Anyone with insight on a VW Jetta

[orionz06]

Should have clarified... if you bring it to me (or most other garages) it's gonna cost you more to have it fixed. Most water cooled vws tend to be finickey.

Why? Parts generally cost the same, the flat rate labor books, circa 2008 show comparable labor times, so really the price comes down to you. And how is a modern water cooled car finicky? It is not a 1911.

[rickrock305]

I don't know much about Jettas, but I would avoid Carmax. They are quite expensive compared to pretty much anywhere else.

[Dunderway]

I owned a 2000 GL. The check engine light was perpetually on. Took it in many, many times under warranty but the light would come on within a day of having it "fixed". I was also enlisted at the time and my superiors didn't care about my car issues, so I couldn't leave it at the dealer for weeks at time to get things sorted out.

It never passed CA smog without needing repairs, and we chased electrical problems in the car for it's entire life. My bother had a 2002 with the same issues. Anything electical had gremlins. I have many similar stories from friends and family who have owned any VW made after 1998.

It was a really bittersweet relationship, since I loved driving the little car and it was extremely reliable mechanically. I ended up basically giving it away because after thousands in repairs it still wouldn't pass CA smog. This was not due to actual emissions outputs mind you, but solely electrical/computer read out.

I now drive a 30 year old Toyota that passes smog with ease and has never given me a single problem. If it ever does, I can pull out the FSM and fix it myself with normal tools.

[chadbag]

Seems most of the people reporting troubles were early 2000s models Jetta. I had heard from a few people as well of problems with their cars in that range of models. Maybe they have gotten things fixed and the newer style Jetta (say 2005 or so when it came out) are better? I say that as most people I know with them have had little problems. And my Passat is great (2006)

[orionz06]

Seems most of the people reporting troubles were early 2000s models Jetta. I had heard from a few people as well of problems with their cars in that range of models. Maybe they have gotten things fixed and the newer style Jetta (say 2005 or so when it came out) are better? I say that as most people I know with them have had little problems. And my Passat is great (2006)

Early mkiv's were the ones that earned the reputation, 1999.5-2001.

In reference to the OP, a VW with 20k-30k will be a mkV, 2005+, and aside from some models having some squeaks inside, they are good.

Most issues from the 1999.5-2001's were also fixed under warranty. The biggest one that comes to mind are the window regulators that fail randomly. Dealers still replace them if they are the originals that were recalled.