Which VW should I get?

Which VW should I get?

So I've heard that Volkswagen's are great cars. They're not very common where I live but my cousin has one and absolutely loves it. I've found 2 in my area. One is a 2001 1.8t Jetta with 38k miles. The other one is a 2002 1.8t GTI with 46k miles. Both are manuals with decent interiors. They're also the same price but am not sure if there is much of a difference from the sedan as opposed to the hatchback. Is one a better choice than the other? Or should I not even bother with either one?

Asked by: gyounit @ 2009-04-22 17:54:24

[Best Answer]Congrats on your decision to buy a Volkswagen. You've taken your first step into an amazing and beautiful new world. Both cars are excellent and fun to drive. However there are a few differences between the two.

Obviously the Jetta is a sedan with four-doors while the GTI is a hatchback with two-doors. While both have the same 1.8 turbo charged engine, there is a major hp difference between the two years. In 2002, Volkswagen reprogrammed the computer chips in the 1.8t's to give them 30 more hp. So the heavier Jetta only has 150hp to the lighter GTI's 180hp. That being said, I'm sure the GTI has been driven a lot harder than the Jetta, therefore increasing the probability of having more mechanical issues. Make sure you have a mechanic you trust take a look at both of them to help guide your decision. As far as maintenance goes, having owned and driven several Volkswagens myself, I've never had one break down on me. The horror stories you hear about people's Volkswagens breaking down in greatly exaggerated. Being in an area where Volkswagens are rare may hurt you as it'd be hard to find replacement parts shoud something go wrong, but as long as you take care of your car that shouldn't be too big of a problem.

Personally I would go for the GTI. I own one myself and have a blast driving it. While the Jetta is a great car also, I don't have the need for a 4 door sedan. Plus in your case, that 30 extra hp makes a big difference. Hope that helps you out some and enjoy!

By : wth_tcat @ 1240506166

Answers ::
They are decent cars, but they are very expensive to repair and maintain.

kenhebe20

get the eos. its a convertible

Brad

Jettas are basically GTIs with a trunk and two extra doors. The engines and transmissions are identical; the GTI has more horsepower than the Jetta.

They can be good cars and will hold their value well when kept up, i.e., regular maintenance.

Insurance is likely to be higher on the GTI due to its sporting nature. Used GTIs are often cars that were driven hard, so have a mechanic check it out before buying it.

If you need four doors, the Jetta will be just as much fun to drive.

sattore

Don't believe the myth about VW's costing more to maintain than other cars. I've had a 2001 Jetta for 5 years and it costs less than any other car I've owned (except for my old aircooled VWs...they were cheaper).

One thing you might consider is looking for a car with a 2.0 engine instead. The 1.8t is "t for turbo" and that could become an expensive replacement part in about 80k to 100k miles. I have a 2.0liter with over 110,000 miles and she drives as good today as she did in 2003 when I got her...and she doesn't have a turbo to wear out.

I love the 1.8t (have driven a dozen of them), two family members own Beetles with that engine, but I prefer the 2.0 for its proven longevity.

Steve in Seattle

My 1st sports/performance car was a 1986 VW GTI. I drove this car for 14 years and 190K miles. With the exception of parts that normally wear [clutch, oil pump, water pump, cam belt,1 set of CV joints], this car NEVER let me down. It had a 1.8 engine that was pure uncomplicated joy.
Sold above to get a 2000 VR6 GTI: waay more power! It too proved to be bullet-proof reliable. Never once cost me a dime to repair ANYTHING.
Six durable years later, sold it to buy a 2006 VW GTI. Its proven to be the best car of all. This car pumps out 200 HP on its way to 7000+ RPMs screaming like a chainsaw and heaving the little hatchback to 60 MPH in 6.8 seconds flat!
Four years and 46K joyous and ultra-reliable miles later, I believe it to be as solid as the other VWs Ive had the pleasure to own.
Myth of expensive to maintain BUSTED!
As to which car, you select, drive them both and then check each for service records [oil and filter changes, regular maintenance.etc.
BTW, a friend owns a 2004 Jetta 1.8 turbo with 130K+ miles on it. NO problems with turbo or anything else.
Jetta and GTI basically similar mechanicaly, just different body styles.

fenton

Boths these dubs will proove realible, but on a power to weight ratio, the golfs gonna be the quicker and prob the more visually appealing one to consider.

The 1.8t is good engine and on a worst case if the turbo does go (prob many years to come yet, looking at your spec mileage), it wouldnt cost much to replace with a reconditioned unit or better still upgrade to a bigger one (engine mods would prob be appliacble), but the maint side on both these dubs will be low/cheap. Unless your a boy racer, wear and tear will be minimal. (If you are a boy racer, get a nice remapp done to unleash a bit more of the beast).

One thing i would say is call VW Customer Service on 0800711811 to see if they have the service history details on system (Just tell em your buying motor and want to validate history, give em plate reg). Cars that claim as low milege as this usually maintain dealer stamps, thus having milege recorded on system. My mate bought a TDI mk4 recently and a good 3 out 5 of them, even with stamps in book had fake Service History when checked and 1 was evedently clocked back too).

Saying that, the mk4 TDI is good alternative too. The PD 150bhp is a sweet engine and a remapp will give a good 40-50 bhp taking you close or just over the 200bhp mark.

Either way, would def say buy a VW, as they do hold value, cheap to run, wont give you the headache of a crappy french car and will prove more reliable then your index finger given a few years.

Not To Sure About That

Find a TDI turbo diesel, Great Cars!!!!!!

Brandon R

Congrats on your decision to buy a Volkswagen. You've taken your first step into an amazing and beautiful new world. Both cars are excellent and fun to drive. However there are a few differences between the two.

Obviously the Jetta is a sedan with four-doors while the GTI is a hatchback with two-doors. While both have the same 1.8 turbo charged engine, there is a major hp difference between the two years. In 2002, Volkswagen reprogrammed the computer chips in the 1.8t's to give them 30 more hp. So the heavier Jetta only has 150hp to the lighter GTI's 180hp. That being said, I'm sure the GTI has been driven a lot harder than the Jetta, therefore increasing the probability of having more mechanical issues. Make sure you have a mechanic you trust take a look at both of them to help guide your decision. As far as maintenance goes, having owned and driven several Volkswagens myself, I've never had one break down on me. The horror stories you hear about people's Volkswagens breaking down in greatly exaggerated. Being in an area where Volkswagens are rare may hurt you as it'd be hard to find replacement parts shoud something go wrong, but as long as you take care of your car that shouldn't be too big of a problem.

Personally I would go for the GTI. I own one myself and have a blast driving it. While the Jetta is a great car also, I don't have the need for a 4 door sedan. Plus in your case, that 30 extra hp makes a big difference. Hope that helps you out some and enjoy!

wth_tcat

can cars be de-immobilise a car immobiliser?

can you de-immobilise a car immobiliser illeagally? if so how!

Asked by: apple @ 2009-04-23 01:06:21

Answers ::
It is not illegal to simply de-immobilise a cars immobiliser.
It is possible to deactivate an immobiliser so that it never operates but this is usually a complex electrical process and is different for all makes.
It is complex to stop it being done as this is part of the protection of the immobiliser.
This is also why more cars are stolen nowadays by the keys first being stolen as without the keys it is too hard for the thieves to get the car going at the roadside.

Timbo is here

De mobilise or disable?
Illegally or legally?

Ask in English please.

J G

If you go to a garage they can take the immobiliser out. I know this because a friend had to get her taken out because she kept having problems with the immobiliser in her car. She went back to the garage that initially fitted it in order for it to be done.

Baps .

If you are talking about a starter disable on an alarm, yes you can bypass it, it isn't hard if you know what you are doing *familiar with the alarm and car wiring). I always bypass the disable on any vehicle I get with them, some don't fail soft.

If you are talking about a boot, no, it is illegal to take them off.

dbmaxwell1

I have a feeling you actually refer to a clamp. In that case, usually the only way is to cut it off, which is criminal damage. Some, but very few, clamps are so badly designed that it is possible to take the clamped wheel off, replace it with the spare and drive away. Then you'd have to get a new wheel and tyre. . . . .

Bardic

The way your question is posed leaves it open to interpretation, however, I assume that you are referring to the immobiliser which is fitted to most cars now a days. You can easily disable/disconnect the immobiliser if you know where it is fitted/ connected.

I know of nothing that stops one from disconnecting an immobiliser if the car belongs to you (i.e. you are the legal owner). However, if you did this on someone else's car without their permission, you will definitely find yourself on the wrong side of the law - this would be a criminal act.

Replica

1998 VW beetle headlight ?

does anyone know were I can purchase a reasonable priced 1998 vw beetle headlight? the old one has turned yellow and im looking to purchase a new one, the vw dealership charge an arm and a leg for it. please help need it asap?

Asked by: PCC @ 2009-04-21 20:54:40

Answers ::
try ebay, I get good deals all the time

IWIU

junk yard... used parts. ebays good too

Jill

ebay has them

Rick D

ya if you're looking for a new one, try ebay but you can find cleaners for just that at any autoparts store. just go to pep boys or auto zone and ask them about the headlight cleaner. i can't think of what it's called off hand.

Powdered Donut

try ebay or parts gateway

arnie74

thinking of buying 2003 jetta 1.8t.?

car looks good and seems to be well maintained. its a 5 speed manual with 93k miles for 4900. worth buying? i know that is alot of miles for this year car but mostly highway, and also this is around my price range and it is hard to find decent cars with low miles

Asked by: paintballdude951 @ 2009-04-21 19:53:12

Answers ::
take 2 aspirin and lie down until the feeling passes. you'll thank me later.

the 99-04 jetta's were reliability nightmares. electrical and transmission issues galore. the turbo was the #1 offender of making them the least reliable compact car in America for those years. worse than the neon, worse than the cavalier, worse than the koreans.

hello

i have a 5 speed manual 03 jetta, but its not a hatchback/1.8t.
we bought ours at 90k miles for 10,000 and it was well worth it. we have had only one problem with it, which is the starter not working. other than that, its a fun car to drive and very reliable. it gets great gas mileage too!
i would go for it! i love our vw!

all american

bought my car with 67,000 miles for 10,000 its a 2001 1.8t wolfsburg
its highly modded now but the main thing is maintenance, if the turbo has not been replaced dont buy it, make sure they have put a timing belt on it, and take it to a vw dealer to make sure the tensenior isnt bad. check the clutch too. make sure nothing in the engine compartment has been modified. if the car was not run on 5w40 full syntheic oil dont buy it. Get maintenance records, if you cannot get them go to a dealer and bring the VIN with you and they can check.

hurleydude250

Don't do it. Please I caution everyone against purchasing a VW due to structural and design flaws that will cost you a lot of money later on to fix or repair. Research or do a general search on issues owners have had with their VW Jettas & Passats. You would be alarmed by the sheer number of those of us who have had issues with our defective vehicles. Buy a more reliable or better designed car -- think Honda, Toyota.

Besides, if you read the manual, you'd have to ask the owner if s/he has replaced or had maintenance completed for the following:
Automatic transmission final drive oil
Wheels
Headlights
Brake system
Power steering
Brake Fluid
Drive Shafts
Front Axle
On-Board diagnostic system
Roof frame
ATF
Airbag system
Exhaust system
Cooling system

Timing Belt & tension roller isn't recommended for replacement until 105,000 miles, but it would be best to be replaced prior to 95,000 to be on the safe side.

But I'd say, VW's aren't built to last and if it's hitting the high end of the 00,000's it would be best to find another vehicle. One with fewer miles on it. You'll have to invest if you do buy this hunk of junk, with a lot of costly repairs, repairs the current owner probably knows about and doesn't want to pay for.

I wouldn't purchase this or any VW due to my own experiences with the poorly made, poorly engineered vehicle. It may look nice, it may drive nice for a few days.. But as an owner of a VW, it's a hunk of junk, and would not wish it on my enemies. Unless you want to invest in a money hole, I would not consider purchasing someone else's headache.

Do a general search on google and you will see just how many issues there are with VW's including Jettas and Passats which are notorious for their defects and flaws.

No Bugs

I have an old 87 Volkswagen Cabriolet, don't know how to turn on the stereo? Please help me. TY?

I would appreciate if anyone can help...TY very much

Asked by: none @ 2009-04-22 11:40:07

Answers ::
Hit it with a hammer a few times.

felix

Drive the clunker off a cliff while it still runs.

Smelly Junk

LOL

ℓuvαт1sтbıтэ ♥

I had the same problem with a later model. If you have the manual look in it, if not look it up online. It had something to do with holding a few buttons down at the same time if I remember right.

Corey

a car that is like the vw karman ghia... but bigger?

i love the way the karman ghia looks but its too small, i want a car that looks similar but has a bit more weight to it but isn't a total gas guzzler. its for a fix up project me and my dad will work on so something that does not have an over-complicated engine would be nice too, but not absolutely necessary.

Asked by: SuperMan @ 2009-04-22 13:02:06

[Best Answer]Search vintage studebaker's.

By : twhoodoo @ 1240454848

Answers ::
That's kinda tough, since the VW Karmen Ghia is a pretty specialized shape that no one else really copied. There might be some older Toyota Celicas that might maybe barely possibly hardly-ever have some curves to it that might remind you of a Ghia, but there really isn't much to choose from. At least the Toyota engine would be much more reliable. I have a friend who will only drive VW's (he's German descent), and his 1976 Van is always, ALWAYS needing tweaking, adjusting valves, doing heads, etc. Just has terrible luck with them.

tlworkroom

The interior of the Ghia is bigger than you think.

jumbobret

maybe a vw type 3 is what you are looking for.

fastback
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=546041

notchback, hard to find
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=546024

squareback
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=546038

type 3 ghia, even harder to find
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=546030

bill f

Search vintage studebaker's.

twhoodoo

VW Beetle - Exhaust Emissions Warning Lamp?

Hi,

Im new to cars, and have very little knowledge

I have a 53 plate VW beetle 1.6.

Yesterday the Exhaust Emissions Warning Lamp lit up on my dash board!

I have taken it to my friends garage to get fixed

I have read on most Forums, that it is due to a faulty sensor

I believe it is down to more than this, as when im stationary (engine on) i can here my engine reving then slowing down over and over again, also my car seems to be jerking/bouncing slightly (hard to explain) but when i opened my bonnet , i can see the engine moving up and down even with pressure from my hands on the engine it is still moving .

Has anybody else experienced this problem!


Please HELP!!!
Also the exhaust is rattling when stationary

Asked by: mysterious @ 2009-04-22 00:28:39

Answers ::
it you mean a slight revving on it's own, like where the tach would be bouncing it could be a number of things, i'd have to see it. Emissions tho, it sounds like it may be just an O2 sensor, easy fix. it just tells the computer how rich or lean the engine is burning fuel. (Air vs. Fuel mixture, how much gas to add to how much air.) it also could be a faulty Mass Airflow sensor, which monitors how much air is being sucked into the intake, also telling the computer how much gas to add.

the difference between the 2 is that the O2 sensors are located on the exhaust pipe, usually one before and after the catalytic converter and sometimes one is located in or near the exhaust manifold. this may be the problem because they go bad all the time, and are directly related to emissions. the mass airflow sensor was a suggestion because you noted that the engine was making a slight rev on it's own. This happened in my Monte Carlo. usually about $120 part.

not sure what O2 sensors go for these days, but the MAF sensor is located on the throttle port just before the intake plenum or manifold. it should be a small black plastic part with a wire harness leading to it. Good Luck!

Powdered Donut

Cutting through the waffle -
Yes it is definitely one or more sensors. Faulty sensor is giving wrong info to the engine computer and so it has problems controlling the speed
Rough/uneven running is causing engine to move on its mounts - most engines will do this in cars and it is nothing to be worried about.

Timbo is here

it will be a sensor as these can cause all sorts of running problems

arnie74