2001 Jetta GLS -- Reliable?

[IwantaVW]

OK, I know I'm entering a SLIGHTLY biased site, but anyone who thinks they can give me an evenhanded answer, please step up.
On epinions.com, you have Jetta owners gushing over their cars. Unfortunately, most of them have owned them for less than a year, so the bloom ain't even off the rose.

On carsurvey.org, the majority of owners regret the day they ever set eyes on a Jetta, warning anyone who will listen NEVER to buy one.

What gives?

I am looking at a 2001 Jetta GLS w/ 43k miles, I dont believe it is a turbo. I have always thought of VW's as being reliable, well built cars, but after reading hundreds of horror stories about problematic Jettas, I am scared to spend my hard-earned cash to purchase this car.

I thought maybe I could come and ask the people who actually own Jettas, Have you had any problems or know that certain year (particulary 2001) Jettas have common problems? Thanks a bunch for your help.

-Nick

[bigblackone]

hmmm common probs ...
windows regulators ... MAF's
I had my AC compressor go out
stupid plastic nterior ... glove box broke ... center armrest latch

all under warranty except for the last two

the maf and window regulator have extended warranties ... 7 years for the maf .. notsure on the regulator

[calgary_redneck]

As of late VW has fallen to an all new low of poor quality I would stay away from them

[bigblackone]

you really got to look at the dealer you are buying from ... doesn't matter the make or model really ... I think the VW's do have a better overall quality than some others ... my car is over 3 years old and I don't have any wind noise at all ... morethan I could say for any of the cars I test drove before I got this one ... and for the price/options ... it couldn't be beat.

I'm sure if you post in any of the other forums you will find someone that says that model sucks too

[thewaz]

ya im lookin at a 2000 jetta, im also looking at some honda accords. i really want the jetta because its great looking, but i hope that wont end up being a thorn in my side if i get it. (new accords are ugly i think)

[bigblackone]

well truth be told ... I think the accord will be cheaper in the long run ...

[gr8gatzby]

regardless of perceived problems, an extended warranty will cover 90% of future problems for 60k mi on top of your 43k. that's a full warranty for 103,000mi.

i bought a jetta vr6 last week which has 41k on her, and the extended warranty will cover most if not all issues that will arise...even the interior...till 101k. it's a great car with quality that i'm really not used to. i am gushing over her, and will *hopefully* still be gushing a year from now...

[thewaz]

thats a good point, the jetta i want has 46000 miles on it, so im assuming i will have some problems with it, most likely the coil pack, timing belt and maybe MAF will need to be replaced sometime. im going to look into that warranty extension, but how would i go about getting one? and do you have any idea on the cost of that?


i also did own an accord for a while, and it was a great car, extremely reliable, but it was the old body style, which was pretty nice looking, but any new accord is so ugly, i just dont like that at all.

[outlaw7x77]

I've owned a Jetta since new in 2000. I was dissapointed in 2003 because my 2 year warrantee had run out. It leaked oil, dash lights had gone out down by the air conditioner, fan, and heat switches. Then the Check Engine light came on for no apparent reason. Then the Airbag light on the dash came on for no apparent reason.

VW's responce, "for $79 we'll run a diagnostic and reset both youir lights". IMHO: I call BS!!!

My wife is 43 yrs old and works out at Curves for Women every other day. One day last week she was there pumping up her heart rate when another lady asked how she liked her car. "Well" she said, I like it but my Husband thinks its a POS!. The lady then asked why I thougt so to which my wife replyed, well the dash lights...the lady interupted her and said, "The airbag and the engine light came on right?"

Surprised my wife said , "Yes how did yoiu know" The other lady said that whenever she meets someone else with a Jetta, she always asks the same questions. She says that about 85% of the people out there all say the same thing.

Seems to this guy that a class action lawsuit is in order here if this is true. Ever try to seel a car with Check Engine lights and Airbag lights on the dash that won't go out?

Please let us hear your story.

Outlaw7x77

[gr8gatzby]

i love the accords, but they lack the soul of the jetta. the are usually 3 tiers of the average extended warranty: good, better, best. the basic is usually just the powertrain/tranny, the best most everything in between. i opted for the maximum warranty, but with a $200 deductible...total cost for the warranty was around $1500. the same warranty with $50 deductible was over $2700. the warranty is through Daimler/Chrysler so i'm hoping i'll be confronted with a minimum amount of bullsh1t when i eventually take her in.

[IwantaVW]

...Anyone else have anything to share, whether good or bad? I still want a Jetta! Although not 100% sure that is the right decision

-Nick

[craigie_32571]

Once you get past the radio problems, eternally dirty seats, broken glove box, plastic peeling off the interior, dead dash lights, and windows that fall into the door....... it's not that bad a car!

[IwantaVW]

Still want a Jetta, but still havnt got one...hopefully soon I will be getting one.....

I was thinking I wanted only a TDI or 1.8t, but at this point I'm thinking anything would be good....!

Just felt like venting...and sharing...and yea...

If anyone wants to say anything else, im still free for suggestions!

[SATCHI36]

I have that same prob w/ the windows falling in the door. I put 2 little wooden shims' on the bottom of the window to keep it up. It is only on the right side of my car (both windows). Its a 96'. There fun cars to drive! Not tooooooo many probs either.