Volkswagen Jetta 2005 and earlier

vocus

I drove to work (38 miles) today and hit several bumps. NOT ONE rattle anywhere! I am in total love now!

Although the service people took a pack of gum out of my car (thieving, that's real nice), I am very satisfied with the work. I will be calling the dealer and asking which one is the clepto though...

justin

hello??!! they used the gum to fix the rattles. don't be so picky!! kidding.

vocus

I don't care that they took the gum (which I couldn't prove anyway), but still that's messed up. I am just glad they fixed the rattles though. And that was funny, they used the gum.

milka1

Hi,
I'm interested in the jetta, and like it's firm seats. I prefer the velour seats to leather but have noticed from a friend's '99 Jetta that the leather seats are still very firm now. How are the velour seats?...for those who have velour seats, have the kept their firmness over time as well?

Thanks in advance

vocus

I will tell you from trying both, you might not like the velour. I did not, and I have the leather in my 2002 1.8T GLS. I got a loaner with the velour, and found it "holds on" to your clothes when you get out (and that's not too comfortable either, esp. when you are a guy, let me tell ya!). The velour also holds lots of lint too. On the day I drove this loaner with black velour, I had on a white sweatshirt. The center armrest was covered with white lint within 10 minutes of me getting into the car. Not fun to have to clean up if you own one of these cars. Just think about that before you guy velour.

Firmness: My Jetta's seats have not lost their firmness, and I have 12K on my 2002 GLS. They are a good kinda firm though, but it might take a little getting used to. It did for me, but I like the seats alot now.

Anakin

I own two dogs. Neither of them have EVER been in my Jetta. To look at the interior, you would think they live there.

Every piece of lint, hair, fuzz, or microbe will get transferred onto the velour seats. I regret not buying the leather every day. It's the only thing I regret about this car.

I spent 45 minutes on Saturday with some duct tape and the auto vac cleaning the seats off. Still wasn't able to get them 100% clean.

The cloth seats in my previous Accord only took about 10 minutes with the auto vac, and they would be spotless.

If I can save just one person from the Lint Brush Seats, I will consider myself to have made the world a better place.

vocus

I decided to get the leather seats only for the multi-function steering wheel and the lumbar support (both only available with leather). I was glad I did when I read the posts here about the velour, as well as after I drove that loaner car.

xud

My 2002 Jetta has black velour seats. It does not look that dirty. Perhaps the
velour gets improved for 2002? Anyway It's not an issue to me so far. I chose velour for two
reasons: 1) less expensive 2) more comfortable IMHO (it does not feel too
hot in summer and too cold in winter). But I agree that leather looks nicer, cleaner,
and more luxurious.

sarah233

my ONLY complaint about leather is that stuff slides around on it. Other than that, it's great. I love the seat heaters and the multi-function steering wheel that comes with it too. I have beige seats, and they are not hard to keep clean. I clean them once every 2-3 weeks.

blueguydotcom

In 2001 it was essentially impossible to find a 1.8T manual with leather. All the manuals went into the blasted Wolfsburg Edition. My worst fears about fabric have been confirmed with the numerous odd stains that have shown up in my car (only 9 months old)...most are on the backseat and two on the passenger's seat. No food has been in the car either! Oh well.

For me, it's leather from here on out, no doubt.

vocus

The car I spoke of with the black velour inside was a 2002 (the loaner), and it had alot of lint build-up from my white sweatshirt after resting my arm on the center amrest for 10 minutes. Too much to clean, I think. I like the leather better, because it's easier to keep clean and makes the car smell very nice as well.

wantsmallcar

Thoughts/comparisons? My search has taken me from being decided on a Jetta, to finding used A4's in the same price range and checking them out, to now looking at TL's. They are all fun cars, though for some reason the Jetta is dear to my heart, once I get over the Brazil/Mexico mfg.

regfootball

VW offer "leatherette" in the Jetta and Passat?

In the A4, its quite nice.

German leatherette is better than GM Ford and Chrysler leather.

rlui1

I'd have reliability concerns about a used A4 (check out the Audi postings). Although they're not in the same class, I also shopped and compared the TL and Jetta 1.8T. The TL is larger, has excellent acceleration and its ride is very smooth compared to the Jetta (apples and oranges). However, my Jetta 1.8T is quick, nimble, fun to drive and costs thousand less than the TL. It really depends on what you want how much you want to spend. I think both cars are a great value! And oh...the Jetta looks way better!!!

justin

not sure why VW doesn't offer it. They only offer it in Audi models and in the Beetle. Interesting....

i would stay away from TL's because I have read that they are often stolen for parts since the parts fit the Accord. and we know all about Accords....high insurance.

vocus

My dad's friend and another friend of mine are both locksmiths, with my friend specializing in car locks. She said that a Honda/Acura product can be opened with a PAPER CLIP by an experienced thief, that's how weak their door locks are. That is really sad.

I don't know why they don't offer leatherette in the Jetta. What's the big difference between that and real leather anyway? I am just curious. Is the leatherette a cheaper quality or something?

vocus

I just realized last night that when they fixed my dash, they left like 5 big greasy fingerprints on the fabric above the driver's door opening. I called the dealer and asked him if they could do something about it, or give me something to do it with. I am running the car past on Saturday and they said they will clean it up for me. Really good service.

protege_fan

Ok, I'm totally curious about this now. I was watching a Jetta commercial last night...the one where the guy is sitting in his car and reading his manual, then runs in grabs his girlfriend/wife and makes her watch him stick the key in the door lock, twist, and then make all the windows come down. I was just curious as to what benefit this is? For myself, I couldn't think of one...do you guys know? Thanks

vocus

I can think of a couple actually.

I frequently will leave the windows and sunroof open in the car when at work (the car is right outside my office literally), to keep it cool. With this feature, I can just turn the key in the door lock and close the windows/sunroof if it gets cloudy or starts to rain out. It also is helpful to be able to open all the windows before entering the car on a hot day when parked at home (esp. since I have leather seats).

Another thing is when I get out of the car, I sometimes forget to close one of the windows or the sunroof (or a passenger forgets their window). I just stick the key in the door and close them right up.

It's not really something required, but it's very convenient. Just another little thing that VW pioneered and everyone else is starting to copy.

justin

if you close your car and accidentally leave the window open or the sunroof open, you don't have to get back in the car to close them. just stick the key in the door and turn. they close on their own. nice feature - i use it for the sunroof quite often. every car should have that feature. yet another small little something that makes VW's more appealing than other cars.

vocus - i am an a*&hole at the dealer - I tell them flat out that i want the car returned to me in the same condition it was given to them. no grease, no dirt, no seat or mirror adjustments, and most importantly (this has happened before), no dents or dings

vocus

I do the same thing basically at the dealer. They usually don't mess with anything. I can understand seat adjustment for fore/aft because I am 6'3 and put the seat pretty far back, and can also deal with rearview mirror adjustments. But don't even THINK about touching my lumbar, height, or recliner adjustment. I have back trouble from a previous car accident and my back will hurt for DAYS if that seat is an inth's degree off.

This is actually the first time I had drama with any marks or whatever in the car with VW. They usually clean the interior up really nicely before I get the car back. Oh well, it will be taken care of on Saturday.

vocus

I cannot tell you how many times I left the sunroof open in the Jetta and am very happy to be able to close it with the key in the door. The key thing also has gotten a "wow" response from friends of mine, because they all have older cars.

Small things like that, the center sunvisor, the lockable trunk with REAL valet key, the fuel pump that cuts off when the theft system is turned on...The list goes on and on. This car might be a little more expensive than its competitors, but it's definitely worth it. No way it compares to anything else in the subcompact/compact class but the Audi A4 or something like that.

protege_fan

Thanks guys...makes sense. I didn't think about them going back up...only down like in the commercial.

blueguydotcom

I wish our remotes did that! My friend's new G35 allows him to remotely open his windows with his fob. I know we can do it too...with a $100 aftermarket part. But I'm not keen about fiddling with the car's electronics.

Anakin

And how much does the G35 cost again?

wantsmallcar

I agree that the Jetta should offer leatherettelike the Audi. Bothfor violence/animal reasons, and because the leatherette feels pretty good and doesn't ahve any of the leather issues like smell, etc.

I wouldn't touch the velour or fabric after seeing some of my friend's cars. They attract any lint/hair in a 2-mile radius.

justin

i would love it if my remote would open windows, and START the car.

rlui1

I have to agree with everyone about the lint problem with the velour seats. I love my 2002 Jetta 1.8T but the two things that bug me the most about the car are the rattles and the lint problem. I'm just glad I leased the car so I can easily dump it and get the latest fun car.

blueguydotcom

Please, the part is like $25 including installation if you're putting it on 100k cars a year. VW could do it and do it cheaply. I'm just not impressed by having to put my key in the door...something that never happens.

funcar_dude

I cannot figure out how to open the gas lid so I can put some gas in the car. I really feel stupid asking this question.

Thanks

vocus

I went to Best Buy and asked them about having a remote start put in the car. It's a huge hassle, because of the theft system and fuel pump cutoff thing. They told me they would have to reprogram one of my keys, give me an additional remote, and all this crap, and the total came to like $300. Forget that! I will just start the car myself, thank you.

vocus

There should be a release on the floor or something for it. If not, then hit "unlock" on the central locking button in the car. Push the opposite end of the gas door (the hinge side) and see it that works. Some cars that have central locking include the gas door. I saw a woman in the gas station one time with a Volvo S40 that did not know how to open the gas door. Don't feel bad though, it happens. You might also read the owner's manual of the car too, or order it if you don't have one.

vocus

I want that aftermarket part too, but I would have to pay someone to add it to my car, as I am not the handy-dandy do-it-yourself type. I am thinking about getting that, as well as some other things (alloy spare wheel from a refacing shop, the swaybar you have on the back of yours, tinted taillamps, window tint, GLX headlights) on the car, but not right now. We shall see though.

blueguydotcom

If you get one buddy you could slap the swaybar on yourself. My friends and I took about an hour to put it on. We would have been faster if a) Neuspeed provided clear instructions and b) we had used the jack with a board to hold up each wheel when we pulled out the main bolt for each side. That was a huge hassle.

vocus

I would rather take the car and pay someone to do it though. I don't really have any mechanically inclined friends either, and no place to do it (I live in the city). So I might be better off paying someone to put on the swaybar.

Anakin

Check the local chat topics on VWVortex. I had one of the local guys install mine for me (I haven't the proper tools) and I paid him like $25 to do it. Not a bad price to have it done right.

vocus

So what is everyone's age who owns a Jetta and what color did you get? Also, married or single and any children? They did something similar to this on one of the Protege boards, and the answers were pretty interesting.

I will start. I am 23, got a Cool White 1.8T Tiptronic with Sport Luxury Pkg., Monsoon, and Leather Pkg. I am single and no children.

Anakin

28
Married no kids (DINKs)
Tornado Red 1.8T Tiptronic
Lux Package, Monsoon, Neuspeed Sway Bar

Considered buying the wagon to haul around my two dogs, but didn't because it was about $2k more.

blueguydotcom

27
Single and no kids, no matter what the courts or Elizabeth Hurley says.
2001 Jetta 1.8T Galactic Blue, WE, Sports, Moon, 6 Disc CD, 28mm Neuspeed

vocus

The Tornado Red is the really bright red, right? I wish I would have gotten that one now.. I was going to get the Blue Lagoon, but saw my white one on the lot and had to have it.

akangl

I suppose I will put in my .02.

I sold my Jetta in November, but here goes.

26
Married, 2 kids
01 Jetta GLS, tornado red, cold weather pkg, 1.8T, 5-speed

sarah233

25
single/no kids
02 Jetta 1.8T, bright green, 5 speed, leather and sport luxury packages, monsoon

target3

32
Married/No Kids

2002 Silver 1.8T Manual Sport Luxury/Monsoon/Leather

1988 Burgundy GL Rusting & Leaking Water, but runs like a peach.

Anakin

Yep, it's the perfect shade of red, IMO. I had a silver Accord Coupe previously. It looked real nice in the sun, but I live in Seattle.

I got the red because it looks warm and fun even when the sky is gray. Looks GREAT after it's been washed and all shiny. I've received several "nice car" comments from people on the street.

I also like the red because it seems like most Jettas I see on the road are silver or black. Not as many red ones. :^)

Anakin

I was discussing this with a co-worker this morning. We were talking about how there are a lot of VWs in Seattle and how it seems to be the car for the just-out-of-college young professional. Most people I see driving them appear to be 20s-30s with no kids apparent.

Just some observations...

blueguydotcom

It's a tweener car. It's for those of us who either couldn't afford or chose not to shell out for the true entry level luxury cars from BMW, MB, Infiniti, Audi, Lexus.

Lots of Vortexers think of their Jettas as baby Bimmers. To each his own. It's nice but not THAT nice.

Anakin

I don't pretend that it's anywhere close to an entry lux car, but this is the kind of thing I was getting at over in the Jetta vs Protege topic.

The Jetta seems to have the "I aspire to greater things" image that I just don't see in most of the econoboxes out there. I dunno... maybe it's just me... but my co-worker seemed to agree.

blackjetta18t1

18, single, no kids, 01 black Jetta GLS 2.0, black leather, luxury package, in dash cd, soon to be college kid in DC

pagal

Hi,
I 'm seriously considering buyiing a jetta.
However I've been reading this discussion group for the past couple weeks, and read about the
"rattling", problems with velour seats etc etc and today I talked to someone who said the cruise control on his 2001 jetta is not working.
I was wondering if you all feel the jetta was worthwhile buy despite all these problems? For a 20-24Thousand dollar car I'm a bit surprised and dissapointed to hear of such problems.

Has anyone who owns a 1999 or 2000 Jetta encounterd such reoccurring problems with the Jetta

Thanks-

Anakin

I think the car is well worth it. Just get the leather.

There's nothing wrong with the velour seats, they're just annoying in that they catch lint.

The "rattles" that people talk about are really more like plastic squeaking against itself or the door weather seals rubbing together. If I turn off the radio, I can hear some small sounds, but nothing that's particularly bothersome to me.

Go drive one and see how you feel about it. If you're really still nervous about it, you can go buy a Honda or Toyota. They're nice appliances that aren't likely to give you any worries (or fun, for that matter).