I am considering buying a used 2002 Volkswagen Jetta turbo, Any owners here?

budyog · « **on:** 19 Mar 2007, 08:34 pm »

Hey all, I am considering purchasing a one owner, super condition 2002 Jetta with a 1.something turbo with about 40K miles on it. I haven't owned a Volkswagen since a 1968 Beetle. This will be my wife's car, replacing a 1992 Toyota Camry. We like the style, the size and have heard and read good things. Any thoughts? Good choice or bad choice?
Thanks.

BrassEar · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 Mar 2007, 08:44 pm »

Fun to drive, german design, good resale value. However, not as reliable or economical as a Toy. I have a regular Jetta 5 speed 2005. Doesn't the turbo require higher octane gas?

That is VERY low miles for a 2002.

budyog · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 Mar 2007, 08:50 pm »

I have heard that with a turbo, you need to put the mid grade gas in it, but there is a local repair guy here that all he repairs is VW and Audi and says it is not necessary. Just Synthetic oil, which I use in my cars anyway.
I guess my responce regarding the reliability is Toyota has an overall better track record, but you still have to go car by car. This could be a very reliable car. My Camry blew a head gasket $1500 and the gas tank leaked so I had to replace it $500 and the radiator had to be replaced, more $$s. And I take very good care of my cars! So what does that tell me? I might have good luck with this Jetta!

doorman · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Mar 2007, 09:36 pm »

You didn't say if it's the 1.8L (gas) turbo, or the 1.9L TDI.
I've got an '02 Golf TDI, which is an excellent car. Very reliable (routine service only) Consistently gets better than 1100 km's per 45 +/- L. Great to drive, plenty fast, with loads of torque, and excellent crash test results.
I would buy another.
Don

budyog · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 Mar 2007, 09:50 pm »

It is the GLS 1.8 gas Turbo.

The_KiD · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 Mar 2007, 10:04 pm »

The 1.8 Turbo is an excellent engine and the Jetta is a solid car. That engine will last a long time and the car is fun to drive. Add a computer chip to the 1.8T and you get 40 More HP and 58 more ft pounds of Torque and improved gas mileage. Low mileage, sounds like a no brainer..

Check the VIN Number. If it has an ME in the digits it was assembled in Mexico. If it starts with a VWVW it was made in Germany..

(I have owned 8 VW GTI's and currently Own an Audi S4. Tweaked of course to 330HP and 380Ft Pounds of Torque)

I am somewhat of a German car nut...

Cheers,

KiD

Nels Ferre · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 Mar 2007, 10:33 pm »

Hi,

I am going to be the dissenting voice here. I worked for VW for 8 years, and know the cars quite well. Don't do it. The car is a blast to drive, but reliability is not VWs strong suit. You are better off with a Toyota Camry, especially for the wife. It may not be as fun to drive (it isn't even close) but at least it will be "assuming the position" far far less. (Behind a tow truck.)

There was an earlier post that said to check the VIN. There is an easier way. If the first digit is a W, it was assembled in Germany, if it is a 3, it was assembled in Mexico. I wouldn't let that be the deciding factor, however. Of the 5 that my ex wife and I have had, the most reliable was her Mexican built 1994 Jetta (a great car, actually.) The worst was my German built 1993 Corrado SLC (a steaming pile of crap.)

If you want something German, look for a used BMW 3 series. They are very economical to maintain, just make sure to use an good independent mechanic. My advice here would be a 5 speed, as BMW auto trannys are manufactured by GM, and known not to be reliable past 100K miles. For that matter, if I were forced to buy another VW, I'd insist on a manual there as well. Their slushboxes, just like BMW's, aren't great. I am on my second BMW 3 series, and have been very happy with both.

Just my .02 FWIW

The_KiD · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Mar 2007, 11:02 pm »

I can see you having a bad experience with a VW but suggesting a BMW and saying it is more economical to maintain is really not a reality in my opinion. Also, Chevy has NOT made an Automatic transmission for BMW in quite some time. I respect your oppinion but there just as many people out there with horror stories from owning 3 series, Saabs, Mercedes, etc...

I think all of us have had a bad experience with a vehicle. But if you are looking for something that is dirt cheap to drive and maintain, definitely buy Japanese. German Cars are not cheap when something goes wrong. BMW, Mercedes, and Porsche being the worst offenders of the lot..

KiD

Nels Ferre · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 Mar 2007, 11:34 pm »

Hi,

I was just relaying my experience. I budget $1000 a year for repairs and maintenenance, but then again, I use an independent mechanic and maintain my car meticulously. Some years, it's $500 or less, some years it's $1500, but it all works out in the wash. My sister had a 3 series convertible, and took it to the dealer for maintenance. Her bill was $4000 to get it out. Once she went to an independent mechanic, her experience has mirrored mine save the extra expense of a convertible top replacement. The idea that BMW, Mercedes, and Saabs are expensive to maintain is true only if the dealership is used for repairs/maintenance. With an independent mechanic, the story changes entirely.

I would agree with you as far as a Japanese car. They are very reliable and inexpensive to maintain as well. I just find them a bit boring. Agreed as well would be your assessment of Porsche. I have owned one, and the parts costs alone were astronomical. The reliability was poor, but then again, it is another VW family product, I should have known better. My Porsche was about as bad reliabilty wise, as my Corrado. The only difference was when it came time for yet another repair, it was I that "assumed the position" along with the car. My butt still hurts thinking about it.

I understand every car has "quirks" but some of VW's are inexcusible. For example, the power windows. The motor and regulator in a VW is one assembly, and there is a fastener at the pivot point that is made of plastic, when it should be made of metal. As the outside of the door heats up from the heat outside, over time, the plactic weakens and the window falls down in the track. The cost for repair (parts/labor) IIRC is $400-500. The problem is common and the fix is obvious, but VW continues to make the part the same way they always have. If the part were made of metal, the window mechanism would be 100% reliable. This problem, by the way, is far more prevalent in the southern states, due to the higher ambient temperatures. Porsches suffer the same malady.

No car is perfect. If VW got their reliability issue under control, they would be great. As far as reliability overall, Japanese is the way to go. If you want more of a "driver's car" I still stand by my 3 series recommendation.

Dan Banquer · « **Reply #9 on:** 20 Mar 2007, 12:01 am »

I owned VW rabbits for years, and they had crappy reliability and they were expensive to repair. I will never own a VW again. I have had a Saturn for the last 10.5 years, and it is beating the crap out VW's for reliability.
d.b.

Sonny · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 Mar 2007, 12:07 am »

I've owned a 78 convertible bug, a 1990 vw jetta and currently a 2004 GTI VR6...
So, I guess you know what i say to the VW purchase...YES!!!

ellogan · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 Mar 2007, 01:49 am »

Hi:

I had a VW Rabbit which I bought used for $750. I ended up spending over $2,000 in repairs in about 2 years I had it (lots of electrical problems). The mechanic I used to take it for repairs was an old German guy who learned to work cars the old fashion way in Germany. Everything was done by hand. Most parts they needed for repairs they had to fabricate themselves. His opinion was that VW, Mercedes Benz, and BMW were "junk" (his exact word). I never even considered a German car after that. They are beautiful, made with top notch materials, perform great and yet they are extremely unreliable. I recall reading a test drive in Consumer Reports were a brand new Audi A4 just died on them during the test drive.

I have had an Acura Integra, a Mazda RX-7, a Nissan Sentra SE-R (great car), a Nissan Maxima, and a Honda Element since the Rabbit. Even the worse of those Japanese cars would be a diamond compared to the Rabbit. I have now been going to the same mechanic (not the German, I have not seen him since the early 90's) for over 13 years and he says the worst cars he's worked on are German cars. Even worse than America cars. German cars still have the same electrical problems they had 20 years ago. It is unbelievable. Check the Annual Auto issue of Consumer Reports (it should be on the newstands). Even the Korean cars are surpassing the Germans in reliability. I know all cars have some problems, but if I were you, I would be looking into a Japanese car. Most of them are boring to drive, but they will get you there. Nothing worse than your car breaking down in the middle of nowhere or in the middle of severe weather (the Rabbit showed me all too well how that feels!).

Good luck with whatever you decide!

vinylkid58 · « **Reply #12 on:** 20 Mar 2007, 02:19 am »

Do lots of research before you buy, even if it looks like a great deal, especially if your wife will be the principle driver. My niece has a turbo 1.8 beetle, which is in the shop on a regular basis. Buy another Camry, even if they seem boring. They have a better reliability record.

Jeff

budyog · « **Reply #13 on:** 20 Mar 2007, 02:21 am »

A bit of an eye opener!

First off the VIN does start with VW. I cannot afford a BMW or a Mercedes until my kids are gone. At this time in life I do not pay more then 10K for a car. I have not had great luck with my 92 Camry, but that does not mean I would not buy another one. It is just that the newer Camry's to me do not look very good (like a grandma car) and they are bigger than she wants or needs. I think we can all say that we start thinking of what car to buy by it's looks. The 2002 Jetta and maybe 03 to me look better then the 06 and 07s.
I still believe sometimes it could just be the car, but I am reading all these remarks, Thanks folks! Like I said, there is a guy/shop that all they repair is VW and Audi. Maybe that should tell me something. If a shop can make a living out of just 2 makes of cars, maybe there is something to what some of you are saying here!

I am also the kind of person that takes my cars to my repair guy and says, go through it and replace or repair it right the 1st time on a yearly basis. I don't mess around at the repair shop.

Double Ugly · « **Reply #14 on:** 20 Mar 2007, 02:26 am »

Quote from: Nels Ferré on 19 Mar 2007, 10:33 pm

Don't do it.

Based on my experience w/ a 2002 Wolfsburg Edition Jetta, I agree. Nothing but problems with various pieces and parts, and the electrical system finally drove us to trade it in.

Actually I guess the fact that the VW dealership's Service Manager recommended we trade it was the real reason we finally pulled the trigger. He was/is a great guy, and he said we were *lucky* with our car because Wolfsburg Editions are made in Brazil. According to him, the Mexico-built 'regular' Jettas are a lot worse. I guess I had a look of disbelief on my face, because he followed up with a very forceful "Trust me!", and proceeded to lay out the myriad of issues he and his staff tackled on a weekly basis.

I've only owned the one, but I won't make that mistake again. I wrongly assumed the horror stories I'd heard about VW's electrical woes 20 years ago were a thing of the past. I learned otherwise when the Jetta's electrical system began shutting down completely without warning, once while the vehicle was moving.

I'm glad others have had better luck with their VWs, but I'll not darken the door of another VW dealership unless it's to purchase another make on their used lot.

FWIW...

TomS · « **Reply #15 on:** 20 Mar 2007, 02:28 am »

A friend of mine spent 6 months working though a lemon law attorney to get VW to buy back his 1.8L Turbo Beetle (they finally settled). He bought it brand new. He and all the service guys were on a first name basis after about the 10th visit

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #16 on:** 20 Mar 2007, 02:38 am »

My $.02 about VW's....
I do work for a few Auto Repair places....the cars that give them the most trouble VW's and Audi's. One day I was in a shop (Andy Terry - Valley Stream, NY), they had the whole front of this Jetta off....bumper and all...to replace a starter....took over three hours to do the job. I asked "do you always have this problem with VW's ?"....reply...."Yes....their bad news".
They also mentioned.....parts prices high...and sometimes hard to get.
Give me a Honda or Toyota any day.....

doorman · « **Reply #17 on:** 20 Mar 2007, 02:42 am »

Re: parts prices, we sold our Toyota Celica, parts cost were very high!
D.

Nels Ferre · « **Reply #18 on:** 20 Mar 2007, 02:42 am »

Funny, my mechanic works on anything German, Japanese, or Swedish. Of all of them, he hates working on VW's the most. He says the repairs are more labor intensive and some of the jobs require special "VW only" tools. Your guy is a VW/Audi specialist. To each his own, I guess.

To drive by his place, it looks like an import car lot. Nary a VW in sight however. He discourages people from buying them! The only Porsches you see are 911s. He cursed up a blue streak doing the clutch on my 944 (the gas tank and rear suspension had to be dropped to get the transaxle out.)

He was happy to see me in another 3 series. I've only been to see him once in this one, when he did the initial inspection. Whatever you buy, I recommend pulling a Carfax on it and having a mechanic inpect it before you buy. It can save you a heartache in the long run. Well worth a few $$ to know what you are getting into.

budyog · « **Reply #19 on:** 20 Mar 2007, 02:54 am »

Just to clarify. My mechanic of 10 years works on everything. I have not asked him his opinion yet, but of course I will.
There is a shop in my neighborhood that all they work on is the VWs and the Audis. I have not ever used them because I do not own one of them. But is is interesting that they can make a living on just the 2 makes!
The carfax thing will be a thing I do.
Kind of looks like not to many happy VW people here on AC, but then is there any good German audio gear?