Anyone with insight on a VW Jetta

[orionz06]

General stuff (tires, brakes, struts, batteries, air filters, etc.) aren't much more costly then any other car. Other things (power window regulators, power door lock motors, vacuum lines, head gaskets, timing belts, water pumps, axles, ball joints, tie rods, etc.) Are a bit more. If you have money to burn, get it. But I would not put it anywhere near the same class as a civic, camery, fusion, or malibu.

Timing belts, head gaskets, water pumps, axles, ball joints, and tie rod ends are still no more than any other brand. If they are, you are shopping in the wrong place.

Point of comparison: 1997 Chevy Cavalier (in 2005) cost ~$50 for two tie rod ends. 2001 Jetta (in 2005) cost ~$65 shipped for two tie rod ends (heavy duty). They were replaced as PM prior to lowering the car.

[kartoffel]

Don't knock it just cause it's made in Mexico. For the last 8 years my immediate family has been driving the snot out of a pair of Mexican-made Nissan Sentras with zero issues.

Check Consumer Reports for Jetta reliability. Otherwise, I second the recommendations to check out Toyota and Ford.

[YVK]

Don't knock it just cause it's made in Mexico. For the last 8 years my immediate family has been driving the snot out of a pair of Mexican-made Nissan Sentras with zero issues.

Check Consumer Reports for Jetta reliability. Otherwise, I second the recommendations to check out Toyota and Ford.

My Mexican made Sentra was indestructible; not so much with Jetta...

[variablebinary]

Avoid VW

[mnoe82]

My brother had a jetta and had loads of problems. bought an accord and never looked back.

If you do get the jetta, avoid leather interior. His and many others had an uncanny smell like crayola crayons. I know it sounds odd, but its true.

[nickdrak]

Wife wants a VW Jetta. Its going to have to be used. Probably 20-25 thousand miles. Looking at going with Carmax.

Are Jettas dependable? Any issues-problems?

I would do more research with other sources so that you can show your wife evidence on paper.

For some reason women just love VW's. My wife bought a new VW Passat back in 2004 and the thing has been an absolute nightmare. Thank God she got the extended warranty with it. There was a reoccurring ignition coil problem that plagued it from about 50-80k miles. We would have to bring it in for service every 5-7k miles to be fixed. The electronics on the German made cars leaves much to be desired. Headlights and taillights constantly burning out.

If your wife absolutely must have the VW, then make sure you get an extended warranty plan for it.... you are gonna need it!

I think that VW's are great looking cars for the most part. They really do have some of the classiest looking cars on the market. When you take one for test drive they do give off a very solid/heavy duty feel, and they ride very smoothly. Don't fall for it!

[RD62]

I recommend that you avoid the Jetta (Mexican made) and if she really wants a VW then to look at the Passat (German made). My wife had a Jetta for a couple of years. When it ran, it ran great. When it would decide at random (three times) it wouldn't run at all and would require towing back to the dealership for repair. We tried really hard to like the car. It was zippy, frugal on gas, comfortable and quiet and gave the impression of being a car of greater worth; a real bargain but being left stranded, waiting on a wrecker three times just ruined it for us.

I couldn't say it better myself.

My wife had a Mexican made Jetta VR6.

Biggest piece of shit I have ever owned.

Fine German engineering, shitty Mexican construction.

Parts and maintenance are expensive, and it WILL need parts and maintenance.

My S-I-L had a new Beetle that was a raging POS too.

I was very disappointed.

Looks good, rides good, is peppy, but I wouldn't own another if you paid the bill.

[Watrdawg]

Neighbors have two diesel Jettas. They run great and have had no problems at all. Neighbors on the other side of me like the other neighbors Jettas so much they bought 2 diesel ones also and both of theirs have also ran great. All 4 Jettas were for daughters going to college. All the girls run these cars to death and do little maintenance themelves. All 4 vehicles were bought used. I would think that 4 girls running these cars to death with little maintenance would be a great torture test for most any vehicle or other product period.

[SHIVAN]

Good ones are very good. Bad ones range from kinda bad to major issues like main wiring harnesses, etc. Usually with multiple very frustrating trips to the dealership to even diagnose the issue properly.

I would avoid them. Wife and I owned a 2001 GLX.

[C-grunt]

I think SHIVAN hit the nail on the head.

If you get a good one you are good to go. If you get a bad one you are screwed. Much like BMW.

I have a friend who is an Audi/Porsche/VW mechanic. He said the key is to be very strict with the maintenance.