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Comments
i think green with black interior is UGLY.
Black interior only looks good with something neutral like a brown, white, or black. And also, black interior hides everything too. Tan is too hard to keep clean for the long haul.
i see baltic green everywhere, and that off-red color. i see silver, always high-line models, and black black black. never dark blue or bright green or regular red.
and now they have that beige in the sedan. drats!!
i think the hubcaps are ugly no matter what the color...but put green w/black and add hubcaps, it makes for a pretty nasty looking jetta. there are a couple around campus, and i cringe every time i look at them.
Go to http://www.beetlebuzz.com for 2003 changes. I wish I would waited for the ESP!
beautiful (particularly on sunny days) and it's easy to keep it clean.
I like the blaze orange beetle - great for deer hunting!!!
I think it's a darn nice color, but I probably still would have gone with the Tornado Red. Dark colors just look too gloomy around here. :^(
Vocus, buddy, if I just told you I bought the galactic blue, why on earth would you then say something so pejorative. I know you don't mean to be offensive, but man, it's usually not a good idea to look at someone's car and say, that's "the least attractive Jetta color."
For what it's worth, I found the Blue the deepest, most luxurious color, with white being my second choice for its outright utility and longevity. I'm pretty much drawn to darker colors (I'm so in love with BMW's metallic blue-greys and silver-blues, etc). If that current gun metal grey from the Beetle and Passat were on the Jetta, that'd be up there for me as a choice too. As it stands now, I'd probably still go with the G. Blue or maybe go white if I get an 02.
BTW, in a peacock-chest-puffing way, every girl I know exclaims how attractive she finds the color of my car. Get inside at night and they go bonkers for the dash lights. Weird, weird, weird.
lighter blue is blue lagoon, and blueish green is baltic green.
and vocus - there is a difference between everyone picks silver (false) and everyone WISHES they picked silver (true).
again, what is white? is that called "malibu white?" or did you get "escort white?"
just messin.
Just needs larger tires (15s squeal too much around corners), CD player (this one doesn't have it), and the 1.8T. The V6's throttle response is not as good as the 1.8T's, to me. I have to push harder on the pedal than the Jetta, and I don't like it. I think I would prefer the 1.8T to the V6. Also, I am averaging 20mpg according to the trip computer, my 1.8T averages like 24 or so.
They will not make anymore white VW cars after this year. So I look at mine as kind of a limited edition.
Didn't you check to see if it was still there or not when you left the second time?
(Hmmm .... can three trips to remove a greasy handprint make a car a lemon ...?)
;-)
Meade
P.S. Paul, I appreciate your CYA disclaimer about the four-year wait before the next car. I had a good chuckle that you thought to include it proactively to avoid the deluge of comments that would've ensued (none from me, btw) had you not done so. To echo your recent comment: Smart boy!
And here's how it went: I took the car in for the rattle, they ordered parts. Took the car back to have parts put in. Took the car back 3rd time to get greasy prints out. They didn't do it. Taking it back this time because the package shelf is ratting (other dealer fixed it once, but did not do it right), and the greasy prints again. They gave me a Passat this time, and I like it alot. But anyway, they are going to either get out the prints this time (and I will check when I pick up the car) or they can replace the part.
Meade: I like the car alot anyway, so I wanna definitely keep it. I like the Passat too, but I don't need a family car right now. I have other things I wanna do than pay for a car. I just wanna have some time, even if it's one MONTH, without a car payment to see how it feels.
On another note, many months ago a knocking sound began from the front end of my car as the car moved slowly and when I turned the steering wheel. I got it fixed when they replaced the rubber joint of the front stabilizer bar. A day later it was back but each time I took it back they said they didn't hear it, and sometimes it really didn't make the noise. When winter came around and it was mighty cold, it only made the sound after two+ hours of constant driving but now that its hot out, you hear the sound after just a few minutes. Every other time I asked the dealer if it was dangeorus they said no but now I am going to Washington DC this weekend for a round trip of about 500 miles and am concened this is dangerous because I read somewhere how the Golf had a recall for a problem with similar symptoms. I called VW again and now they said they can't say its safe without looking at it. I really don't have time to take the car tomorrow because I have school and the darn mechanics go home at 4 so what do you guys think?? Take my car? Is it a serious problem? What would you guys do? Sorry for the loong post.
Being a new Passat owner, I love the new VW styling and performance. Having not ridden in the Jetta for more than a quick test drive though, would really appreciate some feedback on some stuff
1) Auto vs manual - my Passat 1.8t/5speed performs beautifully, but every review I have read said that mating the tip with the 1.8t is extremely weak. It wasn't too impressive when we test drove, but maybe its because the car isnt broken in? She has no problem with a manual seeing that she was grew up in Europe where they all drive manuals. I just dont think the manual is good considering the traffic for her commute (she commutes to NYC area everyday -about an hour), especially considering the drivers up here, you need some "zip" to merge lanes, etc. So, is the VR6 "that" much better than 1.8t with the tip? Would rather not spend the extra $$ if we dont have to.
2) The dealer we went to offered us a great deal on a Jetta with Leather, tip. and Lux package ($150 over invoice). However, this deal is only good on the lone Jetta with a god-awful grey leather. Funny how the grey cloth looks ok though. The other same exact Jettas with black and tan leather he wants more for. The grey leather just doesn't look right (my girlfriend agrees but would settle for it) with the otherwise beautiful interior. Did I read that they are discontinuing this color on its leather seats? I can DEFINITELY see why. Does anyone think this will hurt at resale time? We probably will hold onto this car for 2-3 years and sell , but drive way too many miles to lease. And more than anything,in principal it burns my [non-permissible content removed] to pay $500 more for the same exact car (minus the awful grey leather).
3) Rear seat. We are both 20somethings with no kids, but she often carpools with others, she drives every 4th day. With some of her co-workers being 6foot-plus, I cant see them "jimmy-ing" into that tiny little backseat. Any decent size guys ever sit in the backseat during a long drive? I don't want her getting this car just to borrow my Passat to drive to the city every 4th day.
4) Cupholders. How do you manage a cup of coffee in the AM with those cupholders above the stereo. Are there any "hidden" ones besides the ones above the stereo, how do you prevent having it spill all over your center stack when you hit a pothole ? The Passat moved theirs between the seats which works out great.
Other than these issues, we love the car! Thanks in advance.
I'm not sure what you mean by "weak" with the Tiptronic. It certainly doesn't shift instantly, but the car isn't "weak" with it. That statement confuses me. If your GF is used to a manual, why not get the manual?
2)Leather
Get the color you want NOW. Nothing sucks worse than wishing you'd gotten another color the whole time you own the car. If you gotta pay more, then that's just how it is, but at least you'll have the color you WANT.
3) Rear seat.
If you're planning to carry people in the back seat, this isn't the car for you. If your GF is somewhat smaller, then it's possible for a tall guy to sit in the back seat. I've sat in the back when my 5'3" wife drove and it wasn't too bad.
4)Cupholders
Ummm I tend to avoid potholes, but the cupholders work well for me. You have to watch tall drinks because they might tip if you go round a corner quickly, but otherwise shorter drinks like a coffee cup should be ok.
I can't say on this one, as I've only driven the stick.
Leather:
Get what you want. I got the Wolfsburg with the special cloth seats because 2001 manual 1.8Ts were impossible to find with leather. I regret it daily. Funny thing is, I REALLY want the grey as I will never by another car with a beige/tan interior after this one and black is too lint prone.
Back seat:
Forget putting anyone you like over 5'8 in the back. It's wrong and the Geneva Conventions will atest to that as inhumane.
Cupholders:
I wouldn't know. If anyone dares bring liquid in my car they better have it SEALED (no, a Starbucks cap is NOT sealed) and have zero intention of ever exposing the car to the contents.
BTW, why is she hitting potholes?
By weak I mean slow from a dead stop ... it kind of a crazy notion I suppose with the Turbo and all, havent you ever heard the reviewers saying this about the tiptronics with the 1.8t???
The manual is a major pain in the [non-permissible content removed] in stop and go driving .. thats all,
Might I reverse the question to you .. How can you take I95 over the GW bridge through the Bronx and into Connecticut and NOT hit a pothole, or 20 potholes for that matter, points well taken though
If you're looking for ultimate performance, however, I suppose there's no replacement for the Manual.
Anyhow, I'm waiting on a new Jetta GLI. Anyone have an idea what color interior comes with the Galatic Blue exterior on a GLI?
http://www.vwvortex.com/news/index_my2003_1.html
Also, 1.8t has no power issues with manual vs. auto, just the lag with the manual. However, there is a big difference between VR6 manual and 1.8t manual. The 1.8t shifts are smooth and easy. The VR6 smooths are not. Personally, I would recommend either a 1.8t manual or VR6 auto. But of course, I will not be driving it.
Maybe an Altima or Max? More room, more power, better handling. Cruddy interior materials, but hey trade-offs everywhere.
I am thinking about getting a Jetta 02 1.8T.
Has anyone had any problems with reliability? I have heard many mixed things about this?? What about maintainence? Is scheduled maintainence still included with VW warranty like 2 years ago?
Also, does VW have a loaner car arrangement for warrantry repairs??
Any answers and help is appreciated? Also could you comment on general quality of the car?
Thanks