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Comments
I am in the market for another new car and would love to go back to a tdi, since i owned a 2000 jetta tdi until about 1 year ago. If im going to shell out the money I expect the dvd nav and keyless start...i read on the passat it will have the keyless start option, but have not read anything on the dvd nav system?
Some models will also have dual zone climate control, optional navigation, satellite radio, CD6 with MP3, etc.
We will find out much more info after the LA Autoshow in about two weeks.
I for one, cannot wait!
I agree with Callmedrfill that pricing of the jetta is critical. If the jetta is price too closely to the passat, N. Americans will flock to the Passat(size is a big issue on this continent, unlike Europe and Asia). This would be detrimental for VW since the Jetta is its Brot und Butter car and its high volumes are what the dealerships depend on.
VW Jetta has the potential to be the wrecker or creator of VW future success: In the end it all depends on price(AND reliability).
In fact a reliability turn-around for VW would be the greatest blessing since there are many people who would prefer to drive a VW but wont because of their aversion to dealership visits.
What's the point? Imagine you're strained in a Jetta V w/ power outage, so you need to take a nap by reclining your seat...
VW can easily save customers $ by getting rid of the tedious-to-operate rotating reclining knob & offering an easy-to-operate manual seat.
Power seats are pointless unless it's got memory feature.
NO Jetta should cost more than $24k, loaded! It's still in the same class as Mazda 3 and Corolla.
I know he Jetta will ge 200HP, but so will Cobalt and SRT-4, and they are around $21k. So it's not about power.
The Mazda 3 lacks 40 HP, but has asmuch luxury and room, and is MUCH better looking, with a similar warranty.
DrFill
Yeah, but does a Mazda 3 or COrolla handle as crisply as a Jetta? To many hp is not the be all and end all. How does the hp translate into the sheer joy of driving? Based on the premium pricing of the underpowered Jettas in the past, it appears many value the horses produced by a VW engine more than the higher hp cars you mentioned above.
If hp was the sole criteria, Porsche would have been outgunned by vehicles that are half its price. That has never happened to Porsche these past 5-6 decades in business.
Nobody, I know, has driven the new Jetta so it’s difficult to determine it’s direct competition.
Cobalt and SRT4 (think it’s 220hp), what initially comes to mind is “yuk”. Further elaborating on my eloquent statement, I see the Jetta 2.0T competing with the Acura TSX and S40, not Chevy and Dodge.
If you perceive no difference in quality, refinement, style, and driving dynamics between a Cobalt and the new Jetta then clearly you should purchase the more economical one.
BTW, the current BMW 3 series (325) is only rated at 184hp. Even though this hp is less than the Cobalt and SRT, and not having driven the Cobalt and SRT, I can confidently say that it is far superior to either.
The new Jetta(& Passat, etc.) is a copy of the Mazda3, which is really a Focus II underneath, w/ Control Blade rear suspension designed by the original Focus engineers.
& yes, the Mazda3 handles even more crisply than the new Jetta. What Mazda loses is the ride comfort w/ abrupt rebound motion(see CR comparison test) & the excessive noise level, both of which the new Focus II(not sold here) perform much closer to the Golf/Jetta V but still excels over the VW's in handing communication only slightly behind the old Focus I.
Yes, the new Jetta might as well compete w/ the quiet but numb/vague-steering new S40/TSX, respectively, as well as their own A3/A4.
Exactly, if all you care is power, then get the V6 Altima.
Don't worry about the SRT-4 that won every comparison test w/ the sport compacts. One report pointed it out that if all of them got the same engine output, then the SRT-4 would be ranked behind the Focus SVT & the MazdaSpeed Protege.
GM/Opel pointed out that when they dissected the old Golf/Jetta's trailing-arm rear suspension, they found some expensive manufacturing process GM simply can't afford to copy, so the new Cobalt/Astra's trailing arms will suffer!
I don't see the point of this statement? Does it matter where the engineers come from? or their previous work?
Hey...VW CEO is formerly the BWM CEO (Bernd Pischetsrieder)...fascinating.
& yes, the Mazda3 handles even more crisply than the new Jetta
When have to had the opportunity to drive it? Even though I probably won't purchase it I'd still like to give it a drive.
It’s quite obvious that Ford is the epitome of automotive engineering and design. The Focus in particular seems to combine the attributes of a Mercedes S class with the driving dynamics of a Ferrari; with a respectable entry price. The only probably I see is getting the poor saps to stop spending 50K for MB’s, BMW’s and Audi’s.
LOL! . Was that not when Henry Ford was alive?
"Key to the first-generation car's astonishing ride and handling balance was its 'control blade' fully independent rear suspension. Both the VW Golf and BMW 1-series now have similarly trick rear-ends, but Ford's chassis engineers have consistently proved that they not only know how to fine-tuned a great chassis, but that they can also tailor it to cope with UK roads." -- p67, 14 December '04 AUTOCAR.
Eagerly spreading the truth in hoping to save us all.
Or maybe I’ve just been hitting the Chianti too hard this holiday season...
Happy Holidays
Dark
Looks like a Sentra (last generation) to me. I don't think Acura is sweatin' yet.
And regarding the HP vs handling debate, yes, most Americans shop power LONG before handling, so many V6 Altimas are moving these days.
DrFill
Jetta rides a bit better (no jiggles - hit a bump and it's over with quickly), steering has a bit more road feel. Build quality is pretty weak (lots of rattly plastic bits). Jetta engine no match for Maxx (latter has more power __and__ better MPH).
As for 2006, pictures are nice and reads suggest lots of worthwhile upgrades were made. If VW gets their reliability up __and__ dumps their arrogant attitude, they could get back into the USA game in a big way.
And as for the "enthusasists", unless the Jetta has 300+ hp and rear wheel drive (or 350+ hp and all wheel drive), they won't be happy about it.
All I can say about the above statement is:
Ignorance is Bliss!
If most Americans are satisfied using solely hp stats to buy a car, so be it!
If the best selling publications in America is National Enquirer and the Star, so be it! A best seller does not mean it is the best.
"chick-car stigma to boot"
Regarding the above statement related to the Jetta: What have you got againt the female gender?
Both of which VW said will be huge improvements over the previous generation; guess we’ll see (cautiously optimistic). The current Jetta is a little long in the tooth for a comparison against a new model; nobody to blame but VW for that one.
Malibu, I believe that it is on the new epsilon platform which has been getting good reviews (not driven the Max, not my cup of tea) ; the Saab 9-3 has an appeal for me.
i completely agree with you about the jetta having near luxury quality and refinement. it seems some people have difficulty separating out reliability with other aspects of quality.
i have an accord ex v6 and it's a great car but overall its interior doesn't match my previous jetta. and the accord is consider 2nd only to the passat for interior ambiance for mid-size cars. the jetta has a furnished trunk for crying out load.
comparing the next jetta to the economy class is absurd. the tsx, 9-3 and s40 are much better comparisons. i suspect the 2.0t jetta will be at least an equal to those cars.
i'll be one happy dude if a nicely equipped 2.0t gls jetta is priced in the mid 20k range.
At first I thought it may be the sport wheel (sport option), but then I noticed the wood on the interior. Maybe there is a sport option that can be added.
Not sure about the flush vents, but here is a pic of the new Passat interior that also does not have flush vents; though it does have draft free ventilation
Focus enthusiast? You bet I am, after running out of choices.
See my profile:
/WebX?viewUserProfile@@.ef17023/127!vuserName=creakid1
& figure out why no one satisfied a Jetta (I) enthusiast like me except, barely, the finally finely-honed 6th-year Focus I -- my "tossable toy" '05 ST.
Waiting for the new Jetta and so eager to be among the first owners that you will pay full MSRP?
Take a long and deep breath!
The above article shows how desperate VW has become. They are even thinking of offering free car insurance to residents in Wisconsin and Illinois. In this case patience is a virtue---wait a bit after the Jetta's intro for a great deal!
I think VW has completely dropped the ball here. The VW Jetta is NOT a luxury sedan. It's a small, economical, sporty, flashy, well engineered car that is priced to fit.
People like me, who bought a Jetta, wanted a smallish car, that had some touch of luxury but was mainly rooted in performance and solid engineering. Also, I want fuel economy!!!
Now only does the new Jetta come with a bigger engine, bigger passenger space, bigger trunk, and a bigger gross weight it costs more to fill the tank.
If am going to drop mid twenties on a new Jetta, I might as well spend the extra 5-10 grand and get the real thing in a BMW 3-series. Then I can get a car with a proven 2.5 liter engine and the history and performance to back up the class the new Jetta now appears to be in.
Oh, and I never thought a German car could look more ugly. It's like the engineers took every design cue that has made American and Japanese cars looks stupid and packed it all into one car. Unbelievable... Really. Could the front end be more pointy? Hey, nice bubble lenses on the headlights. Oh, and the door wedge shape is SO IN. Not. They seriously look like a cross between a Toyota Corolla and a cheap Audi. The designers should be shot.
I LOVE my 2001 1.8T Jetta GLS and it makes me sad to finally give it up for a new car, but its starting to get to the age where problems are starting to crop up and also, if I want to get any money for it I have to sell it before it hits 60K miles. I so wish I could get a brand spanking new Jetta but after seeing the 2006, I think I will save a few more months and just get my BMW 3-series.
At least not any car worth having, much less pining away for.
DrFill
Have you had a chance to see it, or are you just referring to pictures? I thought the same about the 5 series until I actually saw it in “real life”
Mileage...I think that it will get better mileage in all trims.
3 Series; it’s bigger now too. So is everything else. The new Jetta is now around the size of a TSX. Perhaps they should ship over the Polo.
I think it “looks” really nice (pictures). Although I did like the stubby front end of the old Corrado.
It will take more than a few months to make up the difference to get a new 3 series (they “look” nice); for me anyway heh.
What amazes me about most VW owners is that despite problems before 60k miles, VW owners remain devoted. Even if the new Jetta fitted all my criteria for a car---if I started having problems with a VW before 60k, I would buy any other car but a VW.
They all acclaim to the vast superiority in reliability (I’ve had no problems in xxx miles), but when details are divulged it appears they (speaking for the whole Honda/Toyota community...heh) it appears that differences are not that substantial.
My Honda has been out of commission twice for overnight repairs in under 45K I guess I should not buy another Honda and go to VW. I would then hear “not all Honda’s are bad”, “you must have gotten one of the bad ones”, “every car has problems”
I own a 99 BMW323 and my wife owns a 83 Mercedes300D(a family heirloom), we put in miles and miles on these two vehicles and we had no major problems(knock on wood).
I like the Passat/Jetta TDI Wagon, but I think I will pass on these two and buy a new BMW 3 series. My fear is VW reliability! I owned a 86 Audi 4000! I know disgruntled friends with VW/Audis and I read about vw in consumers reports/jd power. My fear is based on facts!
I am not loyal to any car if it is not loyal to me. I do not want to become too well acquainted with any auto mechanic. This applies to VW or Acura.
Think it was "where" she purchased it more than what she purchased; needless to say, no more Acuras for her.
3er is very nice (LOVE the way they drive)...and think the reliability has improved lately.
-Andrew L
There is a minisite up about he MKV Jetta....
has specs...colors, etc.
I am FEELING this Jetta...and I am only 19.
i dearly hope that WV's rhetoric about concentrating on quality control has some truth to it.
i feel like a kid just before christmas...
Too bad. Its got a nice interior (expected, based on the current). Too bad it looks like a bloated Corolla, with less power than a Camry. Mind you, thats not a bad look, just not distinctive, and not what the prospective VW buyer is likely to want.
~alpha
I really don't like the path that VW/Audi has taken with its styling.
I heard this over at VWVortex...and they are on top of EVERYTHING VW.
~alpha
There is supposed to be a 2.0 with about 200hp found in the 06 Passat and a Tdi model that will come along later.
I've got my eyes on the Passat the next time I am in the market.
The BASE engine in an entry level automobile isn’t supposed to be impressive. There still aren’t any specs available for the base engine. At what rpm is the 168 lb ft available at? Are people still impressed (fooled) by high hp figures?
Try comparing the TSX 2.0 vs the VW 2.0T, they both have 200hp but the VW has the low end torque of a V8 (ok, maybe an older V8). The 207 ft lb of torque UNDER 2000 rpm of the 2.0T is ONLY 5 ft-lb of torque less than the V6 Accord which occurs at 5000 RPM!
What IS impressive is that a 6 SPEED auto is available in an entry level auto. This is amazing since the current generation Accord had JUST received a 5 speed Auto. Other than the 2004 Lexus LS430, there are NO Lexus automobiles with 6 Speed Auto transmissions. How many Infiniti’s have 6 Speeds? Even the new Acura RL ONLY has a 5 speed Auto.
While we’re at it, the 2.0T (which is impressive) will be offered with a 6 SPEED Manual or the DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox), that would feel at home in any Porsche, BMW, or Ferrari. I may be stretching here, but I would not be surprised to see the Jetta 2.0T with DSG out accelerate the V6’s from the Accord/TSX/Camry/Altima.
While I’m on a roll Design:
The current design seems like an evolution from the current model.
Is this what current owner are getting nostalgic about?
OLD FRONT
NEW FRONT
OLD SIDE
NEW SIDE
OLD BACK
NEW BACK
My only point is that its fairly large with fairly low output.
~alpha
~alpha
~alpha