Accord?

steven39

are the wolfsburg edition jettas assembled in germany, or are they made in mexico with the other jettas? my local vw dealer has a black 2003 wolfy edition with auto, monsoon,ect. msrp says 22,600.00 dealer says 19500.00 before ttt. is this a good deal. plus the 1st oil change is free as well. which is no big deal since most oil changes average around 25 bucks or so, although to get it done at the vw dealership will set you back about 38 bucks cuz they do some other little things besides the oil change.
check fluids,top them off if necesary,and tire pressure check as well.

venus537

probably mexico, but you could simply check the window sticker for that information.

venus537

oh come on now. an accord ex i4 with some good tires wouldn't be so bad with a manual.

jwlionking

Hello all, Im looking at purchasing a 2000 Jetta GLS TDI 140,000 miles for $6500. Anybody think this is a good deal? Too many miles? What is the longevity of a TDI? Thanks! Any info would be much appreciated!

jtrujillo86

Ummmmm...do you wanna let me know where it's located? I just may jump on it! Just kidding. It's a crap load of miles on such a young car, but if it has been well maintained, I'd get it. I hear TDIs go forever. I drove a 98 and that thing was AWESOME. The 98 w/61K and manual tranny was only $9K. I wanted it so bad, but there was no record of the t-belt being changed and I still hadn't sold my Malibu.
Anyway, back to the topic at hand - If there is record of the timing belt being changed and she runs good, then I'd say get it.

Jeremy

msifakis

Hi there,

I was wondering if you guys can tell me what would be the most common problems that I can come across with a 2000 1.8T jetta. I just put a downpayment on a 39K mile car and if the VW dealer that will inspect it approves the car I will go forward with the purchase.

Any tips would be appreciated. This is the first time I am buying a used car, and a lot of people are rolling their eyes when I told them that I am going for a used Jetta.

Thanks a lot.

blkjetta

well, last week I posted that my check engine light was on, it was a broken vaccum hose. $89.00 diagnostic charge, and we are back in business....

steven39

also, if your not going to get a extended warranty for the used jetta, be prepared to shell out some big bucks for repairs.they are not cheap to repair or maintain.just a couple of things for you to keep in mind while considering whether or not to purchase the car. iam not trying to deter you away, just trying to steer you in the right direction.steve

blueguydotcom

25 bucks for a synthetic oil change? that's a bargain.

All US sold Jettas are made in Mexico.

justin

were there not a small percentage of Jetta wagons that were imported here from Europe? i thought i read that somewhere...

moparbad

All Jetta Wagon are imported from Germany. All of the future (next model) Jetta will be made in Mexico. Including those for Europe.

All the sedan are made in Mexico including the Wolfsburg edition.

fish8

Please IGNORE Steven!!!! He has no idea what he is talking about.

If you are interested in the 1.8t, I would make sure you check these 2 items and make sure they have been taken care of.

1) Make sure the Jetta has new Coils Packs(engine)

2) Make sure the window clips have been replaced. Windows falling into the door is/was a major problem with Jettas.

If the Dealer can assure you that these have been taken care of, go for it....and enjoy

blueguydotcom

I didn't specify sedan v. wagon. people buy the wagon? i've seen maybe three in the past couple years.

justin

are seen just as much (seriously) here in the mid atlantic states. people like them around here because they don't come with the SUV/Subaru stigma, but they are still practical. same with Passat and Volvo wagons.

i might be a wagon owner at some point in my life. make so much sense.

prodigalsun

Consumer reports does not have kind things to say about Jettas, or pretty much any VW other than the Passat.

Sounds like you have some rose collored glasses when viewing the Jetta.

Fakis, Jetta's are much more fun to drive, and more nicely appointed than their japanese counterparts, but that said, their reliability is VERY suspect.

fish8

I agree that Jettas are not the most reliable cars on the road. Actually far from it. But other than the 2 major items I referenced, the Jetta is a pretty solid car. No, it won't be as reliable as an Accord or Camry or for that matter a Sentra. But there are many folks out there that are completely satisfied with their Jettas. Consumer Reports is a good reference point in researching a car purchase, but should not be the sole authority on car purchases.

prodigalsun

Well, you're lucky in that you got an '02, with the 4 year warrantee. All VW's before that had only a 2 year, which speaks volumes to me about the regard VW itself holds its on quality. Look, I've owned two of 'em in the past, and while I LOVED driving them, they had many issues, which worked to almost spoil the joy of ownership. Contrarily, I've owned several Honda and Nissan products, and the reliability has been in a different league.

fish8

Can't argue with that.

steven39

thanx fish for backing me up on the jetta realiability issue. hey fish would you purchase that 2000 jetta given the jettas past reliability record?

ejsj

Hi folks,

I'm considering purchasing a new, 2003 model 1.8T. But I'm worried about the reliability problems...does anyone know if the coils, window regulators, air flow sensor issues have finally been ironed out?

I currently own a '92 Acura Integra, and before that drove an '81 Honda Accord -- both were relatively free for 10+ years. So perhaps I'm a fool for even thinking about VW, but the Jetta has a mix of style, features, and fun that keeps tempting me...

lancerfixer

I think the coil pack issue has been sorted out. Over the long term, a Jetta will likely not be as reliable as a Honda, but it'll be a good deal more fun to drive (this coming from an Accord owner of six years. My car has been both trouble- and entertainment-free.)

prodigalsun

Kinda like driving a bosch dishwasher. Quiet, competent, and trouble free.

betterbydesign

I would not buy a used Jetta, or an automatic Jetta or a Jetta period. Keep in mind the Jetta is basically a compromise for the North American market. They are produced in different plants than the Golf and VW does not put a lot of weight (read money) on the quality of Jettas because on a global level, the Jetta is barely a blip on VW's radar. VW's bread and butter worldwide is the Volkswagen Golf. VW sells 8 times the number of Golfs in the Netherlands ALONE then all the Jetta sales for North American COMBINED. And for all you guys who "think" Jettas are cool...only German grandparents drive Boras/Jettas! Wake up!

fish8

Please post numbers to back your statements....

I may be wrong, but I would guess you are off base with the in significance of the Jetta.

What kind of car do you currently drive?

Also, why are you so beligerent? If you don't like Vw's/Jettas then don't buy them.

prodigalsun

"They are produced in different plants than the Golf and VW does not put a lot of weight (read money) on the quality of Jettas because on a global level, the Jetta is barely a blip on VW's radar."

So, you're saying that VW has two different quality control processes? That just doesn't make any sense. Both vehicles are made in Mexico, have been for about 15 years. News Flash, Golf owner, but the quality of the golf is in the same league with the Jetta, just view Consumer Reports do not buy list, they are both on there.

Methinks the early frosts up north have addled your brain.

lcostantino

Because...the Jetta, while not "Honda" reliable, is also not "Honda" boring. Some of us are willing to trade off a fun driving experience for some maintenance, what the heck. I seriously doubt Grandpa is driving his 1.8t with the 17" rims like I do - I hope not anyway, cause I'm gonna get a ticket soon.

Who cares what the demographics are in Germany - they use Mercedes E-class sedans for taxis, and in Sweden Volvos are police cars...Drive what you want, enjoy it, and be thankful we have so many choices in reliability, style, etc...

prodigalsun

When you took your Jetta in for it's last service, did you say: "My window's Fallen, and it won't roll up!"