Is a Volkswagen Jetta a good car?

Question 1
Is a Volkswagen Jetta a good car?...  I'm thinking of buying a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta.

It's in good condition from what I can see.
Has around 90,000 miles.
And is selling for 4200.

I really wanted a 2003 Nissan Altima but I keep finding sold ones or 2002s which have all those recalls. I've only ever had one car before (98 Nissan Sentra) and it was a good car which is why i wanted to go with Nissans again (the Altima's body looks so much better at the year range I'm going for). A dealer friend of my moms just has this Jetta and it's been so long since I've been looking for a car. The body looks similar in pictures and I like the interior.

I just want to know if they are good cars. I did a little research, not many complaints on the car but I don't know much about cars and how to pick good ones out. Also the price is pretty low compared to other cars I'm finding in that year range so that was a little suspect.

Opinions? (you know, that are relevant to what I'm asking)

Answers
1)   any Volkswagen is a good car, jettas aren't the most attractive car, but german engineering is amazing. i would get the jetta, but its all a preference of what you like - Justin

2)   Volkswagen is a good brand and Jetta is a good model. Go for it if you don't mind its look because many people don't like it. Many friends of mine who own Jetta from 1998 model to latest model, no one has any complaint so far. - Cheater_not

3)   It's an 8 yr old car with a 100K miles(near enough), so there is only one answer- Did the previous owners take care of it and is it in good condition, have it inspected if you are not sure by a shop other than the one selling it.

Me I latched onto a 2003 GLI with 126,000 miles 3 years ago and it has been nothing but stellar for me. No one in town wanted it and I stole it for 8,000 bucks. Everyone was afraid of the miles.

Run a CarFax on it too!

ASE Cert Auto Tech since 1978 - sci

4)   My wife and I have owned many cars . Fords, Mazdas, and others.
We bought our 1st VW years ago and because of its economy, attention to safety and all-around reliability, we have stayed with the VW brand.
In 2005 we purchased a Jetta. It has over 90,000 dependable miles on it. If it ever wears out, we will get another one.
Of course, I cannot guarantee that the Jetta you are considering will be as great as ours, odds are that if it was even partially well-taken care of, it should be a good car for you.
I suggest that any car, Nissan included, you have a good mechanic check it out. Try to get the owner's manual and any service records [like oil change history,etc.].
Another important item to check is the engine's timing belt. Most manufacturers have these belts on their 4 cylinder engines. So have it inspected right away. If its worn or has cracks in it, replace it . Only costs a few hundred $ , as opposed to spending $1000's on a ruined engine [if the belt breaks, that is]. Typically, most mechanics say replace them at abt. 80k. - fenton


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Question 2
Adding oil to my 06 vw gti? PLEASE HELP.?...  My 2006 vw gti 2.0 is running very low on oil (i am due for an oil change and am going to get one within the next couple of days). the oil that i have in my house is Castrol Syntec w10-40, is it safe to add that oil and use it for the next day or two before i get the oil changed?
went with a friend bought a quart of 5w40 and added it, i have an appointment tomorrow to get it changed to castrol syntec 5w-40. thanks for the help guys.

Answers
1)   Not the best of Solutions but it is better than no oil at all. - dadseimaj

2)   Sure. It's better to have any kind of oil in than none at all. It will be fine. But then get the oil change so that you'll have the right type of oil in your engine. Hope this helps - bobo

3)   NO DO NOT ADD THE OIL. GET IT CHANGED NOW. the type of oil you use depends on what you had in the last oil change. if you had 5w-40 (which is standard on the GTi) then you cannot put 10w-30. ten weight thirty is much different oil than five weight forty. do not add it. just get it changed. this can lead to engine failure. another tip, if your car is over 60k miles, do not use synthetic oil. valvoline has great oil. use the blend. the chemicals in syntheic can destroy your engine if it has over 60k miles. by destroy i mean reduce engine life. - Mardinh

4)   Either check your VW owners handbook or phone your local VW main dealership....you do have to be pretty careful with the oil you put in performance cars. - dutchdelight


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Question 3
2001 Volkswagen Passat, help?...  I just got my license plates for it and I tried putting them on and did the front one with no trouble. The back one doesn't seem to have screws on it, though. There are only two and they won't turn. My parents think the only way to do it is to take apart the trunk. Any idea how I can get my back license plate on?
The back has what looks like two screws, but they aren't because when you try to turn them, the screwdriver only tears at it, and they won't turn.

Answers
1)   screw new holes - Nickster

2)   I'm confused. You say the back one doesn't have screws, and then there are two that wont turn. Is it stuck on and the screws are dummies ? - L G

3)   Try spraying some wd-40 or liquid wrench on them. It might take a little muscle - sheed

4)   just pull hard on old plate and see what is under there when it comes off, maybe you can put bigger screws in or even pop rivets, - Pete


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Question 4
What kind of brakes do Volkswagens have?...  I had a 2006 Jetta and want to know if it had disk brakes or drum brakes. The dealer told me that all
2011 Volkswagens are going to be drum brakes. Is this bad?
All the models up to 2010 have disk brakes; I know that. I am asking if the 2011 models and going forward are changing to drum brakes? This is what I was told from a VW salesman. Does anyone know about this? I know you can't even get leather inside anymore and that there is a plant making the cars in Chatanooga,Tennessee here in America. It seems like the Volkswagen name isn't even really German anymore. I mean, my 2006 model was built in Mexico anyway.

Answers
1)   Take the wheels off and look. You can see the difference in disk and drum. If you don't know the difference, you shouldn't be worried. Just don't break the brakes. - straight-shooter

2)   It has disc brakes all the way around. - Ray

3)   2011 Jettas: S & SE models have rear drum brakes.

SEL gets rear disc brakes.

TDI gets rear disc brakes

the upcoming GLI gets rear disc brakes. - cant_think_of_1

4)   The factory in Tennessee is not making cars yet. VW says next year.
They will not be making the Jetta there. It will be a mid-sized car, similar in size to the Passat. Yet to be named.
Yes , VW builds the Jetta and New Beetle in Mexico. These days , it doesnt seem to matter what country a car is built in. I mean, even some of the American icon Dodge Ram pickup trucks are made in Mexico. The Ford Focus ? Mexican built. Even GM has factories there. Honda builds cars in Canada and Ohio. Toyota builds its pickup truck in Texas. M.Benz makes cars in Alabama. BMW builds cars in S.Carolina. Buick is the # 1 selling mid-size car in China! [not sure if they are assembled there, tho ].
We own and love our 2005 Jetta. 90k miles and not a single problem. Who cares if it was assembled in Mexico? As long as the quality is there.
VW still builds the Passat, Golf, GTI, and CC in Germany. Sure , my 2006 GTI and Jetta were built in different countries, but both have the same quality and reliabilty .
You also asked if drum brakes were 'bad'. No they are not bad. Most small cars and even some larger cars, including some pickup trucks have drum brakes in the rear.
Mostly, its a cost issue. It costs less to make a car with drums. So the car-maker can sell the car for a little less. Most manufacturers that put drum brakes on cars put them on the rear; the fronts are disc.
And while its true that discs perform a bit better in wet conditions, the average person cannot tell the difference in stopping distances. Disc brakes do perform better as far as brake fade goes, tho.
But the average motorist does not engage in repeated stops from high speeds.
Years from now I may be in the market for a new car. Based on our Jetta's great reliability, we will get another one. Even if it comes with rear drum brakes...... - fenton


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Question 5
why is may VW over heating?!?!?1?...  i have a 1997 Volts wagon Pissat and it keeps over heating, i have replace the thermostat and the radiator. my water pump has been checked and is working fine. if i drive my car for aver an hour it overheats, unless i have my AC on than it over heats withing minutes. in need help i have no idea what it could be!

Answers
1)   An overheating engine is a serious matter.
I'm glad you acted quickly and had it taken care of. Or thought you had it taken care of.
Did you drive your Passat for very long after the overheating problem surfaced? Because if you drove it while it was overheating , the cylinder head could have cracked. Or the cyl. head gasket could be warped from the extreme temperatures.
Those are the two main things that could be still causing the problem. There could be others.
Also, who replaced the parts for you? If it was a VW dealer or a shop that knows VWs, they should stand behind their work. They should have checked the cyl. head and gasket for you.
However, if you had someone unfamiliar with VWs do the work, perhaps they did not do the job right. Maybe something was overlooked. As with most modern cars, VW included, those doing the work must follow certain proceedures.
Any way , thats my thoughts on the matter. Hope you get it solved soon. - fenton

2)   Hate to be the bearer of bad news but you have a blown head gasket. That will cost a grand at least.

What engine do you have? Need that info for a more specific answer.

ASE Cert Auto Tech, VW since 1976, 2003 GLI - sci

3)   guess you have had rad cooloing fan checked out ? other than that, it sounds cylinder head or gasket problem, sorry to say, - Pete

4)   sounds like a blown head gasket it could e the source of all your problems. - James


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