2001 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg 1.8 turbo from North America

Summary:

Super fun to drive, expect to have it in the shop a lot!

Faults:

Heated seat died after 5000 km.

Clutch pedal leaked lube within the cab at 6000 km.

Numerous lights both interior and exterior have died.

Water pump died after 69,000 km. Timing belt replaced as well.

Wind shield wiper motor died at 69,500 km.

General Comments:

From day one, I bought this car because it looks good and drives incredibly. However I am always waiting in the back of my mind for something to go wrong.

I have no confidence in the quality of this vehicle.

The decision to no longer purchase VW was easier as the company's latest generation design is horrific. Unfortunately BMW also went down the same route of terrible design.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 19th August, 2006

2001 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon VR6 from North America

Summary:

Garbage

Faults:

1st night owned - dead in driveway, battery went.

2 months later - brake switch broke, can't shift out of park.

4 months in - EPC light on, won't go out. Replaced part (can't remember off the top of my head)

November 05 - high end, brand new "performance tires" that come with all Jetta's don't perform, can't drive through a small snowstorm, stranded in storm for 3 hours because the new tires provide no traction whatsoever. Spent $890 on 4 new snow tires.

6 months in - check engine light on again. "Nothing wrong" light turned off.

10 months in - in cold weather, annoying alarm goes off and temp light goes on. No reason apparently.

12 months in - replaced brakes and rotors, sensors in pads provide no warning or squealing sounds. $600 repair.

Aug 11 - EPC, ASR and Check engine light on, car decelerating and backfiring.

Aug 16 - got the car back supposedly fixed, but the next morning ASR, EPC and check engine lights are back on.

- Fuses pop constantly, have already replaced a headlight, and the stereo changes channels by itself, and shuts off by itself.

General Comments:

I will never, ever as long as I live by another Volkswagen. All I've done this past year is pay and pay and pay, and then pay some more. This is the most unreliable car I've ever owned. My 2 previous cars were both Pontiacs, and I ran them for 126,000 and 168,000 respectively, with NO problems at any point.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 18th August, 2006

21st Aug 2006, 19:08

My '02 was a great car.

5th Sep 2006, 21:13

You can't drive in the winter with "performance" tires. That's a no brainer.

2001 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg 1.8T from North America

Summary:

Exceptional

Faults:

Poor reception on the radio.

Same crayon smell, but it doesn't bother me, it's better than a musty old car smell.

The only thing that really bothers me is the corrosion on the BBS rims. They really take away from the vehicles total appearance.

The suspension squeaks a little, but that isn't really a problem either.

General Comments:

So far the car is great. Is there any sort of special maintenance that I should keep in mind? I've read some of the other comments and they said to have the timing belt changed at 40k, is that so?

Also if anyone has the same wear on the BBS rims, please call VW of America and just file a complaint so we can get a recall on this. I've already called and it's determined on the volume of calls they recieve with the same problem.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th August, 2006

17th Aug 2006, 21:53

My car does have the same corrosion problem! I'll give them a call right now.

16th Jan 2007, 19:43

I just purchased my car from a relative, and I thought the corrosion on the rims were caused by the car not being driven that often, but the thing that confused me was that it wasn't consistent. Have you had it fixed, if possible? and has VW said anything yet?

2001 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg Edition 1.8 turbo from North America

Summary:

Best car I've ever owned, and will stick with the Volkswagen Family for life..

Faults:

The only thing I can find wrong with my car, is my 12V jack inside the car doesn't allow me to charge my cell phone. I'm sure it's a fuse.

General Comments:

This car is seriously fast, when taken car of properly. We take very good care of our Turbo engine, feeding it synthetic oil (Over 100,000 miles recently) and letting the turbo 'unspool' every time it is driven. Bought it with 92,000 miles, and have had no problems with the performance of anything. This car will take some massively fast cars, like they are nothing, and I can't wait for the performance boost from the chip we will be putting in, and the after-market exhaust will also add some HP.

Everything I ever thought a car should have, has come in one powerful little package called a 1.8 T. Mini visor for rear view mirror, heated seats, mirrors and window sprayers...auto-shut off lights, and buzzers. Haven't thought of anything we would want different, besides a little more leg room in the back for the kiddo. Oh, and the way the gas cap isn't attached (I tend to drive off with them on the top).

The interior, in excellent condition, never fails to amaze. Trim pieces fitting tightly, and no nooks and crannies to lose things in. Great colors, easy to clean, and missing nothing. The stock Monsoon speakers are amazing, especially with an after market Alpine.

Can't see how anyone could have a problem with such a perfect car. Or, maybe they should just take better care of their babies... because I'm pretty sure mine loves me back.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th August, 2006