2004 Jetta GL automatic - speak now or forever hold your peace

[fbrdphreak]

My boss is getting an 04 Jetta GL with 22K miles and one owner for her 17 year old daughter. What is everyone's thoughts on this car? I can't imagine buying an I-4 automatic 2900lbs car that makes 115HP and gets 22/28MPG, but other than that any major problems with them?

 

[Dacalo]

$?

 

[krunchykrome]

Major problems, how about reliability. It's VW, duh!

 

[j00fek]

have fun with the auto tranny and the electric system

 

[LordMorpheus]

Really 3000 pounds with 115HP? That's terrible. Even slower than my town car! (4000 lbs, 210 HP)

 

[Baked]

Get a Scion xA.

 

[JohnCU]

i have the same one 2003 model GLS it's 2.0 L 115 hp and 93000 miles on it. it's a little sporty but not the fastest thing and i've already spent a bunch of money fixing the coilpacks and need another 600 to fix the windshield wipers and squeaky sway bar but the car looks so sleek.

pics: bought it back in june

 

[mitaiwan82]

Just say no to the 2.slow

At that price range (~$15K), there's are just too many better cars that your boss can consider. The usual suspects are used Civics and Corollas. If he wants a new car for her, he can even go for a Honda Fit or even korean cars (which I'm not endorsing....but they are really cheap).

 

[fbrdphreak]

I agree guys, it is not the best choice in that price range. But the daughter is spoiled and calls all the shots, so I think they're lucky she likes this car.

 

[Excelsior]

At least get her the 1.8t engine.

 

[Noirish]

either go for vr6 or 1.8t.
with a chip, 1.8t can gain 30-40 hp.

 

[Alienwho]

My friend has a 2.slow. Way underpowered. I've got a chipped 1.8T and that's a little rocket. I've also been extremely lucky so far reliability wise, I've had absolutely no problems with my 2001.
Oh and also, does it really get that terrible gas mileage? I think the Jetta has a 13 gallon tank, and I get at least 460 miles a tank, and that's with some race inspired spirited driving. This is both 50% highway 50% city.

 

[fbrdphreak]

They want a cheap, reliable, economical car; so the 1.8T and VR6 are probably not options, although mostly due to the fact that they need a good deal and this one is already lined up.

Believe me, I would no more recommend a 3000lbs 115HP car.....
Hell, my 165HP 3300lbs car isn't that quick, I can't imagine what that car is like. Ugh; and get crappy mileage too.

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
They want a cheap, reliable, economical car...

Then why in the world would they be looking at German cars? Let me guess, they hate Japanese cars, and they think American cars are crap.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
They want a cheap, reliable, economical car; so the 1.8T and VR6 are probably not options, although mostly due to the fact that they need a good deal and this one is already lined up.

Believe me, I would no more recommend a 3000lbs 115HP car.....
Hell, my 165HP 3300lbs car isn't that quick, I can't imagine what that car is like. Ugh; and get crappy mileage too.

My 1.8t gets ~31-32 Highway, ~23-25 City.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Baked

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
They want a cheap, reliable, economical car...

Then why in the world would they be looking at German cars? Let me guess, they hate Japanese cars, and they think American cars are crap.

No, as I said its mostly because their daughter is spoiled.

My gf is selling her 01 Saturn L200 with <60K miles; its 2800lbs, 140HP, and gets 26/32 real world mileage. Hasn't had a major problem and the drivetrain should be good for quite a while. Only asking $7K. Why weren't they interested? The daughter saw a picture (Silver, quite nice looking car IMO) and wasn't interested.

Problem: spoiled daughter

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
They want a cheap, reliable, economical car; so the 1.8T and VR6 are probably not options, although mostly due to the fact that they need a good deal and this one is already lined up.

Believe me, I would no more recommend a 3000lbs 115HP car.....
Hell, my 165HP 3300lbs car isn't that quick, I can't imagine what that car is like. Ugh; and get crappy mileage too.

My 1.8t gets ~31-32 Highway, ~23-25 City.

And uses premium gas. And the car has a price premium over the GL 2.0. And is probably harder to find. I just think they should've avoided VW altogether for their needs, but the daughter is calling the shots

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
They want a cheap, reliable, economical car; so the 1.8T and VR6 are probably not options, although mostly due to the fact that they need a good deal and this one is already lined up.

Believe me, I would no more recommend a 3000lbs 115HP car.....
Hell, my 165HP 3300lbs car isn't that quick, I can't imagine what that car is like. Ugh; and get crappy mileage too.

My 1.8t gets ~31-32 Highway, ~23-25 City.

And uses premium gas. And the car has a price premium over the GL 2.0. And is probably harder to find. I just think they should've avoided VW altogether for their needs, but the daughter is calling the shots

Hell no it doesn't. I only put 87 in mine, never a problem.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
They want a cheap, reliable, economical car; so the 1.8T and VR6 are probably not options, although mostly due to the fact that they need a good deal and this one is already lined up.

Believe me, I would no more recommend a 3000lbs 115HP car.....
Hell, my 165HP 3300lbs car isn't that quick, I can't imagine what that car is like. Ugh; and get crappy mileage too.

My 1.8t gets ~31-32 Highway, ~23-25 City.

And uses premium gas. And the car has a price premium over the GL 2.0. And is probably harder to find. I just think they should've avoided VW altogether for their needs, but the daughter is calling the shots

Hell no it doesn't. I only put 87 in mine, never a problem.

Really? First I've ever heard of a turbo not using 93. Does VW call for 93?

 

[Modular]

Automatic sluchbox FTL...

At least it's relatively cheap (to buy)

 

[desy]

Well . . . on the plus a Jetta is a very safe car and they can sleep better knowing that

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: j00fek
have fun with the auto tranny and the electric system

QFT!!!

VW slushboxes are horrible. A friend of mine had one and rebuilt the transmission 3 times in 75k miles.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
They want a cheap, reliable, economical car; so the 1.8T and VR6 are probably not options, although mostly due to the fact that they need a good deal and this one is already lined up.

Believe me, I would no more recommend a 3000lbs 115HP car.....
Hell, my 165HP 3300lbs car isn't that quick, I can't imagine what that car is like. Ugh; and get crappy mileage too.

My 1.8t gets ~31-32 Highway, ~23-25 City.

And uses premium gas. And the car has a price premium over the GL 2.0. And is probably harder to find. I just think they should've avoided VW altogether for their needs, but the daughter is calling the shots

Hell no it doesn't. I only put 87 in mine, never a problem.

Really? First I've ever heard of a turbo not using 93. Does VW call for 93?

yes it does. my passat 1.8T requires premium. WTH are you doing with regular, excelsior?

 

[AdamK47]

A very feminine car that's perfect for a women. I say go for it.

 

[Alienwho]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
They want a cheap, reliable, economical car; so the 1.8T and VR6 are probably not options, although mostly due to the fact that they need a good deal and this one is already lined up.

Believe me, I would no more recommend a 3000lbs 115HP car.....
Hell, my 165HP 3300lbs car isn't that quick, I can't imagine what that car is like. Ugh; and get crappy mileage too.

My 1.8t gets ~31-32 Highway, ~23-25 City.

And uses premium gas. And the car has a price premium over the GL 2.0. And is probably harder to find. I just think they should've avoided VW altogether for their needs, but the daughter is calling the shots

Hell no it doesn't. I only put 87 in mine, never a problem.

Really? First I've ever heard of a turbo not using 93. Does VW call for 93?

yes it does. my passat 1.8T requires premium. WTH are you doing with regular, excelsior?

I've found I get an extra 50 gallons out of a tank using Premium gas, and the performance is MUCH better. I don't know if I just got a freak or what, but I've consistantly gotten 35 mpg out of my 1.8T for the year I've had it.