Younger brother now part of the VW family

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Apr 13, 2013
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FL, USA
My oldest - younger brother and wife purchased a new 2021 Jetta S about a month or so after we picked ours up. My youngest brothers daily driver has been a 2006 Tundra for a while now, but thanks to things I will not mention fuel costs for him are through the roof. He has been looking for something more economical, namely Corolla, Camry, Civic and Accord. Most of those fell through for one reason or another. Today he came across a listing for a 2008 Jetta S (2.5 I5 / manual) with 116K. I told him those were pretty solid and offered to check out the car in person. Tonight he drove away in it for $3500!

Not a bad deal! So now all 3 of us have Jettas, not something I would have ever predicted.

The car is fairly clean overall save for the sagging fabric door inserts (they all do this).

He is quite happy, and never expecting to own a VW, much like myself once upon a time.

I told him to let me know when he is ready to sell, haha!
 

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That's a bargain, especially being well outside the rust belt. I was never super excited about that generation of Jettas (I owned a MkIV and it seemed like the MkV was a step backwards especially in the styling department). That said I've driven a couple and it's a nice enough car. The I5 is reasonably economical and has good power for a car that size. Only thing I didn't like about the I5 is it had a bit of coarseness reminiscent of a I4, but in its own way--hard to describe. I never drove one with a manual, that would be right up my alley for a commuter car.
 
That's a bargain, especially being well outside the rust belt. I was never super excited about that generation of Jettas (I owned a MkIV and it seemed like the MkV was a step backwards especially in the styling department). That said I've driven a couple and it's a nice enough car. The I5 is reasonably economical and has good power for a car that size. Only thing I didn't like about the I5 is it had a bit of coarseness reminiscent of a I4, but in its own way--hard to describe. I never drove one with a manual, that would be right up my alley for a commuter car.
It's a unique engine, which I appreciate. More so considering it has a good reliability record.
 
That's a bargain, especially being well outside the rust belt. I was never super excited about that generation of Jettas (I owned a MkIV and it seemed like the MkV was a step backwards especially in the styling department). That said I've driven a couple and it's a nice enough car. The I5 is reasonably economical and has good power for a car that size. Only thing I didn't like about the I5 is it had a bit of coarseness reminiscent of a I4, but in its own way--hard to describe. I never drove one with a manual, that would be right up my alley for a commuter car.

I-5's are inherently unbalanced so there's always going to be a little bit of an odd vibration. Although reliable, it has the power of a 4 and the fuel economy of a V6! Shifter and clutch on these are nice.
 
I-5's are inherently unbalanced so there's always going to be a little bit of an odd vibration. Although reliable, it has the power of a 4 and the fuel economy of a V6! Shifter and clutch on these are nice.
Haha. Yes, not the MOST fuel efficient, but so much better than the Tundra. For the price, very hard to complain.
 
I-5's are inherently unbalanced so there's always going to be a little bit of an odd vibration. Although reliable, it has the power of a 4 and the fuel economy of a V6! Shifter and clutch on these are nice.

I had a Quantum back in the day. I5 is defiantly a unique feel. I did not find it objectionable though.

As for economy, could be worse, could be a Vulcan in a Ranger, that has all the power of a 4 and all the economy of a V8.... ;)

OP Congrats to your Brother, seems like a good deal in the current environment...
 
I wonder if they put the timing chain in between the engine and the transmission. I have a feeling your brother is going to find out soon.

I'm sorry but I fear this was a bad purchase. I am NOT trying to rain on the parade but this timeframe for production wasn't setting any reliability records. The mileage is a bit low for all of the issues to surface and based on the price it's possible that the original owner may have known this.

I certainly wish for him the very best of luck with his new car and I hope he's happy with it. I have loved every VW I've ever owned but I have also never been blind to their shortcomings. I do wish I still had one from an era before they became so darned ugly.
 
I wonder if they put the timing chain in between the engine and the transmission. I have a feeling your brother is going to find out soon.

I'm sorry but I fear this was a bad purchase. I am NOT trying to rain on the parade but this timeframe for production wasn't setting any reliability records. The mileage is a bit low for all of the issues to surface and based on the price it's possible that the original owner may have known this.

I certainly wish for him the very best of luck with his new car and I hope he's happy with it. I have loved every VW I've ever owned but I have also never been blind to their shortcomings. I do wish I still had one from an era before they became so darned ugly.
The 2.5 timing chains are easy to do in the car and no more difficult/expensive than a Honda timing belt job.

$3,500 for ANY manual transmission Jetta is a steal, especially one in the same condition as the OP.
 
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