Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
I can, however, tell you that it's a blast to drive with the automanual!
I think fuel efficiency is going to depend on how heavy your right foot is. If you drive her gently, the 4 cyl is gonna deliver economy, but it's soooo hard to stay off the Turbonium. :^)
I'd say go for it. I'm having a blast so far.
Mazda MP3 - 90 points
Subaru RS 2.5 - 88
VW Jetta GLS (w/Sports Luxury package) - 87
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V - 86
Dodge Neon R/T - 83
Was the Jetta a 1.8T? I'm guessing yes. This is impossible to comprehend. The Impreza, without the WRX option, is not a nice or fun car. It just sorta exists, like a Civic. Even with the WRX option, the Impreza is just fun, but not the least bit nice. The MP3 is a great handler, but that's it. Its speed and luxury are non-existent. I can't even fathom who would pit an American car, the Neon, against a Japanese/German car. As for the Spec-V...something must have been wrong with their pre-production model. Everything I've read thus far points to the SPEC-V demolishing every other sub-20k car for speed and handling, with the interior coming up the one weak point. This solidifies my view that Car and Driver populates its staff with nimrods.
Anywho...The 1.8T is a very reliable engine and one of the best rated engines in existence today. It has an excellent power band and is a little screamer. If you're into 'tuning', then the 1.8T is definitely your choice. Even if you're not, the 1.8T is still very desireable.
The advantage of the 1.8T over the VR6 is weight and handling. The VR6 is very front end heavy and it does take a bit more to get all that weight moving forward. However, there's no turbo lag to deal with.
It's definitely a learning curve driving a turbo, and the new 2002 engine's lag is more pronounced because of the extra power offered by new electronics (chip), a few updated parts in the turbo and better exhaust. We're still awaiting full details and dyno's on the 2002 engine.
The major advantage to the 1.8T is that it is available now and the VR6 is not going to be available until at least Feb and maybe further out than that. As far as I know, there still isn't an exact date on the new VR6 release.
The advantage of the VR6 is smoother application of the power. Some like the turbo kick, some don't, but the new VR6, which is reported to be rated at 201hp, will definitely be a nice addition to the Jetta line
Yes, you MUST use premium fuel in the 1.8T, but it's the preferred fuel in all the gas motors. Yes, even the 2.0. But, that's a minor issue. If fuel costs are an issue, get a TDI. ;-)
As for mileage...well you'll hear all kinds of stories on that one. I've heard 35-plus mpg, but I really find that hard to believe. Unless all the miles were downhill at 25mph. But, so far, the average of 22/29 on the sticker seems to be accurate.
On a trip to California (from Vancouver, Washington) that I took at the beginning of September, I got between 27-30mpg. And that was fairly spirited driving at 70-110mph with the avg cruising speed -- not through towns -- being 85-90mph, so I think that's pretty good for driving it pretty hard.
But, it really wasn't that 'hard'. This baby just cruised smooth as silk at those speeds with not a complaint, groan or a quiver.
Needless to say, I'm extremely pleased with my 2002 1.8T Tiptronic...
-Jim
http://www.jettaownersclub.org
It's pretty responsive, but is not an F1 shifter. There is some shift-lag, for lack of better terms, but that was expected and is not a downside for most drivers, just something to get used to. If you're a sports car freak/afficionado you will most likely not like the tiptronic.
The main dislike I have about it is that first gear is extremely short. Taking off from a stop, I shift from 1st to 2nd almost immediately when in tip mode. Third gear is the tiptronic's sweet gear and that's where the torque really shows.
This tranny is much different than the pre-2002 auto trannys. In auto mode it gives you much more rpm's in each gear and does not short-shift like the previous, adaptive tranny that was really annoying. This one's quite racey!
Having not owned a turbo before, it's kinda hard for me to judge the lag from a 2001 model, which I test drove one time (a WE back in February). All I know is when I first drove this car and even just got on the gas a little, I said, "Whoah!" as the differences were immediate. I have also read the same type comments from people that have test drove both the 150hp and 180hp models.
Just like with anything else, you adapt to the turbo lag. Going to this car from our 2.0 was a huge learning curve. The biggest learning curve I have EVER taken with any car I have owned. This car wants to scream away from you as compared to my 2.0. It begs for more gas and you find yourself holding back, to keep from passing everyone on the road!! The car is quite 'spirited' right out of the box and I can't imagine chipping this sucker up to a possible 220-230 hp with some additional add-ons, though the jury is still out on that as there are no chips available yet.
Best way for me to describe the 2002 1.8T Tiptronic is: We just thought the 2.0 was a fun car. We had no idea what fun was until we got this baby. Whew! Takes your breath away and it's probably a good thing it's not my daily-driver or I'd probably have a special relationship with my local law enforement. ;-))
-Jim
http://www.jettaownersclub.org
If the rear defroster is turned on and you shut off the car, remove the key, when you turn the car back on, did the rear defroster stay on?
Please help.
Wish me and my new Jetta luck!!
Justin: How much did you get for your Jetta?
I am looking for the GLS1.8T w/ leather? Still thinking back and forth between 1.8T or GLX.
Thanks
2002 Jetta GLS 1.8t, manual
monsoon
sport suspension
17" wheels
cold weather package
silver
The dealer & I agreed on $19769 - sound like a fair deal? I financed through my local credit union, 60 months @ 5.99%.
Does anyone know about how long it takes to get it in, after ordering from the factory?
I'm excited, this is replacing my 1984 Oldsmobile Delta 88.... I'm guessing it'll be a little more fun to drive
My guess is the dealership may put on the 17s once they get the car - that is fine with me. I mean, there is nothing different about a car with sport lux and without that would prevent 17s being put on the car.
I guess the true test will be whenever I get my Jetta - I had to factory order, so who knows how long that will take. (That wasn't a rhetorical question - does anybody know how long that will take?)
Now, what to do with an '84 olds that needs a new intake manifold, water pump, and exhaust...
With Mags (15") wheels, Sun roof, and CD player, for a Jetta 1.8T, anyone could share the price information (before tax, include the preparation)in central Canada area, Quebec or Ontario ?
Thanks and Have fun !
I haven't seen another red Jetta since I bought mine. :^)
*All Inclusive* price...No Destination added on
or any thing else except Tax, Title, & Lic.
Due to the fact that they have ordered this Jetta
for you(You did get a Commission/Request Number?),
it will depend on where this Jetta is in the
queue...outside 45-60 days...I would wait and see
what rates are available when you actually can
see & touch this car.
And yes, the 17" Wheels & Sports Suspension Pkg.
PJ2, is only available on the GLX. But the Sports
Suspension Pkg.(PSF)is available with either the
1.8 or the VR6...What these folks plan to do about the 17s will be interesting to see. A set
of 17" Wheels & Tires for $300 is going to be a
real trick...
(I mistyped on the 17s - an additional $400, making the total for the sport suspension & wheels $600, which was MSRP for those options according to him)
base price: $18,152
Options: $1067
+ Cold Weather package
+ Sport Suspension & 17s
+ Monsoon
Destination Charge: $550
Total:
$19769
As far as the Request Number, I need to call him about that, and have him fax it to me - I am sending him my deposit (of $300) tomorrow.
I agree on the rates - silly me, I thought I'd be walking home with my Jetta, so I already have my loan check. It's good for 90 days though.
I'm curious (nervous?) about the 17s as well.
It's too bad that 45-60 days places it in the middle of winter!
P.S. Anakin: it's because silver looks so sweet...
On Monday I test drove a silver Jetta Turbo that was perfect for me at one local dealer (dealer #1). They would not budge on my trade. So, that night I went to another dealer (#2). They only had one Jetta equipped the way I wanted. It was Baltic Green. I drove it - did not love it. But, they would give me what I want on my trade. Jokingly I told the sales guy, if you can get the silver Jetta from dealer #1 for me, I will do the deal. He said it would be hard to take a silver Jet from anyone around here.
Anyway, I wanted it real bad, so the next morning I called dealer #1 that had the silver one and said, if you can do $500 more on my trade, I will come in now and buy it. He said he could not, and that the car had a pending deal anyway. I was bummed. While I was on the phone with him, salesguy from VW #2 calls - he got the Jetta. Salesguy #1 was right - there was a deal pending. It was mine. HAHAHA. I love it
nwvw---thanks for the info about the oil changes. Just for the record I have read the owners manual (before the message was posted) and my questions were about whether any of the service is included because my dealer said it was and then when I looked in the manual it seems to say otherwise. Thanks again!
-Jim
Does anybody know how many months is the max
term for that offer.
You can look up all the incentives in your area by going here:
http://jbox04.edmunds.com/incentives/step1.jsp
Just put your zip code in the box.
-Jim
well this is turning out to be a very bad month for my poor WE. I got the rear door fixed after the hit/run. Looks good.
But tonight i hit one of Houston's finest potholes (read: tank trap). It totally jarred the entire car (even the horn honked briefly). Anyway, immediately after hitting it, now BOTH of my front doors rattle significantly on even modestly uneven pavement/bumps. This rattling stops if I put the windows all the way down, and is worst with the windows all the way up.
The best thing about this car is (was) that it had NO rattles on any pavement. Now that is gone and I am kicking myself for not seeing that nasty pavement. Does anyone have any suggestions/comments? Do you think, at my first service, if I mention it to the shop anything can be done? Did something shake/break free in both doors that can be fixed?
I am SO hating life right now...why are these things happening to me!?
- tommy
My question is, how "conservative" should I be driving for my 600-1000 break-in? I usually drive pretty gentle, but when you're driving a friend around in your hot new car you don't want to accelerate like your grandmother. :-) Seems to me the engine is designed to perform, so some upshifts at 5k-6k RPM aren't gonna kill the thing. Am I deluding myself?
btw - thanks for all the info on the Sports Suspension
But, I do know how difficult it is to keep the little 1.8T down. Man! She's a screamer begging for throttle!!!
I kept my upshifts to 4K, except for a few slips, until I passed 1,000 miles. One thing though is that the engine is a tough little bugger and a few errant 6K shifts ain't gonna kill the life of it.
Once you get past 1K miles: Drive it like ya stole it!!! :-)))
-Jim
http://www.jettaownersclub.org
Only 400 miles to go.... :^D
Package...with the 700% increase in unit sales
in the past 7 Years, these scheduled services
have caused ever increasing problems for Service
Depts. Coast to Coast from Appointment lead time
to handling customers with real problems.
Seems like a solid ride and am very happy with it. The break in period is clearly outlined in the manual and is easier to follow with the Tip. I do know what a killer it is waiting to get past this point as my 2001 325i is manual. If the Jetta is like my 325i, then just wait til the period is over, you think it's fast now.
If any of you have pets, let me warn you.
DO NOT GET THE BLACK VELOUR SEATS!
They act just like a lint brush, and every stray hair on your clothes will transfer onto the seats. I just spent a half hour with a sticky roller trying to get all the dog hair off my seats.
And my dogs aren't even allowed in the Jetta!
Fortunately, that's my only complaint. :^)
If the rear defroster is turned on and you shut off the car, remove the key, when you turn the car back on, did the rear defroster stay on?
Please help.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------