If you bought a used car and all this happened...

[JohnCU]

I thought I was getting a good deal on an 03 Jetta 2.0L with 93k miles on it for $10.5k back in June, got a 30 day power train warranty. Here's what happened:

1. When I cranked it up for a test drive, the windshield wipers come on. The guy said he didn't know anything about that and I figured it was something simple. Wiper relay parts & labor - $150 (haven't bought yet)
2. Didn't tell me the side mirror was broken and strapped on, didn't find out until I got home - cost unknown
3. $300 tuneup but that was just taking care of it
4. Front swaybar bushings worn, causing awful noise - $400 (not bought yet)
5. Ignition coils died - $400 (the guy paid half, so $200 for me)
6. Plug wires couldn't handle the new ignition coil voltage - $80
7. Cleaned the throttle body and some other stuff for bad idling - $100
8. Right rear speaker dead since I bought it - $200 for a set

that's $1430 right there. now the O2 sensors are out and I have no idea how much that'll be. i'm pretty pissed but the 30 days are up and I guess not much I can do except rant.

 

[iamwiz82]

1. Warning sign : VW = electrical nightmare
2. Buyer beware
3. maintenance
4. maintenance
5. Warning sign : VW = eats coils
6. maintenance to a point, if those were original wires that normal
7. maintenance
8. Buyer beware

 

[mugs]

Well that sucks.

But it's a VW.

 

[JohnCU]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
1. Warning sign : VW = electrical nightmare
2. Buyer beware
3. maintenance
4. maintenance
5. Warning sign : VW = eats coils
6. maintenance to a point, if those were original wires that normal
7. maintenance
8. Buyer beware

true, should have been smarter and more thorough, just feel kind of sh!tted on at the moment.

 

[mooncancook]

Crash it intentionally and claim insurance.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I would say, replace the timing belt, tensioner, accessories belt, water pump, probably spark plugs, and the serpentine belt.

this is what you do for most VW's @ 80k-100k miles. I hope you know someone who can do VW mechanic work. I sure do ....love my VW , worth every penny! I have a 2000 Jetta 1.8T

 

[JohnCU]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
I would say, replace the timing belt, tensioner, accessories belt, water pump, probably spark plugs, and the serpentine belt.

this is what you do for most VW's @ 80k-100k miles. I hope you know someone who can do VW mechanic work. I sure do ....love my VW , worth every penny! I have a 2000 Jetta 1.8T

lies lies lies please be lies

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: JohnCU

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
1. Warning sign : VW = electrical nightmare
2. Buyer beware
3. maintenance
4. maintenance
5. Warning sign : VW = eats coils
6. maintenance to a point, if those were original wires that normal
7. maintenance
8. Buyer beware

true, should have been smarter and more thorough, just feel kind of sh!tted on at the moment.

To be honest, that's why I don't really like used cars. I can deal with them since I do my own work, but even then I hate dealing with the crap other people have done. I really cannot say I trust people either, when it comes to car maintenance and care, I usually go on the notion that they were abused and such.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: JohnCU

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
I would say, replace the timing belt, tensioner, accessories belt, water pump, probably spark plugs, and the serpentine belt.

this is what you do for most VW's @ 80k-100k miles. I hope you know someone who can do VW mechanic work. I sure do ....love my VW , worth every penny! I have a 2000 Jetta 1.8T

lies lies lies please be lies

No, that is all normal maintenace for a car with that kind of mileage.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: JohnCU

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
I would say, replace the timing belt, tensioner, accessories belt, water pump, probably spark plugs, and the serpentine belt.

this is what you do for most VW's @ 80k-100k miles. I hope you know someone who can do VW mechanic work. I sure do ....love my VW , worth every penny! I have a 2000 Jetta 1.8T

lies lies lies please be lies

It is normal for volkswagons at this mileage. the timing belt is roughly 1000 and they replace almost everything I said that needs to be replaced. unless you have one of those 'remove bumper to get to timing belt' cars...then it might be a couple hundred more. If you lived around here I could have my mechanic do it for you for cost of parts (and a nice tip, I tipped him 200 for doing my timing belt).

 

[Pepsi90919]

6. Plug wires couldn't handle the new ignition coil voltage - $80
7. Cleaned the throttle body and some other stuff for bad idling - $100
3. $300 tuneup but that was just taking care of it

sounds like you were randomly throwing money at an engine performance problem?

 

[JohnCU]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

6. Plug wires couldn't handle the new ignition coil voltage - $80
7. Cleaned the throttle body and some other stuff for bad idling - $100
3. $300 tuneup but that was just taking care of it

sounds like you were randomly throwing money at an engine performance problem?

they replaced the ignition coil because it was shorting out, then since the new coil was working better the old wires were shorting out. the tuneup was just because I thought I'd tune it up and maybe that'd be all I needed to do.

 

[Baked]

Buying a high milage german car is a good deal?

 

[j00fek]

we have a lemon law in maine to take care of sh!tty auto dealers

 

[So]

I hope you learned you lesson: Never buy a volkswagen.

 

[krunchykrome]

Used VW with 93K miles for $10.5K!!!!??? You were asking for trouble.

 

[lokiju]

Electrical is the biggest issue with VW's IMO.

 

[Toasthead]

Originally posted by: mugs
Well that sucks.

But it's a VW.

seriously. Why does ANYONe buy a VW? especially a USED one with 90K+ miles?

 

[fbrdphreak]

Sway bar bushings should not cost $400. Get on the VW forums and find some cheaper aftermarket versions. You need to become really cozy with a good VW forum and its technically astute members before that car bends you over any further & probes your tonsils from the other end

 

[5to1baby1in5]

Originally posted by: JohnCU
I thought I was getting a good deal on an 03 Jetta 2.0L with 93k miles on it for $10.5k back in June, got a 30 day power train warranty. Here's what happened:

1. When I cranked it up for a test drive, the windshield wipers come on. The guy said he didn't know anything about that and I figured it was something simple. Wiper relay parts & labor - $150 (haven't bought yet)
2. Didn't tell me the side mirror was broken and strapped on, didn't find out until I got home - cost unknown
3. $300 tuneup but that was just taking care of it
4. Front swaybar bushings worn, causing awful noise - $400 (not bought yet)
5. Ignition coils died - $400 (the guy paid half, so $200 for me)
6. Plug wires couldn't handle the new ignition coil voltage - $80
7. Cleaned the throttle body and some other stuff for bad idling - $100
8. Right rear speaker dead since I bought it - $200 for a set

that's $1430 right there. now the O2 sensors are out and I have no idea how much that'll be. i'm pretty pissed but the 30 days are up and I guess not much I can do except rant.

1. Should have passed on the car right then and there unless seller offered to fix it first.
2. Did you eaven look the car over before you bought it?
3. With today's electronic ignitions and onboard computers, a tune-up is essentially replacing the spark plugs and rotor. You got ripped if you paid $300 for that.
4. See #2.
5. That car sounds like a complete POS.
6. Should have been included with #3.
7. $100 to spray some carb cleaner down the throttle... You got ripped.
8. Not much you can do about that. Be prepared for more...

Now besides just raggin' on you, Something usefull...
A scan should tell you which O2 sensor is bad. No need to replace both of them unless they are both bad. They are pretty easy to replace yourself. They will be threaded into the exhaust pipe between the exhaust manifold and the catalytic converter. Assuming you are able to reach them without dismanteling the exhaust system (it is a Jetta after all) you just need to unplug the wires and then unscrew the sensor from the exhaust pipe with a wrench, and screw/plug the new one back in. I would also recommend finding a different mechanic.