Dawnskaybug
New member
Can anyone send me some links on Jetta Forums ?? My Email is [email protected] Im lookin to buy a 03 or 02 jetta 1.8 or VR6 Can anyone tell me what to watch out for ???
Looking to buty a Jetta
- Thread starter Dawnskaybug
- Start date
rapid robert
New member
The price . A good car but a little pricy. Go for the Jetta diesel TDI
Dawnskaybug
New member
I was thinkin that but no power in the TDI... or am I Wrong ??. I had a Mazda PR5 with 130hp and that felt really underpowered and Ive mostly owned jap 4 bangers
tom p.
Active member
Dawnskaybug said:
ughhhh, you've got some learnin' to do !
We have a couple of TDis. They're both lightly modded. I have my Jetta putting out 138HP and 245Ft-Lbs with just a chip and injectors and I can still return 45 mpgs if I don't drive too crazy. They're very easy engines to mod.
most prominent VW forum is:vortex
most prominent TDi forum is: Fred's TDI club
Spilchy
New member
If you don't mind waiting to the end of the model year, buy a left over.
I have an 01 Jetta VR6 with every available option (except CD player - I loaded a 6 disc changer in the trunk). It was the most expensive Jetta avaialble.
I leased it. $1,000 down and $302 a month for 39 months.
I shopped that price around and no other dealer could touch it!
I have an 01 Jetta VR6 with every available option (except CD player - I loaded a 6 disc changer in the trunk). It was the most expensive Jetta avaialble.
I leased it. $1,000 down and $302 a month for 39 months.
I shopped that price around and no other dealer could touch it!
Dawnskaybug
New member
I have to buy something by april and Ill be paying cash maybe financing a lil bit 5k trying to find something with a warranty tom p thanx for the links they will help . One more question last week I saw a TDI drive by in a parking lot sounded like a damn mack truck teh engine was so loud is this common ??
I have a 2003 Jetta TDI and it is not overly loud. The Jettas have a plastic "pan" on the top and bottom of the engine (both have to be removed to change oil and filter). The pan is there to help reduce engine noise, heat, etc. Some people take them off and leave them off. I get 50 mpg consistently with the 5 speed. I have had the car about 1.5 years with no problems. I change the oil every 5000 miles.:xyxthumbs
tom p.
Active member
Dawnskaybug said:
many find that diesel clatter endearing.
The diesel is a true machine. Yes, they are a bit noisier when it's real cold but quiet right down once they warm up. It's not a concern. It's just doing what it's supposed to do. :upDawnskaybug
New member
I understand there will be noise I used to sell cars for 2 years 1 year I sold VWs and we couldnt give the POSs away in 95 We actually had VW reps hold sales meetings to help boost our "knowledge" of the brand and how great they were While he was saying this a 3 week old VW van was being towed on the back of a tow truck. lots of quality problems back then also 1 car 2 different color interiors (tan front seats Black rear seats ) Im used to buying Jap where quality is there and that is what I expect
blackmagicgti
New member
I have a GTI 1.8T and I strongly endorse the 1.8T engine.
The diesel sounds like one although you do get the mileage.
The VR6 weighs more and although makes more power it doesn't feel like it.
The turbo is quick and provides a lot of good power. It's a very fun engine.
http://forums.vwvortex.com
The diesel sounds like one although you do get the mileage.
The VR6 weighs more and although makes more power it doesn't feel like it.
The turbo is quick and provides a lot of good power. It's a very fun engine.
http://forums.vwvortex.com
blackmagicgti
New member
Also "jap quality" that you are referring to I think goes for the how long the engines last.
However, having had a Corolla and my dad has two Toyotas I will say that they are reliable (Corolla, 150,00 + miles; Highlander 20,000+, and Sienna 60,000+).
The plastics in the Japanese cars just don't do it for me. I love the interior of my German car and wouldn't give it up for anything.
However, there are problems. I have been to the dealership 3 times (3 times more than my dad for his car that is 3 months older than mine) but it's not too bad. Rattles can get annoying but the performance is well worth it.
As far as engine. I love the low end torgue and turbo rather than a high reving engine but that's just me. Test drive and see what you like. I'm sure that the Japanese car will last you longer but I liked German cars more.
I love my GTI and don't regret getting it but if little issues do bother you, a VW is probably not the best car for you. Just my humble opinion.Hope you take this as informative and I don't offend anyone.
However, having had a Corolla and my dad has two Toyotas I will say that they are reliable (Corolla, 150,00 + miles; Highlander 20,000+, and Sienna 60,000+).
The plastics in the Japanese cars just don't do it for me. I love the interior of my German car and wouldn't give it up for anything.
However, there are problems. I have been to the dealership 3 times (3 times more than my dad for his car that is 3 months older than mine) but it's not too bad. Rattles can get annoying but the performance is well worth it.
As far as engine. I love the low end torgue and turbo rather than a high reving engine but that's just me. Test drive and see what you like. I'm sure that the Japanese car will last you longer but I liked German cars more.
I love my GTI and don't regret getting it but if little issues do bother you, a VW is probably not the best car for you. Just my humble opinion.Hope you take this as informative and I don't offend anyone.
Dawnskaybug
New member
No offense taken I I agree with you on the interiors Little things dont bother me really but the6y do add up to become big things.
imported_garyo
New member
I owned (actually wife’s car) a 2000 Jetta VR6 GLS, which we have since sold after 2 years and 34k miles and purchased the 2000 BMW 328i. Here are my impressions and recommendations from my experiences:
1. I felt the materials used in the interior could not be touched for the price range the dash and door panels felt as good of not better than most cars costing twice as much. The fit and finish was also superior in to any car in the high teens low twenty’s range (new). All the switches, knobs and button had very expensive and positive tactile feels to them. However, I thought the cup holders were a very poor design and seem flimsy that blocked the climate control and radio knobs when utilized. The plastic hinges in the storage compartment also were not durable (broke twice). Carpeting was ok. We never had problems with rattles and buzzing.
2. Very fun to drive for the $$$ money but too softly sprung with too much body roll for my liking. The VR6 offers plenty of power for both off the line starts and for passing at high way speed. Test drove a 1.8T but I felt in the stock form it was lacking in grunt at highway spends. There was no instant acceleration for passing on two lane roads at 60 mph. VR6 did suck the gas (much more than the 2.8 liter inline 6 in the BMW) and ran very rough when cold (but would smooth out after 5 minutes) dealership claimed this was normal for the VR6 (not sure if I believe them). I thought it had a very good sporty ride. It handled very well in snow/ice and rain.
3. Reliability: questionable. We had numerous problems. Automatic transmission was replaced at 15k miles, two front axles were replaced, climate control fan in dash board was replaced, both power mirrors were replaced, numerous micro switches were replaced, had a coolant leak, wheel bearing replaced, and the in dash CD player was replaced. Thankfully all these problems took place in first 24k miles and were fixed under warranty. Drove from 24k-34k with no problems.
4. They depreciate like no tomorrow. There are also many of them in on the used car market (which relates to the high depreciation) because so many were leased. For the size of car they are expensive new but I thought a much more “rich� feeling car than their competitors. I think you can find good deals on them in the used market. I would look into some type of certified pre-owned program for the warranty and or a very good after market warranty.
Over-all it is a great car to drive and in the used market a pretty good value. However, the reliability is a big question for me. From my understanding and talking with the dealership they experienced a lot of problems with the 1999 and 2000 cars. Allegedly the 2001 and newer are much better (know the transmission and axle problems we experienced were quite common and the dealership had technical bulletin about it stating that revisions had been made to the axles and transmissions after a certain build date).
1. I felt the materials used in the interior could not be touched for the price range the dash and door panels felt as good of not better than most cars costing twice as much. The fit and finish was also superior in to any car in the high teens low twenty’s range (new). All the switches, knobs and button had very expensive and positive tactile feels to them. However, I thought the cup holders were a very poor design and seem flimsy that blocked the climate control and radio knobs when utilized. The plastic hinges in the storage compartment also were not durable (broke twice). Carpeting was ok. We never had problems with rattles and buzzing.
2. Very fun to drive for the $$$ money but too softly sprung with too much body roll for my liking. The VR6 offers plenty of power for both off the line starts and for passing at high way speed. Test drove a 1.8T but I felt in the stock form it was lacking in grunt at highway spends. There was no instant acceleration for passing on two lane roads at 60 mph. VR6 did suck the gas (much more than the 2.8 liter inline 6 in the BMW) and ran very rough when cold (but would smooth out after 5 minutes) dealership claimed this was normal for the VR6 (not sure if I believe them). I thought it had a very good sporty ride. It handled very well in snow/ice and rain.
3. Reliability: questionable. We had numerous problems. Automatic transmission was replaced at 15k miles, two front axles were replaced, climate control fan in dash board was replaced, both power mirrors were replaced, numerous micro switches were replaced, had a coolant leak, wheel bearing replaced, and the in dash CD player was replaced. Thankfully all these problems took place in first 24k miles and were fixed under warranty. Drove from 24k-34k with no problems.
4. They depreciate like no tomorrow. There are also many of them in on the used car market (which relates to the high depreciation) because so many were leased. For the size of car they are expensive new but I thought a much more “rich� feeling car than their competitors. I think you can find good deals on them in the used market. I would look into some type of certified pre-owned program for the warranty and or a very good after market warranty.
Over-all it is a great car to drive and in the used market a pretty good value. However, the reliability is a big question for me. From my understanding and talking with the dealership they experienced a lot of problems with the 1999 and 2000 cars. Allegedly the 2001 and newer are much better (know the transmission and axle problems we experienced were quite common and the dealership had technical bulletin about it stating that revisions had been made to the axles and transmissions after a certain build date).