Are Jetta's good cars?

Question

I'm looking at a Jetta (2000-01) are they good cars? If you have/had one would you recomend it? what are some of the problems you had with it?

Answer 1

I had a 97 jetta and put 209000 miles on the car. Minimal expenses. And I sold it for $2000 last month. She was still getting 34 mpg!

Answer 2

As a general rule of thumb, jetta's are VERY good cars. The 04 model year is better than the 00-01 model year. However!!

The biggest thing that people have to realize about german cars is that they are bound to a maintenance cycle! You don't simply just change the oil every 3000 miles and forget about it! This is true of Mercedes, audi, vw, etc..

Different jetta's have different problems. There is the 1.8T (which has turbo charger) the 2.0 (also known as the 2.slooooow) and the TDI (which is turbo charged & diesel powered)

You did not say which one you were looking at.
The 1.8T, since it has a turbo, is of course, more likely to have
"another" part available for failure. One of the best things that you have to do for "proper" turbo maintenance is not always drive your car like a "granny" - Revv that puppy up a while.. give the turbo a workout.

Your years had an issue with electrical (minor problem) and the Mass Airflow sensors are known to fail.

IMPORTANT NOTE OF INFORMATION about the mass airflow sensor.
They cost ~$80.
They take 5 minutes to replace.
A VW dealership will try to charge you $300 for the job. You *CAN* do it yourself.


If you are looking at a "TDI" be prepared for it to be a different experience than a "Gasser"

1) You don't change the oil every 3000 miles like you are used to on a gasoline car. The oil change is 10,000 miles!
However, you can't put generic 89cents per quart 10w30 in it, you use a special oil. No panics, however, cause the oil isn't that much more expensive, in fact, when you look at how many miles you go between oil changes, it's actually cheaper

2) Be prepared to get over 40 miles per gallon. !

3) at 60,000 or 80,000 miles you'll need to get the "timing belt" done. Do not go to a VW dealership for this.



Not trying to scare you away. I have two VWs (a jetta diesel, and a passat diesel) and I couldn't be happier.

Answer 3

I have a 2001 Jetta and I love it! It is so much fun to drive. I haven't had huge problems but I've had some. First off I always do the scheduled maintence which can be expensive. I also had one electrical issue that was about $800 to get analyzed and fixed. Also, if you are looking at a 2001 I highly reccomend getting leather. My 2001 has fabric seats and the material is sooo awful!!! That is actually the only issue with the car that really bugs me to no end! Everything in the world sticks to the seats like very peice of lint everything! I have paid so much money to get them steam cleaned and everything and they still look fuzzy no matter what. I was later told by someone at the dealership that all the vw material that year was really awful so they discontinued it and use something different now. But, aside from that I really really love my car, its great! And it also has a huge trunk so thats a plus too.

Answer 4

I love VW Jettas, I have owned a 96, and a 2002, I had no problems with the 96, put 150,00 miles on it, even towed a jet ski with 96 Jetta, the 2002 was great, I only had one problem with it and that was the window regulator went in it( my window fell down and would not go back up) but other than that mechanically it was great, they are good on gas, and a pretty smooth riding car, the only thing is parts can be expensive for them, that is the only thing I did not like. but over all, the two I owned where great, reliable cars..

Answer 5

I love my Jetta Gli. I have had it for 2 and a half years problem free. I drive it hard, I have been over 130 in it , I have red lined it many times and she still drives like a new car. The fit and finish is by far so much better than anything you will find in American made cars. Rattle free,fun to drive and looks that match a 325. There is Toyota's and hondas that are more reliable sure but style is important to me and jap cars are fugly!!! Why must i be such a slave to fashion? probably cause its inbred in us from our style consciense tv's.

Answer 6

I have driven several Jetta's and would have to say that the car is good. Of course it also depends a lot on the previous owner(s)! If they failed to keep up with basic maintenance or thrashed the car then is will have some serious problems.

Answer 7

I have an '03 Jetta and LOVE it. It's been a great car. No problems.

Answer 8

Yes, they are good cars but if you don't work on your own cars than remember: You will be at the mercy of the mechanics & dealers in your area when it breaks, and any 7-year old car will break.

Look at the dealerships in your area. Is there a VW dealership? If so, then parts and service will be realtively easy. If not, then pass it up and go for a GM, Ford, Toyota, etc. that has a dealership in your area.

Answer 9

Not really. They usually rate low on reliability research data. I'm including a link to JDPower, the authority on vehicle reliabile data. This is the Dependability Sutyd for 2004, which measure reliability of cars 3 years prior (since your looking at 2001 models). And if you do a search for all the other years, VW is always towards the bottom in reliability reports...

Hope this helps...

Answer 10

depends on what you are lookin for, I had a 88 jetta, it was a good car, but just remember imports are expensive to buy parts
for and fix.

how much mileage?
does the engine sound OK, any knocks?
hows the trans. these are questions you need to ask yourself before buying any used car

good luck