VW Jetta TDi wagon

[JPalov]

I am looking at some 2003- 2004 Jetta TDi wagons. Any word on maintenance issues? I have a 1997 Jetta and I have had a lot of front end repairs, like both axles, tie rods, bearings. Any feedback on special problems with the diesel? I know the fuel consumption is good, about 61 miles per gallon but are there trade-offs that i should be aware of?

thanks,
John

[The General]

As you well know, VW enjoys one of the worst reliability records in the industry, and has for a few years now (Audi included).

Many of the electrical problems (MAF, other sensors, injection pump) should be fixed or at least covered under warranty for the next few years. Maintenance costs will be much higher than your current Jetta and probably more frequent. I would make sure that you will drive 20 000 miles a year so that the purchase of the diesel will make sense and pay itself off.

[pkaram]

Hey General,

I'm looking for your recommendations on decent used car, I've been shopping around for a Volks Jetta 95 /man /125,000K for 3500.00 is it a good move or should I be looking for something else. I'm trying to stay away from american cars they don't last 10 years and over anymore.

I know the saturns and sunfires would be newer for the same money but it just isn't the same?

Thanks for the info

Peter

[woohoo!]

General will better answer your question that me, but if you can keep up with the maintenance costs of a VW, it will indeed last a long time becoming a rustbucket.

I bought a house, General owns a VW. heehee

Just pickin' on ya Gen!! :P

[The General]

Darn that hurts.

I actually have 2 VWs so I can kiss the country place goodbye too...

What engine? 2.0L, TDi, VR6 ???

They all have issues. Ideally get the most basic model with the least amount of equipment possible.

Give me more details.

[Leowin]

Used Jetta??? I would think twice even if sombody gifts me a new Jetta.

General is absolutely right. VWs in general and Jetta in particular have numerous problems, maybe they have to stop manufacturing it in Mexico and shift the factory to Brampton!

Check out the problems at:

http://www.myvwlemon.com/

All the best!

[The General]

Yes VWs suck but if driving is your thing and you are willing to make sacrifices and you can fix the car yourself, you'll enjoy it.

[pkaram]

:) Hey Guys thanks for the Info, Gen even after all that I'm still looking for a Volks 2.0L Not decided between the TDI or Gaz what do you think?

What other prob. can I expect with the Jetta 95 -97 ? I can fix most of the stuff myself I think! I've done alot of work on american cars in the past.

But I also don't want to have to sell off my first born just to keep a jetta running on the road?

Should I look for low milage or newer year's? I'm also starting to look at the golf's?

Thanks guys for all the info.

Peter

[woohoo!]

Two words: rigorous inspection. ;-)

[pkaram]

:roll: Hey woohoo! That's a given!

what other make and model would you recommend with a better track record than VW's?

I heard Hond's are more reliable and less maintenance intnesive but more pricey?

I'm just looking for something small good on gaz and not a killer on the wallet?

Also fun to drive! I know that's a tall order for a small budget but their must be something out there.

Peter

[woohoo!]

Well, of course I would recommend Civics and Corollas first hand. They're among the most reliable, so maintenance costs are low. They consume very little fuel.

They are pricier to buy, of course, but it all depends on how you look at it.

Unreliable car: lower purchase price, but more repair costs, more time wasted at a garage/dealer (hope their coffee tastes good!)

A Jetta, however, is more fun to drive (ask General!) than a Civic or Corolla. No wonder why so many people keep buying VWs even though they are well aware that they will break sooner or later.

I'd say shop Japanese, but whatever you buy It'll need an inspection anyhow.

A new car dealer that has pre-owned models in their inventory is a good place to shop, because they will keep the best ones (think trade-in) for themselves and send the crappy ones to auctions where liquidators like H. Gregoire purchase their stock. Example, a Honda dealer that sold a new Accord 10 years ago to somebody who is trading it in, and that Accord was serviced, maintained and documented by the same dealer, is a very good purchase, even though you might pay a little more, the dealer will stand behind its product.

There are plenty of good cars in Auto123's database, you can check them out.

Take care!

[The General]

:)a Volks 2.0L Not decided between the TDI or Gaz what do you think?

What other prob. can I expect with the Jetta 95 -97 ? I can fix most of the stuff myself I think! I've done alot of work on american cars in the past.

Should I look for low milage or newer year's? I'm also starting to look at the golf's?

If you're mecanically inclined, then you might even have some fun working on a VW. Look into a 2.0L base model (GL) and keep the equipment level low. You have to remember that all the tools you will need are metric: 10mm, 11mm, 13mm, 15mm, 17mm... to name a few. Parts are cheap if you know where to shop. I would suggest that you look into 97 to early 99. The Golf is no different except until 1997, you could purchase a CL model with the 1.8L engine (more reliable).

If you want to avoid spending the odd saturday under the car then you should look into a Civic or a Protegé. More reliable and reasonably fun to drive.