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Comments
My point is that cars are not made from one solid block of steel. Lots can happen on the assembly line and whether you buy a Kia or a Lexus, stuff is going to go wrong. Also, remember this is a place for people who have problems to come for answers and advice, so I won't disappoint you.
If you have rattles, I recommend taking your car to two people other than the dealer - a reputable independent mechanic who specializes in VW, and a reputable body shop. I had another 2000 Jetta (got totalled) that came off the lot with a wind noise next to the c-pillar. Dealer agreed when I told him I had it checked out. They gave me a loaner and sent my car to their body shop who adjusted the door perfectly - no more wind noise. Keep trying, guys, and in the meantime, enjoy your cars.
Fisch...hmmm...
<<If you have rattles, I recommend taking your car to two people other than the dealer - a reputable independent mechanic who specializes in VW, and a reputable body shop. >>
You're joking, right? People pay 20k+ for this car and they're supposed to take it to a place that won't honor VW's already pathetic warranty? That's really funny.
Then go to the dealer a more informed consumer, maybe even with something in writing. I've done this before when dealers (not VW) have balked at making a repair under warranty and it works. A friend of mine had a Dodge minivan that broke its sepentine belt drive pulley 1000 miles after the warranty. He used my method to prove to the dealer that the defect existed long before the breakage, and guess what? It was fixed free of charge.
I wanna get the engine "chipped", but don't know how to go about it. Also, what do you all think the HP would go up to? And will the auto tranny support the extra output?
I've ridden in chipped 1.8Ts and they're intoxicating. If you think there's a rush now with the 1.8T, wait until it's chipped. Wow!
BTW, I forgot you've got a Tiptronic. That sorta changes everything. I have no idea how one drags with a slushbox. Whenever I drive an auto I find my left foot smashing into the floorboard all the time. It's maddening.
My co-worker has a 2001 GLX stick and was wondering about chipping too. The APR setup sounds cool. I will have to get in touch with them and ask if it works with the Tiptronic.
BTW, I drive in traffic too. I'm willing to endure clutch work for the fun I get when I'm not in bumper-to-bumper.
i am not sure i would chip anything. it seems like you would just buy the car that makes that much HP out of the box. 240 HP can be had in many cars nowadays - nice ones. i wonder if there is anyone out there that has chipped a car, but left the looks alone. so many of these chipped/tweaked cars have no class. it would be excellent to chip it, tell NO ONE, and surprise the hell out of people. that would impress me. when these chipped low riding cars blow by, i usually just laugh. have you seen the Type R Civics? And the "M" BMW's, that are far from being true M's? that is comedy. What is up with that? Can we talk about why people take a perfectly nice car and ruin it? Don't they lose resale value? Oops, I kind of rambled there....
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.
Well, I don't know many high school kids that drive a newer Honda Civic or Mazda Protege. I do see lots of GEN-Xers driving around in their Jetta's with those tacky European plates and their OBX stickers. ;-)))
-Larry
We used to always kid that the Civic/Integra duo were teenie-bopper and secretary cars.
Around here, all HS kids/punks/wannabe thugs drive ONLY Civics or Integras. Some Protege's, though they are so altered in appearance you can't really tell. Which stinks, because a Protege doesn't look half bad when it comes from the factory. Too bad it has to accelerate the way it does (or doesn't). Of course, that is why they are chipped, right?
Back to OBX. Does that mean you like the Outer Banks? You have been there? You have heard about it? Your initials are OBX? I gotta know!
It is particularly nice there in the winter - nothing like a long walk at night in the cold weather beside those pounding waves with the moon shining brightly across the ocean.
There may be other interpretations of OBX and other uses for it now, but I'd bet just about anything that the sticker originated there. It was originally designed to differentiate the locals from the tourists, but it's too late for that - it really caught on. Here in southeastern Virginia (2 hours north of the outer banks), there seem to be more vehicles sporting that sticker than not.
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board
-Larry
I know what you are getting at - that Jetta yuppies are being pretentious with the plates you see. They might very well be..;)
BMW has excellent engines and no [non-permissible content removed] Car can match those engines. And for the record I have to tell you that Honda and Toyota break down as often as Jetta.
As for Bimmer, I think they make gorgeous, great handling, wonderful feeling cars. But, I just don't trust them. Some of it is based on the past electrical problems, some from anecdotes and a bit from actual news stories about weird electronic malfunctions. Mechnically those teutonic engineers rule the world. You can litterally bash the heck out a Bimmer (and Porsche and MB), drive with broken belts, etc and those cars will endure (I have friends who've done all of the above with their BMWs).
BMW's inline 6 is a thing of beauty. But then again, Lexus' inline 6 is exceptionally strong too. The same 6 that rests in an IS300 has been tuned to deliver over 1000 HP in a Supra. Obviously there's something special about that engine. And while I may knock VTEC (Vanishing Torque in the Engine Compartment), I do accept the engineering feat Honda's achieved squeezing 240 HP out of a 4 cylinder engine.
I have to disagree though. I know with my whole heart (and brain) that in the 90's-2k's, the Japanese cars are no more reliable than the Germans, or even Koreans. Now, they could be more reliable than a mid-90's Chrysler...;) But seriously, the Japanese mfgr's just don't put their heart in it anymore I guess. Not saying they are horrible - they just are not any BETTER than anyone else anymore. Playing field is even now.
They are not real. Just replicas of Euro license plates. In Pa., the DMV only requires plates on the rear of vehicles. Sooo, folks are free to add vanity plates to the front of their car. You can order or pick up the Euro vanity plates from different auto accessary shops. Last week, I saw a Euro Plate on the front of a severely modified Honda Civic Hatchback! Duhhh, pretty tacky!
-Larry
-Vocus
I have a pair of 2000 Pro-ES's both with 31,000 miles. I rate these two cars and my previous 1994 Toyota Corolla DX the most reliable cars I have every owned. I have not had any problems with my MAZDA Protege's with 62,000+ combined miles. NO squeaks or rattles, no problems! I will not purchase a domestic in the near future. The design and build quality is much better with imports.
I would like to take a verry close look at the V-Dub Passat in a couple of years. I just love the German designs! I will cross shop the Honda Accord, and for "snits and giggles" the Nissan Altima.
-Larry
Why would I spend 25k for a Honda Accord coupe with a V6 engine when I can get a BMW 325 for 27k ?
I just barely give the door of my Jetta a flip and it closes firmly with a nice "thunk" sound. The Honda made a hollow kind of sound that echoed throughout the car when you closed the door.
Does anyone else hate it when passengers slam the door of your Jetta? I say, "Hey man, this is a German car. Take it easy on the door!"
As for the solidness, yeah the Jetta feels great. And that Golf platform is very safe - I also had the pleasure of sitting in a 01 Golf that was T-boned by a moron running a red at 40 mph.
And no the electrical problems of Bimmers are not a thing of the past. Read up. X5's been in for a myriad of odd recalls. Three year old 3 series are still going in for freakish electrical problems too.
The one big bonus of a brand new 3/5 series is the 4 years of free tune-ups. That's a lot of peace of mind. And as I'm leaning toward leasing (business reasons), this could work well for me. And that M3 just keeps calling out to me.
BMW electrical problems are way old to mention. I just dont trust XXX(not a very nice word, Aaron) cars anymore either. They feel WEAK. I like the solid feel of German cars.
Why would I spend 25k for a Honda Accord coupe with a V6 engine when I can get a BMW 325 for 27k ?".
Aaron following your logic, WHY would I spend $25,400 for fully loaded V-Dub Jetta (small sedan), when I can get a BMW 325 entry level luxury car for $26,900????
-Larry
How many miles do you have on the Jetta thus far anyway? Just curious.
I just turned 4000 miles on my 2002 GLS 1.8T today actually. Had the car for 6 weeks (tomorrow it will be).
-Paul King
2 of the same kind of cars in the same household?
Well Paul, since we are good friends? You know the very long story of why my wife and I both drive identical cars and I doubt anyone here on this board really cares, anyway. Nevertheless, We both fell in love with our present vehicles. If you would like me to repeat the detailed story, e-mail me at larryisfishion@aol.com. I will be glad to recount the story.
On-the-other hand, Golf vs. Protege?
a.) I don't care for the boxy look of the V-Dub Golf.
b.) The 4-door hatchback equipped similar to the 4-door PRO-ES was selling for about $19,650 in 2000. $15,350 vs. $19,650 times two, a differance of $8,600. Yikes! Too expensive for my budget in 2000. For that kind of money, we could have purchased 4 cyl. Honda Accords
c.) As you know me personally, the Golf was a tad cramped for me. :-)))
d.) Back in March of 2000 Consumer Reports were not recommending the small V-Dubs.
-Larry
Here's one - I actually wanted a Golf for the cargo advantages of a hatchback, but my wife said only geeks drove them. She said I had to have a car with a trunk. Honestly, I don't know why I followed her direction and bought the Jetta (I usually say "thant's nice, hon," and then do what I want). I do love the Jet, though. Hey, maybe I'll sell the minivan and get that Golf!! 2 VW's!
I have 7100 miles on my 6 and a half month old Jetta. I drive my old car once in awhile and business trips also help keep the mileage down. Also, if going out I'm usually inclined toward taking friends' cars as I don't like the barrage of questions about all the rattles and buzzing emanating from the Jetta's interior.
7100 miles in 6 months? That doesn't seem like alot, especially since I have 4000 in 6 WEEKS.
Second, I would be the third owner this car has had since Feb. of 2000. Should that be cause for concern? Carfax didn't turn up anything negative. Just wondering if there is anything else I can do to ensure that I'm not buying someone else's problem.
Thanks for any help you guys can provide.
I had four Accords before my current Jetta and I never had any tin sound from shutting the doors. Anyway, you'll find the current Accord a much more substantial car than a 94 Accord also. Even the trunk lid shuts with a solid thump. I don't know why anyone would get the Civic EX model, when for not that much more you can get a LX Accord. You get so much more for the money.
The slamming door situation:
I have had people slam my doors too. They always seem to people who drive American cars.
GLS Seat Fabric:
I noticed that the new 2002 GLS models coming out now have a new seat fabric. It looks like the new design will not be such a lint magnet like my seats. Has anybody else notice the new seats?