Cars- Volkswagen Jetta?

Question

I am thinking of buying a Volkswagen Jetta. Can you tell me anything about them? Any reviews?

Answer 1

I am a Volkswagen Jetta lover for sure. my first one was a 1991 GLi in tornado red. it was a very sporty little car and held up very well. 117,000 miles before it was garaged, original clutch and brakes, but need to be replaced.

my 2nd Jetta was a 1996 Trec, i got it used, so i didnt get the bike with it. had the 2.0l 4 cylinder with a five speed manual, it was seriously gutless but it was lowered on Eibach springs and had an exhaust, 16" rims. it was mostly originall.

my 3rd and current (the one in my profile pic) Jetta is a 2003 GLi with the 24v VR6 engine and 6 speed manual. i have done lots to this car: coilover suspension, exhaust, short shifter, limited slip diff, lightweight flywheel, stronger clutch, rear sway bar...there's more, but you get the point. i have 97,000 miles on this one and it's been running strong. i had a few problems with it when it was new, persistant check engine light, power steering pump replaced, battery replaced, trim pieces, coil pack recall. all handled under warranty. but all in all it's been a really good car that is a total blast to drive. it's fast and handles very well. i love the style and stance of the car. i have a few more plans for the Jetta, but i'm out of money for now.

the only things that have broke on my car that wasnt covered under the warranty were things that i had messed with (i stripped out the sway bar mount hole and had to replace the lower A arm, clutch fluid line leaked), and stuff that wears out. still on the orignal brakes tho.

i'd say the 2.0l with automatic trans is the slowest and least exciting combo, but will probably last the longest. i have heard of very good reliability in VR6s, and i can attest for 97,000 miles with no problems!

good luck!

Answer 2

Jetta's look nice, and are great little cars when they work, but make sure to get the car checked out by a mechanic before you buy one. I bought a new 2001 vr6 back in 2000, and I have had many mechanical problems and barely have 50,000 miles on the car (new transmission, 2 new coil packs, serpentine belt, fan belt/pulley, etc.) Plus the 'check engine' light is on constantly. My advice is to avoid the 2001 models, as everything I've read is that they are nothing but trouble (and as an owner of one, I agree!). Check Consumer Reports for the year that you're thinking of buying, to double check any potential issues. For the most part, though, Jettas are either a great car or a ton of trouble... there isn't much of a middle ground. Good luck!

Answer 3

What I've learned is that any car is going to break down at sometime so you may as well just pick one you like. As for safety Jettas have excellent ratings, and your insurance company will tell you that too, one of the safest small cars around, so the guys saying otherwise I don't really know where they got their info. They do seem a little finicky as far as the motor and it is a little more expensive to fix, but if you haven't driven one you need to, the car holds the road amazingly, it's fun, it looks good, it feels like a more expensive european model like a bimmer or volvo but costs less, it's got that classic always in style look, as a current owner I'd say go for it, keep a couple hundred bucks in a savings account for those just in case repairs and love every minute of your VW, I'm 26 and I've had 11 cars since I was 16 I've had fords, jeeps, hondas, toyotas, GM, kia and now volkswagen and you know what they have all needed repairs and every time it's been at least $150 or more, so that myth that only Japanese cars are good is crap, they are all about equal in my book, I've been left on the side of the road in a honda civic and in ford's so just buy what you like to drive and look at, all cars will eventually break down, keep a savings account because sooner or later you will need to fix it, no matter what it is.

Answer 4

I have had my jetta vr6 for two years. I have only had little problems with it. I had to put on new brakes and belt. It was a little costly compare to other cars I have own but the parts was original so it was time to be changed. It runs good. It is very sporty for a four door car. The leather has held up well on the inside.( I have a child). I have heard that the 4 cycl. has had a lot of problems with the trans. I do have a manual and had no problem..no new clutch yet. Great car for the money.

Answer 5

VW makes some damn good looking cars, but the reliability has been destroyed since they started manufacturing them in mexico.
If you have the money to own a jetta, power to you. They are expensive to maintain, they break frequently, and basically they are garbage.
http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/1999-to-2005-volkswagen-golf-jetta-2.htm
reliability-4 (out of 10)
http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2006-volkswagen-jetta-6.htm
reliability-5 (out of 10)

Answer 6

I had a 04 jetta for 2 1/2 years i drove it hard and it didnt cost me anything but oil changes and tires. It was the v6 gli and was a beautiul and fast car. The engine rocks and the interior is second to none for the price. Great all around car, but as others have said keep up on your oil changes.

Answer 7

I have owned many VW's in the past and currently. The one thing is if you do buy a VW you should look for a good independent mechanic. As long as you keep up the maintenance on the VW, the car will last a long time. VW engines are very moody engines, but if you take care of them they last for a long time. My first Jetta lasted for 145,000 with no problems. I love VW's.

Answer 8

I had a 99 Jetta and I lowered it put 18 inch wheels on it and loved it. it had a 2 liter motor (gasoline) and the only problem I ever had with it was the cruse controll was intermittent and that really made me mad especially on long trips. I work on allot of air cooled VW's and my friend has a VW shop and says they have allot of electrical problems as well as the new Bugs so maybe you will get lucky. Good luck!

Answer 9

Latest one I heard was on frontal crash ratings. Seems the bumper assembly doesn't fair well, and the average cost to repair the car after a 6 mph accident was $9,000.

Answer 10

in a warm climate jetta's rock. In cold climates...not so good