Volkswagen Jetta?

[Keebler Elf]

I'm thinking about buying a VW Jetta and I'm looking for feedback from people. Pros, cons, etc. I've been a Ford/GM buyer in the past so I'm particularly interested in things like how hard it is to have a VW serviced.

From what I've heard there's nowhere near the incentives on VW autos but I've also heard they retain their resale value better.

Thoughts?

 

[ig-88]

I know some Volkswagen owners, and they're very loyal customers. They swear by those cars.

However, I read about reliability problems with Volkswagens, so I shied away from them and went with Japanese cars. I also remember pushing my buddy's VW, while he kept cranking the engine to finally get it started.

Despite it all, he still sticks with buying new VWs.

 

[danmand]

Very well engineered cars, drives very well. Trade the Jetta in before the
warranty runs out.

 

[JD75]

I had an 02 Jetta TDI years back. Great car, I never had any problems over the 4 yrs I owned it. Just filled the tank, changed the oil, one brake job, 2 sets of tires and 170,000kms before I traded it in. The blue and red dash lights are my favorite from any car I've owned. Have fun!

 

[Damondean]

Used to have a Golf. Most VWs sold here are assembled in Mexico. Mine had some electrical problems which I am told is common. VW service is very snotty. They only pay attention to Audi and Porsche owners.

Buy Japanese. Toyota, Honda or Nissan. You can't gop wrong.

 

[JD75]

Golf & Jetta are both assembled in Mexico.
Passat & Touareg are made in Germany.

 

[Serpent]

KE: check out the user forums on edmunds.com - wealth of information.

Last i heard, they were having problems with quality.

 

[captainc]

Very well engineered cars, drives very well. Trade the Jetta in before the
warranty runs out.

Great idea, many things can go wrong after warranty. I would not want to own one again without warranty.

 

[dajodo2]

My father in law had a VW Jetta once (1986).

Swore he'd never by another VW as long as his asshole was pointing towards the ground.

My Dad was considering buying the new Passat in 2005 when it first came out.

I convinced him not to and good thing too. They've had issues.

Arrogant germans think they engineer good cars...they don't.

 

[james t kirk]

You have to watch JD Power as all they do is survey new car owners.

What would be interesting to know is the number of breakdowns per 10,000 km, or total cost of breakdowns, etc. As far as I am aware, no such statistics are avaible on line or otherwise. I'm sure that the manufacturers have warrantee statistics, however, they would never release them to the public.

As to service, I dunno. My boss always had volvos and he said that their service was great. Really did well. I have an Infiniti G35, and another coworker has an M35. Both cars were bought new from different dealers and both of us feel that Infiniti service is very poor. They treat you like the enemy. I like my G35, but it is NOT without its issues.

 

[Powershot]

Better off spending a little more and getting something like a TSX, especially vs a used Jetta

 

[RTRD]

uh oh...

You have to watch JD Power as all they do is survey new car owners.

What would be interesting to know is the number of breakdowns per 10,000 km, or total cost of breakdowns, etc. As far as I am aware, no such statistics are avaible on line or otherwise. I'm sure that the manufacturers have warrantee statistics, however, they would never release them to the public.

As to service, I dunno. My boss always had volvos and he said that their service was great. Really did well. I have an Infiniti G35, and another coworker has an M35. Both cars were bought new from different dealers and both of us feel that Infiniti service is very poor. They treat you like the enemy. I like my G35, but it is NOT without its issues.

...that is not good.

I had somewhat just assumed I'd end up in G35x next month once the lease on the SUV expired (though I was gonna shop Audi A4, BMW 3 series X and Cadillac CTS/awd as well), but this does not sound good at all.

The Infiniti is the least expensive, but I do not want dealer hassles....

Do you and your coworker have the same dealer? Maybe it is just that dealership that is fucked up...

 

[elmufdvr]

my 2002 jetta vr6 . has been amazing so far.. thoe it only has 80.000k cause i drive a truck in winter.. the car had electrical problem when first baught.. got it fixed and no more problems.. just oil changes and tire swaps. my dealer is only v.w. and the service is very good. maybe it is the dealership... i have been to gm dealerships and had great service as well as sh!tty service. if you are going short term i would recomend.. if you are looking to buy and keep the car for the long term you might wantto look elce where.. all new cars are beeing built with some better tiems but all in all they all suck ass... disposable cars it the way. they will all rust out in ten years compleatly.or have a tired motor that is ready to die... oh well such is things... i am going out to the garage and take the GTO for a drive.. nothing finer than a 69'er

 

[james t kirk]

I bought mine from 401 Dixie Nissan Infiniti.

He bought his from the dealer on Erin Mills.

We both are not impressed with Infiniti's commitment to service, HOWEVER, I must admit that 401 has in the last year hired a new Service Manager - Louis who is a breath of fresh air. He is doing better than any of the previous ones.

Since 2005, they (401 Infiniti) have gone through 4 or 5 service dudes.

The WORST was this woman, forget her name, but she can best be described as "Quietly Angry". Always seething under the surface. Being in a customer service industry was the wrong line of work for her. She should have been a collections agent.

What I HATE more than anything is when you complain about something, and rather than just addressing the problem, they justify their actions, or try to tell you that there is no problem.

Here's one of my better 401 Infiniti Stories:

http://forums.g35club.org/zerothread?id=275485#2918427

 

[Diode]

my 2002 jetta vr6 . has been amazing so far.. thoe it only has 80.000k cause i drive a truck in winter.. the car had electrical problem when first baught.. got it fixed and no more problems.. just oil changes and tire swaps. my dealer is only v.w. and the service is very good. maybe it is the dealership... i have been to gm dealerships and had great service as well as sh!tty service. if you are going short term i would recomend.. if you are looking to buy and keep the car for the long term you might wantto look elce where.. all new cars are beeing built with some better tiems but all in all they all suck ass... disposable cars it the way. they will all rust out in ten years compleatly.or have a tired motor that is ready to die... oh well such is things... i am going out to the garage and take the GTO for a drive.. nothing finer than a 69'er

80 kkm in 6 years? That's only 13.5kkm per year? You car is the only virgin on this board.
Talk to people who drive, 50kkm, 60kkm, 70+kkm and I'm sure, if they had a VW, they would have a) gone broke b)gone crazy c) traded the damn thing in.

 

[skypilot]

Was a VW fan once, wouldn't go near them now. Electrical problems galore with Jetta and new beetle. Service sucks at the dealerships too.

 

[herames]

i wonder if the Electrical is just a North American problem as they might source the parts on this side of the pond.

fuck it..if i had my choice..i'd get either a Opel Astra wagon Diesel or a Focus Wagon Diesel...they are great and prized autos...They aren't manufactured here unfortunately
i'm am wondering if the new Astra's under the Saturn banner have a Pedigree from Opel...as GM owns them

 

[jughead]

So lets ask another question.

Given that a person would want to keep a vehicle as long as possible, the big 3 are not an option, so don't even suggest.

What make, model would be most reliable and cost effective (maintenance, fuel economy) to buy used?

options
4 door, 4 cyl

 

[rafterman]

So lets ask another question.

Given that a person would want to keep a vehicle as long as possible, the big 3 are not an option, so don't even suggest.

What make, model would be most reliable and cost effective (maintenance, fuel economy) to buy used?

options
4 door, 4 cyl

Check out Consumers Reports, the April edition is annual car reviews both new and used with reviews of reliability of the past seven years.

All things considered your Toyotas & Hondas are your best bets IMO, Camry, Accord, or Corolla, Civic.

 

[Powershot]

i'm am wondering if the new Astra's under the Saturn banner have a Pedigree from Opel...as GM owns them

They are built by Opel in Europe and labelled as Saturns, they are essentially the same vehicle as the Opel Astra.