Volkswagen Jetta 2005 and earlier

blackjetta18t1

I know this isn't really car talk but there is a good chance I'm going to be attending George Washington U. in DC and just wondering if you have any ideas or advice bout the school or city. Is it a cool place to go to school, academically and socially, how's DC for youths..18-22ish, plus, should I bring my car down?

desh1

My son lives in Arlington, VA and goes to American U. A car in the city is fine except for the condition of the roads. Plan on an alignment every 2 weeks or so, and get lots of insurance. Drivers are lunatics!

The city is a great place for "X"ers and even for some of us old guys.

blackjetta18t1

thanks for the input desh, appreciate it

justin

I work in DC. There is tons of trouble to get into in DC, especially if you are in your 20's

Your car will be fine. Just don't AIM for potholes, and pay attention to parking rules and regulations. The tow trucks could care less about damaging your car.

vocus

I don't know about taking your Jetta to DC. I took mine to the NW area the other day, and I didn't get any scrapes or anything like that. You just have to be careful parking on the side streets, because people who live there seem to be careless when parking. Also, be careful not to leave stuff visible in your car. I can't tell you how many piles of glass you see on DC sidewalks from windows getting smashed.

ggeckoiii

I have read elsewhere that the V6 will be upgraded to a 6 speed with additional horsepower? Does someone have specific information regarding this upgrade? Will the upgrades be the same for a GLS? Any additional costs compared with the current price for a GLS V6? Any idea when VW will begin delivery?

Thanks for your help.

vocus

The new 201-hp DOHC VR6 should be coming out any day, I think. It will come with a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic. If you scroll back like 50-100 posts, you will even find prices for the vehicle that are available now. Also, http://www.vwvortex.com has info on it too.

justin

i LOVE my jetta, but has anyone looked at the edmunds preview for the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon. I don't know that I have seen a better looking car in my life. seriously. i don't care if it is a hyundai. why buy a GTI when you can drive that? it wouldn't matter if it was 90 hp, that car is lovely looking.

love my jetta too

moparbad

The VR6 will only be available with 6 speed on the GLI. GLX will only be available with 5 speed automatic. The info. I have is that the GLS will not be offered with 6 speed either. The 174HP VR6 is already out of production.
VWoA decision to not have 6 speed on GLS or GLX is just one more stupid decision.
If anyone has info. that there will be a 6 speed GLS or GLX please post it.

fischda

That Tiburon IS a good-looking car. Still, people will pooh-pooh it because it's a Hyundai. Bet if someone swapped out the badge for a Mercedes, Jaguar, Porche or Audi they'd pay $40K for it...if they only got to look at the outside!

ggeckoiii

can only get it as a GLI. I'm confused because the GLI badge/model has not existed. I guess the GLI will have some upgraded features compared with the GLS (which the most powerful engine will be 1.8T?) and downgraded features compared with the GLX (which will only be a V6 Auto?). Hmmm... previously there was only about a $500 price difference between a 1.8T and V6 GLS. I wonder if that difference will grow between a '02 1.8T GLS and a V6 GLI?

vocus

I went and got my car from the dealer. I had dropped it off last night because the radio quit working, and there were 2 rattles that were getting to me. They fixed everything. They said the radio locked itself up and had to be reprogrammed. That's weird, because it didn't say anything on the face. I thought it would say "lock" or "safe" or something. Oh well.

It was so nice to get back into my Jetta 1.8T after driving a 2001 Grand Am V6 for a whole day. What a difference!

teo

Already 2 rattles and a dead radio in less than 3 weeks???!

blackjetta18t1

thanks everyone for the input on DC, and now back to cars, that tiburon is definatley a hot looking car,

vocus

Yeah, 2 rattles and a dead radio. Actually, it was exactly one month (bought the car 11/3/01). I guess stuff happens. I know people who have had to have their whole engine replaced within two months, so I guess stuff happens. As long as the car is fixed right, I am cool with it.

moparbad

Posted this a couple times before, here it is again.

New for 2002 will be the Jetta GLI VR6 (201 HP) with only a 6 speed manual transmission available.

This new model will come standard with Sport Suspension, and 17" alloys and tires and the Sport interior as seen in the Jetta GLX/Wolfsburg Limited Editions.

It will be available only in UniBlack, Reflex Silver Metallic, Blue Lagoon Metallic and Tornado Red.

Interior choices will be Black, Gray and Beige in Leather and Cloth.

They will be color dependent

nuride

I have a 2001 jetta 1.8t with 6,500 miles, and so far I love the car. But recently i have noticed a lag when accelerating. Is this typical or should I bring it in for servicing? I did not notice the lag before i brought it in for the 5,000 mile service. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

venus537

If the old VR6 is out of production, does this mean there will no longer be a GLS VR6 model? I was hoping to get maybe the new VR6 engine with the 5 speed auto in GLS trim. I don't need all the extra stuff that comes with the GLX model. Am I **** out of luck???

fischda

You may call your dealer's service manager about your newly noticed turbo lag. My turbo unit had a few bad air exchange valves (more related to emissions) and I did notice a slight change in acceleration performance when replaced. Otherwise, the engine was normal.

sarah233

When I open the driver's door on my 1.8T, it sounds like something is adjusting, like a power seat might, but I don't have power seats. Does anyone know what this noise might be? I can't figure it out...It only happens with the front door, and I've only noticed it when I'm entering the vehicle. Not sure if the same thing happens with the passenger front door, but it definitely does not happen with the rear doors.

fischda

It's your fuel pump priming itself for when you start the engine. Perfectly normal. I see it as my car's way of saying hello when I get in!! I take it your Jetta's pretty new, then?

sarah233

I've had it for 2 weeks, and it's great! Thanks for the info. Now I can stop scratching my head and going hmmm??? every time I get in.

vocus

Had my Jetta 1.8T for a month now and I love it! I have had one little problem with the radio and two rattles, but that's it thus far. (I know, that enough, but anyway.) I have 3400 miles almost on it, and the turbo is fabulous! It's alot of fun to drive. Hope to enjoy it for years to come. :0

jodar96

VW should drop the worthless 2.0L engine, make the 1.8T the standard engine, AND drop the price premium of Turbo engine.

How many cars do you know that cost $19K and have a 115HP 2.0L four cylinder engine? The answer should be NONE.

vocus

Some people prefer economy to performance, so they end up getting the 2.0 engine. It's nice to have it available. I agree with you though, I would either drop the 2.0 or make it larger with more power, at least 130hp.

fischda

I had a 2000 GLS 2.0 (wife totalled it, and I got the 1.8T). The mileage is the same with both engines, so the only economy you get is the difference in proce between regular and premium gas (a few bucks per fill-up).

I agree, up the hp or nix it. With the money saved on the production line, VW could lower the price of the turbo.

fischda

Where are your rattles coming from? Maybe there's simple solution.

I just had the door of my glove box replaced (17K miles) after one of the inner hinges broke. It took 90 minutes, but I spent it talking to a very attractive fellow Jetta owner (yes, a woman) who had the clutch boot replaced on hers. She picked up a nail and had to have her 17" tire patched, and they said her rim was slightly bent - ouch!

vocus

The one rattle is coming from the passenger's side door. I think it's the speaker or something loose though. I am going to get them to take a look at it sometime soon. The other rattle is near the right rear headrest, like the seatback or something. It just gets annoying in a brand new car. They are willing to drive it and all with me, but I don't have alot of time to go there and let them drive it with me. I will just have to make time I guess.

ggeckoiii

Any thoughts of comparing a '02 Jetta GLS 1.8T (no options (well, maybe Monsoon and sport suspension) with a '02 Nissan Altima 2.5S with the ABS and air bag option (comes standard on Jetta)?

Anakin

Not really. The Altima competes with the Passat.

desh1

I have owned 2 Altimas 95 & 98 and they were very reliable & as exciting as vanilla ice cream. I test drove the new 02 with the 4. It was ok but I would opt for the 6cyl. because of the size of the car. i ended up with an 01 GLX VR6 It's a lot more fun than the Altima would have been.. Reliability is a big ????

blueguydotcom

I'm an unabashed Nissan fan (still own one along with my Jetta) and although their interior materials are WAY below the standard set by VW, Nissans for some reason just feel right to me.

I'm actually avoiding driving the 3.5 SE Altima as I know once I feel the power of that car I may very well succumb and just get a stripped 3.5 SE save for the moonroof (get aftermarket leather). 240 HP in a Nissan VQ engine...yummy. And the suspension's supposed to be very nice too. Oh, heck now I'm thinking about that engine again...I gotta go do something constructive with my time now...

justin

back to sarah's question: i notice that noise too, when my car is in my garage and i go out to my car to get something, it makes that humming noise. always wondered what it was. was going to be taking to the dealer. now i don't have to! yay.

i have about 2600 miles on mine now. on saturday night i was driving out in the country on rainy, fog filled sometimes gravel roads. i just love the way my jetta makes me feel secure. it isolates me, in a good way, from all that outside interference.

sarah233

My jetta takes care of me too....I feel safe even in L.A. traffic. Now THAT's saying something. I noticed a scratch on the trunk. ) : It looks like someone in a vehicle with a high bumper (read: SUV) bumped into me. Another reason for me not to like SUVs. But, they are good for blocking the sun when it's going down and a big one gets behind me....that's the ONLY thing they're good for.

justin

I was seriously considering getting my 2002 Turbo tinted like I did with my black Jetta. I saw one on the road today tinted, a silver one. The tint made the car look just like some Civic or Protege that some HS kid fulfills his "Fast And The Furious" dreams with. Has anyone tinted their silver Jet? What brand did have installed? Color?

And yes, Sarah, if the Jetta makes you feel safe ANYWHERE in L.A., then VW should pay you to say that on commercials. That should sell the car, no test drive required. Seriously, the car does just reek of quality and safety. No other car in the near $20k family comes close....The Accord interiors are nice, but not as intimate. Of course, they actually have back seats. Ehh, who cares...

fischda

Here's a testimonial for you: my wife met a concrete barrier at about a 75-degree angle head on. She was doing maybe 40-50 mph (frontal offset crash). Air bags deployed and she was uninjured. At first look, I thought the damage was fairly minimal. No broken glass, bent wheels or cockpit intrusion/deformation. The adjustor got it to over $13,000 in repairs and totalled it!! The front end did an amazing job absorbing the force!

Insurance paid us $2500 more than we bought the car for - so I replaced it with a turbo Jetta!!!

vocus

My Jetta is reaking of 3 rattles right now. I took it to the dealership today, and they told me to bring it back tomorrow and someone would go with me on a test drive. I already had a lawyer friend ride in the car with me and document, and this will be time 3. They better gimme what I want, or they are going to have a slightly used Jetta turbo in their showroom window the hard way! Just kidding.

newcar31

Maybe its time for you to look into that turbo Protege that is supposed to be coming out. By the way, I don't think you were kidding.

justin

but secretly I agree with newcar31. I know Vocus will throw his Jetta right through the glass at the showroom! If only he knew that would cause even more rattles to pop up in his "slightly used" Turbo.

I think some people aren't meant for VW ownership.

vocus

I like the car a heck of alot, better than any I have owned. It just makes me mad that a brand new car is rattling already. Makes no sense. I talked to the dealership sales manager, and he told me to bring it back and they would give me a loaner car for a day and check it out thoroughly for me. I hope it works this time.

blackjetta18t1

I have a galla of noises, ranging from a knocking noise from the front left end of the suspension, to rattles, creaks, etc etc and when I would bring it up certain somebodeis would bite my head off. My cousin picked up his brand new 02 loaded Silver Jetta 1.8T in the summer, and that night with the music on, bass on 2, and 0 and negative range, rattles from the rear left/right door panels. I love the car but if VW wants to go luxury, they better take care of these quality control issues, especailly since BMW is going ahead with production of a 1 series aimed at the Jetta....anyone smell a race?

justin

I can certainly identify with having car problems. My Honda Civic had problems from day one. But instead of complain, I got rid of it. Seriously, I know that everyone has car problems. Even me. My Jetta is not perfect. But I wonder - for the money - what do people expect? I know some people say, "well my Protege didn't rattle"....well, it did something, or else why did you get rid of it then? It obviously had problems. I had a 99 VR6 Jetta GLS, got rid of it, and regretted it for a year. Both cars I had replaced it with just were not the same. Different problems, but still, problems. I think you have to pick a car, and love it, and understand that outside of a Lexus LS430, you will hear things. Love your car, rattles and all. NO CAR is immune. I know that my statement falls on deaf ears, but in reality, it is the ONLY way to stay sane.

Trust me, a 3 series BMW is nothing but trouble, how could BMW get a 1 series to be reliable/durable, for less money? The last BMW 3 series that was durable came out in the early 90's. I personally don't see BMW being able to compete with VW on a mass market car like a Jetta or Focus or Sentra or whatever. Not and be able to keep what little prestige they have left intact.

blueguydotcom

I've had my car in 4 times with nary a rattle relieved. done the test drives, left the car for a day several times and still it rattles.

BTW, what state are you in? In CA taking a car in 3 times for a rattle doesn't qualify the car for lemon status. I can take the car in 1000 times for rattling it wouldn't matter in the eyes of the law as it's not considered a mechanical defect.

Justin...your for the money excuse is WAY off base. People pay half the cost of a Jetta and get used Japanese cars without a single buzz or rattle. My 10 year old Stanza with 150k miles doesn't rattle and I beat that car down hard - yes that's anecdotal and therefore useless. Still, when one buys a brand new product one should expect that product to be flawless for at least a year. Anything less is unacceptable.

What little prestige BMW has left? BMW is essentially it in the near luxury market for coupes and sedans. No other manufacturer makes RWD, manual coupes and sedans with great handling and solid safety and engineering. Acura? nope, all FWD autos...bad ones at that. Infiniti? Nope. Lexus? IS is sorta nice but not on the level of a 3 series. That's really it. The X-type's AWD and Audi is either AWD or FWD. MB's trying with the C series but a close look at them reveals many cost-cutting corners. If someone wants a 30-40k RWD, manual-based, great handling car with some style and grace it's really only BMW.

vocus

I mean I still love the car though. The handling, power, comfort, and everything else about the car is great. I just want the rattles settled down.

I know the car can't be taken back because of rattles, but it just makes me that mad sometimes. At least my dealer is understanding about the whole deal and is willing to work with me on it.

Justin: I got rid of the Protege for the Jetta because I just felt like I was missing something in the Protege. It was a great car, but when I drove the 1.8T Jetta, I just couldn't go back. I guess that would mean I traded up for the power then.

blueguydotcom

I love the safe feeling I have in my Jetta too. The 1.8T puts a grin on my face every drive. The interior's almost above reproach. Really my biggest problems with my Jetta are the incessant rattling and the sloppy handling. I can fix the handling, but I would prefer not to do so until the VW morons get rid of the rattles. I don't want to blow aftermarket cash on a car that I wish will get stolen or totalled every day.

justin

now we are comparing a RWD BMW with a Jetta? And yes, you could buy a used Nissan or even a new Corolla or whatever. It might NEVER rattle. But is it a Jetta? Not even close. There are hundreds of reasons you bought your Jettas. Enjoy them! Get the rattles fixed if possible. If not, think long and hard about what your next car is going to be. It might not rattle, but you can't in reality expect it not have problems. You trade one problem for another. I mean, if the 3 series is so great - go get it! I have a feeling that most people agree - very few people buy the BMW because of the fact that it is RWD. Most people buy them for the name. And yes, the BMW is a great performer, but we are talking reliability here. Find me a BMW that does not have problems, and I will buy it. Only with BMW, you get to pay even more for repairs. And you can't get anywhere in the snow. I don't pretend to buys cars for performance only. That is why to me, the Jetta is a better buy than a BMW. They feel and look the same, and I could care less about RWD or the BMW name. I mean, come on, I drove a Hyundai and a Honda after all

Have fun in your VW's. They are great cars! Let's try to be positive about them. They know when you try to diss them. And you wonder why they aren't treating you well....;)

sarah233

are making me rattle paranoid. I heard one the other day, but it was my garage door opener rattling around. Then I heard another one, and it was my club rattling around. Other than that, I haven't heard any, but I sure am on the lookout. Unless this car turns into a total lemon, I will NEVER get a Honda again, and I had two of them with no problems. So boring, so wimpy. (OK, it was reliable, but so was my ex-boyfriend.) Jetta rocks!

greggt007

i too am getting paranoid. i picked up my jetta exactly a month ago and i remember reading this board and worrying about reliability and rattling. so far so good, knock on wood. i wonder how annoying it really is. too bad the day i picked up my car it had a dent in the rear fender and the saleslady said right then, well you cant expect a car to be perfect. i was like are you kidding me. they are repairing it when i have time to go to the dealer 250 miles away. but i am graduating in a week, jobless. and today i open the rear door and notice a rust spot in the door jam. nice. but i cant wait for the break in period to over so i can enjoy the 1.8t part.

akangl

Ok, now I'm not picking on anyone, but everytime I read the posts in here its people complaining about rattles. I mean its a car, its not perfect, nor will it ever be. Turn up the music and ignore it!! My 01 Jetta rattled, but ya know what, I learned to live with it. I never one time brought it up to the dealer because it didn't matter to me. Life is too short to be worrying about such trivial things.

I figured my Jetta had a right to rattle, it got run down gravel roads on a daily basis, heck every vehicle I have owned has rattled. That includes a 1990 Nissan Stanza. I currently drive a 98 Grand Cherokee, it rattles and clunks too.

Now I can see you asking why did I sell my Jetta? I never intended on keeping it when I got it, I leased it to get out of a high payment on a minivan. It was too small and no practical for my family. I did enjoy the car in the year I had it though. I would buy another VW in a heartbeat.

vocus

I got into a little stoplight derby last night, for fun. This guy in a BMW 325is (the 2.5 liter ones from 1995 or so) pulled up next to me and started revving his engine. I just sat there, laughing to myself. So the light changes and he hits the gas, and so did I (about 1/2 of the way down). He moves out ahead for a sec, then I push it all the way down. I told on tight to the wheel as the turbo spools, the engine revs to 6500 rpm, and the tranny drops first gear at 50 mph. As I clicked off second at about 60 (lifted the gas a little), I had toasted him. And I don't wanna hear about racing and all that either, I know it was dumb. But I wanted that little boy to think next time before he messed with people in his daddy's BMW.