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Volkswagen Jetta 2005 and earlier

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Comments

  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    I bet if you called your own pager, and put in your number, they'd call you. Then if you have a caller ID, find out their number and get them.

    Dumb kid thieves are not smart by definition.
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    "...changing the oil myself, tried that but the yahoos cranked the oil plug and filter on so tight that I had to get a 4' braker bar to get enough leverage to loosen the plug."

    Those are EXACTLY the reasons for doing it yourself!!!
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    What is ESP option?

    Thanks.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    ESP is Electronic Stability Program. It's about the same as traction control as far as use (stops wheel spin). But it also works when cornering. When you go around the corner too quickly, yaw and other sensors slow the car down to a safe speed, so the driver doesn't lose control. It's a new option for 2003 on all Golf/Jetta models. Considering it's the only small car thus far to offer it, that's pretty cool. Says something about the commitment to safety that VW has.

    Now if they could just build the damn things without rattles.. :)
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    yes, VW is da bomb!! :)
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    Yeah, but when you start talking prices and features and getting excited about a certain model car ... well, we've all seen what happens. Several times.

    Just kiddin' around with you.

    ;-)

    Meade
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    And you don't think that's the FIRST thing I tried? C'mon now, I'm not THAT stupid! They obviously turned it off right after they took it. I still remember that I did NOT have it in vibrate mode. I had to turn it off because I used to giggle too much when it went off in vibrate mode, making all my coworkers stare.

    Meade
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    I didn't even mean to make it beep on them while still there, but a good idea.

    What I meant was to page them to call your number.
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    Sounds like it might be good for some people, but I prefer to do my driving myself.

    Thanks for the info.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I actually toyed with the idea of selling the Jetta privately and getting another car. I know I would be crazy to get another VW after all the crap I went through, but it's the driving experience that does it for me. I had alot of small troubles, but there is just something when I get behind the wheel, fire up the engine and stereo, and hit the road. Never liked driving a car as much as the one I have now, and this is the 5th car I have owned in 5 years. I have also driven everything from a Ford Escort to a Mercedes SLK230, but still favor my VW.

    If I could drop my financing rate from the 10 that it is now down to the 2.9 (if I could qualify, I mean), I could afford a new Jetta. But I am working on paying this one off now, so that's not a question. :)
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Protege folks, hold your fire!!! :)
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    Must resist....
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Before you go "off", hold on a second. Let me explain. I liked the way the car drove alot, but the power lag sucked (automatic supercharged model). The drive and ride was great (better than the Jetta), but the interior was too cramped for me. That was the biggest problem for me. I guess I should have been more explanatory, sorry. :)
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Really, let's please don't get into this again here. If you want to pursue this kind of conversation go to Meet the Members in your Owners Club.

    I'm serious -- we've beaten this into the ground.
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    No worries :D
    Sedan vs. coupe...if space is an issue than it's not the car for you!!
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Well I am 6'3 and about 260lbs., so space is definitely an issue for me. The Jetta doesn't have much back seat room, but I don't care since I don't ride in the back seat.
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    SLK 320 is sweet...but as a daily driver...ain't gonna happen (my cousins are paying $800 a month for 5 years to finance it....and they only drive it to work on nice days).
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    That's like my mortgage payment!!!! :O
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    Vocus is right. The Kompressor M-B's with automatics just aren't right. A friend as a SLK230 5 speed. Car is beautiful, and has plenty of spare power. Another friend has the EXACT same car, with the automatic. SERIOUSLY, my 94 Nissan Sentra 110hp automatic was faster. By a long shot. I have heard that something is wrong with M-B lately....I guess that is one of the things. Digging the new E though...

    I am still so upset that VW abandoned the Cabrio/Golf convertible format, for the Beetle. Now there is not a single simple yet affordable yet classy convertible to be had! Anywhere. Unless you buy used. The Beetle Cab will be a huge seller like the Mini, but no soul :(
  • AnakinAnakin Member Posts: 410
    Supposedly a Cabrio will be back when they release the MkV.

    I'm hoping those rumors of a convertible hardtop Jetta are true.
  • lanaslanas Member Posts: 6
    I'm thinking of buying a Jetta.
    Does anyone know the major differences between the VR6 and the 1.8T? the VR6 has more horsepower but the 1.8T seems torqueier?
  • hoosghosthoosghost Member Posts: 1
    Anyone else attempted an 'erl change on their 2002 Jetta? I'd like to save some money w/o using the thieves at jiffy lube. How difficult was it?

    Thanks.

    Hoos
  • AnakinAnakin Member Posts: 410
    The VR6 will likely seem smoother. I chose the 1.8T because it had just as much power, but was less expensive and more fuel efficient. It's also very smooth for a 4 cylinder engine.

    I would say drive both and just pick what you like most.
  • chmeeeechmeeee Member Posts: 327
    I just did mine a few days ago for the first time and it was cake. I used a vacuum pump which makes life far easier, so you don't have to crawl under the car. You just run a hose down into the dipstick tube and suck out the old oil, and it gets it all out just as reliably as pulling the drain plug, and there is no mess. There are a few pumps that do this, the one I used is called the Liquivac, I ordered it from www.northerntool.com. Its like $45, so you wont necessarily save money on your first oil change, but you definitely will in the long run. I think now that I know what I am doing I should be able to do an oil change on my car in about 30 minutes.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Vaccuum pump eh? Well that would work perfectly for me for changing the oil. I don't really have the space to put the car up on lifts or crawl under it (I live in the city), and I would be able to change my own oil using this method. How proven is it that you got all the old oil out of the engine though? Just curious. Thanks for the idea. :)
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    My co-worker has a 2001 Cabrio that she adores. She said she was in a 7-car accident with it (being one of the middle cars). She walked away from the accident, and was amazed at how well the car held up. She said the car doesn't feel the exact same (there was like $8000 worth of damage to it, afterall), but she still loves it though.
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    vacuum pump type....I've heard over in TDIclub that there are people that use this type of system with good results. Also from the grapevine, this is the preferred method for many Mercedes-Benz...whether it's true, don't know
  • target3target3 Member Posts: 155
    IMO it depends on your preference between automatic and manual.

    The 1.8T manual is extremely smooth and fast. However, with the automatic there is a bit of turbo lag (not much, but too much for me).

    The VR6 automatic is smooth as well. However, the manual is horribly rough with shifts.

    Test drive the two and you will feel the difference.
  • cfilkinscfilkins Member Posts: 39
    Someone metioned the other day about there being $1200 dealer cash incentive on the 02's right now, but I can't find anything on the net about it. My mother in law is shopping for either a Jetta wagon or a Passat wagon, and she's looking to lease. With the Passat just being listed as having the best residuals of any midsized car, I'd wonder of the Passats are leasing for less. Anyone able to verify any dealer incentives going on right now? Thanks!
    Chris
  • ashutoshsmashutoshsm Member Posts: 1,007
    What do you mean " Now there is not a single simple yet affordable yet classy convertible to be had! Anywhere "?

    Are you, perchance, forgetting about the Mazda Miata? The most fun to be had on 4 wheels (well, in the front seats anyway - which is all the Miata has!)

    And - from the one friend I know that drives a Cabrio - she can't wait to get rid of it, but can't afford to right now. Piece-a-junk, with iffy electricals, no power and terrible handling, her words not mine. I've never ridden in it, so second hand info is all I have. But I seriously doubt anyone in the press is bemaoaning the loss of the ugly duckling, black sheep of the VW family.
  • thomasibaileythomasibailey Member Posts: 21
    What have you heard about syn. oil vs. the typical? I've put regular 10-30 in my 2002 1.8T and installed a Bosch filter. What would you do?
    My driving is mild and no dirt roads. I change the oil about every 5,000 miles. Thanks.
  • mliongmliong Member Posts: 231
    Anakin,

    Remember when making your purchasing decision that the turbo requires warm up and cool-down periods for proper care.

    Since the turbo spins at a much higher RPM, you will need to take care to warm the engine up before heavy use - I.E. avoid jackrabbit starts until the engine and turbo have warmed up sufficiently - usually 2-5 minutes. This is to allow oil to properly lubricate the moving parts for extended use - like a regular engine, but it is more critical for a turbo.

    Additionally, you will also have to allow the turbo engine to cool down after driving it. Most drivers take it easy on the engine the last two miles of their trip, wait about a minute when they park, and then shut off the engine. If you have been driving the engine hard, then you will need to idle the engine for two minutes before shut down.

    This is because the turbo runs hot when under load, and leaving the engine idle allows the coolant to do its job of cooling down the turbo components. Shutting it off without a cool-down period will not allow the turbo to cool down - causing damage.

    Some poeople complain of Turbo-Lag. This mostly occurs when the car is trying to accellerate quickly from start, or when a driver tries to get more power during a cornering maneuver.

    Having test driven the 1.8T, I can certainly tell you that you can hardly discern it.

    Turbo excells in the following requirements:
    Fuel Economy.
    High Altitude driving.
    Cheaper with a comparable amount of Horse Power!

    Turbo is a poor choice if:
    You perform a lot of little hops that makes the startup and cooldown periods a real pain.

    Good luck!
  • chmeeeechmeeee Member Posts: 327
    A few people at TDIClub have tested the ability to remove all of the oil by opening the drain plug, and every time have gotten little or no additional oil to drain. This method is ideal for me as well, because I park in a 7 car driveway that is usually full, and also paved with gravel. I wouldn't feel safe getting under a car jacked up on gravel, so this allows me to stay away from Jiffy Lube, especially since they would probably have no idea what to do with a freakin diesel!
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    "What do you mean " Now there is not a single simple yet affordable yet classy convertible to be had! Anywhere "?

    Are you, perchance, forgetting about the Mazda Miata? The most fun to be had on 4 wheels (well, in the front seats anyway - which is all the Miata has!)"

    You both forgot the MOST fun, and LEAST expensive convertible offered, which can go anywhere: The Jeep Wrangler.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    "Jiffy Lube, especially since they would probably have no idea what to do with a freakin diesel!"

    I'm not defending Jiffy Lube or anything, but there is nothing unique about changing the oil on a diesel. Drain the oil, replace the filter, fill with reccommended fluid. Yeah, diesel oil sucks to get off your hands, but thats not a big deal. Am I missing something?

    "You both forgot the MOST fun, and LEAST expensive convertible offered, which can go anywhere: The Jeep Wrangler."

    Depends on what you consider fun.
  • target3target3 Member Posts: 155
    Although I do allow my 1.8T to warm up and cool down on occassion, it is no longer listed as a manufacturer's requirement. If I ever have anything go wrong relating to that fact, it will be the manufacturer's responsibility, as nothing regarding warm up or cool down is listed in the owner's manual.
  • chmeeeechmeeee Member Posts: 327
    The TDI requires a very specific and hard to find oil, and I would imagine they would probably not use it. You need to use 5w-40 Synthetic oil for diesel engines, such as Mobil Delvac1 or Shella Rotella T. Furthermore, their price for a synthetic oil change is up in the sky, 59.99! I paid 12.83 for the Shell at Walmart (couldn't find the Mobil this time) and 6.00 for the filter. That is less than 1/3 the cost.
  • mliongmliong Member Posts: 231
    Maybe VW added in a turbo timer to allow it to cool down - but I doubt that there is a mechanism for warming up a turbo prior to use.

    Either way, the mechanic told me that most of the problems they see with the turbos at the shop are related to the fact that most drivers do not take the time to warm up or cool down their engines - which is a big deal in Arizona.

    I don't think you're likely to see the repercussions of inadequate warm up or cool downs in the first two years of your car, but it might show up AFTER the warranty runs out, and
    I don't think VW will cover that after that point.

    I might be wrong, though.
  • donnabgooddonnabgood Member Posts: 37
    If cool down and warm up are so critical for the 1.8t, I wonder why too they would not list in the owner's manual? I will have to ask my VW mechanic next time I see him, just to be sure..but I imagine it would be a well known fact if it was recommended.

    I did ask if one should always turn off the fan of a/c before turning off the car -- and he said "no, it doesn't matter" best thing to do is turn the a/c to heat a few blocks from when you are going to park the car to soak up any condensation, prevents mildew effect in the a/c." Thought that was interesting. Me, personally I always shut down everything, including heated seats, before I turn the engine off completely. It will be a new habit for me to do what he suggested. What do you (meaning anyone reading this) usually do when it comes to turning off you car?

    Donna
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    Many Jiffy Lubes carry Delvac and Rotella synthetic. At least around here they do. It's not THAT hard to find considering all the trucks out there that take gallons of it every oil change. I can understand wanting to save money and do it yourself, but it isn't overly complicated to the point that a lube joint couldn't do it. Same as changing the oil on a gas engine, different oil, and I'm sure Jiffy Lube folks already know that. Oil capacities and types are the most basic knowledge there is when you work at a place like that. Everytime you go to a Jiffy Lube, your car is entered into a computer and an electronic service manual pops up which has tons of info about your car including recommended oil weight and capacity. I highly doubt you will stump anyone with a TDI Jetta, even a Jiffy Luber. A VR6 OTOH might have some scratching their heads.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I have walked past my car after running it in high temperatures, and heard the engine cooling fan running (I have a 2002 1.8T), so maube they did make a change. I still, however, always wait 30 seconds before turning off the car after I slip it in Park.
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    at least, cool down. under "normal" driving habits (50 percentile of drivers), a cool down is not required. But after some spirited driving, they suggest to let it idle a few minutes before shutting it off.

    Turbo warmup? While mliong suggests this for the 1.8T...you got to do it for the 2.0L, VR6, and TDI as well. Gentle driving as the engine warms up, you should do this for all cars...if you really want to maintain the longevity of the engine and transmission.

    Though I'm not totally sure of if the KKK K03 turbo uses water coolant passages...the other reason is the preventation of oil coking. You beat on the turbo where it's very hot....turn off the engine, lo and behold no more oil flow. The oil that is left in the turbo will take the punishment of the heat, and depending on the oil and its condition may break down, or coke, and basically clog up the bearings and oil passages.
  • AnakinAnakin Member Posts: 410
    I doubt it's much of a factor for the casual driver. I tend not to push my car too hard until it warms up, and if I've been revving hard, I'll let the engine run a little when I stop, but for average sort of grocery store trips, I don't worry about it.
  • justinjustin Member Posts: 1,918
    no argument from me. the Miata is the essential roadster/real sports car. i adore the Miata. totally. but, it does not offer heated seats, or seating for four.

    yes, the Cabrio was slow. but it more than made up for it with STYLE. plus gobs of standard features. and the VW badge on the rear deck :) as far as the problems people have with it - what is alternative? with four seats and in the high teens - low 20's? NADA. ZILCH.

    the Jeep Wrangler is fun - but after living with two of them for only a year or so at a time, they get old. again, no heated seats, and takes literally several minutes to be a convertible. in DC heated seats are a must - that way you can use the top-down feature almost year round on sunny days. :)

    no flame wars here. i love the Miata.....but to get ABS you have to step up to the more expensive model, that doesn't even offer heated seats. a Cabrio GLS can be had for $18k, heated seats, ABS, and side airbags :) oh, and blue lights. YAY.
  • balticjetta18tbalticjetta18t Member Posts: 146
    I have seen this oil at my local WalMart Super Center for $3.37 per qt. I recently had my last totally free 20K maint. done at my dealer.
    I plan on going full synthetic @25k miles for the first oil change I pay for.
    How is the Shell Rotella brand as far as performance and economy goes? It will be late fall ready time for winter when I get to 25K. I have never used synthetic ever in any car as of yet. I also don't feel like spending 40-50 for an oil change when you still have to change 1.8t engine oil every 5k miles. $50 for the TDI every 10k is understandable.
  • balticjetta18tbalticjetta18t Member Posts: 146
    Keep in mind that since you have an automatic transmission the tranny fluid has routing through the radiator to help cool the ATF as it runs hotter than manual gear oil.
    I own a 1.8t with a 5 speed and have never heard the engine cooling fan come on after I shut down the motor.
    I have had a loaner 1.8t Jetta with an automatic tranny and yes, the engine cooling fan came on after driving the exact same route and speed home as my own car.
    What was funny was that when I drove the automatic 1.8t into my garage as usual, I kinda got thrown off by that fan noise that I had never heard before in my garage as the sound reverberated with the garage door closed. I wondered, what the heck is that weird noise?
    Even a Dodge Neon with a regular 4 cyl automatic will engage the E-Cooling Fan when you shut the motor off.
  • chmeeeechmeeee Member Posts: 327
    It has worked great for me so far, the engine has gotten noticeably smoother, although God only knows what was in there from the factory.
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    "no argument from me. the Miata is the essential roadster/real sports car. i adore the Miata. totally. but, it does not offer heated seats, or seating for four."

    Well, no kidding! Since those are diametrically opposed ideas, there is no way they could coexist in the same car!
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    "...again, no heated seats, and takes literally several minutes to be a convertible."

    oooh! SEVERAL minutes? The horror!

    "...in DC heated seats are a must - that way you can use the top-down feature almost year round on sunny days. :)"

    I don't know if you mean District of Columbia, but I put the top down year round here in Massachusetts.

    "...no flame wars here..."

    Meaning we can't comment?

    "...i love the Miata.....but to get ABS you have to step up to the more expensive model, that doesn't even offer heated seats. a Cabrio GLS can be had for $18k, heated seats, ABS, and side airbags :) oh, and blue lights. YAY."

    Yeah, but then you no longer have a sports car.
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    Is the current 2.0 liter motor derived from the original Rabbit 1.8 liter motor?
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