Volkswagon Jetta question

Webbinator

Webbinator

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2005
Location
York, SC
Anybody here a Jetta owner? I need to get my daughter a car before she heads off to college this fall and she likes the Jetta. Wanted to see if anyone had any good, bad, or ugly to offer up as advice. Just like any other car, I figure there are some year models to avoid because of issues. Thanks.
 
Ive heard in 04 they switched to a different electrical system/manufacturer and had problems. We have a 2008 jetta s 2.5. If you get an auto, stay up on the service.(we have only had 5spds) I would also stay away from turbos unless its a diesel
 
Even if it's a manual, stay up on service. They don't take neglect like they used to. They're pricier to maintain, but not by much, and a good one should return years of service. Get service records on whichever one you get, and like said before, just avoid the turbos. Good cars, but not for a college girl. The autos rob power like none other. Get a manual.
 
My brother has one, a 2000 I think. Seems like it always needs some odd ball $40 part you can only get from VW. MY mother-n-law had a passat and it was the same story. Not the quality you see in a toyota or a honda in my opinion, but you know what they say about opinions.
 
I am a honda mechanic and we chose to buy a jetta. I hope you never have to, but if you do see a vw wrecked badly, you would buy them over and over again. For around $15000 you can get a 06-10 jetta with low mileage and nice features. IMO you cant get a better car for the money.
 
From what I gather here, seems that the auto transmission can be a big problem. I did some online checking after seeing some of the replies here. Folks are having their autos go out or act up badly at various mileages. General price looks to be between 4 and 5 grand to replace too. Don't know if I want to put her in a manual. No offense to teen age girls, but having to clutch and change gears is just one more thing for her to have to think about. :driver: Thanks for all the input so far guys.
 
Get her a manual. She won't be able to text as easy. (She'll have to pay more attention to the vehicle too) At the VERY least, make her learn to drive one efficiently.
 
And be wary of the timing belt. Don't buy one with ~60k to 100k that hasnt had the timing belt replaced already. 1300 to have it replaced and atleast 3k if it goes.
 
Avoid the turbos. We've had several 4cyl non turbo VWs with no problems whatsoever, but the turbo was a pain to keep running.
 
You can get a 2.0 and do the timing belt yourself and save money you can also upgrade the waterpump to a steel impeller which fixes the plastic . you can get a MKIV or MKV jetta would be a good choice also stay with a manual trans
 
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