2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI from North America - Comments

As the original poster said, the Jetta is just a great, great car. My 2006 2.0t package 3 has goon 31,000 miles with no problems at all. Still puts a grin on my face every time I drive it. This is my 5th VW, my previous 1995 Jetta had 323,000 miles on the odometer and still ran well.

This is my first Jetta, got the 06 GLI...SCHWEET> Lovin it. Have had two minor issues with it, all cosmetic. Just turned 11K on the odometer and the performance is like it was on day one, but better. This company puts out a great product, and for the money and public response, go with the GTI or my favorite, the GLI.

I just wanted to say thanks to all the posters about the Jetta, I'm getting ready to buy one in the next couple of days, a 06 TDI and after reading all your comments it looks like it will be a great car, I'll let you all know how it goes.

Here's an update. At 42,XXX miles, the EPC and Check Engine (also called "Malfunction Indicator Lamp") light came on. I need a new ECM (engine control module). This will be replaced under warranty though, and my dealer (Capistrano VW) has been a pleasure to deal with. I would still buy another VW in a heartbeat, and stuff happens.

Just like most of VW owners I do love my Jetta (2003 Wolfsburg edition 1.8T). it runs better than Honda (I had 3 Accords) when everything is functioning. The 1st problem I had was at around 30K mile, the screws that hold the front nose (light fixture..) were all loose it made noise when turning. At 40K miles, it felt like clutch was gone and engine warning light came on, took it the dealer did scan and found it had cylinder misfire-A old and long VW problem seems can never be resolved. Luckily it was under warranty. Now at 50K it started to squeak, did anti-squeak spray around the area the noise still come and go. Also the break starts to vibrate when braking at high speed.

I think VW is a good car, but not a reliable car like other German cars. I guess that’s how you show your love, keep paying it!

Update: 61,000 miles, no further issues! I still love my GLI!

I bought my 2006 2.0t previously owned with only 13,000 on it, I'm up to 26,000 and not a problem, not even a worry. Its Quick, gas is great, and as far as comfort goes.. its sweet. But the best feature of ALL.. HANDS DOWN... is that all you have to do is tap the window button, and it goes all the way up by itself.

Unfortunately, I have nothing, but bad things to say about my jetta. it is a 2006 2.0T GLI package 2. 2 years old 60,000 miles (highway). it has run out of oil twice (the oil pressure light comes on and tells you to shut the car off immediately). all of this, at about 2000 miles to go before scheudled oil change.

On top of that, it feels like you're driving a tin can with holes in it. most recently, something about the heater broke (electronics turn on, but no heat comes out). I'm just waiting for another big vw bill. every trip to the dealer is another $1000.

And get ready to spend a fortune on tires.

Run out of oil?

Don't you ever check your oil???

I bought my '06 GLI (6-speed stick) in Aug. '06 and I just hit 27 K miles. This car is tremendously satisfying to drive and it just happens to fit me like a glove.

My combined MPG usually runs about 26 for combined city/highway driving. My oil consumption so far has been about one quart every 3 K miles or so. It uses a little more oil if I drive it hard (which is most of the time, to be honest). I check the oil once a week and I never, ever let the oil level drop lower than halfway down the shaded area of the dipstick! In other words, I have never needed to add more than 1/2 quart of oil at a time. I would have to be a complete idiot to let the oil level drop so low that the light/warning chime came on while I was driving!

The truth is, I enjoy driving this car so much that I really don't mind adding oil now and then, as long as the rest of the car doesn't start to fall apart.

BTW, I purchased the 5 year/100 K mile extended warranty with the car and I will definitely get rid of the car before this warranty expires! I've owned several water-cooled VW's before this one, and I know first-hand what happens after you cross the sacred 100 K mark!

Bottom line: Vee Dubs are more fun to drive, but the Japanese makes (Honda and Toyota in particular) hold up better in the long run and are unquestionably less expensive to service/repair.

Well, I guess you'd have to be a complete idiot to believe what the manufacturer tells you about the facts of the car with regards to oil changes.

Why am I spending $80 for an oil change at MOST 5000 miles? Because VW owners are stupid, including myself. Why not just buy a regular 3000 mile oil change car and pay $20? Or get a BMW and pay $80 for synthetic oil change every 15,000 miles?

I forgot to add that the turbo lag and engine "confusion" (for lack of a better word) also takes some getting used to, which at ~65,000 miles I'm still not used to it. Go 6 speed not manual if you can.

When you mention Engine Confusion, are you talking about what I notice on my brothers 2003 1.8T where... if you hit the gas.. but decide not to... and then re-press the pedal... it not only lags.. but sits there for at least 1-2 seconds before it realizes you re-depressed the pedal again? I'm looking at a 2009 GLI 2.0T with Autobahn package, etc.. I love the 2003 my brother has and next to my 2005 Honda Civic LX Special Edition (Sedan), the 2003 1.8T is better in almost every way, with the exception of the cup-holders being above the radio and block your vents/radio when in use. (VERY glad VW changed that design).

After all the options I came up with, MSRP is around $32k (US $) and I'm thinking I can probably get it for around $30k. This is fully loaded with all options but one or two. I have to wait 8-9 months before I can purchase (according to my wife), so I'll be looking at other vehicles, but so far the VW Jetta/GLI has been the best for the $$. I realize I could get a bigger car (Dodge Charger, Nissan Maxima, etc..) for similar $$ or possibly even less, but Something about the GLI keeps me interested. And I agree about the Window switch going up automatically... I was sad when I got back in my Civic and realized I couldn't do that : (

I have a 2006 Gli and LOVE IT! This has got to be one of the most enjoying cars ever built. When I bought my boo from a VW dealership, my baby was screwed up. But another dealer took care of my baby and got her back up to speed.

This car is very fast for its size. I have knocked off marauders!

You now see the Big 3 are now starting to use di-gt for power and fuel efficiency. DSG is the future for performance cars as well as econo-boxes. Both technology VW has used for 5+ years.

I have topped out at 142M.P.H many times and the GLI was as stable as any uberride can be.

I love my Gli, would not give it up for the world. I WILL be APR chipping very soon.

A couple of posts up, someone commented that you should "get ready to spend a fortune on tires." That right there sends me a message that some people just don't know how to drive or take care of their cars. The only reason to spend a fortune on tires is if you're peeling out at every stoplight or you buy low quality tires. The reliability of any car is all in how you treat it. Maintain it, and it will last you forever (I've a Jeep Cherokee with 210k on the clock, runs like new). Drive it like you stole it, and you will have all the issues in the world.

:)

I just got a 2006 GLI, 6 speed, MT, package 2, very nice car, but the airbag light came on, can anyone tell me about this problem?