YACT: Any thoughts on the 2002 VW Jetta 1.8T?

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IgoByte

Diamond Member
Jan 23, 2001
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After a long search and a lot of thinking, I may decide to buy a 2002 Jetta 1.8T.

Here's the skinny:
- 2002 Jetta GLS 1.8 Turbo (un-modded), automatic
- 11,500 miles on clock
- One owner, purchased in VA; selling because of move to NYC, perfect condition
- Standard equipment, cloth interior, one-piece headunit + 8-speaker audio, alloy wheels
- transferrable 50,000mi/4yr full + 60,000/5yr powertrain warranty
- Galactic Blue

Price: Hoping for $12,500 (definitely in that area, though) / BB is ~$15,300

What are your thoughts?
 
F

fs5

Lifer
Jun 10, 2000
11,774
1
0
I wouldn't ask this question here... VW isn't muched liked around these parts.

I would say go for it, but it's not stick.
 
R

RagingBITCH

Lifer
Sep 27, 2003
17,618
2
76
*obligatory VW sucks*

You can probably drive the car up to a VW dealer when you test drive it and have them pull up any recall/repair records. If there's a lot then you know you should stay away. It's your money - VW does make a sweet car if it wasn't for some of the shoddy reliability.
 
K

KillaBong

Senior member
Nov 26, 2002
426
0
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I really like those cars. Put a chip in it, and it will have something like 200+hp and 240lb/ft torque.

I'd go for a stick though :)
 
I

IgoByte

Diamond Member
Jan 23, 2001
4,765
0
76
Thanks for the replies. I don't know if I can find a dealer in the area when I test drive it tomorrow, but I will definitely take all precautions, though all advice is definitely welcomed.

As for stick vs. automatic, I'd go for a stick too, but I live in NYC, and driving stick around here wouldn't be much fun, I think.
 
F

fs5

Lifer
Jun 10, 2000
11,774
1
0
you live in NYC? Why do you need a car there anyways? :D
and a 1.8t anyways, just go to the n/a version. Not like you'll need the extra power anyways.
 
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fyleow

Platinum Member
Jan 18, 2002
2,915
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Originally posted by: Roger
Tell him you will buy it if he replaces the coil pack(s) first.
Click to expand...

Coilpack replacements are free...

I looked at the Jetta 1.8T and really liked it but I think the Passat would be a better choice. Not as sporty but much better in terms of comfort (especially back seat). It's also made in germany and more reliable overall.
 
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fyleow

Platinum Member
Jan 18, 2002
2,915
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0
Originally posted by: Roger
VW has recalled several hundred thousand VW's because of faulty coil packs.
Click to expand...

And most of the cars have been fixed, the ones that aren't can be taken to a dealership to have it replaced for free because it's a recall.

I personally wouldn't go for a Jetta automatic because it uses the 4 speed auto instead of the 5 speed tiptronic. You're going to be cruising on the freeway at higher rpms and wasting gas. I think the Jetta that I test drove was running at 3,500 RPMs at 80 mph while my Passat does it just under 3,000
 
T

tnitsuj

Diamond Member
May 22, 2003
5,446
0
76
Originally posted by: IgoByte
Originally posted by: Roger
Tell him you will buy it if he replaces the coil pack(s) first.
Click to expand...

Tell me more please. I'm not much of a car person...
Click to expand...

Each cylinder on most Volkswagons has an individual ignition coil. The coil is what provides the power to the spark plug. Volkswagon had a supplier that provided hundreds of thousands of faulty coil packs which they are replacing. It should be allright now, but when the problem 1st hit, VW refused to replace them until they actually went bad (stranding you) due to a shortage of parts.
 
I

IgoByte

Diamond Member
Jan 23, 2001
4,765
0
76
Originally posted by: fivespeed5
you live in NYC? Why do you need a car there anyways? :D
and a 1.8t anyways, just go to the n/a version. Not like you'll need the extra power anyways.
Click to expand...

Well, I've been driving a 99 Maxima SE Ltd., which has 220hp, and moving to a regular GLS Jetta with 115hp would be too drastic a difference for me. I've test-driven a Golf GLS and it didn't have the sort of power I wanted. If you're asking why I'm buying a Jetta to replace the Maxima, I'm not; the Maxima is my dad's car, I've just been driving it. Oh, and I'm in Brooklyn, not Manhattan...still too much traffic for stick, though, IMHO.
 
I

IgoByte

Diamond Member
Jan 23, 2001
4,765
0
76
The Passat is nice, especially the W8, but it's a little too big for me and it's also noticeably more expensive than the Jetta. Since this would be my first own car, I'd like something that feels a little sporty and isn't too big, and has some punch... Nothing outrageous, just a plain nice little car...
 
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m2kewl

Diamond Member
Oct 7, 2001
8,263
0
0
i'd stay away from vw for their recent QC problems.

friend has '02 A6 from Jack Daniels Audi in NJ, and that car has issues. pm if you want more info.
 
M

Mill

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
28,558
3
81
Originally posted by: Roger
VW has recalled several hundred thousand VW's because of faulty coil packs.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but the replacement is free at the dealer.
 
I

IgoByte

Diamond Member
Jan 23, 2001
4,765
0
76
Originally posted by: Mill
Originally posted by: Roger
VW has recalled several hundred thousand VW's because of faulty coil packs.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but the replacement is free at the dealer.
Click to expand...

Is it free even if nothing goes wrong with it?
 
PricklyPete

PricklyPete

Lifer
Sep 17, 2002
14,582
162
106
Originally posted by: IgoByte
After a long search and a lot of thinking, I may decide to buy a 2002 Jetta 1.8T.

Here's the skinny:
- 2002 Jetta GLS 1.8 Turbo (un-modded), automatic
- 11,500 miles on clock
- One owner, purchased in VA; selling because of move to NYC, perfect condition
- Standard equipment, cloth interior, one-piece headunit + 8-speaker audio, alloy wheels
- transferrable 50,000mi/4yr full + 60,000/5yr powertrain warranty
- Galactic Blue

Price: Hoping for $12,500 (definitely in that area, though) / BB is ~$15,300

What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...

The Jettas are nice looking are are well built for their price range, but I have heard a lot of people who have had problems with them. Although most of the worst stories are always anecdotal stories, there are definitely a lot of statistics that point to bad reliability for VW/Audi products.
 
E

Excelsior

Lifer
May 30, 2002
19,047
18
81
Originally posted by: IgoByte
By the way, how is the stock audio in the Jetta?
Click to expand...

If it's comparable to the stock audio in our passats then it isn't bad at all. Fact is, we haven't had any trouble out of our 99 and 2001.5 passats. The 1.8t engine in that Jetta has 180HP quite frankly is underrated compared to the 220HP in the maxima. A chip will bring it up +80 ft/lbs and 35HP.

Here is a review.
 
M

Mill

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
28,558
3
81
Originally posted by: IgoByte
Originally posted by: Mill
Originally posted by: Roger
VW has recalled several hundred thousand VW's because of faulty coil packs.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but the replacement is free at the dealer.
Click to expand...

Is it free even if nothing goes wrong with it?
Click to expand...

I believe so. It is a recall so normally they *want* to replace it.
 

Listen up people, if he buys the vehicle and then brings it in to the VW dealership to have the coil packs replaced under warranty, they (VW) is either going to deny his claim or hassle him because he's not the original owner.
 
R

RagingBITCH

Lifer
Sep 27, 2003
17,618
2
76
Originally posted by: Roger
Listen up people, if he buys the vehicle and then brings it in to the VW dealership to have the coil packs replaced under warranty, they (VW) is either going to deny his claim or hassle him because he's not the original owner.
Click to expand...

What about:

- transferrable 50,000mi/4yr full + 60,000/5yr powertrain warranty
Click to expand...

 
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