I only ask because certified pre-owned Jettas are dirt cheap. Our Saab 9-3 is ten years old and needs a clutch, so I have been casually shopping lightly used cars I can get with a manual transmission. Relatively new (2014) Jettas with manuals seem both abundant and cheap. It should be noted that what I am seeing are the 2.0L NA powered sedans. I know that engine was discontinued recently and now they mostly offer various turbo engines. Should I run away?
My parents just sold their 2010 back to VW as part of dieselgate.
Current repairs/PM needed at 99,0000 miles.
Seems like there was more issues, needless to say, they where happy VW bought it back.
They went to a Camry
if the saab is doing you good, I would consider replacing the clutch before I considered a new(er) VW. (says the man with a landrover)
WilD wrote: Should I run away?
Yes.
/thread
Klayfish wrote:WilD wrote: Should I run away?Yes. /thread
This /\
A good friend has a 2012 S with the 2.5 NA. Engine has been remarkably trouble free, transmission less so. An issue with the bushings wearing out or breaking on the shifter cable eventually led to a bent shift fork which necessitated a transmission replacement. Apparently it's known issue with the manuals behind the 2.5, and finding a replacement was interesting to put it mildly. Only a certain manual will fit behind the 2.5(ALH?? something like that). Not many other issues, but as mentioned previously things that wouldn't break on a Camry. Car has done over 200,000 miles though so I guess he's got his money's worth. FWIW it is a comfortable and great handling car, and it doesn't feel cheap. But if you want an appliance you are better off with a Camry.
The 2.0L is as reliable as a rock and about as fast as one.
I have a 03 Golf with one and it does the job in town, but on the highway with 4 people and ski gear, well let's just say passing takes some planning.
I honestly haven't heard that much about the newer ones. Don't get a DSG (dual-clutch manual). They have very expensive servicing with VW exclusive stuff. Costs $$$$'s!
Well, there we go. I was just about to start a thread asking when it was OK to start trusting VWs again. But the answer is none. None more OK.
This again.
Had an '09 Sedan TDI DSG, loved it, nothing major, had a bad cylinder pressure sensor (diesel specific part) around 70K miles, totaled by a stupid girl on her cell phone at 101K miles. The side curtain, and seat airbag saved me from an ambulance ride or worse. We miss the car.
Have a '14 Sportwagen TDI DSG with ~57K miles on it, it had a door panel rattle, fixed under warranty, and while they were at it, they replaced a window regulator too, because their diagnostic tool told them to, it never gave us any kind of tangible issue. We love it, but VW has offered us too good of a deal to turn down, our buy-back date is later this month. We will miss this car too.
Seriously trying to find a way to swing a slightly used gas burner Golf Sportwagen or 4 door GTI to replace our current Sportwagen, with no additional money. As much as I like the VWs though, the bang for buck of the current generation Mazda 6 & 3 on the used market has my attention as the likely replacement.
I had a 2011 Jetta SEL (the dreaded MK6 cheapening) 2.5 manual which was a solid commuter for three years and 60K miles... I bought it used with 20K on it and it didn't need anything besides consumables. Pros - Roomy, especially in the back seat (I have two young kids), the 2.5 makes some cool noises, and it was pretty easy to work on. Cons - The infamous CEL light would intermittently come on and then go off at random times...
I liked it so much that I bit the bullet on a 2014 GLI manual that was languishing on a Chevy lot last year. Everything I liked about the other Jetta, just turned up to 11... Okay, maybe 8.5. One year and 20K miles (40K on the clock) and I haven't touched a thing besides consumables.
Maybe my mileage sample is small but I find them to be great cars.. And I was not a VW fanboi as these are my first VWs after a string of Nissans and WRXs. Easy to find with a manual, sporty, and pretty cheap these days... FWIW
I ask because these things are so cheap certified pre-owned with warranty from the dealer it makes me suspicious. I am cheap, so it's going to be hard to buy anything else. In my casual shopping, the Jettas are cheaper than virtually all the competition. I haven't seen any Mazdas turn up in my search yet, but those do sound good in theory.
The Saab has been pretty good for years, but it's had a string of things lately that left me a bit frustrated. It seems to produce a new problem for every one I fix. Some small, some large. The clutch comes with a big $$$$ bill if I have someone do it, and I don't really want to tackle it.
I think dieselgate has impacted some of the off-lease pricing. Pretty happy with our '15 SE which just rolled past 30k.
I think for the money they're great deals in the used market, thanks to being German (sans Mexico) I suppose.
I have an '08 SE (MKV) w/ the 2.5/auto with just over 102k on the clock. Wife was original owner and other than oil changes the only things I've ever replaced on it outside of consumables (oil/filters/tires/brakes/plugs/battery) were both front axles (originals had torn boots for probably 30k miles) and the p/s airbag sensor light in the dash....that's it (knocks on wood). I've driven a buddies '11 GLI and was quite impressed with it, although the lesser models did suffer from decontenting as mentioned already.
I’d trust the 2.0 NA / 5-speed combo more than about any other VW engine/transmission, but yeah, it’s not very fast. If the CPO warranty is actually good, and you are okay with the chance of a few unexpected trips to the dealer, why not.
I agree with some of the posts above, though, things tend to break on VWs that’s just don’t on a lot of other brands. My wife’s MK7 GTI DSG has been in for a fuel pump replacement (Recall), and a new shifter assembly (I think it occasionally stopped being able to tell if it’d been shifted into park), and the stereo randomly forgets what station it was on since she’s had it. This was all before she hit 40K miles. However, it sure does drive nice, and is very comfortable.
We've been wanting a wagon instead of an SUV. VW is about the only player in the mix we like and I have become terrified of VAG products. However...
My research talking to several people in the VW repair biz tells me the 2.5 five cylinder is pretty bulletproof. The automatic trans can get a bad valve body and will start shifting hard. A surprisingly inexpensive valve body replacement will fix it...unless you let it go, then it will destroy the trans. There is a vacuum pump that can leak on these also but is a cheap fix. Other than failing lift gate latches and sunroof problems (a VW/Audi trademark) not much seems to go wrong with them.
Advice from my VW guru: "Don't buy anything with a turbo".
YMMV? Guess mine does. Bought an '09 gas Jetta 5 speed new; 120k and no issues, everything lights up and works fine. It's been lowered with progressive springs and rides well.
914Driver said:YMMV? Guess mine does. Bought an '09 gas Jetta 5 speed new; 120k and no issues, everything lights up and works fine. It's been lowered with progressive springs and rides well.
Curious what springs and struts are on it?
The only "problem" with the 2.5L is the following, "All the economy of a 6 and the power of a 4!" They are basically the old 2.0L 4-banger with a 5th cylinder and a chain driving the camshaft instead of the belt. We had a 2010 Golf Wagon (they weren't called Jetta's up here) and were happy with it.
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