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I live in Colorado and before going to the broker spoke to a few dealers on my own. I found the CD player issue quite confusing. One dealer said he could only get the 6 disc changer, which he tried to convince me was a better deal because it was "only about $100 more than the single CD" (this despite the fact that I'd already told him I didn't want to deal with a trunk-mounted player). Another dealer told me that the CD player was not an option at all on the Jetta, and I would not be able to find one! I know this is not true because I've SEEN them, but when I told the sales guy that he hung up on me (fabulous customer service, no?)
Anyway, the first guy said the six disc changer was around $495, which would put the single CD at around $400 if what he said was true.
And by the way, I was really surprised at how difficult it is to find a 1.8T with no options! The simplest model I could find has the Monsoon sound system and Cold Weather Package, and most of the others came with those plus sport suspension package and sunroof. Too fancy for me, but I may have no choice but to go chi-chi!
Anyway, if anyone has any more info on the single CD player, please post - I'd like to know too!
I think I've decided exactly what I want for my new car. A 2001 Silver VW Jetta 1.8T with grey velour interior, manual transmission. The only options I want is the luxury package (sunroof and 15'wheels) and possibly the monsoon, but I'm flexible on that.
Due to the relative popularity and therefore high demand of this car, I am considering Carsdirect.com. The local dealers I have visited have gone on and on about how rare and hard to find the silver jetta's are.
Anyone have any experience with carsdirect or any of the online car shoppers? Or any advice on the best way to get my new car? By best I mean not overpaying and aquiring the car in a reasonable amount of time. If the best route is ordering one from the factory through a dealer I'd be willing to explore that option. Basically I'm looking for advice from those who have gone through this
Thanks in advance for your help.
As for the Monsoon: The Monsoon is NOT a VW product!!! You can read about the Monsoon company at: http://www.monsoonpower.com/index_auto.htm
Our 2K1 Jetta came with it and we love it. It is perfectly tuned for the car. Excellent system.
BUT, if you are into big-booming, blow the screws off your headlights, 1500 watt bass-blasting system, the Monsoon is not it. Get a stock radio and go aftermarket.
Many Monsoon'ers though will add a sub-woofer and then turn the bass off on the Monsoon speakers. It is a very nice, 200 watt, 8-speaker, custom-tuned system.
And, BTW: The CD player/changer is a dealer option. There are no VW's that come from the factory with CD's in them.
For winter tires, that all depends on where you live. We just plan on using our stock Michelins here in WA state, rain or snow. Our Honda kicked butt in the snow with all-seasons and I expect the Jetta to be even better, and it should -- it's a much better car at everything else!!
not much to complain about, I know...:)
We have had ours for almost two months now and *still* think up any excuse to go for a drive.
Congrats, have fun and drive it like ya stole it!!!!
it!!!!"
I like that one...haven't heard that one before. I don't have a VW, but I tend to drive my car that way too...until I reach the speed limit. ;^)
My 2001 Silver/black leather 1.8T is coming up on
2000 km. My question is after a long drive, 2
hours and with cruise on, I had no problem. Later
that same afternoon, I noticed that the Turbo
seemed to "skip." It would rev hi, then low, or
not kick in at all. It has now been three days
since and everything seems perfect again. Any
insight?
It has been a week now and it has not happened. Still, I am left wondering.
Thanks alot
Regards,
Bryan
I owned two Honda Accords ('84, '91) and had quite a few problems with the '84 and zero with the '91 -- traded the '91 for the Jetta. We loved the '91 Accord but got bored with Hondas pretty much looking the same for the past 20 years. Sure they're pretty relaible and all, but come on! Make a major change Honda!
VW's public record is not the best and venus537 is correct that Honda complaints are (much) lower per-thousand than VW. I think Honda was 3'rd on the list and VW was way down (bottom third) by Kia. That was for 1999.
Also, a fact for 1999, was that complaints for ALL manufacturers were up. I read this in an article at Seattle Sun Times, but could not find it (online) again.
It does appear though that many, if not all, of these problems with the new A4 Jetta/Golf platform have been addressed with the 2001 run. But, now Golf purchasers have also to be concerned with the new Brazil plant finally getting ramped up for production.
And (*grin*) my neighbor has a 2000 Accord in the shop for engine and air-bag lights.
It's pretty much all a crap shoot, for the most part, so I say just find a car you like and buy it. Take care of it and above all: Drive it like ya stole it! (Tagline borrowed from VWvortex.com) ;-)
-Jim
Regards,
Mark.
was that my car is reliable. People in here for
some reason like to think the Accord/Camry walk on
water, which doesn't make sense to me since this is supposed to be a VW area. I've said before here and in the breakdown topic that all cars have
problems. Mine fortunately doesn't, and to imply
that VWs are more prone to them just because people report problems in a forum where such problems are supposed to be reported is a fallacy.
It is amazing to me that someone would LOVE a car, then read some posts in here, and then decide not to buy it. None of us knows who we work for (Honda or VW perhaps), what we do to our cars, if we change our oil etc.....Buy what feels good. And as I have said before, if you are going to be nervous about it, then don't buy it. Not worth the anxiety. VW's are not meant for people that freak out about that stuff. Because, eventually, even if it is just a tail light burning out, a VW will do something bad, but the nervous person is automatically going to think, "Oh, I should have bought the G20, that would have never happened..."
All cars suck at times.
p.s. chicks DIG this car!
ANYWAY...my point is really...I agree that I shouldn't let a message board effect my purchase decision. I got a little nervous when I first read all those...it was kind of a knee-jerk reaction. Of course the vast majority of Jettas are going to be very good cars. I know it. And it's still the only car that really quickened my pulse. The next shipment of 1.8T's will be in soon. I can't wait.
I knew there was more to these Jetta purchases.
Regards,
Marko.
1. Seen them on the road and just fell in love with the look of it. Bare bones stock or tweaked out, they all looked sweet. Didn't even really matter what color. I could spot one on the road a mile away and had my eye on the Jetta for a year.
2. Drove one. Went to the dealer and picked out the one we own. No leather, no V6 or 1.8t (don't need the power and don't want to pay for the gas) but loved the Monsoon and the sunroof.
3. For a 2.0 and less horsies than my Accord that we were trading in, this baby was quite peppy, Would definitely out-pull the Accord.
4. German engineering: The handling of a German car is priceless and there are no words in our language to fully explain this feeling.
....And then I read this and other forums and just about freaked, but the deal was done and we love our Jetta and have had no problems.
I don't know if I would have bought a Jetta if I had read all the Complaint Forums. Heck, I probably wouldn't have bought ANY OTHER CARS EITHER had I read their complaint forums too.
And Venus537: You will not lose any objectivity when you get your Jetta, but you will find yourself defending it against unfounded attacks if you keep reading this forum. People *need* to hear both sides in this forum.
The car deserves more respect than what some people here give it. Drive it and it will change your mind.
There are all kinds of perks when ya get one too: Other VW owners will wave and toot their horns at ya and yes, Chicks dig this car! ;-))) Guys dig it too: My wife gets bugged all the time!! ;-)))
First of all, I've had no problems with this car at 6K miles. I put in Mobile 1 systhetic oil at 5K (dealer likes synth.) and rotated tires.
On my trip, the trunk was plenty roomy for two months worth of gear, but I put a big duffle bag in the back seat for more even weight distribution (more weight between the wheels). I also had a Yakima bike rack on the trunk with my mountain and road bike on it.
Because of the wind resistance of the bikes, I only got 26 mpg. Another factor was speed - I consistently tooled along at 80-85 mph. Inside the car was quiet at speed, the lumbar adjustment gave comfort when I felt at all fatigued, and the cup holders were fine (no single CD player in dash). I had an extra CD cartridge so there was plenty of music, and the radio had good reception for football on the AM band.
The cruise control worked well - it's precise, and the amazing torque in fifth gear made getting back up to speed very expeditious! During humid and rainy conditions, the climate control kept me confortable, and windows clear.
I use a front end cover to ward off highway debris, sand and stones - no paint chips or blemishes!!
Overall, it was a great trip, very comfortable and speedy! I love this car!! The only complaint is when driving friends around in the back seat. The Jetta cannot compare to the Accord in back seat comfort - oh well. I have small kids and rarely have people back there anyway.
Give the car a chance. Why would you buy it "knowing" that it is not as reliable as the Honda? The gap gets smaller and smaller each year - non-Japanese manufactuers are getting better, and Japanese manufacters are getting cheap and lazy. Soon, very soon, VW will be right up there (or down there