Volkswagen Jetta 2005 and earlier

venus537

i just saw some jettas with the chrome tips. they do stick out slightly from the bumper (which has a slight cut out for them). so, if you had the chrome tips you would definitely know it for sure. the regular exhaust pipes are a similar color as chrome.

moparbad: CR now rates reliability for the jetta as average. the same as the golf. like you said, below toyota and above chrylser.

justin

These boards are sometimes here to help would be consumers make up their mind. But look back at the posts - not the NUMBER of posts - but the actual topics. Could we talk about some NEW problems, please? Stop playing the same old song? And seriously, what totally kills me is that someone would come in here and say "I didn't buy a Jetta because on all of the Edmunds boards, the Jetta has the most negative experiences". That is seriously the farthest thing from the truth. Again, the problems that Jettas have are the same ones, stated again and again by mostly the same people.

And here is something else I don't get - someone please help me out. I am not being a smarta$% either.....If someone decides not to buy a Jetta, why are they still here lurking, telling of "experiences" and giving opinions on the car? If you don't have a Jetta - how can you address this topic of the VW Jetta with any knowledge and authority?

blueguydotcom

I think you'll see the same response often because newbies will enter the board and not bother reading back but instead request that owners provide feedback. So we all repeat the same things over.

I like to direct people to vortex too. Even if most of the people there are rabid speed freaks, there is some information to be skimmed from the site.

vocus

It's alot harder to navigate that site than it in this one. And I find the info there pretty right on though. They might be speed freaks, but they know their cars very well.

mvs1

answer the question! Don't dodge it. Flaws that that one would consider yet another would like.

newcar31

This whole discussion started when I posted about the new VR6 6sp Jetta. I was admiring it, not trashing it. Then the comments about "take the dive" and "all cars have problems" and "you shouldn't consider reliability when purchasing a car" and "a car is not most people's second biggest investment (purchase)". I can't help but respond to these ridiculous comments. If you read my post, I did not base my purchase decision soley on edmunds posts or the number of edmunds posts. They were *part* of my decision. I still lurk here because I like cars. I lurk at other boards too. Are you gonna be OK with that?

vocus

I was actually the one that said about taking the dive and stuff like that. I bought a 2001 Protege back in Feb. 2001 because the Jetta's reliability and short warranty scared me off. But then it improved enough to be recommended, there have been less problems, and the warranty was more than doubled. You should consider reliability when purchasing a car, but you shouldn't let that be the only thing in making your decision. That's what I think anyway. And all factors considered, I like the Jetta better so I decided to buy one.

I have a couple rattles and a screwy radio, but that's it thus far. I had more problems with the Protege when new, and it's a more reliable car according to stats.

justin

newcar:

I say, the more the merrier. Lurk away. What wouldn't make sense to me would be for you, FOR EXAMPLE, not bashing you or anything bad, to be commenting on a car that you don't drive. I wouldn't dream of lurking in a room and answering questions/giving tainted advice about a car that I don't know about. It doesn't help anyone out. You have to admit though, you must really like the Jetta if you don't have one, but still cruise the boards I don't blame you - it is a nice car. Certainly not a boring one - that's for sure.

mvs:

Say again - I don't understand what you mean. I will answer any question, I just understand what you mean for me to "not dodge".

newcar31

When was I answering questions and giving tainted advice? And how do you know what I know and don't know about Jettas?

justin

Do you see in my post, in BIG letters, "FOR EXAMPLE"? I was saying, IF you did that, it would be lame, not THAT you do that. Chill.

mvs1

You made a comment referring to how one person might think a vehicles flaw is an asset to another(I'm paraphrasing here). So, tell me something about the car (Jetta) that is a flaw or problem but another will like that same problem or flaw, get it!, good. I for one would never consider the amount of time my Jetta spent at the dealer because of various problems a benefit.

As far as making comments on a vehicle you don't own, I don't get that one. I personally have relatives and friends that work directly for auto manufacturers, dealers, and are mechanics, and have the knowledge and offer it freely. I've had the opportunity to drive many cars I don't own, and would be a reliable source of information and/or to make a comment for a given question, I'm sure that this rings true for others.

mullyjet

I am financing my 2001 Jetta GLX through VW Credit. I bought the car in May, but despite me calling 3 times to insure that they had my correct address, they did not send me my first bill until after it was due. Despite me paying the second i received it and VW Credit assuring me that this would not show as a late payment because it was their screw up, it has showed as me being late 4 times in the last 9 months on a recent credit report. Does anyone have a name or an email address for VW Credit so I can speak to someone other than the annoying customer support people that tell me nothing can be done?

thanks

mullyjet

i have a 2001 glx vr6 and have been noticing a grinding (like holding turning the key too long after the car has been running) during start ups since it has gotten cold. anyone else experiencing that? is it normal?

driver_found

I apologize if you've already covered this topic. I couldn't find any posts on it. Been to dealer 4 times in 1st 4 months of ownership for check engine light. I've been in a rental for 4 days now while dealer works with engineers at VW. They are claiming that it is because I use 93 octane fuel (every tank since I drove it off the lot - it now has 11K miles). They have replaced knock sensor twice, some other sensor, done an induction cleaning and tomorrow it gets a new ECM.

They are recommending a lower octane such as 89. They say the higher octane is leaving a carbon buildup and causing misfires. Has anyone else experienced/heard of this problem?

mvs1

That's what I was recently told caused the problem for my car not starting. And may be commonplace for the 1.8t engine. Although, I seem to have gotten different advise at the time of purchase. The dealer/salesman stated to never use any grade above 87, due to the fact that these engines are suppose to operate between 175-190 degrees. As all know, the the octane rating is just a measure of combustibility. Don't know how accurate the salesman was but I figured I'd share. Since we all seem to have the same problems or should those be considered benefits!!!

justin

using 93 octane in any car that does not recommend 93 octane is bad news. the jetta says it runs on regular unleaded, 87, but prefers 91. well, we don't have 91 in my area, only 89 and 93 I believe. no way am i paying more for gas, and having it mess up my car. 89 works fine in my car. have not tried 87.

mvs1:

i think you know you are being a little silly. that is cool - these board should lighten up a little bit sometimes of course, if a car is in the shop, it is not good. my point is that people complain because the engine is too punchy, or the backseat too small, or the suspension too soft, or the cupholders not right, or the seats too hard, or what have you. these are all reasons someone else (including me, with the car being small and soft suspension) actually bought the car. again, if your car is in the shop because it won't start, has left you stranded, that is a problem. but that is not the case usually. i consider us as a group, LUCKY. i know some people here talk a lot of BS, because if everyone TRUTHFULLY read the other boards, they would see horror stories of cars leaving them stranded on railroad tracks, airbags not deploying, etc. hasn't happened in this forum yet. so, some people have rattles. I DID TOO. I got them fixed at the dealer where I bought the car. easy. and again, you better believe that i would not take advice from someone about a certain kind of car, if that person does not own that car, or at least drive that car on the daily. crap, then i could comment on all cars too. but i don't kid myself. i stick with what i know - that being the car i own. to each his own i guess.

target3

Has anyone had any issues with the Tiptronic system? I am trying to decide whether to go with it, rather than a manual transmission.

vocus

Tiptronic: I have almost 6000 miles on my car, and no issues with the Tiptronic yet. I think it does shift a little harshly when downshifting for braking though. That's the only thing I don't like about it.

Octane: Now that I remember, it does recommend 91 octane for the turbo. I have used 93 since day one, and no problems yet. Should I switch to 89? I wanna now ASAP because I am almost empty now and need to refill from fuel-light-on status. Thanks.

akangl

I used 90 octane in my 01 Jetta GLS 1.8T because there wasn't a higher grade available in Alaska. I never used 87 in it, always 90 and the car did great. I'd say the overall mileage during the time I owned it (20K miles) was about 30 mpg and that was city and highway driving. The only problem I ever had with the car was the throttle body control unit at 6500 miles.

xud

I will give you one example that a feature is a flaw to some but is good to others - the knob that adjusts the seat angle in the Jetta. I remember blueguy (or someone else) said that he did not like the knob because he has to twist his arm to adjust, and that he prefers to use a lever to adjust seat angle. To me it's totally the opposite, I like the knob, because it allows me to adjust the seat angle continuously and precisely, with a wide angle range. Therefore I can find a comfortable position. And I hate the lever seat adjuster in the 2000 Honda Accord EX that I owned for only 11 months, it can only lock in a few angles, and none of them is comfortable to me (none of them is upright enough). The angle of the seat in the Honda was too backward to me that every time I drove it I would have
a neck pain! And that was one of the main reasons that I took a loss and sold it after bought it new for only 11 months. And I am happy with my decision. I can testify to you that everytime
when I drove the Honda Accord I felt tired and bored. But now everytime I drive my new 2002 Jetta 1.8T I enjoy the driving and
don't feel tired at all.

blueguydotcom

Every person unfamiliar with my car complains about changing the seat back angle when they're shown the inane knob mechanism. It takes concerted effort to do something as simple as adjusting the rake 15 degrees. It's a huge design flaw and one of the only interior components that I find severely lacking in an otherwise impeccable interior.

vocus

A couple of years ago, I saw a special on 20/20 about people who were rear-ended in GM cars with reclining seatbacks. The seatbacks broke and dropped them into the back seat, because of the force. With the typical reclining seatback, there is only a little piece in there holding the seatback upright. (My friend's 96 Cavalier's seat is kinda pushed back more than it should be now from 5 years of hard driving.) In the Jetta, the recliner is stronger and would hold the seat more likely I would think. I also have back problems and enjoy being able to make a fine adjustment to the recliner. The "notch" recliners always leave the seat in an uncomfortable position for me. But in the Jetta, I don't have to worry about that.

Also, how many times do you have to worry about changing the seatback's angle anyway, Blueguy?

justin

I like the fact that the seat back angle can be adjusted more accurately with the knob, but I do not like actually having to turn it. Oh well, that is what a GLX is for I guess. I BOUGHT THE CAR ANYWAY. Not complaining....:)

blueguydotcom

I'm not complaining on my behalf but for all the poor passengers who climb into the car and must hassle for a few minutes with that knob.

GLX is not an option...it's got the nose heavy VR6. I'd have gladly paid for electric seats on the 1.8T. Leather woulda been grand on the Wolfsburg too, but alas in 2001 finding a leather 1.8T was tougher than getting a Ford Pinto with a V8.

vocus

Makes sense about the power seats. I have the Leather package, and wish it would have included the power seat option at least for the driver.

I have trouble with passengers, because they always turn the lumbar support knob for recliner or else thing the height adjuster rachet on the side is for reclining. That's their problem though.

blueguydotcom

Gotta admit it's sorta funny to see someone crank the seat lever more and more and it keeps rising and rising. They look around all confused and then with their heads pressed against the roof sheepishly ask, "Um...how do I recline the seat?"

justin

My mother always gets flabbergasted when trying to bring the seat up to the steering wheel when she drives my car. Makes me chuckle, seeing her get all red and irritated. Then she starts laughing....oh well, have to be there. It is funny.

Well, I think it has been over a month since my Jetta has been washed. Being silver, it doesn't look half-bad, but the wheels! My god - gotta love that German brake dust!

vocus

Shame on you! My car gets washed at least once every 2 weeks. My wheels have NO brake dust on them at all. The biggest problem I have right now is salt accumulation on the tires from our recent (piddly) snowfall in Maryland. I do need to wash the car though. One thing about Cool White is that it doesn't look half-bad even when it's really dirty. But you start to see the black on it not long after though.

teo

Any news on the next generation Golf/Jetta?

justin

I am not sure about the next gen Golf/Jetta. try VWVORTEX.com.

Who needs next generation version anyway? This one is just right. Just like the early 90's Accords. Should not be messed with

teo

Well, I have my "beefs" with the current generation of these cars. Sure, they are better than the Golf/Jetta III platform of years ago, but these little critters are getting long in the tooth by now specially in the quality and reliability arena (Too many rattles early on, engine issues, etc).

I would consider a new Jetta if the rear seat leg room would be increased to at least 36 inches.

Again, I think these cars are nice but have too many engrained bugs that will only go away (Hopefully) on the next redesign.

Agree, improve on the current model, don't mess the thing up.

mvs1

First your arguing two points. The first being that the precision of the adjustment is great, yet the knob itself is a flaw. I'd be inclined to agree. The knob for anyone with a larger hand is a pain. But all seem to agree that the knob design is flawed. I happen to hate that feature, power seats would aliviate that problem altogether.

Justin, I'm actually this anal all the time. With a dash of dry humor Engine punchy, it's a turbo so expected. Small back seat, well it's classified as a sub-compact. Cup holders, yes better positions than above the radio. As far as the octane, I use 87 in all my cars. The Lexus that I drive calls for premium, yet the dealer agrees it's unnessasary also.

Ah, my 93' Accord EX 5-speed they don't make em like that anymore

mvs1

This was posted in the RX300 board, fitting that it is a recent topic of interest here.

http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/features/2001/november/200111_feature_gasoline.xml

justin

We agree on some things. See, I like that! I have said before to Vocus. I think that the current Jettas are going to have the 93 Accord status and desirability, even ten years down the road. The 93 Accords looked perfect, drove like a dream, had nice interiors with good content, and just felt....not cheap. They don't make them like that anymore. There are problems with the Jetta, but if VW is like all the other car companies, the Jetta will probably improve with the redesign, but lose all personality too

venus537

ten years is a long time in the car business ...

to get peak performance and gas mileage from the turbo, you need to use at least 91 octane gas. this not a difficult concept to understand. will the car still run fine with lesser octane? yes. that's because VW knows there are mental midgets out there who will not use at least 91 octane gas in their 1.8t cars. VW can explain to you're blue in the face that you will not be saving any money becuase of the loss gas mileage, but people will still buy the cheaper gas.

justin

Be careful there.....not sure about YOU, but I am anything but a "mental midget". I use 89 octane. It is BETTER to use a lower octane than your car prefers, than to use a HIGHER one. Common knowledge. Around here, there is no 91 octane gas that I can find. You get 87, 89, or 93. NOT 91! Your engine can be HARMED when 93 octane is used. Not harmed when 89 is used. Simple as that. Yes, the timing is retarded a little bit with 89 octane, but there is no harm. When you use 93, the only other octane choice, you run the very real risk of harming the engine. Doesn't take 10 years in the business to come to the realization that using a lower octane vs. a higher one is not only cheaper, but less harmful to your car.

vocus

Actually, in certain parts of the country, they do have 91 octane as "premium", usually in higher elevations. Maybe that's what VW meant when they said to use 91, in those circumstances. I have used 93 since the day my car was new, and never had a problem. My last tank averaged 25.14 mpg with a slightly heavy foot, but mostly highway driving, on 93 fuel.

This one station I have seen in the Baltimore area does have 92 octane gas. Maybe I will use that to see if it makes any difference one tank.

justin

wasn't saying that 91 octane is not available somewhere, was just saying that, where i live, it is not available. in reality, gas is gas is gas is gas. not on my list of priorities. but, when someone labels others as less than smart, they should be aware of the facts. right? right.

xud

Justin, I remember the Jetta manual says that premium (91 octane or higher?) is REQUIRED
for the 1.8T. So I don't understand why you think octane 89 better octane 93 when octane 91
is not available. Are you sure using higher octane than required will harm the engine?

Anyway, I've always used octane 93 since in NYC 91 is not available in most gas stations. My fuel economy has been consistently above 28 mpg since week 2. My last tank reached 30 mpg with about 90% highway and 10% city driving. My car is manual, by the way.

vocus

I know using a higher octane in a car that recommends 87 will cause carbon build-up. I am not sure using premium in the Jetta would cause the same or not.

I do know on the gas flap, it says "premium required", because I looked last night when refueling.

blackjetta18t1

if someone were to use 93 octane on the Jetta 2.0, what risks are being taken?

teo

None. Perhaps better performance, better mileage and a cleaner running engine.

venus537

straight from the manual except for the word "minimum" being used in all upper case:

1.8t engine

"the fuel recommended for your vehicle is unleaded premium grade gasoline with a MINIMUM octane rating of 91"

91 octane isn't available in my area either so i use 93 octane for my VR6. if anyone is being harmful to their car, it may be you.

slade65

Planning to buy 1.8t within the next 10 days. Would very much appreciate what I should expect to pay over invoice [or under MSRP]. I live in NJ, just outside of Philly, and any positive [or negative] Dealer recommendations would also be appreciated.

nuride

did anyone hear about the volkswagen 1999-2001 recall for exhaust systems? Are these only for 2.0 engines or all vw's?

vocus

I have an automatic 1.8T I bought in Maryland on 11/3/01 and paid $700 under MSRP. You should be paying about $500-700 over invoice (I paid $900 over invoice way back then). Check the TMV from the Edmunds' home page for the car and equipment you want. And don't pay more than that. You might also try emailing different dealers for price quotes and working the cheapest two for the best deal.

aem1979

Last week i was driving on the highway and hit some sort of object, possibly metal. i was going about 65. My driver side air bags went off. i nearly got into an accident because of the airbags. There was no damage to my car on the outside, so i was wondering if anyone else has heard of the airbags being too sensitive. Most people i talk to say if there's no damage to the car the airbags should not have opened and i shouldn't have to pay my insurance deductible because vw should take care of the repairs.. It costs over a $1000 to replace the airbags..

Any info on this would be appreciated, thanks...

lroche1

I'm looking into purchasing a 98 or 99 Jetta. I've never known anyone to have a Jetta with an automatic transmission, but would prefer that to a manual. How reliable is the automatic? Are there any significant drawbacks to getting an automatic instead of a manual?

blackjetta18t1

yea i heard something about a recall on the news but can't seem to find anyhting about it online...i heard its somethign about carbon monoxide or something....anyone have more info, will VW let us know??

boobmbl

Does anyone know how fast a 2002 Jetta TDI goes from 0-60? Also, what is the spec for a 1.8T 2002 Jetta's 0-60? Thanks.