Volkswagen Jetta 2005 and earlier

Anakin

Try posting your problem here:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zeroforum?id=3

Bunch of 3rd Gen. Jetta folks there should be able to help.

matty10

I'm looking for a specific car, and I'm getting conflicting stories from a few dealers about locating it that perhaps this board can help me with. I know that since I'm looking for a very specific car, a dealer is probably going to have to locate it from another dealer for me.

I'm looking for a 2002 Jetta GLS 1.8 Turbo Sedan, automatic, Exterior Color: Galactic Blue, Interior Color: Beige, with Luxury Package PJ4 and Leather Package PL1.

I emailed a number of dealers in the NYC area, and have gotten a couple of quotes back. When I asked one dealer to beat another's quote, I was told that quote I had didn't include the Monsoon (which I do not need..having a tin ear!), and that almost all of the cars that fit my specifications will have the Monsoon. In essence, he said I was given a quote for a car that the dealer wouldn't be able to locate.

Is what I was told true? How easy is it for a dealer to locate a specific car, and how long does it normally take? Is there anything else I should know about buying a car that comes from another dealer?

justin

it can be fairly difficult. consider yourself lucky if you get the car WITH monsoon, but WITHOUT the sport suspension and wheels. When I bought my 2002 1.8t automatic, all I wanted was leather and luxury as well. In my colors, all they had was sport package cars, or cars with NO CD but WITH monsoon. I compromised, and accepted gray leather, but got NO sports package (not worth it to me), NO monsoon (again, not worth it), but I did get the combo CD/cassette. Again, if you can find your color combo, consider yourself lucky if the only addition is the monsoon. Jump on it!

sarah233

I recently purchased a 1.8T 5M w/leather and monsoon, sport luxury. I initially wanted leather/regular luxury/no monsoon. It was hard for me as well to find one like that (a lot came with luxury, but not leather, and most of them came with the monsoon either way), so I ended up getting the sport luxury package w/leather and monsoon. Trust me, it's even harder to find one in five speed, so at least you're not looking for that! Good luck.

sarah233

either way the car ROCKS! I'm totally happy with what I got.

blueguydotcom

You can get the car you want, you just may have to wait. I didn't want the monsoon and it took a bit of time to locate a Jetta outfitted as I desired.

vocus

I walked into the dealership looking for a Blue Lagoon Jetta 1.8T automatic with Luxury Pkg. Then I drove the cloth model, and wanted lumbar support. Needed leather for that. Then I wanted a CD player well to be put in. They couldn't find any cars at the dealer to match what I wanted, and I wanted it that day (Saturday, 11/3) as well. They had a white Sport Luxury/Leather/Monsoon/automatic on the lot, and I ended up taking that. I am glad I did not, because you hardly see white Jettas at all, and also it's really easy to keep clean.

I got my car on 11/3, and so far have 2650 miles on it. I just can't stay out of the thing. I love it!

azntrinibwoy01

Hey everyone,

I'm new to this message board. Considering that I am really gaining informative knowledge with the kinds of reviews and postings in here, I would like to ask everyone for some advice.

Basically, I am currently seeking the purchase of a new car and have had two main ones in mind. One is the 2002 Grand Prix GTP coupe (auto). The other is the 2002 Jetta GLS 1.8t (5A).

I possess the kind of personality who like cars that are fun to drive. I currently have a 2001 Honda Civic Si and find it boring to drive.

FYI, I tend to sometimes have a heavy foot and may like to drive cars "hard" at times (i.e. not necessary rough, but you can say, "push the car").

Any suggestions? Does the cars outlined above suit my personality? If not, can you please suggest one?

sarah233

I just got rid of my '99 Honda Civic EX sedan (boring!) for a 1.8t 5M. I LOVE the jetta. It's really fun to drive, but if you have a lead foot like me you'll have to be careful.......

Anakin

azntrinibwoy01:

Those are two very different vehicles you're considering. The GTP is in the classic musclecar vein, with lots of power in a large automobile. The Jetta is more of the Euro Sport type... small and tossable. It's going to feel like more fun in the twisties.

I guess I would just suggest that you drive each of them. Good luck.

vocus

If you currently have a Honda Civic Si and find it boring to drive, you probably want a car that's tossably fun to drive and drives better than the Honda. I would go for the Jetta if I were you. The Grand Prix is going to be alot bigger and heavier than the Jetta is, so be warned. You might try driving both of them before buying though. That way, you know for yourself which car you like the best. But I am saying from what you'd mentioned already, the Jetta sounds cool for you.

venus537

This car has its faults, but boring isn't one of them. This car certainly handles better than a Jetta. But the Civic doesn't have the solid feel and that "German" ride of the Jetta. Overall, I feel the Jetta is a much better driver's car. If back seat room is of high/medium priority, then the Jetta is going to disappoint. But don't get a GTP.

Anakin

If you've been driving an Si, then the Jetta is going to be a more familiar driving experience, and one you'll be able to get in a stick. Plus, max torque comes at 1950rpm, which is going to feel like a kick in the butt next to the Si.

The GTP will be fast, but you might not enjoy it if you're used to driving stick. It's a different thing altogether.

desh1

If you are used to a Civic, the GP is going to have more of an American car mushy ride. Floating down the highway. The Jetta has a nice firm feel of control. I have had a '01GLX VR6 for 2 months and it is right up there with my wife's Volvo S40. The GP will be a big disappointment if you like to drive.

vocus

I can tell you from driving both cars, the GP does handle mushier. It's a nice ride, but it doesn't have the reflexes or the German feeling sporty ride of the Jetta. There is just a feeling when you are behind the wheel of a Jetta, it's unexplainable by me right now (maybe because I only have had the car a month), but it just feels great. Like I said, check out both and pick which one you like the best.

jjw00

I just purchased a 00 Jetta GLS!!! We own a Honda Accord (like the Jetta much better) and have found internet sites to supply parts for our Honda at a substantial savings over the local dealer parts dept..

Can anyone recommend a VW parts supplier/dealer that sells near wholesale prices online? I'm sure they exist, just would like a few personal recommendations with good experiences.
Thanks.

fischda

Anybody have one of the plastic arms holding the glove box door break? One broke on my 2000 GLS letting the door fall. Dealer will replace under warranty...bet it'll take a while to get the part:(

akangl

Yup, the one on my 01 Jetta broke twice, had it replaced once. If you can, line it up as best you can and then slam it shut, it will stay shut that way. That's what I did to mine while waiting for the part the first time. The last time it broke I was trading the car in so I did the line up and slam, they never noticed.

blueguydotcom

GTP is not that exciting and the Jetta, even with a turbo is quick but not terribly fast and it handles poorly. The WRX is fast, more exlusive and blast to drive. If you're a "driver" then a WRX is the only choice for under 25k. No other decent (read non-F-body/Mustang) car can match it for the performance and price.

justin

...that the WRX looks more silly than the GP or F bodies....:)

Go with the Jetta. You get ENOUGH performance, and it comes standard with style and safety. If you are ONLY looking for performance, and you need a sedan, and only have $25k, the WRX is surely a contender. But jeez, it is remarkable how homely it is. I guess they did that so it would have that collector car/unique status...

vocus

Blueguy, I think the Jetta is plenty quick and handles well. I have a 2002 1.8T automatic with sport suspension and 17-inch wheels. The upgraded engine may make alot of difference, I don't know. I never drove the "old" turbo motor. The handling on mine is the best I have driven though. I take an exit ramp to get to work everyday rated at 25 mph. I could blast it at 50mph in my 2001 Protege ES with 16-inch tires, and the same 50 mph in a 2000 Celica GT my cousin used to have. I hit 60 mph on that ramp taday before I turned in my Jetta. Definitely a good handler, in my opinion.

I don't think the GP is going to handle as well as the Jetta does, simply because it's bigger and heavier. The WRX is kind of a racing type car, and you should only consider it if performance is of the greatest need.

The Jetta, however, combines style, safety, and a certain panache you don't get with the WRX in a nice, tidy package.

vocus

I never knew these were so helpful in traffic (the ones on the front fender by the doors). I have avoided at least 2 accidents in the month (exactly one month today) I have had my car. I think more cars on the market should have them.

Also, I am at 3050 miles today, one month after my purchase of a 2002 Jetta GLS 1.8T with Tiptronic, Sport Luxury, Leather, and Monsoon. I love it! There is one or two little rattles, but they will be fixed by the dealer when I decide to give it up long enough to let them fix it. I just can't stay out of this thing!

I have also been stopped by like 10 different people (mostly men- so much for the Jetta being a "girl" car) saying how hot, tight, and good looking my car is. I have Cool White. Go Jetta!

blueguydotcom

Huh? They're EVERYWHERE. Generally when I think of panache I think of something that stands out and is unique. The WRX is hideously ugly and extremely select...two very good attributes if one wants a car with panache.

I do agree about the safety and some mediocre level of luxury though. The WRX's interior and cheap feeling/flimsy doors scared me away. In the long run though, I'm fairly sure I'd have been happier with the insanely fast scrappier, uglier, less popular WRX.

BTW, Subaru is changing the front for 2003. Too bad, the ugly factor makes it even more special when combined with that engine. I say toss leather into the car and beef up the doors, forget the Neon lights.

greggt007

i dont hear much mention of the sentra R vspec. i just got my 01 wolfsburg over a month ago and my friend just got a new sentra. it is pretty nice, and i think comparable to the jetta/gti (price/perf/size). it does have like a red interior only though, kinda loud.

marena

marena

Wow....hubby loves it!!!!! Got it Saturday, and we've done over 400 miles already! He's happy all right! We had to wait two weeks for anyone to find this car....it's very popular, especially in silver.

So far.....we love it....!!!! I have to get used to the power! Quiet ride....definitely go for the leather seats.

It's a sexy car with alot of safety features too and boy are those heated seat oh so cool!

Anakin

My wife LOVES the heated seats. Which is good, because she's always comfortable at about 10 degrees warmer than I am. :^)

boduke

Does anyone know when the Jetta is scheduled for its next facelift? Are there any spy photos or drawings floating around out there? Thanks.

fischda

I wonder how have those little side lights helped you avoid accidents, exactly.

And those men who complimented your "hot, tight, and good-looking car?" Are you SURE they were talking about your car, dude? Heh, heh...

moparbad

I read that the 2003 Bora (Jetta in US) and 2003 Golf will be new design in Europe. Current chassis is MK4 and new one will be MK5. Expect that the Jetta/Golf redesign will be released in US as 2005 or 2004 model.

Here is a concept photo of Golf and it is ugly. http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=3014&n=158,178&sid=178

vocus

Very funny about the comments. I know they were talking about the car.

I have had cars change lanes at the same time on me as I was going to do it before. With the Jetta, when I would go to change lanes sometimes, some dummy wouldn't be paying attention and almost clip me. This seems to happen alot on the Capital Beltway for some reason. I saw someone getting ready to come over on me the other day, but they didn't. Makes me feel kinda safe.

Blueguy: Why do you even have a Jetta? Looks like to me and some other people in this chat room that you should have test driven more cars before making your decision, or something. You are always complaining about the car. Drive it and have fun with it. And to me, the Jetta has a sorta luxury feeling to it. It's nice.

vocus

My radio died last night! The theft light still flashes and everything, but the thing won't come on at all. I made an appointment to take the car in tomorrow, and will see what happens. It's a 2002 Jetta GLS with Monsoon and turbo.

justin

broken radio? so glad i didn't waste my cash on that monsoon stuff

get it fixed!!

now, when the WRX gets it's front end restyled, then I would consider it. the inside is not luxurious, but it has a "look"....

vocus

I called my dealer, and the actual salesman is not there anymore. They won't gimme a loaner either, but they will drop me at work. Just have to bribe my secretary to get a ride back to the car place after work. Still an inconvenience though. Oh well, stuff happens.

And I am glad I got the Monsoon. I love the radio's sound quality alot. Coming out of a Mazda Protege that's radio blew when I turned it up too loud, I wanted something that could handle loud noises without chickening out.

blueguydotcom

I test drove almost every car under 40k prior to making my purchase. If it weren't for BMW's horrible reliability, I probably would have gone for the bimmer. The IS was a contender, but its auto at the time was too much of a turn-off. I'd rather die than drive a car with an automatic. Finally, that left the scrappy little WRX. Fun car, but unlike the Jetta, I didn't feel safe in it or feel the Rex had any measure of luxury. Lastly, I was in a friend's 2001 Golf when we were broadsided and I think the overall feeling of safety and a need for it pushed my decision toward a German design.

BTW, I do like my turbo and my interior. I just hate the car's rattles and poor handling. And no, on a test drive I never got to really push the Jetta as I do in day-to-day driving. Salesmen freakout when you do 80-90 on the freeway and take off-ramps at 2 to 3 times the posted limit. I've learned my lesson about that now. The complaints of salespeople be darned, I'm gonna flog the heck out of my future test drives because I don't want to get stuck with another poor performing car.

vocus

I can agree with the rattles. I have one now, and it's annoying. But the poor handling traits you can bring out on a test drive without flogging the car. And besides, it's not good to flog a brand new car because you can mess up the engine and all in the long run.

What kind of driving do you do everyday? Do you like run from the cops constantly or something? Good Lord...

Anakin

You know, you could just take your car to a performance shop and upgrade the suspension for around $1000 installed.

I think the stock suspension sucks too, so I'm saving up for a Bilstein shock and strut setup with H&R springs and a Neuspeed swaybar. This is the recommended setup if you want good solid cornering without sacrificing highway comfort.

The Jetta's suspension was likely designed to take into account the typical American desire for straight-line highway comfort. If you're like me and you want a sedan that can hang in the corners, you have to upgrade it yourself.

So quit your whinin' and go get a sport suspension. :^)

vocus

My radio (when it worked) always used to stay on until I pulled out the key, not when I turned the car off. Also, if I would touch the power button with the car off, the radio would come on. Is that normal for VWs? Just wondering, since this is my first one.

Anakin

Mine stays on until the key is removed and I can turn the radio on when the car is off.

I kind of like it... if I'm sitting in line somewhere and I want to shut off the engine I can keep my tunes going. :^)

Anakin

I like how the interior lights come on when I shut off the car. This isn't unique to VWs, but my Honda sure didn't do that.

I like being able to collect my stuff before I open the door. :^)

fischda

Thanks for the link, Moparbad. I actually think the design is okay. And stretching the wheelbase 5 inches would be wonderful. I'm sure Jetta would share the chasis, and if rear seat legroom increase without eating into the large truck, that would be good.

Vocus - I used to live in DC, so I know how people are laways barging into each others' lanes. I hated DC traffic!!

Blueguy - I agree with Anakin. Do some mods to your suspension. Since you're too upside down to trade right now, tune it so we don't have to listen to you badmouth the ride anymore - besides, the stock set up is superior to most anything else out there for $17-20K IMHO, and I test drove a lot of cars too.

vocus

I ride the Capital Beltway constantly to and from work and to and from a friend's house. Is it awful! Downtown DC traffic is worse! It just makes you wanna pull your hair out sometimes. I been riding alot somewhere, 3100 miles in 31 days.

I test drove alot of cars too, and Jetta just has this "feeling" behind the wheel. Nothing beats it for me.

blueguydotcom

Even if I upgrade my suspension, I will continue to bag on the Jetta's stock setup. I already paid 19.5k for the car, I shouldn't need to spend another grand to make it livable.

Anakin

"Livable" to you is "too rough" for most American drivers. Americans in general want a cushy mooshy ride and don't care about cornering.

I was riding with my carpool one night and I saw a new M3 and was drooling over it. The driver said "I just don't see the point of that car" Guess that's why she drives a Camry. Anyway, my point is that the automaker creates the car to perform to the standards of the greatest number of people.

So pointing out that you paid 19.5k for the car is irrelevant, since it was built to appeal to the masses, and not the sporting few.

justin

the car and it's suspension is indeed more than livable, or you would not have bought it (come on now). you don't have to put the car at it's limits to know that it is a good performer. not a GREAT performer, but what can anyone except from a VW (people's car, after all)???

blueguydotcom

I understand business and mass manufacturing for the proletariat. We live in the land of Camrys, sitcoms and McDonald's, so it's no shock the average car comes with a suspension setup just barely shy of being a feather bed on wheels. The Jetta's a step up from that, feeling more like a La-z-boy on wheels.

Beyond good niche cars like an M5 or 911, you will rarely find a decent handling car. Drop down to below 40k and it becomes near impossible. When held up to what a car should be, the Jetta, for me, regardless of price, is not a good handling car.

You can babble all you want about how for its price or class it's this or that, but as a car when looked at against all vehicles, it's just not a good handler. For it's class, it's fine. For the price it's okay. I could pick up used cars for half as much with inifinitely better road holding performance though.

Anakin

I could pick up used cars for half as much with inifinitely better road holding performance though.


I don't understand why you bought the Jetta.

fischda

If you think there are few "decent handling cars" shy of an M5 or 911, then you're definition of "decent" is way off the norm.

"Drop down to below 40k and it becomes near impossible." Pleeeease! This isn't the place, but I invite you to start an opinion topic: Great-handling cars for under $40K. Then you'll see how off you are on rating how passenger cars handle.

I think my opinion that the Jetta is a "good handler" is valid because I've raced modified stock on grand prix courses...

vocus

I am running with it. I started the topic in the "sedans" board. Go check it out and gimme some answers.

blueguydotcom

<<If you think there are few "decent handling cars" shy of an M5 or 911, then you're definition of "decent" is way off the norm.>>

I never claimed to speak for the masses when I trashed how the Jetta handles. As I said before, in the land of Camrys and McDonald's, the car that doesn't rock like the Titanic in a corner is considered a solid handler.

<<Then you'll see how off you are on rating how passenger cars handle.>>

How can an opinion be off? If the Jetta feels rolly-polly and piggish when pressed hard, how can that be wrong? That's like telling someone he isn't cold or hungry. I think we're all sentient enough to vocalize how we feel.