what are your thoughts on VW jetta's

[aztec12]

used ones maybe 05 thru 07
just wondering how reliable are they?
how bout their engines? I kind of like them and i'm looking to save some gas with my daily commute.looking for a 4 cyl engine.

 

[The Critic]

2.0T?

Let's see:

- Cam followers wearing out
- Excessive carbon buildup on intake valves due to direct injection
- Excessive oil consumption on some of 'em
- Need to change oil every 5000 miles with a VW 502.00 synthetic oil and a cartridge filter.
- Needs new rear brake pads and rotors every 20k or so.
- Diverter valve failures (stock or chipped)
- PCV system problems

If you can get over the maintenance issues, the engine is fantastic and can be very efficient, even if it's chipped.

 

[simple_gifts]

Quote:

i'm looking to save some gas


Certainly not car I would choose on MPG (unless TDI)

T

 

[d00df00d]

Volkswagens have the ability to make some people fall head-over-heels in love with them. You have to find out if you're one of them, because IMO that is the only reason to buy one. If it makes you feel that no other car in the whole world will do, then buy it. Otherwise, look elsewhere.

That goes double if you're looking to save money. In terms of operating costs, VWs have been a mixed bag for a long time: you could meet two people with the exact same car, and one has never had a problem while the other spends more time fixing than driving.

Their fuel economy comes largely from direct injection, which, as The Critic mentioned, has its... downsides.

 

[Chris142]

Parts both from the stealer and aftermarket are extreemly pricy.

Had a customer in yesterday with an 04 VW something that needed a fan clutch. Parts and 4 hrs labor to change the thing was over $500.

 

[Pablo]

I just spent six months looking at just about every car under $2000 in about sixty brazillion sq miles. There were plenty of laughers - but I think Jettas were probably the biggest jokes of all. One actually lost complete oil pressure while my daughter was driving. At least the car had the decency to alarm a buzzer as well as the red light. The owner told her to keep driving - my 17 yo asked "Shouldn't I pull over?"

Anyway - I actually want to like VW's. But in the 2005-2007 range people will know there are all kinds of problems and still be asking for mortgage size sums.....

 

[Vizzy]

Maybe you should look at a 06-07 VW Rabbit 2.5L gas engine.



VWs have really improved in reliability and quality surveys over the past three years or so....

Actually according to Consumer Reports the Rabbit, is MORE reliable than the typical Honda or Toyota model in that catagory and the Jetta is AS reliable.

I wouldn't hesistate to buy one of these years at all. .

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
2.0T?

Let's see:

- Cam followers wearing out
- Excessive carbon buildup on intake valves due to direct injection
- Excessive oil consumption on some of 'em
- Need to change oil every 5000 miles with a VW 502.00 synthetic oil and a cartridge filter.
- Needs new rear brake pads and rotors every 20k or so.
- Diverter valve failures (stock or chipped)
- PCV system problems

If you can get over the maintenance issues, the engine is fantastic and can be very efficient, even if it's chipped.


Hmmmm, I know fours owners of that vintage GTI's who don't have any complaints and absolutely love their cars and how they drive. That is including a cheap skate.

Two of them get 30MPG on regular used as a commuter car.

 

[hillclimber]

I would think most Jetta's the OP would be looking at would have the 2.5 engine. Which is not going to be the most fuel-efficient smallish sedan out there. I don't think it is a direct-injection design so don't worry about that.

Here is Edmunds review of a 2005 model: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=105254

They also had a 2009 for a week recently and had many nice things to say about it, the usual VW stuff, nice interior and nice driving dynamics. People like these cars for a reason.

 

[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.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
Two of them get 30MPG on regular used as a commuter car.

That's not too special for a small car any more.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: hillclimber
I would think most Jetta's the OP would be looking at would have the 2.5 engine. Which is not going to be the most fuel-efficient smallish sedan out there. I don't think it is a direct-injection design so don't worry about that.

True. Good call.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Originally Posted By: hillclimber
I would think most Jetta's the OP would be looking at would have the 2.5 engine. Which is not going to be the most fuel-efficient smallish sedan out there. I don't think it is a direct-injection design so don't worry about that.

True. Good call.


The OP was asking about the 4-cylinder version. In 2006, the Jetta came in either a 2.0T 4-cyl or a 2.5 I-5.

The 2.0T was rated for 24/32 and the 2.5 was rated for 22/30. Although the 2.0T's requirement for premium fuel kinda washes out any savings, it'd be silly to get a 2.5 over the 2.0T.

 

[d00df00d]

Oh, duh! Sorry, forgot the 2.5 was a 5-cyl.

 

[Audi Junkie]

They are great cars for the money. Buy a new one.

 

[addyguy]

VW's are expensive for what you get, and can be very, very 'fussy' with maintenece and repairs.

Definetly NOT a simple 'people's car' anymore.....

 

[robertcope]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
VW's are expensive for what you get, and can be very, very 'fussy' with maintenece and repairs.

Definetly NOT a simple 'people's car' anymore.....


I'm going to disagree with this. A new Rabbit can be had for $16K or so, and I really don't think you'll find a car in that price range that can compete.

I will admit a bit of bias, as I've been a VW geek forever. Currently on my third Jetta, never had any real maintenance issues... change the oil ever 10K miles along with the normal maintenance any car would need. The only issues I've had in 93K miles are: brake light switch, rain sensor, "dealer-screwed-up rear power locks", and crank position sensor. My previous Jettas had fewer issues than this, I guess; one of them did need a new steering rack when I bought it (used with about 130K on it).

We've had no issues with my wife's Rabbit, but it only has 26K on it.

The biggest reason I hesitate to recommend newe VWs to people is that the dealers in Austin are notoriously bad.

robert

 

[javacontour]

Originally Posted By: robertcope
Originally Posted By: addyguy
VW's are expensive for what you get, and can be very, very 'fussy' with maintenece and repairs.

Definetly NOT a simple 'people's car' anymore.....


I'm going to disagree with this. A new Rabbit can be had for $16K or so, and I really don't think you'll find a car in that price range that can compete.

I will admit a bit of bias, as I've been a VW geek forever. Currently on my third Jetta, never had any real maintenance issues... change the oil ever 10K miles along with the normal maintenance any car would need. The only issues I've had in 93K miles are: brake light switch, rain sensor, "dealer-screwed-up rear power locks", and crank position sensor. My previous Jettas had fewer issues than this, I guess; one of them did need a new steering rack when I bought it (used with about 130K on it).

We've had no issues with my wife's Rabbit, but it only has 26K on it.

The biggest reason I hesitate to recommend newe VWs to people is that the dealers in Austin are notoriously bad.

robert


When I look at your list and read that you say you've only had a few issues, I have to laugh, that's way more than I've had on my wife's Camry at 212K miles and certainly more than I've had on my 1994 Geo Prizm the last 93K miles and it has 242K miles on the ticker.

I guess we have different definitions of "the only..."

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: javacontour
I guess we have different definitions of "the only..."

Everyone does, from what I've seen.

It's either that, or "problem"...

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: robertcope
A new Rabbit can be had for $16K or so, and I really don't think you'll find a car in that price range that can compete.

Civic.