xrider01

whatcha guys think? i've been looking for a '99-01 jetta to keep as a daily driver. i'm thinking the jetta because i don't want to be associated with the whole ricer scene by getting a civic, or eclipse. a toyota, i'd get if i have to, but it doesn't really have the looks that grab my attention that the jetta does. besides.....i've already owned a domestic, and a japanese vehicle......so why not a european car now?

i want to do more research on the jetta, but i haven't really found any good forums for the jettas, and therefore not being able to find anything good on them. this (rx8club has awesome layout :D ) is the only forum i've been able to find so far for the jetta, but i don't like the way it's set up. basically having one thread for ALL topics (well, a bit overexaggerated, but you get what i mean).

map

Go to the Vortex forums http://www.vwvortex.com/index.html

That would put you in a Mark IV Jetta. Make sure you do your research carefully, they are not the most reliable things on the planet. I'll just say that the RX-8 might still wind up being your daily driver :P

rotarygod

I like the current Jettas. I drove a diesel and was quite surprised. The interiors are very nice. I would condiser buying one for my next car.

Razz1

i would stick with a high gas milage car like a Honda.

After all it's a daily driver.

rotarygod

I have a Civic now. The Jetta I drove was a diesel. It wasn't a rocket by any means but it was faster than my Civic. That's not really hard to do though. The diesel gets MUCH better mileage.

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

dont go with those gen of Jettas... go with a honda instead... i know a few peeps with jetta's over at rx7club and they all have trouble in terms of reliability. MAF sensors, motor mounts, trannies, and more.. its crazy... the cars were well taken care of too... so.. just go with the honda. you wont regret it!

xrider01

that's the thing.....i don't really want a honda. if i do get a honda, it'll have to be an accord, not a civic. and for age range, will be the same '99-'01

oh yea......and it has to have a MT

@ map: thanks for the link

seymore15074

I had an '03 Jetta GLI before the 8. It was awesome, in fact, I still miss it. It had leather, heated seats, 17" wheels, sunroof, 2.8L VR6, 6 speed man., Monsoon, and a little spoiler.

I wish I had it now for a DD. I love the blue interior lights! I can only speak for myself, but I like VW.

map

no prob. The Accord wouldn't be bad, it'll give you some extra space so there's a bit of added utility there that might be useful.

VW maintenence is also generally more expensive than most other makes.

I've been wrestling with the VW reliability issue myself. I still can't choose between a new GTI or an RX8.

phroztbyt3

im selling an 1999.5 audi a4 1.8t stock, debadged, black on black, clear cornered. PM me if ur by the chicagoland area

xrider01

lol.....you're a whole two time zones east of my there buddy

LiveToRev

Having been in the VeeDub scene, I'll share my experience with you. There are 4 common problems that you should search on vwvortex and read about them if you are planning to get an Mk4 Jetta/Golf or Passat.

1. Coil packs (a recall was made)
2. Window regulators (recall for Mk4s with earlier VINs)
3. MAF sensor (common cause for CEL)
4. Diverter valve (for 1.8T equipped Jettas/Golfs/Passats, a honking noise will be heard if the DV is bad)

Some 2.0 Mk4 Jetta/Golf owners complained about oil consumption. I had a Mk4 1.8T GTi with the AWW motor. While the car didn't have any problems mechanically, it had rough idle problems and the car would also hesitate whenever I pressed the gas. Took the car to the service department many times, but couldn't find the cause of the problem.

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

go get a S2000 lol. Mazda 3, Miata, w/e...

dos

I still have a 02 VW GTI as my daily driver along with my RX-8. The only problem I ever had with the car is the coilpack recall, and window regulator replaced. I had the car chipped at 5000 miles, and also have a turbo back exhaust, and intake. The car has 75000 miles on it now.

DarkBrew

I have owned a '98 civic LX and a '84 jetta GLI.
The Jetta had some stupid little things go wrong but it was a wonderful driving experience.
The civic was a boring and unengaging drive and I could not wait to dump it. It had never ending issues with alignmnent, a terrible shift linkage and terrible dealer service.
Get the Jetta.

xrider01

so the drive and feel of the jetta is good i take it. and from what you guys are saying, and from what i've been hearing, they're as reliable as a ford . but they don't have any major problems such as engine or tranny? i guess that's my major concern when it comes to it's reliability.

lesper4

iTrader: (3)

xrider, why dont you get a corolla or a mazda 3 used of course, mcuh more reliable and the mazda is good looking. they both get good gas milage as for the ricer thing with hondas, as long as you dont make any mods i wouldnt assocaite a stock honda with that ricer crowd.

seymore15074

Yeah, Jettas ride good. I think mine was fun to drive...

xrider01

i was looking for an older Mazda 3, but they're still a bit much more than what i would like to pay for the ones i am finding.

a corolla......zoi. i find them boring to be honest =\.

i've already gotten behind the wheel of a jetta about a week ago. the way it felt was very nice and comfortable.

Clavius

Screw the Jetta and screw a Civic and Corolla! Get a Focus!!!!! OH YEAH!!!!!
sorry had to say it. I'm sorry forgive me.

The Jetta's are nice but with the problems some have stated I'd be worried about getting a bad one. Have you thought about maybe a Camry I know its a toyota but the 99-01 models are just sweet (to me atleast). My friend owned one and never had, well wait he did have a problem with his tranny pretty much exploding but yeah he drove that thing like he was in Nascar. Good luck with trying to figure out what car to get for a DD.

xrider01

^^ rofl.

and yea....that whole reliability thing is now starting to get to me. i still like them alot, but now, i'm starting to look into other possibilities.

earlier i was thinking about the Dodge Intrepid. looks sporty enough yet still a good DD, and it's pretty big. well, at first glance that is. gotta look into it more to make a good decision on a DD car.

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

lol dont go for a dodge intrepip.. if youre gona get something like an intrepid look at the chyrsler concord and 300c (not the new ones... 300M? yeha 300m... i think... ****!). i know someone in rx7club thats looking for a daily driver too. he wants a 300m (or c... damnit... w/e its called! the previous generation of the 300 ok?!).

xrider01

last gen of the 300s is the M.

but why do you say the 300m over the intrepid? what's you're input on it as to why the 300m over the inrepid?

seymore15074

Reliability? That always brings Dodge to my mine.

xrider01

"mine" or "mind"? lol

well.....my thing is basically i don't want to drive around in a toyota or honda. and god forbid a kia or hyundai .

i just want something a bid different and not "too" common.

oh yea.....i was also thinking about a '93-'97 Ford Thunderbird. I have a friend who is wanting to buy himself a Nissan Frontier NISMO in a few months, and he might sell me his t-bird. it's in good shape, i've seen the engine and been in the car already. and i also like that body style. it just needs a paint job and it'll look like new again . the car had 85k miles as of last time i saw it (which was last month). thing is, i'll have to wait until late october when he comes back from arizona before i have a shot at buying the car from him.