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Last post on May 25, 2013 at 5:22 PM
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Volkswagen Jetta Forum.
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Volkswagen Jetta, Sedan
#322 of 6632 Check back in five years
by rhondavous
Apr 22, 2000 (7:10 am)
I keep reading all these comments from new Jetta VW owners who "love" their cars -- it sounds so familiar. I was saying the same things five years ago . . . I have a 1995 Jetta GLS. It has been NOTHING but headache and expense for the past two or three years. Everything possible has broken (I have only a mere 42,000 miles on it) from my sunroof to my AC Compressor to the seats to the electric windows to the ignition. . . the list is endless. I even stalled in the middle of a major intersection once (it just went dead) and have never been so upset in all my life -- until today when I found out my latest repair bill is $1200. (I am trading it in next week.) My local dealership has been arrogant, rude, blameless and downright mean. When I first got my Jetta, a girl I met in a retail outlet told me the woes of hers and I thought, "She just got a lemon. Mine is great!" She traded hers in within two years and boy was she right!!! I hope for your sake that the 2000 is indeed an improved model, but anyone considering buying an older model -- DO NOT DO IT!!!
#323 of 6632 rhondavous
by tonyan
Apr 24, 2000 (6:53 pm)
Don't you hate it when the monthly repair bill is more than the payment. I had a 95 Jetta also. A guy has started a site about his '99.
http://www.myvwlemon.com
#324 of 6632 my VR6 is picking my pocket...yours?
by hytailn
Apr 25, 2000 (6:11 am)
I'm torn between jumping the VW ship and defecting to Japan, or taking a chance on the new Jetta GLX and waiting for the upcoming sport suspension with 17 inch wheels! Why? Well, here's an abbreviated list of my '97 GLX 5-spd's repair log with 66k highway miles (pampered, never pounded):
- broken cam chain tensioner (16k,covered)
-broken engine mount and bracket
-both front wheel bearings
-clutch throwout bearing (15k,covered)
-broken cv joint (50k,covered)
-water pump (50k,covered)
-random misfires, check engine light on and off
-ignition coil (45k)
If it wasnt so much fun and so fast,it would be an easy decision...any headaches from new owners? Please advise! Debating in Chicago
Apr 25, 2000 (12:42 pm)
Again I say there are bad cars in every make and model. A coworker has the revered Honda Accord sedan (1999) and it has been in the shop quite a few times for the engine light coming on and things like that. Once they supposedly told him that the gas cap was making the engine light come on. I just had my 5000 service on my VR6 yesterday.... hope it continues going well.
Apr 26, 2000 (1:16 pm)
Well my 2000 GLS VR6 is perfect after 5,400 miles. I hope that VW got tired of paying for all these repairs under warranty and has finally made a car that will need no such repairs. My car is great. If after I experience what you have experienced, will I buy a new one? It depends on whether I believe the items are minor, or normal wear and tear occuring early.
My favorite car ever ownen - 87 SAAB. Most expensive to maintain car I've ever owner - 87 SAAB.
Most posts I've read on this car - the 99/00 are very favorable. Keeping in mind that they have low mileage.
What you experienced I believe is unaccepable. when you look at the new ones, see if the dealer will give you retail trade allowance. VW is trying hard to be good to customers. See if they put the $$ where the mouth is. If they give you retail trade in, buy a new one -as you said it's fun to drive. Won't find that in a Toyota.
Good luck - to you and all of us VW owners.
Apr 26, 2000 (1:17 pm)
My grammer above is poor.
Apr 26, 2000 (10:10 pm)
i am picking up my gls VR6 in a few weeks - any advice on break in procedures? or does anyone know of any sources on the topic? does the dealership cover this in depth when i pick up the car? i just want to make sure i do it right.
thanks in advance
lars
Apr 27, 2000 (12:01 am)
Yes, your salesperson should explain to you in detail the break in procedures required. And you should not leave until you have that information. But you should also verify what you've been told by reading the owner's manual thoroughly.
There have been a number of posts in this topic about breaking in this car. There are a couple of ways you can go about looking for them. If you click on the "see all responses" choice at the top of the page under the topic name, all of the posts will load into your browser. This can take a few minutes, but then will allow you to read through all that has been discussed in this topic.
Another option is to click on the Search button at the bottom of the page. This will open a new window from which you can choose some search options. If you choose (from the left drop down box) "Responses in Current Topic", you can then enter any key word or phrase you want in the right box. I suggest you do two searches, one for "break-in" and one for "break in" (without the quotes). This will give you a list of specific post numbers in which the phrase is mentioned.
You can also find other recent purchasers of this car in our Sedans conference. You can easily find the Jetta topics in that conference by using the Topic Search feature on the left side of the page. Just key in Jetta and click Go.
There is also a general topic on vehicle break in here in Maintenance & Repair (#28), but I think this topic and possibly the ones in Sedans may be better references for you.
Of course, a very important reference will always be your owner's manual. 
Pat
Community Leader/Maintenance & Repair Conference
Apr 27, 2000 (2:18 pm)
Many topics as noted above. I have a 2000 GLS VR6. Manual says to take it easy for 600 miles and gradually increase rpms through 1,000 miles. Also, from what I have read - do not take extended trips at a constant speed - say 55 mph. I actually kept my old car for an extra two weeks so I could take it on vacation and leave the VW at home.
Another important note: The first oil change is at 5,000 miles. NO LESS. You must keep the factory fill oil in for this period. This oil has special additives to help the engine break in correctly. In the olden days you changed the oil at 500 or 1,000 miles. NOT TODAY.
Enjoy the car. The first 1,000 miles is not fun - can't drive the car until you hit 1,001.
#331 of 6632 Update for potential buyers
by mtownsend
Apr 29, 2000 (3:49 am)
Just thought I would give an update on my 99.5 GTI, it had the 20,000 mile service yesterday. VW and my dealer now refuse to do any more repairs on the car under warranty, they feel that they have spent enough on it. So now my outstanding issues remain, including a seat belt that dosn't work, it's been replaced twice before. I think they may have gone too far this time as this is a safety issue. Still cant't wait till I can afford to replace it.