Volkswagen Jetta 2005 and earlier

plugbug

I'd have to go with obmot -- that Kenwood is way too busy. When I'm driving, I don't want to fiddle with tiny buttons and lights and such. Blaupunkt has a subtle elegance which I really dig.

Which leads me to my dilemma: The way I figger it, I can stick with the stock HU and add the Panasonic changer for around $250. (I've got Monsoon.) Or, I can replace the VW HU with a Blaupunkt Heidelberg and a Blaupunkt 10-disc changer (which I'll have to mount myself) for about $400. I'm really stuck here -- is it worth it? Does the Blau really make that much difference? I'm thinking it's probably not worth it, but part of me really wonders. Any thoughts out there?

obmot

The Kenwoods have good rep, but they have greater depth and will stick out further. Additionally, the face of the Kenwoods, like many current HUs, is *way* too busy with too many itsy bitsy buttons and distracting lettering all over the face. The Blaupunkt HUs are much more staight forward and 'minimalist,' which I really like.

obmot

I dunno why it reposted my last message, sorry for hogging bandwidth...

Anyway plugbug let me know what you do. As soon as I find the Jetta I want I will be buying, I hope within the month.

I am leaning towards in-dash blau and later CD changer. Was at VW tonight, and realized that the indash VW CD + VW changer is $950!! Ouch!!

Only thing that scares me is installing blau myself since a few wires have to be changed. This is a person that struggles cooking a frozen pizza - yet I do not trust ANYONE with my cars anymore (read several posts above as to why). Installer will no doubt hack the new car, cross wires, blow out the electronics, scratch the interior, and claim "it was like that." I cant deal with others' incompetence any more. It is SO hard to find people these days that can actually DO their job competently...sigh.

eck71

I guess one of you is right; the Kenwood is a 0"-1/4" deeper than the famed Blau spoken of here. I know the car we're speaking of is of fine German engineering and excels in it's class, but Blaupunkt is not even a contender of Kenwood and never has been as I remember. The Blau is also plain ugly . Kenwood Excelon receivers are much better looking and functional. For the basic driver who just wants to pop CDs in the dash with no plans of other upgrades, that's fine. Why don't you just go spend $70 on a Jensen or some other knock off brand you can buy at Wal-Mart. I know from experience Kenwood surpasses Sony also. I had a Mobile ES head unit that cost $800(top of the line then, also had 5 or 6 other Sony head units) and had many problems with the LCD and CDs skipping or not even playing in cold weather or extreme heat. I have several friends and family members who also had these problems. Face it, Sony's days of being King have expired. I have the Kenwood in the dash now and it fits FLUSH like a factory install(no nasty trim ring either.) Even when Sonys were great, they did not fit that way. As far as Sony's black face when powered down, the Kenwood takes it a step further and completely flips over and hides itself. Also, there aren't that many buttons and none of them are useless. I hate to disappoint some of you but the Kenwood packs more features than most and backs it with a 2 yr. warranty(most have 1.) I'll let that be it for now on stereos, after all this is a page dedicated to the bad [non-permissible content removed] Jetta, not stereo 101. As for Houston having some of the worst roads, I miss Houston roads. They were perfect compared to ones in the northeast. The drivers are much more courteous there also. Lived in Houston for 25 years and never been in a better laid out city. The bumps up here nearly swallow cars and leave you in a rental while your front suspension is being rebuilt. One last thing, the dealer I bought my Jetta from offered IN-DASH CD and CHANGER for $625

obmot

Well I did a bit more digging and found something you might find interesting...

blau makes a $13 "camo plate" to cover all of its in dash units (except X-line series) and it also covers the in dash IDC-09 changer.

Go to www.blaupunkt.com and click on "accessories" it is shown there, about the 7th one down.

What thinks you?

jazzpants

What should I use on my leather seats to condition/clean them? When should I do it? I got the car in December 2000.

jettagls18t

Hello everyone,

what a lengthy (but very interesting) discussion on Jetty DC changers. I have the 2001 1.8 Jetty, and have installed the Panasonic 8 changer (No Monsoon, so its compatible). Anyway, it sounds great, no skipping, except like someone mentioned above: if it's one of those potholes that make you look back.

However, and there is always a however' or a but', the only annoying thing that I have noticed about the Panasonic is that while playing loud soft' music, where the volume is high but the noise is still relatively low, I noticed that when I break or use the turn signal, I hear this one time low click' sound from the speakers. I checked the grounding, even took it to an installed. But still, the click' persists. Also the same click is heard when turning the volume up, again it has to be soft' music to be able to hear it. I would say 99% of the time, the click is not noticeable, but it would have been better if it was a 100%. Anyone with thoughts or similar experiences with the 'click'. The installed told me it might be because the brake/signal wiring is jumbled up in one tube with the DC wiring to the trunk and a field is created when brakes/signals are applied.

As far as other changer/in dash options, my personal advise is not to install anything other than WV products inside the car. If you want an in dash DC, just buy the WV single in-dash (I believe $280 at vw.com sold only by dealer, which if you argue with the dealer could be gotten for a fraction less (I have bargained with my dealer to go down from a whopping $960 to install a back spoiler to $400).

jettagls18t

Do not use spell checker when posting!!

plugbug

Wait, let me get this straight -- eck71 is comparing Blau to a $70 Jensen from Wal-Mart? I guess that speaks for itself.

Anyway Obmot, I think I'm going to go with the Panasonic changer in the trunk and stick with the VW HU. From what I hear, the Monsoon system with the VW HU sounds perfectly fine -- I don't need to get greedy for a car that I'm probably spending too much on anyway. When I win the lottery, maybe then I'll sell the Panasonic unit on ebay and upgrade to a Heidelberg and 10-disc changer in the trunk. But until then, I think I'm going to stick with the Panasonic.

Also, the Panasonic fits right into the changer's cubby hole, while the Blau would require some fitting. That's where things get tricky. I do okay mechanically, but mounting a CD-changer is something I've never done and sounds like it could be difficult.

Oh, and thanks for the update on that faceplate that covers the IDC-09. But I still think it would be obvious there's something there I'm hiding, which might lead some punk to smash a window and explore just in case. As I said, I lost a window and 1/2 my dash for a crappy Sony cassette deck here in Chicago -- I would hate to think of a new Jetta getting butchered just because I wanted a CD player right in front of me.

obmot

Sounds like you're taking the path of least resistance and trouble, which is often the best way to go in matters like these. I might end up doing the same - of course I need to find a darned Jetta with cold package down here first before I do anything (Texas but I drive up nort' a lot and really want bum warmers!)

Let me know how the panasonic does vis a vis install and skipping, etc.

Oh, if money gets tight, you can always hit Wal-mart

obmot

I need to find a 1 1/4" receiver hitch for my Jetta to mount my bike rack. Anyone have a square 1 1/4" receiver hitch installed? I am looking at the Draw-Tight Hitch #24680 ...

blackjetta18t1

i dont know if you guys know this, but blaupunkt is owned by Bosh and I'm sure you all know how Bosh produces jsut about every product that mkaes a car and they do a fine job making them, therefore, Blaupunkt is excellent, much better than Kenwood, much nicer than Kenwood, and just totally better, take for instance the San Franciso or Munchen, they've got amazing features like microphones which u position so that whena wondow opens or something, volume and sound is automatically adjusted, etc, therefore Blaupunkt is the best.

bluejetta

I have the VW changer and it works just fine. I have had no problems with it. It is a Panasonic changer and is essentially the same as the one you can buy anywhere. With the VW changer an adapter is not needed as it is built for VW to plug right in.

mellis

Use Lexol cleaner and conditioner on your leather. You should be able to find it at Pep Boys and such.

Mark

smitpat

Hi All,

Just closed on a Wolfsburg black/black, sunroof, Monsoon, cold package, NE emissions, CD in-dash. Couldn't be happier -- my FIRST CAR!!! Couldn't have done it without Edmunds and everyone's advice on this board. A million thanks!

obmot

If you dont mind me asking, what was your deal priced at, BEFORE TT&L?

I just got back from the delaer myself, and made a deal on a blue WE cold + monsoon + roof for $20500 before TT&L (invoice was 19,741). I have that post-deal feeling of having been "had." Id like to know other's deals...

obmot

I havent paid yet because they have to find a Blue WE with cold package, there arent any WEs in Texas with cold package. Fortunately, all Jettas enter at the port of Houston where I live, so the guy said they have 10,000 cars sitting down there to search thru, and can get one directly from the port or an incoming ship.

Yikes is $20,500 before TT&L reasonable?

bluejetta

Congratulations!!!!! Hard to get that smile off yer face, huh? We call it Perma-Smile. )

-Jim

http://www.jettaownersclub.org
http://www.bluelagoonjetta.com

smitpat

I am paying 20,500 for the same, plus NE emissions AND single CD in dash. I'm very happy with the deal. From what I've read (and I've been reading for months before I entered a dealership), people are paying about 20,500 for that package. I've seen lower (though not many), and I've seen higher (though not many). I lucked out w/the CD. Enjoy!

smitpat

Thanks! I'm very excited. Can't wait to get in it, open the roof, and VROOOOM!

obmot

Great deal! I was teeter tottering about an indash CD from VW vs either a Panasonic trunk changer of my own or a 3rd party in dash CD. So i decided not to get the VW CD.

The salesman was funny, he just moved from another non-VW dealership and this will be his first VW sale, so he didnt know diddly about the WE. He wondered if i wanted the lux package or leather, i said those dont come on the WE. Then he got out a paper to add the MSRP. I told him "21540". He didnt believe me, and added it to find 21540 (shocker!). Then we started discussing invoice prices for the options, and he had to get out another book. I rattled off the invoice prices for monsoon, cold, and sunroof. Again he was befuddled that I had this memorized. Then during the "haggling" he kept going back to his manager, who got frustrated with me. The manager came out and said he didnt know where I was getting my numbers from. I said "the internet." He said, as he turned and walked away from me (isnt that rude when people do that by the way?) "well you cant trust anything on the internet."

I said back, loudly, "Oh Im sorry, it was VWs web site - I guess it isnt reliable, huh?"

He stopped, and I continued, "No offense, but all my figures are right and I know them better than your salesperson." The manager returned with a 3rd book with invoice prices for options and thumped it down in front of me (rude). He said "look in there youll find the REAL invoice prices.

So I looked, and pointed out to him (the manager) that those prices were exactly the prices I had written down with the salesman! He grumbled, and stormed off.

Dunno why some of these guys have to be such jerks (the salesguy was ok, the manager was a putz)! Anyway, I hope they find me a Jetta at the port! I'd like to have this wrapped up by June.

divewreck

I'v heard that the automatic on the 2000/01 GLS is barely adequate. Is the manual a better choice?

roninjouten

Unless you find just being a passenger in a car worthwhile?

iathoma

I just completed my quest for another Jetta diesel ! Had an '85 a long time ago. This new TDI is great. Came out of the gates getting just around 50 mpg running at 70-80+ with a/c on. Just in time for high gas prices. YESSS!!

plugbug

I can understand the purists (elitists?) who say one isn't really "driving" unless one is driving a stick. As one who just plunked down some cabbage on a VR6 automatic, my feeling is this: I live in Chicago and work in the suburbs. I drive endless stop-and-go, both on local streets and on the jammed-up expressway. I've driven a stick all my life, and I'm just tired of it. Maybe I'm not taking full advantage of my new car, maybe I'll get beaten off the line by an Audi that I would've smoked otherwise. But I'm really tired of shifting all the time, and I look forward to finally having my first automatic. Am I lame? Maybe. But I can live with it.

flaca

I find my auto GLS (4 banger) quite efficient and with all the pickup I need to manuver both on the highway and city.

emjetta

My daughter wants a silver/gray velour Jetta GLS TDI with sunroof. We finally located the only 1 in this color but the price is tough to negotiate. The list is 21,500 & the best I can do is 21,081. This does not include CD changer or taxes, tags, What do you guys think of this deal or is there something else I should be saying to the dealer?? My daughter will commute 45 mi/one way to school & we really want the gas mileage. Thanks for your help.

dr461

There's nothing wrong with an automatic. My new Jetta GLX is the VR6 stick shift. I do find it the smoothest and easiest stick to drive (even superior to BMW). However, the other car in my family is a 99 Nissan Maxima with Automatic. My son has a 99 VW Golf with stick. When it gets time to look for a new car to replace the Maxima (about 4-5 years from now, ) we'll probably get a Passat with automatic. So, it wil be the best of both worlds.

I live in North Florida, where the traffic is tolerable, but when I drive into Orlando, guess which car I choose??....LOL

nuride

i will be picking up my 1.8t in afew days and need to know if i will need an alarm in addition to the factory one. Dealer is trying to get me to purchase the lojack. If i do need alarm which one is best. Also regarding cd changer vs single in dash. Which is best. any advice would be greatly appreciated.

vwguild

You do not need ANY TYPE of aftermarket security System...it will only conflict
with the existing *Factory Installed* security system which includes the "Transponder
III Engine Defeat Mechanism". The only way someone can steal your car is on a
Flatbed...Save your $$$$$, and just say NO!!!!

As to the CD System that you select...What you find the best for you is the answer...no one
here is going to be sitting in the Driver's Seat but you...

balticjetta18t

Yeah, save the money. When u tell your car ins. co. about the alarm from factory you'll get the minor discount. Besides you will save enoungh money to pay your premium for 6-12 months. Let ins premium YOU pay for be your protection. After all that is why we buy it eh !

emjetta

hey iathoma- how much did you pay for that TDI that is getting that great gas mileage? Did you get the CD changer?

search66

Im picking up (hopefully) a 2001 WE (sunroof, no cold package or monsoon), and am paying $20,300.. My question is this.. What do you all think the resale value will be? This is my first VW (Im a Honda owner) and am curious about resale? I usually keep my vehical until about 60K miles...

sebring95

Think I'm going to pickup a TDI to put in our company fleet. How hard is it to find a GLS TDI? And Edmunds is showing a few hundred over invoice as market, whataya think? Not concerned about color/options beyond the GLS package.

vtwaters

Anyone know where I can get a wood shift knob for my 2001 VW Jetta GLX that matches the wood trim. For some reason, my "automatic" shift knob didn't have wood trim. I don't even think its leather.

hmpower

Has anyone had problems with their oil pan being damaged by potholes? My brother-in-law drives a 99 with the 2.8 V6. He has had his pan replaced 3 times cause they get damaged by potholes, road debris, etc. The VW dealer said they get a lot of these, usually 5-6 a week. Has anyone else had this experience? I was jonesing for a V6 Jetta, but this makes me concerned...Maybe the 1.8t has less of a problem with this?

divewreck

What's the logic in prohibiting new tdi's in NY while allowing used models to sell.
Am looking at a 2000 GLS auto/moonroof for 17K.
Not to excited about mpg

iathoma

Hey EMJETTA,

I paid 21995....silver GLS...with NE Emissions, Luxury package, and leather package....also got the 6 disk CD Changer. It was hard to get but I got it from an Auto Mall in Roanoke, Va. Check for auto malls in your area.....Iathoma

walkabout24

Well a couple of weeks ago, after MUCH ado about extreme lack of availability I got my Jetta with EXACTLY what I wanted. And right in my very metro area too.

Silver 1.8T Auto, w/ Blk. Leather, Lux, Monsoon and In-Dash CD. Though I paid $800 more than I felt I should have ($22,900) the low availability and the fact that I've been waiting a year made it worthwhile for me. Plus I got the 3.9%APR so that saves me a few hundred in the long run.

Thanks Obmot and BalticJetta for helping me keep the faith a while back when the dealers here were basically telling me to change my engine choice or wait till next year.

I do have one question about fuel though. Of course the 1.8T requires 91 octane or better. There is a Shell station near me that offers 93 octane at 5 cents off on Sundays. I went over there yesterday, but when I got to the pump it said 10% ethanol in all blends so I backed off.

The manual said up to 10% ethanol is OK but no more. But the way it's worded it seems that the maunal is referring to 87 octane regular when it says this, not premium.

Does anyone know what the effects of ethanol on the turbo engine are? Should I say screw the small savings and just get my car pure gasoline without any blending?

Thanks folks.

obmot

Congrats walkabout! I duno much about ethanol, but be careful to use a highly trafficked gas station. Here in Houston (cheapsville) no one uses premium because of the price - so a lot Ive seen is murky, yucky from sitting in the station tanks so long.

They found me a jetta at the port of Houston, but alas no cold package but I cant fret about one option. I have a question about financing, has anyone used the "Drivers Option" plan? I want to put either $10K or $15K down and finance the rest for 48 months via drivers option. That will give a few years for some of my investments to recover the beating theyve taken this year (e.g. lucent).

Any input on Drivers Option would be appreciated.

smitpat

Does anyone know the terms of the current 2.9% (3.9% for Wolfsburg) VW Jetta financing? In other words, is that based on a 3, 4, or 5 year loan? About to go into the finance room...

walkabout24

For information on rebates and incentives that ANY car manufacturer is giving out go to:

http://www.autosite.com/new/grabbag/rebatet.asp

The list is in alpha order so VW is near the bottom. Good luck.

smitpat

Thanks walkabout! Can't wait to get in my first car ever this Saturday! Got the VIN today. How am I going to make it through the week?

bluejetta

Go to the lot and test drive a few every night! Maybe they'll give you a loaner to get you off the lot! ROFL!!!

-Jim

incambridge

I am planning to buy a Jetta from a dealer in the Boston aera. After having read all these horror stories about VW service, I was wondering whether anybody on the list has made good experiences with a dealer/service-center in Boston. Thanx for your help!

balticjetta18t

Glad we all were able to help u acheive your goal!

svick

I am interested in getting a new Jetta GLS and wanted to get a feel for which is the better way to go. I don't drive very much so I can lease, but is that the better option with the available financing VW is offering currently? What are some of the lease payments being offered out there?

afryar

It's funny that you ask that question... I picked up a 2001 Jetta GLX and my girlfriend picked up a 2001 Golf GLS from Boston VW. No problems with my car but her Golf has been a nightmare. The service department at Boston VW has been a nightmare and the salespeople at Boston VW have been a nightmare. Her Golf has been in for repairs 3 times in less than a month (430 total miles). Their service department is not open on Saturdays and NOBODY is there on Sundays. Before getting my car I went to Minuteman VW in Bedford and they were great, just couldn't get what I wanted. I'd go check out Minuteman VW in Bedford. I've alreadt logged complaints with the Attorney Generals office, the Office for Consumer Affairs as well as VW of America against Boston VW. Hope this helps!

jettacraver

I've been reading your posts for some time now (very helpful) and am ready to "take the plunge." I've just graduated from law school and will be commuting roughly 90 miles round trip each day to work. I MUST have a diesel. After being told that used Passat diesels are impossible to find, I've settled on a Jetta TDI. The local dealer has a black 2000 GLS with appx. 7000 miles - heated seats, moonroof, monsoon, 5speed. He's asking 20,200. Edmunds indicates 18,635. What should I aim for? It's in the midwest, and prices are not typically on the higher end. Also, I'm 6'4" - will I regret a midsize sedan?

roninjouten

If your current dealer won't work, turn to the net, my friend. e-mail every VW dealer within 100 miles. Tell them you want their best price or just ask for a bit over invoice. You will get responses. The Internet Fleet managers give the best deals.