Has anyone who owned a Volkswagen Jetta have problems starting it in the winter?

Has anyone who owned a Volkswagen Jetta have problems starting it in the winter?

I'm looking to buy a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI (the new deisel fuel one) and I heard from someone at work that in the cold winter weather she had a difficult time starting her Jetta. I was wondering if this was a common issue for Volkswagen owners up north...

Asked by: C @ 2009-04-28 18:13:48

[Best Answer]I have a 1999 Jetta TDI.

I'm in the habit of putting the key in and just turning it. In the winter, there's a little light on the dash, and you need to turn the key halfway, wait for the light to go out, then turn it the rest of the way to start the car. If you don't do this, it will take a few seconds to start.

Another possible issue is the fuel gelling. This is fairly rare - it has to get really cold for it to happen. Different states/provinces sell different blends of fuel in the winter time (i.e. fuel sold in Michigan won't gel until it gets to a lower temperature than what would cause fuel sold in Florida to gel). The intention there is to make it so that your fuel won't gel.

For the 10 years I've owned my car, it's never gelled. I've lived in central Indiana that whole time. I park in the garage at night, though. If you don't have a garage, it's possible it might gel like one morning per year.

One more thing about the different states' formulations: since these cars can go so far on a tank, say you live in Detroit and go on a trip down South, during the winter, and on the way home you fill up in Lexington, KY. When you get home, you'll probably still have half a tank of Kentucky-formulated fuel in your car. It would probably be a good idea to fill the tank the rest of the way with Michigan fuel.

They sell engine block heaters - you glue it onto the bottom of your engine (quick and easy, just have to jack up the car then remove a plastic cover on the Jetta to get to it). I think they're like $60. If you don't have a garage, but do have access to a power outlet, then on the coldest winter nights you can just put it on a timer to start heating a couple hours before whatever time you leave in the morning, and you should be good to go.

Get the car - they're excellent. I should hit 200,000 miles sometime in June. My window sticker said 49mpg highway...when I drive normally (80mph) I get about 46mpg and when I drive like an old lady I get up to 53mpg. Even at 10 years old, it's still nice and peppy. Any problem you ever have, you can find lots of helpful people at forums.tdiclub.com

By : Jon @ 1240971764

Answers ::
Yeah. They are difficult in the winter. That's why I got an SUV because they are good for all of the seasons.

Ashley

I live in Germany, and It gets REAL COLD in the winter. I never have a problem starting my Volkswagen.

Chad

The thing is if you take good care of it like its a child (kinda don't bring it in the living room) it will start easy but if you hit rocks or are mean to it it will have difficulties so take good care of it and in return it will be a good reliable little car. O ya if you have a garage park it in there so the motor wont get to cold and in winter don't use bio diesel because it will get very thick and gum up the lines. =)

G- MAN

All over the place .........sorry!.

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0e94a3/14

supernova

Use the winter blend fuel and don't ignore the check engine light, and you won't have much (if any) trouble. More often than not, when a hard to start TDI car comes in to the shop in the winter, the check engine light has been on for quite some time and just ignored. The fault stored: Glow plug circuit failure. $50 repair. $150 tow.

Moose

I have a 1999 Jetta TDI.

I'm in the habit of putting the key in and just turning it. In the winter, there's a little light on the dash, and you need to turn the key halfway, wait for the light to go out, then turn it the rest of the way to start the car. If you don't do this, it will take a few seconds to start.

Another possible issue is the fuel gelling. This is fairly rare - it has to get really cold for it to happen. Different states/provinces sell different blends of fuel in the winter time (i.e. fuel sold in Michigan won't gel until it gets to a lower temperature than what would cause fuel sold in Florida to gel). The intention there is to make it so that your fuel won't gel.

For the 10 years I've owned my car, it's never gelled. I've lived in central Indiana that whole time. I park in the garage at night, though. If you don't have a garage, it's possible it might gel like one morning per year.

One more thing about the different states' formulations: since these cars can go so far on a tank, say you live in Detroit and go on a trip down South, during the winter, and on the way home you fill up in Lexington, KY. When you get home, you'll probably still have half a tank of Kentucky-formulated fuel in your car. It would probably be a good idea to fill the tank the rest of the way with Michigan fuel.

They sell engine block heaters - you glue it onto the bottom of your engine (quick and easy, just have to jack up the car then remove a plastic cover on the Jetta to get to it). I think they're like $60. If you don't have a garage, but do have access to a power outlet, then on the coldest winter nights you can just put it on a timer to start heating a couple hours before whatever time you leave in the morning, and you should be good to go.

Get the car - they're excellent. I should hit 200,000 miles sometime in June. My window sticker said 49mpg highway...when I drive normally (80mph) I get about 46mpg and when I drive like an old lady I get up to 53mpg. Even at 10 years old, it's still nice and peppy. Any problem you ever have, you can find lots of helpful people at forums.tdiclub.com

Jon

its because its a diesel...need to keep engine warmer on it at night

Jettaowner

With all diesel vehicles it is important to use a winter blend of fuel. Diesel will jell at very low temperatures without it. Diesel cars have a much higher compression ratio that gasoline cars and because battery cranking power drops with temperature they may be harder to start. Some with diesels utilize engine block heaters to make starting easier. Many trucks with diesels have two batteries.

Lawrence S

The 2009 Jetta TDI is brilliant. The engine is cleaner than a regular gas engine, yet has the same mpg and torque of an old fashion diesel. Older diesels needs to be plugged in to keep them warm, but now with modern technology they start right up. If its under 0 degrees outside, it made take an extra half second to get it started, but i have never even come close to worrying that my VW wouldn't start. Good luck, i hope you get it, because its a great car!

Cody M

Is a VW Jetta a woman's car?

So i'm a 17 year old boy and I'm looking at cars for my parents to buy me. They want it to be a new car and a foreign car around $20,000. I really like the VW Jetta but am afraid that it looks too much like a woman's/old person's car. I know all their commercials have women and men alike but I'm just wondering what other people think. Which color is best? I like the black.

Asked by: HuntP @ 2009-04-29 14:50:52

Answers ::
i dont know...it goes both ways...but i do see more girls driving vw jettas...only guys once in a while...

john m

It absolutely is not a girly car. To start, its such a fantastic car. Its incredibly safe and fun to drive. Its cheap to insure and very reliable. I love my VW GTi more than anything. For your information, all seven friends that i know who own Jetta's are guys. Even a football jock at my school drives it, and all the ladies love it. They thinks its fast and sleek, and they are right. Go drive on, there is nothing else that can compare to that quality for that price. Good Luck!

Cody M

it can go either way. not necessarily a girl or guys car.

go for white or black.

you're lucky your parents are buying you such a nice car.

lessthan3

Yes it is a girls car. Yes it is a Guys car, What does the plus or minus one chromosome have to do with a car?

Those things are a ton of fun to drive. Quick, Nimble and sporty. They are used for off road and Dakkar rally racing as well. Does that tell you anything?

Alex E

The Jetta was of course designed in Germany for the unlimited speeds of the Autobahn. It therefore had to be safe, reliable, fast, and practical. It does all this and still has character and class.
The designers/creators of this remarkable car never thought about gender while it was being developed. Perhaps neither shoud we.
Is it really important what others think?
My suggestion is to heartily thank your parents for their largesse and go straight to your local VW Dealership for a test drive of the gender-free Jetta!
I own a Reflex Silver 2005 Jetta with 70+K reliable and fun-filled miles on it.
Yes, Im a male, but I never once thought about whether the Jetta is for one type or age group. The car is so much a joy to drive, I bet that once you get behind the wheel of one, you will wonder why you asked that question.

fenton

I Love VW Jettas, But Are They Safe?

I've heard that Jettas are not very safe cars. I was wondering if this was true. I really like the older boxy ones. Not the new ones. So, people that own Jettas, or know about them, how safe are they?

Asked by: It's time we saw a miracle @ 2009-04-29 19:48:16

[Best Answer]I'm not sure what time period that your attempting to discuss: Since the 1999.5 models, the Jetta/Golf/New Beetle have been vehicles that have had more safety features than most cars in their class.

The compact VW's have had side air bags standard on all models before the Civic, Corolla, Protege and Focus. ABS became standard across the lines again before all of the above; in the case of the Civic ABS was only available in high end trim and not available otherwise, even as an option. Traction control and anti skid control were available on some VW models long before the Civic and Corolla had them available and the Protege only had traction control available.. on the Focus it was an expensive propostion to purchase and the Focus didn't have curtain air bags available until just recently.

Now, the generation before the 99.5 models was no worse or better than other cars in the market place. If you're talking about the models from the 70's or so, even those were competitive with other models and in some ways better than many, as the VW was among one of the first cars to place the gas tank ahead of the rear axle, instead of behind it (remember exploding gas tanks on Ford Pinto's) and passive restraint belts on some models used to reduce injury and improve safety. Even the front subframe used a two piece shell ( on the frame horn extensions that the bumpers were mounted to ) on each side that was designed to absorb frontal impacts, given what the state of automotive safety was at the time these very advanced concepts.

Any smaller compact vehicle from the 70's into the early 90's could suffer extensive damage and it wasn't till the air bag came along that injuries were reduced in severe frontal impacts. BTW, thank GM for developing air bags in some models, I believe, in the late seventies and early 80's (it was a very expensive option in Cadillacs at the time).

So, if you're worried about the safety of an older VW, don't be. On the new models, the VW Rabbit/Jetta has been designated a "Top Safety" pick and it comes with standard electronic stablity control which is optional in all the other "top safety" picks in its class.

Hope this helps, a car nt.

By : a car nut @ 1241064212

Answers ::
the VW Jetta is a safe car
The 2009 model did get really good in crash test, so don't worry you can drive a Jetta and fell safe

crash test info
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/safety.aspx?year=2009&make=Volkswagen&model=Jetta

luno

Well my stepdad owns a 2005 Jetta, and even though it's not the newest, it is still safe. All Volkswagons are boxed in the frame (although you may not see it) which provides a steel cage in a crash that gives you extra (yeah thats right) protection. Even in my stepdad's 2005 Jetta, i still feel safe and it's still very good and convenient. Jetta is actually what most people prefer in a volkswagon.

Tsuaxis

The Jetta was designed for the unlimited speeds of the German Autobahn road system. As such, it had to pass rigorous impact tests.
In USA the Jetta receives a 5-star crash rating (highest).
All VWS come standard with ESP (electronic stabilizatin program) that helps drivers avoid accidents. Every car manufacturer must have this feature by 2010. Most man.s dont even offer it yet.
Also, Jettas come standard with ABS brakes and rear wheel discs instead of the cheaper drum brakes others provide.
There are so many other safety features on this wonderful car. My suggestion is to go test drive one and see for yourself.
I love my wife, and thats why I bought her the safest car I could afford. So she's wrapped up in safety in her 2005 Reflex Silver Jetta....

fenton

I'm not sure what time period that your attempting to discuss: Since the 1999.5 models, the Jetta/Golf/New Beetle have been vehicles that have had more safety features than most cars in their class.

The compact VW's have had side air bags standard on all models before the Civic, Corolla, Protege and Focus. ABS became standard across the lines again before all of the above; in the case of the Civic ABS was only available in high end trim and not available otherwise, even as an option. Traction control and anti skid control were available on some VW models long before the Civic and Corolla had them available and the Protege only had traction control available.. on the Focus it was an expensive propostion to purchase and the Focus didn't have curtain air bags available until just recently.

Now, the generation before the 99.5 models was no worse or better than other cars in the market place. If you're talking about the models from the 70's or so, even those were competitive with other models and in some ways better than many, as the VW was among one of the first cars to place the gas tank ahead of the rear axle, instead of behind it (remember exploding gas tanks on Ford Pinto's) and passive restraint belts on some models used to reduce injury and improve safety. Even the front subframe used a two piece shell ( on the frame horn extensions that the bumpers were mounted to ) on each side that was designed to absorb frontal impacts, given what the state of automotive safety was at the time these very advanced concepts.

Any smaller compact vehicle from the 70's into the early 90's could suffer extensive damage and it wasn't till the air bag came along that injuries were reduced in severe frontal impacts. BTW, thank GM for developing air bags in some models, I believe, in the late seventies and early 80's (it was a very expensive option in Cadillacs at the time).

So, if you're worried about the safety of an older VW, don't be. On the new models, the VW Rabbit/Jetta has been designated a "Top Safety" pick and it comes with standard electronic stablity control which is optional in all the other "top safety" picks in its class.

Hope this helps, a car nt.

a car nut

vw passat tdi is having problems getting into gear especially 1st and reverse. the other gears are usually ok.?

i.ve been told the gearbox needs replacing and could cost me a fortune. could the problem be anything else.

Asked by: Steven @ 2009-04-30 08:46:41

Answers ::
Could also be the clutch.

Simon B

I would have someone look at the selector first (where the gear stick goes in). There will most likely be a plastic guard to stop you selecting reverse by mistake at speed. This guard would be close to first gear on most cars so could have moved/broken causing a problem?

got to be worth a look before buying a new box,

Steve D

I agree with Steve D I had the same problem with my Saab and it just turned out to be the gear selector and is not an expensive job to replce.

Neran

it is maybe clutch adjustment 1st and reverse are not syncro the rest of the gears are that is why the other gears are ok, so i think it is a clutch problem.

J R

Is it easy to fit a Sony - CDX-GT220 Car radio CD/MP3 into a 1999 VW Passat?

Asked by: William @ 2009-04-28 14:43:01

Answers ::
Well you need wiring harness's adoptors unless you can do the wiring yourself , plus a universal mounting and face plate kit for that vehicle.Check with places like walmart , radio shack and audio stereo stores etc for those parts.



Hope that helps and best of luck.

helpful bob

it will only take 5mins max, it just depends if the wire harness in the passat has been cut off or not, if it hasnt it, its very easy to fit,

but you might need an aerial adaptor to hook up the passats aerial due to they use a differant connection

syco noodles

Yeah, Just swap the lives (red and yellow wires - red goes to yellow vis versa) and buy a Antenna Booster > http://www.raysmith.co.uk/YCT27AA05/

-daz

Darren M

I have a Sony head unit in my 1998 Passat, it is a straight swap, a 5 minute job. I'd recommend an aerial adaptor as the Passat has a powered aerial booster. These are available from most I.C.E. outlets including Halfords. I didn't bother with mine and the radio signal isn't as good as the stereo was in my previous car, but ok for local and main BBC stations.

Rene D

need help with beetle info, plz help asap?

i found a beetle outside, i want to keep it, can you guys help me, live in ny, and it has a shiny rainbow like back, what should i feed it and how big containertaner should i keep it in, plz help asap

Asked by: Jordan W @ 2009-04-28 17:58:53

Answers ::
I doubt if it was a VW Beetle that you found which if it was requires fuel, oil and TLC to survive.

However, if you are talking about the insect Beetle, then my advice is to let it go. It will not survive, no matter how big a container you put it in and what you try and feed it. Do the humane thing and let it go to live out its short life in the environment that it knows.

Replica

Jordan.. enjoy your guest for the day and then release it. Chances are it has matured from a grub and is in the last phase of its life (mating and reproducing).. keeping it all bottled up will defeat that - not a good thing for your friend.

Turn him lose tomorrow in the same place you found him today. He will appreciate it.

ca_surveyor

Feed it 89 octane gasoline with a lead additive. Keep it in the garage, but drive it as much as possible. BE SURE TO KEEP IT STOCK.

Prime

How did Porsche acquire VW?

I understand that they got 75% of shares, what I don't get is how did VW have so many outstanding shares that allowed Porsche to buy it all. Don't corporations usually sell only a limited # of shares? I really don't understand what happened, someone please explain where all these shares came from.
I mean were there previous owners, who simply kept deciding to sell their shares
I understand how the stock market works, and I understand how Porsche was able to make lots of money, and how short sellers lost money. My only question was how did VW end up having so much outstanding shares. It was like Porsche says I want more shares, and they find it, how?

Asked by: king tutsa @ 2009-04-29 20:35:31

Answers ::
The story is quite amazing and a great read.

Basically, Porsche out-smarted the market, and made record profits from the process of taking over VW.

It was such an amazing stunt, In 2008 they sold 10.2 billion dollars worth of cars, but turned up with a profit of 11.6 billion!!
They took hedge funds to the cleaners, making as much profit in one year of trading stock as they make in 10 years of making cars!

Here's an article on how they did it, as its quite a long story.
http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/26/news/international/gumbel_porsche.fortune/index.htm

Mr. K

it was not all at once, it was a process over several years. and just because they own 75% doesnt mean much. they are only allowed to exercize 20% voting rights. also, about 25 of that 75% is in stock options

robert

Back when DR Porsche was making his cars he about went out of business until Hitler was convinced his cars were what he needed for his war machine. Porsche pretty much could care less what Hilter did with his cars that he built for Hitler as long as he made enough money to make his custom cars and eventually his sports cars so he could race them. Note he even made a tank called the mini elepant, just to prove he could do it ( weighed more than the Panzer ) But it never made it into battle and way to heavy.
The point I am getting at is that when the war was over, some how Dr Porsche convinced the US he had noting to do with WWII, but he was under orders by Hitler to make cars and war machines. Since the US was more occupide with Japan and the nuecular era, the US left Porsche alone. Now Porsche didn't want anything to do with the cars he built for Hitler, The thing, beetle and so on. So he sold the rights to those cars and did so by mostly owning stock of the company when Volkswagon was orginized and I have no idea how that got started. But by owning stock in VW it was a way Porsch could fund his Porsche sports cars and keep his racing alive. And yes Corp do sale limited number of shares but doesnt mean they hold all the controlling shares.
VW used the shares to by the car line from Porsche because VW didnt have the cash. As with all big companies that incorporate, they sale shares to make extra capitol, common practice. And if you are lucky enough to hold 51% of company common shares you pretty much own the company, unless the company buys the shares back from you and they own 51% of the shares, again common practice. Its all how corporations and wallstreet and other orginizations around the world work. Google How does stock work and how does wallstreet operate. You will get the idea

rick b

Has anyone who owned a Volkswagen Jetta have problems starting it in the winter?

Has anyone who owned a Volkswagen Jetta have problems starting it in the winter?

I'm looking to buy a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI (the new deisel fuel one) and I heard from someone at work that in the cold winter weather she had a difficult time starting her Jetta. I was wondering if this was a common issue for Volkswagen owners up north...

Asked by: C @ 2009-04-28 18:13:48

Answers ::
Yeah. They are difficult in the winter. That's why I got an SUV because they are good for all of the seasons.

Ashley

I live in Germany, and It gets REAL COLD in the winter. I never have a problem starting my Volkswagen.

Chad

The thing is if you take good care of it like its a child (kinda don't bring it in the living room) it will start easy but if you hit rocks or are mean to it it will have difficulties so take good care of it and in return it will be a good reliable little car. O ya if you have a garage park it in there so the motor wont get to cold and in winter don't use bio diesel because it will get very thick and gum up the lines. =)

G- MAN

All over the place .........sorry!.

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0e94a3/14

supernova

Use the winter blend fuel and don't ignore the check engine light, and you won't have much (if any) trouble. More often than not, when a hard to start TDI car comes in to the shop in the winter, the check engine light has been on for quite some time and just ignored. The fault stored: Glow plug circuit failure. $50 repair. $150 tow.

Moose

I have a 1999 Jetta TDI.

I'm in the habit of putting the key in and just turning it. In the winter, there's a little light on the dash, and you need to turn the key halfway, wait for the light to go out, then turn it the rest of the way to start the car. If you don't do this, it will take a few seconds to start.

Another possible issue is the fuel gelling. This is fairly rare - it has to get really cold for it to happen. Different states/provinces sell different blends of fuel in the winter time (i.e. fuel sold in Michigan won't gel until it gets to a lower temperature than what would cause fuel sold in Florida to gel). The intention there is to make it so that your fuel won't gel.

For the 10 years I've owned my car, it's never gelled. I've lived in central Indiana that whole time. I park in the garage at night, though. If you don't have a garage, it's possible it might gel like one morning per year.

One more thing about the different states' formulations: since these cars can go so far on a tank, say you live in Detroit and go on a trip down South, during the winter, and on the way home you fill up in Lexington, KY. When you get home, you'll probably still have half a tank of Kentucky-formulated fuel in your car. It would probably be a good idea to fill the tank the rest of the way with Michigan fuel.

They sell engine block heaters - you glue it onto the bottom of your engine (quick and easy, just have to jack up the car then remove a plastic cover on the Jetta to get to it). I think they're like $60. If you don't have a garage, but do have access to a power outlet, then on the coldest winter nights you can just put it on a timer to start heating a couple hours before whatever time you leave in the morning, and you should be good to go.

Get the car - they're excellent. I should hit 200,000 miles sometime in June. My window sticker said 49mpg highway...when I drive normally (80mph) I get about 46mpg and when I drive like an old lady I get up to 53mpg. Even at 10 years old, it's still nice and peppy. Any problem you ever have, you can find lots of helpful people at forums.tdiclub.com

Jon

its because its a diesel...need to keep engine warmer on it at night

Jettaowner

With all diesel vehicles it is important to use a winter blend of fuel. Diesel will jell at very low temperatures without it. Diesel cars have a much higher compression ratio that gasoline cars and because battery cranking power drops with temperature they may be harder to start. Some with diesels utilize engine block heaters to make starting easier. Many trucks with diesels have two batteries.

Lawrence S

Is owning a white car more difficult to keep clean?

I'm thinking about getting a 09 Volkswagen Jetta TDI and really like the color in white but I've always seen older white cars seem to look really dirty/rusted. I was wondering what anyone who has owned white cars thinks about them as I have owned mostly black and blue cars. Do the still look good as new 5-7 years later if washed/waxed?

Asked by: C @ 2009-04-28 04:36:49

[Best Answer]My son works at a paint\body shop and he says VW uses a high quality paint for all their cars. They will hold their original luster/shine longer than most vehicles. VW seems to be proud of this as they warrant their cars for 12 years agains corrosion!
I bought a Candy White VW GTI 4 years ago. A co-worker of mine commented on its shine and said " you keep this thing waxed all the time" ! I didnt have the heart to tell him that I only wax it once a year. So, yes I am quite happy with the Candy White!
Also, my youngest son bought a 1998 GTI that is also white. He Never waxes it and it rarely gets washed. Believe it or not, the car still looks decent. (So why am I washing/waxing mine?) I have to admit I actually enjoy it!
My wife has a silver Jetta that she says is the best car Ive ever got her. While its not a TDI, she says get the Jetta, you will absolutely love it!!

By : fenton @ 1240933975

Answers ::
actually dark colors look dirty faster than white.

velcropap

i have a white truck and its been the easiest color to keep clean that i have ever had and cooler in the summer.

Scott W

White is actually the easiest color to keep clean. It may get dirty but will still look fairly clean. Darker colors; black, blue, green and so on are harder to keep clean because the dirt and stuff will block the shiny coat. Although when white is dirty and it may look clean, once you do clean it you will obviously notice a difference in it.

badb0y969

white or off white is a lot easier than most. the wost thing is tree sap and bird droppings on white. if you keep it clean and use a good wax on it. it will look good for a long time.if you have had dark cars (black) white will be a breeze to you

nobby

just remember little bits of tar that flick up off the road will stand out like mad! i have silver and that's bad enough! thank God for eucalyptus, it gets the tar off really easy. if you keep it clean it will always look smart. good luck with the purchase!

NL Concorde

My son works at a paint\body shop and he says VW uses a high quality paint for all their cars. They will hold their original luster/shine longer than most vehicles. VW seems to be proud of this as they warrant their cars for 12 years agains corrosion!
I bought a Candy White VW GTI 4 years ago. A co-worker of mine commented on its shine and said " you keep this thing waxed all the time" ! I didnt have the heart to tell him that I only wax it once a year. So, yes I am quite happy with the Candy White!
Also, my youngest son bought a 1998 GTI that is also white. He Never waxes it and it rarely gets washed. Believe it or not, the car still looks decent. (So why am I washing/waxing mine?) I have to admit I actually enjoy it!
My wife has a silver Jetta that she says is the best car Ive ever got her. While its not a TDI, she says get the Jetta, you will absolutely love it!!

fenton

any car can stay looking new if you take care of it

white is the easiest
cause they dont show scratches/ swirl marks as easy

KB

Is it possible to get a 1960 somethng Volkswagen bug with automatic features?

well i want a bug but i really dont want to drive a stick. so yeh. i was wondering if it would be possible to get it customized as an automatic

Asked by: moo2_29 @ 2009-04-27 21:56:38

Answers ::
Not until the uglier 1968 model, and Those are rareish and you still had to shift it once.

My second car was a 1964 beetle, it took a week to get the hang of driving them. they do not drive or feel like a modern car. They are all "sticks".

mdcbert

Learn2drive noob!!

McLovin08

NO I had a 63 and driving it with the stick was about as much fun as you can have for a little money. Buy the stick you will enjoy it.

skyhawk

VW did have an automatic as an option in '68 - 72, they are very rare now. But other than being rare, they were very inefficient. Take a car that puts out 70 horsepower on a good day and it's slow, take 25% of that to run the auto transmission and the car wouldn't hardly move out of its own way. Don't get me wrong, I love bugs, but hated the automatic transmission. Learn to drive a stick, it's part of the nostalgia of driving a bug.

Shane A

As others will also say, VW made an 'auto stick' bug for a few years, but it did not go over well. It still required shifting, but did not have a clutch pedal and only had three forward gears instead of the standard four speed.

Repairs were hard and parts were different from the standard beetle (and very hard to find now).

But, half the fun of driving an old bug IS the shifting. Its easy to learn and simple to do, so why spend literally thousands of dollars more for something that will not run as well and only saves your left foot a little work?

.. Go buy a standard bug and have fun...

ca_surveyor

The Beetle was never offered with a full automatic transmission; the "auto stick" transmission was a semi-automatic that you shifted the gears, but had no clutch pedal. The auto stick wasted a lot of power and fuel economy was poor, but the worst feature is that they required frequent adjustments to keep them running correctly.

The transmission is actually a manual transmission with a vacuum bellows that operates a clutch set up. The mechanism required adjustments about every 6 months or so to work properly and when it wasn't maintained often the vacuum bellows would fail. The problem is these days is that there aren't many people who have the knowledge to service it correctly and do it on a regular basis, in addition, parts are very hard to come by and if somebody knows how rare they are the parts will be very expensive.

If you want the air cooled VW experience, get a type III (so called squareback or fastback.) These models had a full automatic transmission, yet, are easy to drive and have better stability and handling than the Beetle. Although parts aren't as easily found for them, there are still plenty of them around and in the case of the squareback, they have far more room to carry luggage and the like.
Most models have disc brakes and all are better in the wind than the Beetles were.

If you still want a Beetle, learn to drive a manual transmission. It may take a while to learn, but its a valuable skill to have as you'd be able to drive just about anything.

Hope this helps, a car nut.

a car nut

What is the best way to wash such a delicate engine like the VW cars?

I have noticed every time i wash the engine of my jetta a problem appears, like slow acceleration or the engine vibrates a lot, so i guess washing it the way im doing it is bad! I get it done with some kind of hose that shoots water in a vapor way but with pressure, i was told this was the best way. Is this true?

Asked by: Tourian @ 2009-04-27 22:23:04

[Best Answer]All the car-techs I know have told me to never wash any engine with water. This also applies to steam or any other pressure treatment. Modern autos have sensitive electronics/computers ; they do not like moisture in any form. Would you wash your desktop/laptop?
If done regularly, all an engine needs is a wipe-down with perhaps a citrus based cleaner and a soft cloth.

By : fenton @ 1240950440

Answers ::
Try washing the OUTSIDE of the car. Sensitive electronics in the engine are not designed for hose blasts.

Dave W

I'm assuming you have an older Jetta... 4 cylinder. perhaps? My sisters' Cabrio hated engine washes. The water would get into the distributor and cause it to misfire..

Honestly, I wouldn't wash it unless you remove the distributor.

CLK63BLK

Back where I live, some fuel stations offer steam wash for the engine, if you can find one, you could get the engine steam washed.

Octy a.k.a Octane★97

All the car-techs I know have told me to never wash any engine with water. This also applies to steam or any other pressure treatment. Modern autos have sensitive electronics/computers ; they do not like moisture in any form. Would you wash your desktop/laptop?
If done regularly, all an engine needs is a wipe-down with perhaps a citrus based cleaner and a soft cloth.

fenton

Call a professional detailer and have your motor steam cleaned. There are many sensitive electronics under the hood of most cars on the road today, and if you just spray degreaser and pressure wash it or even use a garden hose for that matter you run the risk of doing thousands in damage. On a side note you also have to watch out when cleaning car engines as many states and im sure most other countries have strict laws prohibiting you from dropping any oil or chemicals such as that, that could drip from the engine during a rinse down and harm the environment.

Christopher G

how much should it cost to replace the brakes on my 06' volkswagen jetta?

What should be the cost for the brake pads themselves?
and
What is an average labor cost of a mechanic?

Asked by: Joseph @ 2009-04-27 19:35:40

Answers ::
200ishh

xoxo

call up your nearest VW dealer or brake repair shop and ask...it varies from town to town...(whatever the traffic will bear)

Chrys

including labor probably around $275-$325 or so depending on where you take it, the actual delearship will cost you alot more.

danni

IMO go to your VW dealership. Ive found that they have competitive pricing when compared to other shops.
Even if they were slightly higher I still trust them to do the job rite the 1st time and will guarantee their work.
They replaced my wifes Jetta brakes and disks last year and we were pleased with their workmanship.
Sorry, but we've forgotten the price.....

fenton

At the dealership, fronts are approximately $300-400. Rears tend to be more like $400-500. VW parts tend to cost more, but also last seemingly forever. The labor rate of most mechanics is around $100/hour (some more, some less).

Moose

My 2002 VW Jetta engine oil is leaking into my engine coolant system what could be the causing this?

Asked by: Hugo @ 2009-04-28 05:24:45

Answers ::
bad head gasket or crack head

kelly_f_1999

You've overheated it and blown the head gasket. It's a $1500 fix. Good luck.

dale b

Another possibility is your oil cooler. Very common on the 1.8.

David S

prob the oil cooler which the oil filter screws to. if the residue is really oily this is the case. if the residue is just dark/brown in color and a little sludgy, then it may be that you have coolant contanimation. someone put green coolant in your car and mixed it with the pink. your car MUST have only pink coolant, g12

Jonathan P

What do I need to know about a 1970 VW Camper bus/van?

I am looking into buying a 1970 VW camper bus/van, but I don't know much about em'. What do I need to know about 70's VW camper bus/van's? If you own or have owned a camper bus/van can you share your experiences? Maintenance? Gas mileage? Major and minor problems? Anything will be helpful!!
How fast do they go on the highway?

Asked by: gilsi617@ymail.com @ 2009-04-29 07:17:04

Answers ::
they are painfully slow

300SD

Well I spent a good deal of my 'wild times' in and around a van driving around the country. Here is what I learned (about the van):

1) Take care of the engine: It is a small engine pushing a LOT of weight. Change the oil monthly (minium) like a religion and check it each time you fill the car. If the oil goes south on you the engine is not far behind.

2) If you are driving in hot weather, or hot areas for an extended period of time, strongly consider an external oil cooler. If the oil gets too hot it will break down (see item #1).

3) Check for rust. Especially if you are 'based' in snow areas where they salt the road. Buses and vans have more pockets where the salt gets trapped and rots the metal work. Simply keeping the bottom and wheel wells hosed out usually avoids that.

4) Dont forget an annual lube. New cars have sealed bearings.. old bugs and busses don't.

5) Buy an electric heater . If you are driving in cold snowy areas a lot you will discover that the engine is TOO damn good at keeping itself cool. The inside will not warm up enough unless. So buy a plug in electric heater and install a cigarette lighter/power outlet. (Or you can always have 5 or 6 naked people in the back, but that is another story).

6) Dont expect to get there fast. Uphill, into the wind, with a moderate load, you can expect to slow down into third or maybe even second gear. The flip side is when you turn around and go the other way.. (wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee).

7) Buy a third party 'how to keep your vw alive' type book from the 70's.. Worth their weight in gold.

8) Mount the spare tire in front of the beast and carry a second one behind the seat or where ever it is normally mounted. Mine were snow tires so I could make the change if the weather did.

9) Enjoy the highway, but remember to try the back roads once in a while.. that is the best part of driving your own apartment around.

10) Parking is tougher, but you get used to it..

11) Never forget item #1.

ca_surveyor

That was a transition year for engins. The "B" engine was put in till July of 70. It had 57 hp. and was a 1600. From Aug 70 it had the ""AE" motor also a 1600 but with 60 hp. Both were up rights so you will not notice the difference.

Our 68 would do 65 on the flat all day. Hills were a 3rd gear story and mountians were 2nd and 1st, but the view was terrific. Had a box of apples and when they were gone we were there.

Some of the best times were parked during storms and having hot toddies watching the tenters fly past the windows. We would have a full load of survivors all telling stories and shareing libations. You don't get that in a 40' Excelsor exe motor coach.

I drove a 64 camper bus towing a 46 cj-2a jeep cross texas in 3rd gear.(engine was DONE when I got to Ore.

Went from Canberra to Darwin in a 59 panel.(blew the engine in Kathrine)

Cruised all over Cal and Or. in a 75 bubble top.(1800 FI big valves-what a rocket)

Camped at sand flat on Mt Shasta every 4th of july for 5 yrs straight.

They were like money in the bank- everytime I got poor it was time to trade down and start the restoration all over.

In short-- no matter what it costs, it's money well spent. And will be worth more when you sell than when you buy.

gaston

what does SE mean? I know it means special edition- but what makes it so special?

what does SE mean? I know it means special edition- but what makes it so special?

i have a golf tdi SE, and i want 2 know what makes it an SE? it looks the same as any other golf 2 me apart from its gt the gti bumper on it, but i don't think that has anything 2 do with it and i saw another SE with the normal standard bumper. its a 54 plate if that helps. please help- i need 2 know my car...lol

Asked by: Umm Ilyas @ 2009-04-23 15:55:56

Answers ::
the interior might be differant, it can also have differant alloy wheels, it also could have a sunroof, electric mirrors and windoes while the non se dosnt have any

syco noodles

I don't know specifically about your Golf but an SE model is nearly always just a minor upgrade trim wise, usual items being slightly larger alloys, colour coding, slightly better trim level, maybe extra air bags or climate control instead of standard air con etc. It is these things that add to the price and to the makers profits. Most SE models have exactly the same body and mechanical parts as their lower rated stable mates. In some car models the top equipment model can be as much as double the base models price when new though intrinsically they are the same car. The price differential drops drastically once they hit the s/h market as one man's love of gadgets is another mans 'more things to go wrong'!

COLIN T

Microsoft have it to mean Second Edition, but clearly that is not the case with your car as, I assume, it actually works.

In Mercedes/Volvo "carspeak" SE normally indicates petrol injection.

Alex

It's to do with what equipment you get as standard. There are too many differences to list here, but just to give one example, the SE and GT both come with electric rear windows as standard, whereas on the S they are optional.

The Volkswagen website lists all the differences, at least for the current Golf models.

RichB

In BMW the SE stands for special extras

robert b

SE stands for Special Equipment. It just means you car will have extras that the base model doesnt have.

The best way to find out the differences is to obtain the brochure for your car. You'll find them on ebay or there are some specialist sites which sell them. You could also try your local dealer as they may have some old ones in their stores.

Hope this helps

fatrab

special equipment, it will have electric rear windows and air-con etc

arnie74

Mostly stands for Special Equipment not special edition.

Timbo is here

Depends on whether it's the 99-04 model or the later one.
The earlier model SE has different trim, audio remote & cruise control on some models.
The later model has cruise control & gains rear electric windows on 5 door models.

If it has a 'GTi bumper', then it's probably had a crash & had the bumper replaced, but front fogs were an option on all models.

Bear in mind that all new cars have huge options lists, so your SE may have less equipment than an S model of the same age.

J G

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

ur question is funnny

Ralph

Should I buy a 1998 Volkswagen Golf with 170,000 miles for $2,500?

It's got some peeling paint and a few other minor cosmetic issues. Runs great though and had good tires.

Asked by: libratiger924 @ 2009-04-24 08:47:43

Answers ::
i wouldn't unless its a diesel. 170,000 is a lot of miles stuff might start going wrong.

kyle

no/this is a money pit/its even questionable with 1/2 the miles for the same money

ken k

ARE YOU CRAAZYYY!!! NO WAY

Ralph

YOU FAGG0T!!!!!!

j4_bdot

It's 11 years old and has a bagillion miles on it. This could turn into a money pit. I would not buy it.

NINEinchesofTHRUST

Should I buy a VW Bus?

I'm 18 and heading off to college. I found a bus in great condition, near my home, for 2000. after buying it i'll have money in the bank and about 200 left. I have a job and am pretty good at saving up, but I'm going to have to help with college expenses. I just don't want to make a very expensive mistake, but I've been wanting a bus for the past three years...
My gut says to get it. And the last email I sent to the seller asked all the important questions such as the title. I will ask him about the speed in the next email... if you want to take a look at the AD and let me know what you think here it is...

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=774737

Asked by: Alyssa M @ 2009-04-22 19:40:40

Answers ::
What does your gut say? If your overly worried about it and it's making you uncomfortable then don't go for it.
Also, check for general things about the vehicle; Has it passed state inspection lately? when was the timing belt replaced? how many miles are on it?(200,000 or over is NEVER a good thing to buy for what you want). Is it a salvaged title? How do the tires look? what about the engine? Lots of rust in strange places could mean the car has been flooded.

L i l i t h

the engine is a 4 banger so it is very weak you will be going at a snails pace and you will be going down the highway on the shoulder to get up to driving speed. i would not reccomend it.

300SD

That bus has an air-cooled VW engine it. Therefore, it DOES NOT have a timing belt that needs to be replaced at regular intervals.

These vehicles are not complicated and are fairly straightforward to maintain and repair by the owner.

The engines were not very powerful, do do not expect to go racing down the freeway with it. When running they are extremely reliable.

The one thing that bothers me is that it sat for two years. Vehicles which are not used for that period of time generally develop seal problems (be it with the brakes or crankshaft).

Try and find out how long he has been using it since it stood. Check inside the wheels for signs of leaking brake fluid, also at master cylinder. Also for oil leaks around engine.

Jenny Jetta

Old aircooled VW's are high maintenance low cost cars to own and operate............If you can do your own maintenance. Including, oil and filter changes, adjusting the rear brakes, greasing front axle. Valve adjustment should be done once a year with Hydraulic valve lifters or every other oil change with solid lifters (it could have either). The fuel system is prone to leaking due to 30 year old fuel lines and vent lines making them prone to going up in flames. You are a young college kid and most likely without mechanical skills. A bus would be an expensive mistake for you. Find a good older model Honda or Toyota, The fuel mileage will be better as well. Bus's with the 2.0 generally get between 16 - 20 MPG. I live in Mass. and have never heard of HP.

Read this thread on the same site you found the add. peruse the baywindow bus forum.while there

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=266181

ask this same question there and I bet you will get mostly the same type of response as I gave you. I know it's not the answer you want to hear, but I promise it's sound advice

bill f

Are VW jettas good tuner cars?

im thinking about getting a jetta because my friend had one and i loved it to death. but i was wondering if they were actually good tuners. i have heard many things like they are girl cars but thats not stopping me. any advice?

Asked by: Travis @ 2009-04-22 16:07:14

Answers ::
what year jetta do you have in mind?

Robert n

Yeah def gota say what year m8.

I'm hoping your old skool - Theres nothing sexier then a mk1 Jetta euro styled with a VR6 lump (unless you drop a supercharger as cherry on the icing)

Not To Sure About That

TDI all the way www.tdiclub.com

Brandon R

DO NOT call a VW a "tuner car." Volkswagens are not built to be goofy, bright colored fiberglass trailer queens. They are meant to be suave, European cars that are a blast to drive. Check this site out and see what I mean.

Rusty S

what year is this vw beetle?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4e-eXWbbs
1:27?

Asked by: babydoll91 @ 2009-04-24 10:58:57

Answers ::
that was the 1st year they were re-released like 1998 I think, whatever the year the video is its the same year.

I remember that video well! Mandy was quite a Lolita in that video!

Mark K

could be a 1999-2005 model, they are all the same between those years.

Mr.Hemp85

2004

Klad

Haha she's old enough to party.

NINEinchesofTHRUST

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