I think I am going to buy a Jetta...any tips?

[vi edit]

<< Don't flame me, but is the TDI a turbo diesel? I haven't seen any of those on the road, just the VR6 and 1.8Ts around here (SoCal, Irvine area)... >>



Yep. The reason you don't see them in Cali is because the tree huggers banned diesel passenger cars.

As for the output, it's about 90HP, but it puts out 155ft/lbs of torque at about 1300 RPMS

 

[Turkey]

Good engine choice... really easy to mod for big power. Definitely give the TDI a try, just for kicks... it will feel much faster than 90 hp, and you get like 45 mpg.

 

[Thegonagle]

<<

<< People who don't like VW's just haven't driven one. >>



The understatement of the year >>



Yeah, yeah, I've driven a few. Different strokes for different folks. I think they're too soft, too heavy, and get relatively poor mileage (TDI not withstanding, of course, but they have other issues, like finding a diesel pump, tailpipe pollution still worse than gasoline, -30 F starting ability in Minnesota, etc.)

 

[Yo Ma Ma]

My husband is a big Jetta fan, though it's the diesel version he always drives.

Seats I can comprehend, but whatsa heated nozzle??

 

[Triumph]

<<

<< Every person I know that has bought American has had problems. In the 6 years I've had my Toyota I have had none. >>


And you want to buy a Volkswagen?

Buy another Toyota. Or a Honda. Or maybe a Protege or Impreza. Volkswagens are for trendy folks who want a trendy car and plan to flip the thing back on the market in a year or so before the problems get out of hand. The Passat, maybe, is in a different position because it's made in Germany, but the Mexican-built Golf/Jetta/Beetle are in the Chrysler Crap segment. Sure, these VWs LOOK all fancy and nice, especially inside, but have fun taking care of the myriad electrical problems (oh, those wonderful power windows) and dealing with a small dealer network who make you wait weeks to get parts from Germany. $23K is a lot of money for a small non-premium car that has a decent chance of being an ownership nightmare. Heck, I'd think you'd have a better ownership experience from Hyundai and you'd pay half the price. >>



Here come the VW naysayers again, who most likely never even owned a VW of their own. You know what I say to your opinion? BULLSH!T.



<< I don't know how the options are in the Golf but you could consider a golf 1.8t instead. >>


They don't offer the 1.8T in the Golf anymore, only in the GTI. And that is 2 door, which may be a concern for some people.



<< As with just about any car, you will get a lot more stereo for your money if you buy aftermarket and put it in yourself. >>


I second this. Just get the base stereo and change the head unit. The stock speakers are pretty good, they just need a better amplifier powering them.



<< and get relatively poor mileage >>


I'm happy with getting 33 mpg on the highway through the mountains at 75-80 mph. On a 3300 pound car, with a load of junk in the back. A Civic may get better mileage, but anything over 30 is good enough for me.

 

[vi edit]

<< Seats I can comprehend, but whatsa heated nozzle?? >>

The jets that shoot out the windshield wiper fluid are heated.

 

[mithrandir2001]

<< People who don't like VW's just haven't driven one. >>


I test drove a GTI 2.8 last year when I was looking for a new car. It may be strange to say this, but it's just too much engine for that car. I think I saw the needle drop even on my 10 mile test drive. The car just felt heavy for an alleged nimble sport hatch. Maybe this is why people are directed to the much lighter and frugal 1.8T. But engine size aside, I was frankly surprised at how soft the GTI was...it handled fine, but not as good as I'd expect for a car with the sport suspension and summer-only 17" tires. Of course, I drove an Integra GS the same day I drove the GTI, so I think I missed the tossable feel of a light Japanese car with a small 4 cylinder. Put the 1.8T in the Integra and you might have a happy marriage because the Integra didn't have enough torque to match its superior handling abilities. That Integra felt like a go-kart; an underpowered go-kart, but it was point and shoot. Shame it was also too small inside.

 

[mithrandir2001]

<< Here come the VW naysayers again, who most likely never even owned a VW of their own. You know what I say to your opinion? BULLSH!T. >>


Hey, facts are facts. VW still can't break into the top half in J.D. Power's Ownership Survey. For a maker who wants to charge premium prices, they need to build a damn good car, yet they consistently rank in the bottom half year after year.

Not everybody is willing to tolerate a car with questionable quality attributes just because its German and counter-culture cool. I judge cars based on how they hold up over time...it's not my sole criterion, but it's very important. If you want to bring your premium-priced car into the dealer more often than the average for warranty repairs, heck, that's YOUR choice. But people should not be blinded by this VW chicness mirage nor should they ignore the evidence available that says Volkswagens are not of the same quality as Japanese or even some domestic makers.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

<< I think I am going to buy a Jetta...any tips? >>

Yeah, sell it and buy a different car.

nik

 

[yakko]

<< Too bad there isn't a 4 Motion version of the Jetta like the Passat. >>

There is in Europe.

 

[yakko]

<<

<< Every person I know that has bought American has had problems. In the 6 years I've had my Toyota I have had none. >>


And you want to buy a Volkswagen?

Buy another Toyota. Or a Honda. Or maybe a Protege or Impreza. Volkswagens are for trendy folks who want a trendy car and plan to flip the thing back on the market in a year or so before the problems get out of hand. The Passat, maybe, is in a different position because it's made in Germany, but the Mexican-built Golf/Jetta/Beetle are in the Chrysler Crap segment. Sure, these VWs LOOK all fancy and nice, especially inside, but have fun taking care of the myriad electrical problems (oh, those wonderful power windows) and dealing with a small dealer network who make you wait weeks to get parts from Germany. $23K is a lot of money for a small non-premium car that has a decent chance of being an ownership nightmare. Heck, I'd think you'd have a better ownership experience from Hyundai and you'd pay half the price. >>

Told you they would come in and spout off.

 

[yakko]

<<

<< Here come the VW naysayers again, who most likely never even owned a VW of their own. You know what I say to your opinion? BULLSH!T. >>


Hey, facts are facts. VW still can't break into the top half in J.D. Power's Ownership Survey. For a maker who wants to charge premium prices, they need to build a damn good car, yet they consistently rank in the bottom half year after year.

Not everybody is willing to tolerate a car with questionable quality attributes just because its German and counter-culture cool. I judge cars based on how they hold up over time...it's not my sole criterion, but it's very important. If you want to bring your premium-priced car into the dealer more often than the average for warranty repairs, heck, that's YOUR choice. But people should not be blinded by this VW chicness mirage nor should they ignore the evidence available that says Volkswagens are not of the same quality as Japanese or even some domestic makers. >>

You mean the evidence that my Mexican made Jetta with 111,000+ miles has not had anything other than normal repairs, aside from the ones caused by my negligance, and that my mom told Honda to come pick up the Civic she was leasing because she got sick of going to the dealer with it?

 

[Uclagamer_99]

i think you should stick with the celica...get a 2002 gt-s 6 speed with action package (sooooo sexy!)

yeah i know the new celica is an acquired taste but i like it and plus it's toyota

 

[satori]

My g/f has a silver one. It's kinda funny. When she was looking for a new car (her previous one was totalled by a F@#king semi-truck!!!), she'd been thinking of an altima. But, one of our other friends mentioned a Jetta. The next day, she went to the dealer, test drove one, and ended up buying it the same day.

I was totally surprised to see she'd gotten a 1.8T. Heated seats, etc. I'm not sure what other options she has on it. It was a fun car to drive, but I never really flinged it around, since it's her car and not mine. I leave my flinging to my 240sx. I don't really have any info on the build quality, since she only had the car for 2 months before some idiot pulling out of a gas station side-swiped her. My g/f has the >worst< luck with cars. It's really weird. She doesn't speed, follows all the rules, always signals when she turns... but she's been in three bad accidents in the past couple years and none of them were her fault.

btw, the dash lights are pretty cool and the turbo whine is fun to hear. I wonder what the new W-12 Passat sounds like...

 

[SALvation]

OK. Now that I've slept on it, I'm sure I want the Jetta, now I have to figure out what financing plan to go with. The guy that was gonna buy my Celica backed out so I have no potential buyers right now. Today I'm gonna ask what I could get for a trade-in because although I know it would be less then selling it, I really don't want to go through the hassel of doing it.

Here are my 3 options:

Buying - Higher monthly payment but it's all mine.

Leasing - Much lower monthly payment but mileage restriction and I can't do mods.

Driver's Choice - Medium monthly payment but mileage limit. Actually I'm not sure what the difference between this and leasing is. It looks like both give you the option to buy the car at the end of the term.

Right now I drive about 18,000 miles a year so I would have to cut down a bit unless VW has a hidden mileage limit. Doing mods isn't a big deal to me since I'm not a car guy. The car looks and performs bad ass stock. So what option do you guys suggest?

 

[StageLeft]

Buy it or do a search on AT For any number of the dozen threads that deal specifically with leasing vs. buying

What what I've heard from various forces a VW won't be as reliable as a Honda/Toyota either. I don't think the difference is enough that it would stop me from buying one but I think the numbers from JD and consumer reports do indicate it. It's still no Ford though and if you keep the car long enough for the repairs to start kicking in you'll probably like it enough that it won't really matter.

I want one now

 

[jaybert]

I just bought a Jetta the first of April and I couldnt be happier. I picked up:

2002 Jetta GLS 2.0 (yes, its the weak little engine)

pics of my jetta

I got it for somewhere between $200 and $800 below invoice (depending what source you look at). I didn't even have to bargain for that price. They had a sale that week which was $2500 off the GLS model which brought it down to that price.

As for financing, check with VW, they usually have some good deals. Their current promotion is like .9% APR for 24 months but if you need something like 3 or 4 years, i think its like 3.9 and 4.9 respectively which is still pretty damn good.

 

[jaybert]

oh yeah, if all possible, go with the leather seats. The velour seats that come stock are TERRIBLE. I mean, they feel great and all, but they attract lint like no other.

 

[aphex]

<< but they attract lint like no other >>



VERY true... We got leather in the passats simply for that reason

 

[mithrandir2001]

<< My g/f has the >worst< luck with cars. It's really weird. She doesn't speed, follows all the rules, always signals when she turns... but she's been in three bad accidents in the past couple years and none of them were her fault. >>


I think the problem is that your GF DOES follow all the rules and this gives her, perhaps, a false sense of security. You can always spot the "submissive driver" on the road...the one putting along in the right lane at or under the speed limit, signalling a mile before they actually turn and spending 15 minutes making that turn. The blue Chevy Lumina with the American flag on the attenna, etc. I think the problem is that these drivers believe they will be safe because they always drive within the limits of the law.

I have the (somewhat unpopular) opinion that many traffic laws are pretty much moot. After driving for 12 years, I've come to the conclusion that it doesn't necessarily matter how often you obey traffic signage, but how often you remain 100% alert at all times and drive with the attitude that collisions with other cars and objects are to be completely avoided. I drive fast almost all the time, but you should see me behind the wheel. I drive like a person possessed, completely focussed on the road and my surroundings. I have a very difficult time having a simple conversation when I drive because my mind isn't on the conversation...it's on the road. I think my high alertness has served me much better than any traffic signage could offer; signage are just guidelines that provide the foundation and you tweek them based on your own particular abilities. I just can't drive the speed limit because I get extremely bored. I have to go faster to keep my brain humming and reflexes honed...and to keep up with other traffic.

 

[Doggiedog]

I'm with mithrandir2001.

Despite me driving for 14 years and speeding most of them, I've never gotten a speeding ticket or moving violation and I don't have a radar detector.

I just try to stay aware at all times, watch the flow of traffic and try to look as far up as I can to see if people are braking.

Only accident I had was when I was 18 and I hydroplaned on my bald tires on my GTI. But nothing major, just hit the curb.

 

[satori]

Alright, I'm sure no one's purposedly trying to rag on my g/f (*grin*), so I guess I'd better post a clarification. I shouldn't have used to words "doesn't speed", since that's not technically true. She'll go 5-10 mph over the speed limit if the situation's cool. I'd say she usually goes 65 in Seattle (speed limit's only 60 there). She's not agressive enough to tail-gate someone only going 70-75 in the left-lane... that's my job. Anyways, how 'bout I change that part to "She doesn't go excessively faster than conditions warrant, while weaving around traffic?"

As for signaling all her lane-changes/turns, I'm not sure how this is a >bad< thing. Yah, there are some bone-headed laws, but signalling isn't one of them. About 2 weeks ago, I was coming up to a light that had just turned green. The right-most lane only had 1 car, so they were already past the intersection, while the middle lane was backed up by 7-8 cars. Since I always try to time my approaches to lights so I don't have to stop, I'm going maybe 20 mph in the right lane (Speed limit is 40). Well, right before I start passing the slowly accelerating cars in the center, some bonehead decides to switch lanes to my lane, w/o looking or signalling. I had to slam on my brakes and ended up a foot or so from hitting them. If I'd seen a turn-signal going or a head turning, I would've slowed down earlier. So, signalling isn't a bad thing.

As for describing her as a driver with a "false sense of security", she definitely isn't one of those. After what she's been through the past 8-9 months,I'd be a little worried about driving, too. I >dare< anyone to say with a straight face that they could've avoided either of the accidents my g/f was in.

1. Morning rush-hour traffic... I-90 tunnel going into Seattle... She pulls up to stopped traffic and comes to a stop... So does the Explorer behind her... The 18-wheeler behind the explorer doesn't... The chain reaction went forward at least 5-6 cars... When the police saw my g/f's totalled car, they said the explorer probably saved her life... The semi would've literally rolled over her Civic. She replaced the car with a Jetta.

2. She's creeping along stop-and-go traffic in her Jetta, going maybe 10 MPH, when the person pulling out of the gas station decides to ram into the side of her car. I use those words, because I can't come up with another reason for why she got hit. If my g/f was speeding or going faster, I could maybe understand how someone could mis-time pulling out of a drive-way into moving traffic. But, 10 MPH?!?!?! The impact was enough to 'cause 5-6K in damage. She luckily hit the brakes a second or so before the car came out and had the impact a little in front of the right-door, instead of right on the door itself. Otherwise, her friend riding in the passenger seat might've been more seriously hurt.

Okay, so >that's< what I mean by bad-luck. 2 accidents that were totally unavoidable. The only thing I can do is shake my head and tell her "That's Life." If anyone can come up with a reasonable way for her to have avoided either of those, I'll send ya a 10 dollar Safeway gift certificate.

BTW, looking "as far ahead to see braking" is important, but so is looking behind. If you see the cars in all the lanes driving side-by-side, that's another sign of a cop around.