2001 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T 1.8 turbo from North America

Summary:

More problems

Faults:

More problems since my last review. The hits just keep on coming. Since my last review I have had the arm rest repaired, the oil pan gasket replaced and the oil pump replaced.

The oil pump went out (June 20) when we were out of town and VW roadside assistance would not tow the vehicle more than 100 miles without paying for the repairs first. This put us in a very awkward position. We had to have the car towed to the nearest dealership, borrow our inlaws car, have the car repaired in time for us to go out of town on Wednesday June 23, drive two hours out of our way to pick the car up. In the process the out of town dealer requested all of the oil change records for the vehicle. I told them that with all of the problems I have had with this car that there should not be any questions about servicing this vehicle. I then called VW America and let them know about all of the problems with this car.

Stay tuned.

General Comments:

Rest assured I will NEVER buy or lease another Volkswagen.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th June, 2004

2001 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.9 turbo diesel from North America

Summary:

A wallet sucking pile of dung

Faults:

Handle on the center console broke.

Parts just falling out of the sunroof.

6 disk CD changer broke.

The Mass Airflow censor broker (many times) in the end it was the harness that was bad, much money spent.

Now the Glow plugs need to be replaced, along with the harness and something else (can't remember)

Seats - not so comfortable.

General Comments:

When my husband purchased this car, it was under the idea that the money he would save would be worth the more expensive oil changes and scheduled maintenance. Boy, was he wrong. It had been a great car until the warranty went out and all hades broke loose. The Mass Airflow sensor (now an actual recall, but not then) went out about 4 or 5 times, causing a serious, almost dangerous, loss of power. It ended up that it was the harness that was causing all of the problems, the part that was not covered by the eventual warranty recall. Holy Crap! He had surprised me with an '01 Beetle on my 20th birthday, and we kept that until all of this stuff happened with his car, and we got rid of it (as a precaution)..we are so frustrated and so poor... why can't this vehicle be engineered any better?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 24th June, 2004

2001 Volkswagen Jetta GLI VR6 from North America

Summary:

This is a low profile car that will give you good performance!

Faults:

Absolutely nothing has gone wrong with my VW! This car has worked flawlessly. I have had to take it in for a safety recall on a break light switch, but the brake lights were working, it was done as a precaution. Very reliable car!

General Comments:

For a vehicle with such sedate styling, this car will shock anyone with its acceleration. The way this car performs will shock anyone driving it for the first time. Under aggressive driving I'll smell the catalytic converter though. My car is fully loaded with every option available for the year 2001 and it is a vast difference from my old truck. I got my truck last October and it has a big block V-8 with straight pipes out the sides and a 4 speed on the floor. When I needed a new car, because I'm going off to school in the fall, I wanted something that would give me good performance, but my parents would agree was safe and sedate enough because I am 17 my parents would have to sign for it regardless that I am paying for it. When I first drove a VR6 Jetta, it was to prove a point, because I thought it was a slow, sedate, "safe," greeny car. My mother and I got in and, by accident of course, I peeled out. I knew I wanted that car because it was something my folks and I could agree on. When my mother finally had a chance to drive it a month later she did the same thing, by accident. This car I love more than my truck in every sense with the exception of the way the engine sounds. You can't beat the big angry sound of straight pipes on a big block 460. My Jetta makes an excellent replacement!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th June, 2004