Ok, so my sister is thinking about buying an '06 Jetta 2.5. I really don't know much about them, but she was asking my opinion/pros/cons about them. Personally, I've only driven a couple of '01s and I didn't have any complaints except for the small back seat. I've heard some horror stories about VW electrical problems in the past, but other than that I haven't heard much negative about them.

Is there anything you guys can think of that I should warn her about besides the VW electrical issues? Any input is definitely appreciated.

 

I have no idea about the newer ones, but my friend has a 99 Jetta and it's just problem after problem with that car. If it were me, I wouldn't chance it.

 

if she waits for the '08 model the 2.5 gets a 20hp boost

 

Well i have had mine for 1.5 years and the only problem i have had is a fuel line rattle that was fixed in 5min while getting my oil changed (there was TSB out for it)...To be honest im very surprised at how well built the car is and how trouble free for a completly redesigned car. usually first model year cars have problems but this has none.

The quality and fit/finish of the car is amazing for its price category and many people say its better than the passat which is made in Germany...which i agree.
Some people slag the car because its made in mexico, but VW has improved that plant so much for this generation of car you can actually tell in its quality.

Body and electrical i can say its been excellent...drivetrain i dont know to much about the 2.5L (mines a 2.0T). If its in her budget i would look at a base 2.0T as it has better performance and fuel economy over the 2.5L. Im not a big fan of consumer reports but if you are they actually rate it very good also.

I would go over to vwvortex and look/ask around. I know there was a rattle problem with the exhaust on cold start ups for awhile but not sure if its been fixed yet. I think the 2.5L is a good engine just not all that impressive numbers wise compared to similar engines IMHO.

I know lots of people here will slag the hell out of the car about previous generation coil problems etc, but if i recall recently a certain manufactuer is currently recalling a million plus (and counting) cars for a fuel relay issues ( puts on flame suit ) so it happens to the best of them . If you you want a actual owners opinion of the new generation jetta though. All i can say is that i cant praise it enough (the 2.0T that is).

 

Thanks for the input, guys! I actually went over to a VW dealership after work and was quite impressed with the new Jetta, especially compared to previous models. One of my friends has an '01 Jetta and I've driven it along with an '01 VR6. Personally, I think the new ones are much more open inside, there's a ton more room in the cabin and in the trunk. The design couldn't be better and when you pop the hood, everything you need to check frequently is right at your fingertips. I'll let you know what happens, but I have a feeling that as long as she gets the right price, she'll be coming home with it this weekend.

 

Decent car, but poor reliability. My old Jetta of 1992 ran okay until the warranty expired. As soon as 40000 miles hit, could not start the car in summer regularly, cracked head light housing, leaking condenser for A/C, broken rear spring, and constant rattle or dash noise over any bump. Glad the car started when I sold it. I bought 1992 Camry V6 to replace Jetta and I haven't bought anything but Japanese since then. Own German cars until the warranty period and sell/trade/turn in the lease.

 

Update:

My brother-in-law went to check out the car lastnight before it got dark and said that the bumper had been repainted and didn't match, plus there's some other exterior blemishes so that particular car is out. They're looking to spend between $13k-19k for a decent mid-sized sedan. Any suggestions? There are actually a couple '04 TSXs with higher mileage (around 50k) in their area, but I'm not sure that my brother-in-law would go that high for mileage. Personally, that's probably the car I'd be going after if I was in their position, but I'll let you guys know what happens. In the meantime, feel free to offer advice on comparable cars that would fall in their price range.

 

i dunno what options they want but that price range they can get a new '07 jetta

 

My wife has an 01 beetle (bettle/golf/jetta = same car with diff body). So far, 30k miles
the shift knob fell off
vanity mirror light quit
glove box door broke
gas cap cover opener wiring broke
mass airflow sensor broke
drivers side window fell in
drivers side door lock switch quit
drivers side window switch quit
hazard/directional relay quit
drivers door closed switch broke so even with door closed the chimes go off

That's all I can remember off the top of my head. You think we would buy another VW?

 

Only if you need an expensive planter or can't throw money away by buying a boat...
We optimists would point out that at least the passenger side of your Beetle was OK.

 

Baa HAA HAA !!!
Passenger side is OK!!! Now THAT's funny !!!

Caused me to spew coffee all over my screen... (-:

Oh, and I forgot the brake light switch recall we just got, plus having to take the car to a mechanic to replace the headlight because I couldn't get the damn thing apart. (The burned out light was on the driver's side as well...)

 

CRAP!!!
Just realized the WHOLE car is crap. The glove box cover and the gas cap cover are on the passenger side... )-:

 

My buddy has 89k miles on his 03 Jetta with no major issues.

But he says he will never buy another because the VW dealer overcharged him on a brake job.

 

Anyways, we all know car forums are the places to hear the horror stories.

So check out http://www.vwvortex.com/ and talk to other VW owners and see if how theirs are hold up.

 

Not a big fan of VW's. Everyone I know that has one said they always have problems. My co-worker had a Cabrio and it was in the shop all the time. Everything from electrical issues to tranny problems for her. Another friend has a Jetta and the tranny just went.

 

Same here...friends 02 1.8T Jetta has been flawless. Even the recall stuff he took it in for gave him no problems. Two other co-workers have TDI's, one flawless the other had a faulty turbo and was replaced in the first 6mos...since then no problems in 4 yrs.
My brothers 90 corrado in 17yrs put a seal kit in the blower and a couple window switches, and thats it.

Like Crazy said usually everyone likes to bring their horror stories to the forums, especially if its the compititions.

Our last Toyota went through..3altenators, 2starters, 1tranny, 3wheel bearings, 2clutches, 1crank pulley and rattles/leaks galore.
Our civic was a little better.. the infamous head gasket (that HMC should have recalled but i dont think ever did) and 1tranny. luckily it was a base car so not much else could go wrong except for the numerous rattles again...(we always loved the morning paper...good ole rattle stopper)

I see most complaints here are electrical with VW's. I understand also how annoying electrical problems can be, but i woiuld rather spend 10min fixing a switch than a whole day on a head gasket.

 

Yes... that is one car i sure wouldnt get if its been in accident already and doesnt look to be put back together well. As someone else has mentioned, for that price range they could look at new base model or at least look at many different cars especially newer (1-2yr) lease returns.

 

they make for excellent chick cars

 

The new Jettas are nice, but are they reliable. I don't know. Check out that link that was provided for feedback from VW owners.

 

Thanks for all of the input and replies. There's definitely a LOT of great advice.

UPDATE:

My sister went car shopping Friday night and Saturday morning came home with her new car. She ended up getting an '07 Honda Accord EX for like $18-19k. She's REALLY excited about it so far. I'll get to see it tonight or tomorrow, so I'll let you know what I think of it and what all it has. I'm pretty sure it doesn't have much as far as options go, but she's never been very picky about that sort of thing. Her last car was a '97 Mercury Tracer though, so no matter what, this car is a huge step up.

 

^ That's great! An EX model should have some good features. Nice pick, and great price!

 

yeah it should be pretty nice, but i was wrong, it's a Royal Blue Pearl LX auto not an EX.

 

Nice Choice....I kinda figured she should be able to find lots of different cars new for that price if she went with the base model.
Yes that is a huge step up from the ole 97 tracer and im sure she will have lots of trouble free years being it looks like she keeps her vehicles for a long time.....did she buy the tracer new??

 

are VW's still made in mexico?

 

jettas an beetles yes, the Rabbit, GTI, Phaeton in Germany and Touareg, Passat, EOS in some other European country, i forget....

 

i'm pretty sure she bought it as a demo in '97, but i don't remember how many miles were on it at that point in time. I'm pretty sure it had around 74k when she traded it in last week. She definitely keeps cars longer than most people in this day and age.

 

I think Czech Replublic.