I've been looking at the 07 Civic lately, a lot, as I really like the overall package: build quality, fuel efficiency (30/40), interior, low maint, etc, but the Jetta's styling has also caught my eye as well.

However, the Jetta's fuel efficiency rating is only 22/30 with the 2.5L, I5. Still, how does the Jetta compare to the Civic, fuel efficiency aside? Is it really a better car? How much roomier is it compared to the Civic? Are its advantages worth the substantially higher maint and fuel costs, as well as the added base price?

Volkswagen = HIGH maintenance costs. Would recommend staying away from German cars, especially new ones, until you're rich enough to not give a crap for insurance costs, maintenance, etc.

Aren't you like a year younger than me? Insurance will probably be a bitch for the 1st year and so will gas. I would imagine the Civic being more practical for someone being our age because its lighter, which means its easier and funner to throw around.

Never drove the new Jetta, but I would stick with the safer bet and get the Civic. I personally prefer the coupe though, never could stand the look of most of the sedans.

I think the advantages to the Jetta are:
german feel
good materials
fun to drive
looks(totally subjective)
larger size

While the advantages of the civic are:
low maintenance cost, lower car cost, lower running cost
lasts longer
more toys for the $

I'm with costco, I personally think that the sedan civic is iffy looking especially compared to the coupe where all the lines work really well. Still, I would probably choose the civic espech after hearing so many jetta horror stories (mostly with the last gen but didn't someone on here lemon their TDI?).

sorry the jetta is never like a german feel car, it just felt crap

i test drove the 2.0T with DSG, it has so much power, but never drove like a german car, so different than my dad's mercedes

civic gives much better gas mileage than jetta, yet they are same in performance, i would say civic all year long

you just compared a mercedes to a jetta

boarderline Walter-S

If the only thing you really like about the jetta is it's styling compared to all the other items mentioned that you like better about the civic, its really a no brainer...go with the civic.

The more comparable car to the civic would be a 4dr rabbit. When you compare the standard features you need the LX civic to compare and then the base price is the same, but you actually get a few nicer luxury features with the rabbit over the civic.

The base Jetta is more car therefore a higher price. Im not a big fan of their 2.5l engine and unfortunatlly thats the only base engine they offer. I think in a few years your going to see that engine end or its going to have to improve alot. I wish they would bring over their twincharger 4cyl, now thats an incredible engine.

Fuel costs will be higher, maint im not to sure. I own a 2006 2.0T 6spd and love it. Very reliable (not one problem after year one) and have more luxury features and better performance for $2000 less than a TSX....If I was in your situation, i would probably go for the civic because you already like the styling, honda reliability, fuel economy and the interior etc....Myself, i really like the base honda engine but i cant get past the styling of the car or the typical japanese quality of the interior trim etc.

i was referring to Python's commen on the Jetta

except good materials and larger size none of them are true at all

there's no german feel compare to BMW and mercedes, civic is 100 times better in fun to drive and the jetta totally lokos like a german corolla

Hes almost worse. He just manages to stay under the radar.

A jetta is a german corolla you dolt.