I've been driving VW's for about for about 6 years now and have grown to love them. I've owned a Golf, 3 Jettas (GLI model) and one GTI. These were all products of the early 1990's. They ran well, but on top of that they were EASY to work on. My only dream was to be able to buy a new one... Well I wish I would've found this site before I had!
Sure, at first, the Jetta convinces you with its sleek, sporty appearance and the growl of the VR6..once you take that bait, you're headed for a life of replacing parts and renting loaners.
I haven't calculated all the money I've spent because I really don't wanna know. I could've been driving a bimmer by now though I'm sure. OK so first to go was my front cup holders.. just a little piece of plastic so I ordered it new from dealer. Ended up costing a whopping $246! So the fun begins: Rear cup holder; Sunroof jammed; countless numbers of recalls; rear drivers side window fell into the door; sometimes when I try to get my window down, it goes up instead; coolant system always making a gurgling sound; brake light sensor (EPC light) ; Problems with car stereo. Here's a perfect example of why to never get a VW... MY VW shop called me at 4 o'clock on Friday to tell me that my brake light sensor switch was installed. However, the brake lights being on while waiting to get into the shop, drained my battery and it was supposedly *un-rechargeable* and that they were all leaving for the day right then. Right now at this very moment, I have to drive to my dealer, locate my car, THEN I have to change my own battery in their parking lot. Is it too much too ask to have my car fixed?! Thanks for fixing my sensor so the brake lights don't stay on. That helps a lot without a battery..
If you can afford it I strongly recommend going to BMW. They are expensive to buy, but the way they hold up is amazing. The ultimate driving machine by far.
My girlfriend reminded me of a few other problems that we had so here goes... the horn works when it wants to only, back drivers side door lock broke, passengers heat seat is broken and the 200 dollar shop charge to diagnose that; when I had that $250 cup holder replaced, the tech working ended up breaking the buttons off of my radio and cracked the whole front of the radio and to repair it-- they hot glued the buttons on!! And never offered to replace it! Trunk light has never worked for more than a couple days after replacing bulb even after having the shop check it at least 4 times while in for other service... All of this has happened to the car is the past two years! Do yourself a favor and stay away from VW!
Don't buy it.
Ugh! Sounds so similar to my problems! VW dealerships are a joke! A complete joke!! They don't know how to fix the car, they don't care about quality car, or making the consumer happy. All they want is your money and lots of it!!!
As I approach the 200,000 mile plateau and being the only owner, I think I can accurately access the value of my 2000 Jetta GLX! First, it is the funnest car to drive! Great Acceleration, Great Steering, and the 5 speed is a blast! Leather heated seating is super in the winter. Just a fun car to drive!
Downside! Expensive to drive. 91 Octane is getting old, but if you want performance, you pay for it! Car will run well on regular on long trips (Highway), in fact will get 34 MPG as opposed to 31 with high octane gas! Great gas mileage with 5 speed! 16 inch tires deliver great traction!
On the whole! Great car, expensive to maintain! Stay away from Dealerships unless you enjoy Colonoscopies! Find good Local Mechanic who knows his stuff! When car is "Right", this is a great ride and fun to drive!
One other thing! It has a ***** Crash Rating! Side, Front & Rear! Important if you have a family!
I have a VW Jetta 1.8 Turbo. The first 50000 km was great, not too many problems except the fact that the light that illuminates the climate control unit keeps on burning out. After the dealer replaced the light bulb 3 times, I complained and then they decided it wasn't the light bulb that was causing the problem, it was the entire unit. So that cost about $300 dollars. I called the VW Canada to complain, and got some money back.
The engine lights comes on regularly after the warranty expires. So each time I took my car to the VW dealer, they said one of the sensors is not working, causing the engine light to come on. I decided to replace the oxygen sensor. Two months later, the engine light came on again, and the VW dealer said some other sensor is not working. I spend a total of about $500 to replace the sensors.
Right now I have about 190,000 km in my Jetta. The engine light has been on since 90,000 km and I have been driving with the light on without any problem. I live in BC, Canada, and I can pass the air care system in Canada as well; it doesn't seem to cost me anything more on the gas. So please don't replace the sensor, because it will just keep on breaking.
VW have many many recalls, on brake light, seat belt, window clip that prevents the window to fall straight down. So please, unless you are a mechanic, do not buy a second hand VW Jetta!!!
I know a TON of people who drive VWs, including myself that drive a variety of years and drive normal and beat on their cars, and I have NEVER heard of the things you guys complain of.
Considering the original poster put the displacement at 2.5 liters, I would have to say OPERATOR error for most of his/her problems. I have a 116,000 mile gls vr6 with not one darn problem. I love my car and my car loves me. I see so many people complaining about normal wear and tear items and even items that are bound to break. do you think a toyota or honda runs forever on the same parts? NO... alternators hoses plugs and windows fail too. I hate it when people come here to knock on vw vr6's. find me one car that has a 15 degree v-inline 6 cylinder that's in the compact car category which offers a moonroof and heated leather seats...
I have 230,000 miles on my Jetta GLX. (Only Owner) I love it! Great Gas Mileage and "Super" fun to drive! Can't believe all these people have all these problems.
Oop's! As I speak I now have to replace the Clutch and Starter. Not bad for that kind of mileage!
I have a VR6, and I adore the car and it is loaded with all the extras. I have not experienced any of the things that I have been reading. Sure hope my car doesn't turn into a lemon.
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