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I'm sure that someone over at VWvortex will figure out how to fix that! ;-)
Thanks for any help
Here are the running changes for 2002:
2002 Jetta
- New VR6 24V with 201 hp and 5-speed automatic transmission (first car in its segment to offer this feature) with Tiptronic® will replace current 12V VR6 by mid model year
- Manual transmission (6-speed) will be available later in the year for the VR6 24V
- Accentuated dual chrome exhaust on 24V VR6 models
- 1.8T engine increased from 150hp to 180hp
- 5-speed automatic transmission (first car in its segment to offer this feature) with Tiptronic® available on 1.8T
- Premium CD/cassette radio for GLS and GLX
- New Color (Reflex Silver will replace Silver Arrow)
- Trunk escape handle
- Cruise control indicator light
- On/Off switch for self dimming mirror
Automatic...And, yes...Incentives available only on 2001 products...
We all laughed as I had to keep brushing glass off the papers as we made our car deal. ;-)
-Jim
You see, there was a strike a while ago and I brought it up. It isn't as good for the workers in Mexico as some made it seem a little while back, maybe 500 posts or so.....
VW, and most big companies like the third world because the governments(and their laws) are even easier to push around(and cheaper) then first world nations. So, if workers in a plant go on strike, either get the government to come in and stop it, or hirer some thugs to kill the leaders(as in Brazil -- this happens too often) and the government/police won't purse it with vigilance.
"When you give food to the poor, they call you a saint. When you ask why the poor have no food, they call you a communist."
-- Archbishop Helder Camara, Brazilian liberation theologist
If that someone is me, then I miss it – I’m not very well educated, you know, that’s why I heavily rely on other more educated and wise people, example:
“I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country....corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed."
-- Abraham Lincoln, November 21, 1864
How many years ago was that?, anyways, I know, I know, not the forum to discuss this. But, it’s always in the back of my mind, you know, those sneakers I wear, which are made in China, it actually bothers me that people are being paid less then they should ONLY because their from a poor country. I can’t say that is fair.
Well, they're being paid what the market will sustain. The reason you set up shop in a third world nation: save in production costs. You want cheap products or more for you money? The manufacturer has to make it up somewhere and production is an obvious choice. Companies must show a profit for those funny little shareholders, so spending gobs for workers probably will not help the bottomline.
Who are you to determine what people "should" make? Should the people in third world nations receive first world wages? What benefit comes from doing that?
By the way, your lack of education has no correlation to your intelligence. A good education teaches you to look for knowledge elsewhere, not only in your own mind. Your reference to the Lincoln quote shows me you picked up some good "education" somewhere. Don't sell yourself short.
By the way, excellent quote and very relavent. Frightening isn't it!
The back seat is kinda cramped. My wife is 3 months pregnant. Anyone out there using a baby seat with a jetta, if so how is the fit? Since the baby is still 6 months away I don't have a baby seat to test the space out with.
Has anyone upgraded the stereo to a CD/MP3 player. I have all my MP3's on CD and was hoping to be able to just take the old stereo out and put in a new CD/MP3, anything to consider before doing this?
Thanks in Advance
By the way, your lack of education has no correlation to your intelligence. A good education teaches you to look for knowledge elsewhere, not only in your own mind. Your reference to the Lincoln quote shows me you picked up some good "education" somewhere. Don't sell yourself short.
By the way, excellent quote and very relavent. Frightening isn't it!
the Inflation rate throughout the country of Mexico...The results of the
increase in wages secondary to the strike last year have virtually been
eliminated by this increase in the Inflation Rate...
Any blame here should be directed to Mexico City, and not Volkswagen
de Mexico in Peubla...
Secondly, while a fun car, the Jetta is a less than ideal passenger vehicle. For 2 passengers, it's fine but the back seat is pretty tight. If you're looking for a VW with room for a baby seat, go with the Passat. I only let small people (tiny guys and females) in my Jetta's backseat. A car seat would eat up most of the backseat if placed where it should be, dead center.
Lastly, I would shy away from buying a used VW from anyone. They're just not reliable enough to take a chance on a used one. Especially without the warranty. Edmunds had good luck with a certified VW from a VW dealership (and thus a warranty) but from your average joe, you're flirting with disaster.
Personally, for someone with a family on the way, I'd currently suggest the Accord. Not exciting, not really nice on the inside, but solid, safe and roomy enough to fit little ones and all the extra stuff they need. Having a baby will occupy enough of your time, why add the headache of a poorly running car?
I currently own a 2001 Jetta GLS 1.8T that I will be selling in 3 months so we can get hubby a new truck. I wouldn't hesitate for a minute to sell it to a friend or anyone for that matter. I have taken excellent care of it and its a very reliable car. It currently has 12,500 miles on it and runs excellent with no problems. I live in Alaska and its the best winter car I have ever owned.
As for baby seats in the Jetta, well, I have 2 kids, one in a car seat and one in a booster seat no problems there, they are happy.
I will be very sad to see my Jetta go, but we can't have that and the new $40K truck that hubby is buying.
Maybe I've seen some huge car seats, but all the ones I know consume the middle portion easily of the back seats of vehicles like Range Rovers and Excurions, so given my Jetta's cramped back seat, I just can't fathom how a middle car seat and a booster seat can fit comfortable in that car. You say it's so, it must be so though.
Those 15k miles in three months, were they highway miles per chance? Just curious. Seems that flying down a freeway at 75 consistently is better for the car's other components (brakes, suspension, transmission) than city driving.
"It currently has 12,500 miles on it and runs excellent with no problems."
What is your definition of a problem? To many VW owners (fans) a rattling window, dash or strange clunking sounds are not problems. To them if your engine malfunctions, it's a problem. IMHO, any sound beyond that which the car made leaving the showroom is a problem - especially within the first year. Maybe by year 3 I'd might be willing to accept a rattle every once in awhile. But not likely.
Any ideas?
TNX
also- Blueguy- you are definitely making me nervous:-) Because I have to say I have agreed with your descriptions of other cars you discussed. The interior of the WRX does look cheap :-) But hopefully my new Jetta will turn out ok. The funny thing is I just traded in my '00 Civic- an extremely reliable car!! But I do love the Wolfsburg so far!
Did you get an extended warranty?
Most of us, on the other hand, understand that a car is an extremely complicated machine built of thousands upon thousands of parts from all different sources. Personally, I don't think the Perfect Car exists.
Like a fine piece of wood, there will be little quirks and nuances that become the car's personality. Don't get me wrong however, that we should accept a lousy car just because a piece of oak has a knot in it. But, most of us here do not get our panties all in a wad over a tiny rattle. We also understand that these little rattles, squeaks, etc. can sometimes be very hard to track down. Even for the experienced technician.
What we do appreciate is a finely crafted automobile, such as the Jetta. The feel of the tightness of the suspension as we wheel through the apex of a corner and kick the turbo in as we exit. We'll just get that little rattle fixed at the next service. Meantime, we just having a blast with this awesome car.
My first Jetta: A 2001 2.0 GLS was delivered defect-free. The one and only problem I ever had with it was that the center brake light went out. They replaced it at the 5K service and all was fine. There were no major rattles or squeaks in the car that we noticed. We almost always have some tunes on, so we don't listen for each and every little noise the car makes.
We traded that one in for a new 2002 1.8T. The 2.0 was just not making it for me and I needed something more. This 180hp 1.8T fills that bill quite nicely, thank you very much.
Also, keep in mind that most people come here to complain. Look at the other forums and you'll see the trend. There are a few of us that hang out here just because VW people are cool, friendly and like helping out other VW owners in need.
So, just enjoy your new WE and take these forums with a grain....er, a 50lb bag of salt. ;-)
As a sidenote: The engine in your car is one of the best rated engines on the planet: The Audi 1.8T.
Enjoy!!!
-Jim
http://www.jettaownersclub.org
absolutely nothing that I could add...eloquence at it's apex!!!
So,if anyone out there is thinking about a Jetta,do not be fearful.I really love my cars.Also,does anyone in Cental New Jersey know of a good car wash?My dealer told me to have the new one hand washed because it's black and the brushes leave those swirl marks.
All the best
-Jim
http://www.jettaownersclub.org
The Jetta has many things going for it, but build quality and reliability are not among them. Has it ever occured to you that there is a *reason* for the flow of criticism you see? Do you think that people enjoy telling others about the problems they've experienced with their practically new cars?
I wonder how many more days will pass before you have to take your new 2001 GLS back to the dealer to fix a handful of problems. How long it will be before you join the famous window regular club. How long it will be before you experience the famous 2nd gear whine or another transmission problem.
-Jim
The problem with the 99-01 Jetta is that the build quality and reliability is clearly below average. Go to forums for other models of cars and see how many owners have had their windows fall into their doors. Then go to vwvortex.com and see how common this problem is. You can easily find Jetta owners who've had window regulators fail three or four times in the space of a year or two.
Prospective buyers should know the facts and make an informed decision. Telling people who come here to research a new car that they shouldn't worry about the Jetta's quality and reliability *is* unethical. They *are* much more likely to experience problems with the Jetta than they would with other some other makes of cars, and they should know this.
The engine is awesome, interior luxurious and inviting (yes the buttons/dials ARE small and cupholders pitiful). It's a German car -- Europeans don't do cupholders!
I've owned an Accord, Ford, Toyota! This car is superior. I've been to unscheduled service twice - a bad tire valve, and an engine light related to the emissions system. Service both times was excellent. VW is not the perfect car company - there are none. But I would recommend one to anybody, and there's nothing unethical about that! Oh, and IMHO JD Power, CR, Car and Driver, etc. are to be taken with a "50lb. bag of salt."
Yes, Jetta's are fun (with the 1.8T or VR6) and the interiors are great - ergonomics and feel are above my reproach - but the fact is that the car's reliability is at or below average. That to me IS bad. I can't in good conscience suggest someone buy ANY car without being aware of the probable pitfalls associated with that make. If one is willing to risk the likely windows problems, rattling, gear grinding, excellent, but I believe honesty is the best approach.
Any while nothing ever went wrong with my honda, it was frankly boring and had no personality. It was slow and not fun to drive and personally didn't have many features that the Jetta comes with. I didn't get the extended warranty because they wanted about $2000 for it and frankly 2K for a 5 year warranty is ridiculous. I am a statistician and know for a fact that those plans are always set up to favor the dealer (Think Las Vegas). You are better off on your own. Now of course lemons occur (thus some people win), but for the average person.. you WILL not make up the 2K. If you did, the price would be made higher.
sorry you've had rough luck with your car.
Prospective buyers should know the facts and make an informed decision. Telling people who come here to research a new car that they shouldn't worry about the Jetta's quality and reliability *is* unethical. They *are* much more likely to experience problems with the Jetta than they would with other some other makes of cars, and they should know this.
Yes, they should be aware of all the facts and this forum does not represent the facts. They should know that this forum is a minute slice of the consumer market and not an accurate representation of the truth. Neither is CU or JD Powers, or any of those rags either. I am not saying they are lying, just that the facts they report are skewed and only represent the people that respond to their questionaires.
But, now you're putting words in my mouth. I have never said anything that you stated above and you have taken a statement I made totally out of context. That statement above is completely untrue and should be deleted, and/or restated as I have not lied (as you suggest) to anyone here.
If you're making a general statement, then that's fine, just don't direct it at someone it doesn't apply to.
Thanks.
-Jim
blueguydotcom, ergonomics are above reproach for the Jetta. Do you know the definition of ergonomics? I do like my Jetta, but the best I can say about its ergonomics is - it gives the car character.
Like these boards the squeaky wheel is much more motivated to speak out.
We all know that VW is not the Lexus of the auto industry when it comes to new car defects and some reliability issues, but I just don't see it being to the great extent the media reports it to be. You can also toss such manufacturers as BMW and Volvo into the same class too. And, Acura and Honda's ratings have been bumped down over the past two years, but that does not make them a crappy car, nor do I consider VW to be a crappy car, or I would never have bought one, nor would have you.
Yes, people should consider what they read here in the complaint forums such as Edmunds and Vortex, but they must keep in mind that it's the Internet and definitely not an accurate sampling to finalize a decision on. That's all I am saying.
I also receive quite a lot of private email asking me about specific things on the Jetta. People considering buying cars that email me personally.
The latest being a person considering a Jetta wagon and I flat tell them that the Jetta is an awesome car, but there are these things to consider that might happen. I suggest that they consider a Honda or Saturn-type car that has a better reliability rating than the VW if I detect they won't be a good VW-type person.
He pointed out some website that just slams VW: http://www.autobuyology.org but that can also apply to other consumers and manufacturers. Obviously this person had a bad experience with VW and is out on a vendetta. I suggested that Michael get a Honda or Saturn.
Just a couple of months ago I saw a Dodge Ram that had signs plastered all over it about how bad Dodge is and what a mistake they made and all, but the Dodge Ram remains one of the best rated trucks. I have also read the TSB's on my 1998 Ford Ranger, and it still remains a well rated truck and I have not had problems.
I had one small issue with my 2001 Jetta, and (as you know) have the new 2002. Yes, I am aware that there could be issues. We're going on a trip to California here on Thursday and while I don't expect any problems, I certainly am going prepared, just like I would have had I been driving my Accord that I traded for my 2001 Jetta.
In fact, there has already been a 'fix' on my tip-tronic tranny that VW discovered after the 2002's went out. There is a module that needed replacing and a software update. My dealer received a call from VW that my car was one that needed the update and they called me and the update was done in less than 30 minutes in a very professional manner.
And, while my wife was there, here comes this 2001 Jetta just billowing clouds of smoke. She asked Sara (our service manager) about it and she said it was a fried turbo from a chipped car.
What I find funny, is that VW's ratings were not some big 'thing' until the last few years when their popularity exploded exponentially and now the media just slams them against the wall. I have never been a fan of the media and I take the, "I fart in your general direction" approach when it comes to media unfairness.
-Jim
http://www.jettaownersclub.org
Um it's a pretty simple definition but I'll give you the Merriam Webster one to make life easier:
Ergonomics: an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely
"I do like my Jetta, but the best I can say about its ergonomics is - it gives the car character"
Well, after driving just about every new car (excluding SUVs and most non-cars, ie American vehicles) under 35k, I came away liking the Jetta's ergonomics second only to the sublime, very Lexus SC400-like Toyota Solara's interior design. From the tilt and telescoping steering wheel to the height adjustable seat to one touch down and up windows to the near blindspot free window design (bested only in my opinion by a convertible with the top down or Acura's NSX) to excellent moonroof operation, I'd say the Jetta's ergonomics are near perfect. My two complaints regarding the interior remain the knob for seatback reclining and the hard to turn HVAC controls. Beyond those two small issues, the Jetta's interior remains one of the most functional, user friendly environments I could find in a brand new auto.
Somebody named bricebah told people not to fear. I replied to him because I don't think it's right to tell people not to worry about the Jetta when it is clearly very likely that they will experience problems. If that's okay with them, fine. But they should know the trade-offs of owning a Jetta.
You then replied that many owners have experienced no problems. In my reply to you I agreed with this. But, I maintained that it is simply wrong to sugar-coat the situation and tell people to go out and buy a Jetta and not to worry about all the negative experiences reported by owners. Prospective buyers should know these facts and take them into consideration. My reply to you explained my reply to bricebah. I did not imply that you said what bricebah said. Again, go back and read it nice and slowly and you'll understand.
No harm, no foul. All cleared up and off to the topic(s) at hand. Thanks.
-Jim