what are your thoughts on VW jetta's

[KrisZ]

I think the main issue with VW is lack of consistency, their cars are hit and miss with regards to reliability. Some people will report rock solid reliability while others will have tons of electrical issues for the same model and it's hard to guess what basket you will fall in when purchasing a VW product.

 

[nthach]

VW can make one heck of a car, but there isn't consistency in their manufacturing practices - I know all Jettas are made in Mexico or Germany, while the current Golf(I refuse to call them Rabbits) and GTI is made in Germany. The previous gen Golf was made in Mexico, while the 20AE was made in Brazil and the R32 was built in Slovakia. Honda and Toyota have the Civic and Corolla made in Japan or North America, but except for a few minute changes due to different parts suppliers for things the owner may never see such as the chassis, wiring or engine/cooling/HVAC system they are hard to distinguish on the basis of build quality.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Just a few years ago, VW moved to the same wiring harness and switchgear supplier as Honda and TOYOTA use.

 

[nthach]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Just a few years ago, VW moved to the same wiring harness and switchgear supplier as Honda and TOYOTA use.

Same supplier, but I've noticed Yazaki and Sumitomo - even for American made cars doesn't make harnesses in the US for them - a Honda built in Ohio or Canada has its harness made by Sumitomo in China or the Phillipines, while a Ford uses a Thai-made Yazaki one. Toyota and Ford somehow gets the American-made one for some reason.

 

[crinkles]

i love VW's, but all this stuff is making me tear up! my eyes are leaking!

 

[Tornado Red]

Originally Posted By: hillclimber
This being the site that it is, I should mention that you'll need to track down 502.00 oil for your Jetta, no matter what the engine is, iirc.


During the warranty period (60k-miles), and if it's not a TDI, then you are correct. For TDIs it's 505.01 or 507.00.

After the warranty period, there are lots of excellent choices including Mobil 1 products meeting API specs, Daimler specs, and BMW specs as well as oils meeting a VW spec.

If you want to keep it simple, just pick a synthetic oil in the 40-weight viscosity, 0w40 or 5w40. Never, never, never any conventional oil in any water-cooled VW, even if your dealer says it's okay.

BTW, Jettas are not that expensive to own, unless you depend on a VW dealership for every little thing. Then they can be terribly expensive. So just stay away from dealers.

 

[Vizzy]

Originally Posted By: Tornado Red
[

BTW, Jettas (Golf, Rabbit )are not that expensive to own, unless you depend on a VW dealership for every little thing. Then they can be terribly expensive. So just stay away from dealers.


This is a great point. After the warranty protection is over seek out a decent independent shop that tends to specialize in European cars...Although there are specialized items specific to VW most of the time the parts and tools needed don't vary too much from one European brand to another anymore..If the shop works on VW they probably can fix Audi and vice versa.

 

[vinyl57]

My company is the primary supplier of the vinyl compound that goes into Hondas, Toyotas, Nissans, Subarus wire harness systems, which are still produced in North America (mostly in Texas and Mexico). The wire is coated in El Paso or Monterrey and assembled into wire harnesses in Mexico, then shipped to the final assembly plants throughout North America. Even Ford and Chrysler buy wire harness assemblies produced by Yazaki and Sumitomo here in North America. Most of Yazaki's and Sumi's Chinese and Thai wire harness plants products stay in Asia, where automotive demand is still increasing. Take this from someone who is responsible for producing 15+ MM lbs. of Japanese wire harness vinyl compound the past ten+ years.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Whoa. Bob's is the place for the expert's expert.

 

[Vizzy]

Yeah Audi!!!!!!

I'm starting to feel like BITOG is treading on propritary OEM grounds, which of course I love because the more infomation the better. Plus unlike OEM company sites, you don't have to work for them OR pay for the extensive detailed information.

PS: Audi Junkie, I think it's time to place the Opel name where it always belonged...next to the Astra name in your sig.

 

[robbobster]

Originally Posted By: crw


VW has the highest resale value in the industry. That's a fact.


According to who?

BTW I had a 2005 GTI 1.8T. one of the best cars I've ever owned.

 

[Popinski]

No offense, Jetta's are pure junk. Yes, some say that their Jetta's were reliable, but the majority of owners have had several problems, especially with electrical and interior problems.

I don't know whether or not to blame the Germans or the Mexican craftsmanship.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: Popinski
No offense, Jetta's are pure junk. Yes, some say that their Jetta's were reliable, but the majority of owners have had several problems, especially with electrical and interior problems.

I don't think it's the majority, honestly. I agree they're not the best for reliability; I just think the ones that do have problems get totted up because people are vocal about it, whereas the folks who have trouble-free Jettas are largely silent. Also, I think a lot of the problems have to do with idiocy (wrong oil/OCIs, etc.) and mods/ill treatment.

But hey, what do I know...

 

[Audi Junkie]

Ding.

My cousin put 250k on her Jetta II, Maine winters and infrequent service.

She tried that with a B5.5 Passat and it was a disaster.

fwiw, Mom's 96 Passat runs and feels like new, with barely a hiccup.

 

[ProStreetCamaro]

I wouldnt touch one with a 10' pole. You couldnt even give me one. I would rather walk. I know 4 people with them and every single one of them has had a ton of problems.


P.S. I have a new 2.0 coil sitting here if anybody needs one?

 

[hillclimber]

Edmonds final take on their long-term Jetta TDI:

http://tinyurl.com/yl6x732

Favorite comment:

Our Jetta TDI reminded me of an ex-girlfriend -- in a good way. It may not have been flashy or exciting, but it was a great road trip companion and hardly ever drank.
- John DiPietro, Automotive Editor

 

[kbuzbee]

Nice thread. Lots of great points.

I have 131K on a 2001 Jetta IV 1.8T. It's a good car. Fun to drive and "mostly" reliable, though I have spent more in maintenance than I'd care to and on some really odd things. EX - A short in the fan was blowing fuses and causing overheating. Took forever to find that one.

Anyway, my only serious beef with this car is the 5sp automatic. I haven't looked recently. Maybe all cars are this way now? But the transmission is sealed! They say the fluid and filter are lifetime! Okay, by definition, when the transmission fails, it's life is over so the fluid DID last a lifetime.... But seriously? There is no fill port or dipstick or anything. To even check the level you have to raise the car, level, pull a plug and kind guess that the right amount dribbles out.... Hmmmm.....

Additionally, WHEN the transmission DOES fail (mine went at 60K right after the warrantee expired) the only thing the dealer will do is replace it. Too expensive to work on, they say. Transmission place down the street agreed as, at the time, there weren't many to get parts from. That may be different now. Dunno?

Is it commonplace to replace rather than service a transmission on other vehicles these days? Seems like a $9K disposable part! Yikes!

Anyway, I like owning and driving it but I'd have to think long and hard about getting a second one.... It would have to be a stick if I did...

Ken

 

[Tornado Red]

Ken: if you have not serviced the AT in your 2001 or 2002 Jetta, you are overdue for an ATF flush. The tranny is not sealed. Find an independent VW or German car repair shop, it is cheaper in your Jetta than the DSG tranny in the newer Jetta TDIs.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

I like the looks of the MKIV Jettas. Almost got one.

 

[Vizzy]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Originally Posted By: Popinski
No offense, Jetta's are pure junk. Yes, some say that their Jetta's were reliable, but the majority of owners have had several problems, especially with electrical and interior problems.

I don't think it's the majority, honestly. I agree they're not the best for reliability; I just think the ones that do have problems get totted up because people are vocal about it, whereas the folks who have trouble-free Jettas are largely silent. Also, I think a lot of the problems have to do with idiocy (wrong oil/OCIs, etc.) and mods/ill treatment.

But hey, what do I know...


Ding, ding, ding!

If you can't afford to do basic maintenance on a European car DON'T BUY ONE!


I've owned two VWs. A 84 Rabbit GTI and currently a 96 Golf 2L 4 cylinder, unfortunately the Rabbit was stolen with over 113k on it, only a broken gas pedal grommet at 75k!!!! I still drive the Golf everyday and the car has been almost faultless...Clutch cable went at 80k. Other than that it has been reliable, and very CHEAP to maintain. I'm still on the original front rotors at 104k!!!!!!