Considering a VW Jetta (vehicles, fuel, best, chip)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
hmmm... I have been driving (water cooled) VWs for 32 years and while I agree that parts are a bit pricey (NOT 3x), I have had to replace so few of them that I believe the value is there.
Plus, they are soooo much more fun than their 'american/japanese' counterparts.
Sure, they're more fun -- that's why I own one despite the predictably higher operating costs. But this dude seems to want his dollars to buy lower operating costs rather than higher "fun quotient." I dig my Jetta, but I can't in good conscience recommend one to someone whose first priority is low operating costs.
Sure, they're more fun -- that's why I own one despite the predictably higher operating costs. But this dude seems to want his dollars to buy lower operating costs rather than higher "fun quotient." I dig my Jetta, but I can't in good conscience recommend one to someone whose first priority is low operating costs.
I believe that I clearly stated that (for me) the operating costs have been lower, since I have not had to replace very many 'expensive' parts.
Yes you did. But let's face it, your experience is pretty unique among VW owners.
I have heard that, many times. But not from my nieces, nephew, buddies and local mechanic that own VWs. Maybe we just take care of them better than the general public.
One of the cars on my lists is a VW Jetta. I'll be looking to pay in the 5k range, which in my area gets me a 2000-2003/4 with about 80-100k miles. Just wondering if there are any Jetta specific questions to ask when buying the car. Are there any certain parts that go out at a certain amount of miles? How about certain things I should look for that could be problems in the future?
Personally, I wouldn't consider a VW at all unless you get a TDI. Spend another $3k for on with that mileage and you will have a solid vehicle that get's 48-50mpg.
That being said, if you end up with a TDI you will need to learn some maintence. Since most stealerships don't know how to diagnose and work on these motors. The internet will be your friend on this though.. plenty of info on how to diagnose issues and things like that.
I'm on my 3rd year with my 2000 Jetta TDI, before that I had no clue what these things were all about. In the first year I changed , turbo , injector nozzles, ecu reprogramming , timing belt and some other maintence items. They are actually pretty easy to work on. My stock 90hp TDI is now close to 140hp and it's very fun to drive.
I bought mine 3 years ago with 90k on it and it now has 178k, and all I've done is the timing belt job ($650). I do oil changes and tire rotation every 10k. There are many internet parts suppliers that will supply OEM parts at a reasonable price (an oil filter that goes for 11.50 at Wally World, I get for 5.00 on the net with free shipping). The TDI Club is a tremendous resource for diagnostics and routine maintenance.
If you like to be "Green", these cars are far better for the environment than the Prius or any other of the "hybrids".
My car consistently gives me 60 mpg on the highway, and 55 in town. I have had more 1000 mile tanks than I can count, and my last tank was 1150 miles.
There is a reason that more than 50% of the cars sold in Europe are diesels.
One of the cars on my lists is a VW Jetta. I'll be looking to pay in the 5k range, which in my area gets me a 2000-2003/4 with about 80-100k miles. Just wondering if there are any Jetta specific questions to ask when buying the car. Are there any certain parts that go out at a certain amount of miles? How about certain things I should look for that could be problems in the future?
I can't decide if I want the GTI or Diesel myself...and I hear talk of electric/diesel hybrid Golf in the future as well...
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
TDI for sure
