Keep My 2011 VW Jetta?

[lancerplayer]

I'm hoping to get some opinions on the future of my 2011 VW Jetta SE.

In May 2014, the bumper to bumper 3 year/36,000 miles will expire. So far in 22,000 miles I have not had an issue with the vehicle. However, I keep reading that the 6th generation VW Jetta has decreased in overall build quality, mostly a lesser quality interior. Creeks, rattles, and cracked plastic seems to have happened in some owner's cars.

From my research, the 2.5L 5 cylinder engine is a proven and reliable engine. I haven't found out too much about the 6 speed auto/tip tronic transmission. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I do know that VW calls the transmission fluid a "lifetime" fluid, which as we all know is not true and must be replaced at a certain interval.

What I'm trying to get it as this...is it worth it to keep my Jetta for the long haul? These cars are too new to see long term reliability. I maintained my vehicles well and my Jetta is no exception. Do I take the chance of higher cost of maintaining a European vehicle? Or do I sell the car and get a proven vehicle that will go the long haul no questions asked?

I'd like to get your two cents on this.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Donald]

You have already been through the big depreciation. The rest is gravy. I would maintain it well and keep it until its embarrassing.

 

[jimbrewer]

The cheapest car to drive is the car you are driving now. If the car still meets your needs and is doing well, spin it out to the bitter end.

VWs have a well earned reputation for erratic durability and quality control, but some of that is the fairly exacting nature of VWs maintenance requirements. You are a guy who posts on oil forums so we know that's not an issue with you. VW uses galvanized steel, does it not? I'd say that counts for a heck of a lot in the long term durability department for someone who lives in Cleveland.

 

[Barkleymut]

almost all cars now are really dependable...even VWs. Keep it.

 

[BTLew81]

Double check the transmission fluid change interval. My 12 says 40k, and I believe yours should be the same.

I'm at the same point. Honestly, the 2.5 is a VERY reliable engine and doesn't deserve the knocks it gets. I'm pretty sure I am just going to ride mine into the ground. The 2.5 will last, and the autobox will be fine with proper servicing.

As much as I would like a new car every couple of years, I see how much money I am peeing away.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: Barkleymut
almost all cars now are really dependable...even VWs. Keep it.



This. If you made it to 22k without any problems, you will be fine for a long time. Problem cars are typically problematic within the first year.

I've now owned two Audis and both were bought secondhand. Neither had a single issue for the first few years of their life, and had none for the years afterwards that I owned them.

I think the interior quality did go down a bit on the Jettas, but the rest of the car is still fine.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: jimbrewer
The cheapest car to drive is the car you are driving now. If the car still meets your needs and is doing well, spin it out to the bitter end.


Agree 100%. Nothing will be cheaper than performing maintenance, even if stuff breaks. It takes a lot of really pricey stuff to make up for a new $20-30k vehicle. Youve depreciated it a lot. It does not have a lot of miles.

You know that ATs are amongst the least reliable parts of the vehicle, so service it at the dealer or yourself if you can. Maintain the oil, do services by the book.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: lancerplayer
What I'm trying to get it as this...is it worth it to keep my Jetta for the long haul?

I'd keep it. You can always sell it later if it starts to nickle and dime you. Until then, enjoy a paid off car and no payments (assuming it's paid off).

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: BTLew81
As much as I would like a new car every couple of years, I see how much money I am peeing away.

Yup. It's why I'm driving an 11-year-old-one.

 

[sciphi]

Keep it. Keep up on the maintenance, and keep it rolling down the road.

 

[daves87rs]

Keep it!

 

[QuadDriver]

if you were gonna ditch the 2011, just do so for the same car w/TDi

 

[Doog]

I am surprised you would even consider getting rid of a car with that low mileage. I have decided to only buy used cars with 30-40k on the clock and let some other guy take the new car hit first. You should be able to do regular oil service and one major entire vehicle fluid service at 50,000 miles and run the car to 100k and then re-assess. You will find you save a great deal of money if you do basic service yourself.

 

[stephen9666]

Originally Posted By: Doog
I am surprised you would even consider getting rid of a car with that low mileage.


+1

The car's a 2011 with only 22k miles. It's practically brand new! I've never owned a car so new and with such low miles. Keep it, for heaven's sake.

Really, what are you thinking? Do you just want a new vehicle for kicks? If that's the case, just say so. Even a VW will be mighty reliable when it's so new.

 

[rjundi]

What you read likely only represents 10-20% of the vehicles. The balance just don't have issues. I have known folks who have had trouble free VW experiences save one repair along the way. Usually in the 8yr/150k range and then more expensive stuff starts to break with higher frequency. That applies to the majority of any most mid 2000's cars to present.

The more internet savvy the buyer pool the more you get to read complaints. VW is one of the most youthful in terms of average age of new car buyer.

You would be scared of my car. I have a 2005 Legacy GT (turbo) wagon. It is known(via internet forum) to blow the turbo with metal bits taking out motor starting around 80k. It is also known to have valve issue that require engine/camshaft removal to correct. Beyond that it had problems dubbed ringland when compression goes.

Interestingly my only issues have been starter, alternator, a coil pack and brake caliper in 8yrs/150k. All <$1000 And yes we are 3k conventional oil changes of whatever local garage or independent puts in.

 

[KrisZ]

Originally Posted By: lancerplayer
What I'm trying to get it as this...is it worth it to keep my Jetta for the long haul? These cars are too new to see long term reliability. I maintained my vehicles well and my Jetta is no exception. Do I take the chance of higher cost of maintaining a European vehicle? Or do I sell the car and get a proven vehicle that will go the long haul no questions asked?


You should've asked yourself that question before you bought the Jetta in the first place. Now that you own the car, it is trouble free and I presume you still enjoy driving it, I would definitely keep it.
And I don't think you will be taking a "chance" with this car. VW's are proven to be very reliable if maintained properly, which mostly includes avoiding dealer servicing and DIY-ing or finding a good indy shop.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: lancerplayer
Or do I sell the car and get a proven vehicle that will go the long haul no questions asked?

By the way, this is no guarantee of a trouble free experience either. All companies turn out lemons now and then, so it's about luck to some extent.

 

[supton]

I'd keep it. Build quality, or rather interior quality, is unrelated to drivetrain quality, which is what longevity is all about. The big depreciation has occurred already too--have you taken a look at KBB etc to see what trade-in value is? I'm guessing you'd be sad to learn what it is.

If you are worried, take a look at trade-in value, then look at its replacement vehicle. I'm guessing the difference is a few thousand dollars. Find a way to squirrel that few grand away for repairs. VW's are notorious for needing repairs BUT all cars need repairs if driven long enough. If you replace this with a TDi, you'll be worried about these same issues in 22kmiles again; if you replaced this with anything else, same story I'm guessing.

Just find someplace to do repair work, and/or learn how to do it yourself. VW's are very picky it seems about doing fluid changes "properly" along with doing things according to the book. Otherwise they seem to be long-lived. Long corrosion warrenty, reasonable engine life.

 

[jigen]

Compared to many other VW engines, the 2.5L, 5cyl's really seem to be the most reliable.

 

[dishdude]

If the car has been reliable, there is no reason to conclude that it won't continue to be. With used car values as strong as they have been, you might be able to move into a new car for not a lot of money. I would only do that if you desire a new car, and not out of fear that your Jetta will have problems.

After the 2006 redesign, the Jetta got pretty reliable. They just did some decontenting on the most recent redesign, but as stated above that shouldn't have an effect on reliability.