20th Jun 2005, 15:51
I had a 2001 with the 2.0 engine only. the only positive thing that I have experienced with this car is the way it handles, it literally hugs the road and it ends there. my biggest mistake was agreeing to get the automatic transmission as she preferred driving an automatic. the advice I got from a shop that only deals with German cars is, if it's a Volkswagen with auto transmission be sure to have the transmission serviced every 30,000 miles not 60,000 as recommended by Volkswagen or better yet get the standard transmission, as the dealer said I need a new transmission at 68,000 miles, this is just after a month of having the transmission serviced. this is a very expensive and frustrating car to maintain as I have almost taken it back for recalls about half a dozen times. my worst nightmare was when we we're on holidays driving to the Oregon coast the car just suddenly shifted into 3rd gear and got stuck there, luckily we only had about 10 miles to go, but after that I had never trusted the car on long drives and even just the normal everyday commute.
24th Jun 2005, 12:13
I have a 2001 Jetta TDI and have owned it for a year and a half. Last summer it had to be towed 3 times in one month. I have taken it to the dealer ship 4 times since I've owned it. I love the way it drives, but every once in a while my automatic will get stuck in 3rd gear. Not good when you're on interstate highways. The brake switch was recalled and the dealership had to replace it 3 times!!! It wasn't coming out of park. Then there's the brakes, they squeal all the time, no matter who fixes them. The dashboard totally sucks, My radio lights stopped working so I had a new one put in, but I can't use the cup holders because if I have a spill, guess where it's going... all over the radio. Also, since the new radio has been put in, my lights around the heat/air knobs has gone out. The plastic also has pealed all over my dashboard. Not to mention the fact that my seats are like one giant lint brush. Love the drive and mileage, and that's it!!!
5th Sep 2005, 19:54
I have a 2001 Jetta GLS 1.8t and I have to say, I've had my share of problems, most of them very minor. The biggest problem is dealership service. Repairing things which aren't actually broken. A word of advice, find a competent independent mechanic and stay away from the dealer after the warranty is up. On the plus side..
The car is very powerful, I don't know what you guys are saying about passing power, passing is what this car is all about.
I do have a 4spd auto, with 97,000 miles on it with no problems and no maintance. I am bringing it in shortly for a fluid and filter change which I've done on every automatic car I've owned if they reach 100,000 without any problems. (i know I could be preventive about this, but I don't like messing with something which works).
The car smells like crayons.. actually it is the wax which is used to isolate metal parts from one another so they don't make noise in adverse conditions. The system works well, the smell is minimal. And if people are getting sick from this they must have had a horrible time as children =)
Great looks, so far great reliablity.. nearing 100,000 miles and driving like the day I bought it.
27th Nov 2005, 22:14
Wrong. There was a technical bulletin about the smell. It would cost about $600.00 to replace the sound proofing material that causes the odor.
And the odor is not just "like crayons". It's a wax/mildew STINK that overpowers your skin, clothing, hair, any kleenex you have in the car, youjr CD cases, EVERYTHING. The stink follows you into any store you happen to go into.. as it's in everything.
If the smell doesn't bother you, then you must be a smoker or one of those obnoxious people who either never bathes and isn't bothered by your own stank, or one of those people who drowns themself in cologne/perfume and doesn't realize they're offending everybody around them for a 25 foot radius.
10th May 2005, 07:51
I have to amend your comments -- I have a 2001 Jetta GLX (VR6, 5-speed) - while it drives well and is fun "sometimes", about every 150 miles or 2-3 weeks, I am back at the Dealership.
I've had 5 replacements of O (2) Sensors in less than 3 yrs, 3 catalytic converters, and numerous other problems including Left CV Joint replace, rear brake seizing, coolant leaks, in addition to the windows falling in and signal failures.
This week it is at the Dealer for a replacement of: Mass Air Flow sensor, catalytic converter and O (2) sensors again - last week was the coil pack.
It's a lemon. I cannot wait to trade.