considering a jetta

[SuperChimps]

I've been pretty happy with my 9n polo gti this last year or so, but I'm starting to feel the need for something with a boot for longer trips, family shopping expeditions etc..

I've thought about maybe trading in our corolla for a jetta. There's a few mark 5s on carsales/gumtree (2008– 2010 ish) around for about $10 - 15k, with 50 – 100k km on them. The 147 TSIs look pretty good, but are these reliable cars?
The DSG thing makes me a little nervous, although I know they have the safer 6 speed wet box. Anyone have any feedback or recommendation about things to look for etc..?

I've done a bit of googling, but if anyone has any pointers it'd be great. I know the “is this car safe to buy” thread is a pretty common one, but I really appreciate the collective wisdom of this forum.

Cheers

[snerlo]

We've been pretty happy with our 147 TSi mate. There were a few little minor niggles when we first got it (bought it secondhand). For instance we had the accelerator pedal box replaced and there was a minor issue with some insulation on some wires in the engine bay but apart from that, ours has been trouble free motoring. They really are a great little car. You get the benefit of a GTI golf with an enormous boot to help out when you need it. I have measured the actual floor dimensions and it is line ball with the floor dimensions in my R36 Passat Wagon so that gives you an idea of how big they are. The only thing I have to check on the odd occasion is the oil level as these motors use some oil, as most VW's do. The gearboxes are generally pretty bullet proof. You really only hear of the bad situations which might make up less than 1% of cars. You don't often hear about the good tales!! Just check the service history and make sure that the DSG gearbox has had an oil change depending on the mileage. We just had ours done for our 105k service. Not a massive cost if you can find a good mechanic to look after you. Check the brake wear, obviously. Ours is tight as a drum with regards to how it steers so I really can't tell you what to look for with regards to sloppiness in the suspension or steering. We only have a creaky bush on the odd occasion but it doesn't concern us as we know what it is and will get it lubed up next service. Happy hunting.

[Boon]

Had a MK5 jetta turbo and traded it in for an A4. Regret that decision to this day so much so I'm thinking of trading in the audi for the current jetta They're great cars and are amazing value!

[SuperChimps]

Cheers guys, that's the sort of feedback I was hoping for. I might go look at a few this weekend

[neil]

Do your homework , see if the mechtronic (spelling??) unit has been replace if you can otherwise not sure I would buy one.

[brad]

If you are looking at Jetta then you may as well cross-shop Skoda Octavia. Even bigger boot. The sedan is actually a hatch & there's a wagon.

Generally they are better appointed and there are manuals available with the 147tsi.

The 118tsi engine is a cracker if you don't want the "big block" 147tsi

Prices are generally cheaper than the Jetta too.

[Creampuff]

Traded in my Audi A4 fof my Jetta. Has not missed a beat, love it. The Audi has better seats but that is all.....do yourself a favour and get one!!

[SuperChimps]

Do your homework , see if the mechtronic (spelling??) unit has been replace if you can otherwise not sure I would buy one.

Yeah the mechatronic thing is a bit of a worry.. but I was of the understanding that this was something that was changed after failure (if occurring), not a systemic problem addressed by recall. So if it hasn't been changed, doesn't that just mean it hasn't been a problem?

If its the same DSG in the newer GTIs, then there must be loads of those changing hands second-hand - they can't all be duds! (can they?!?).

But your right, it is something that's worth further investigation.

[SuperChimps]

If you are looking at Jetta then you may as well cross-shop Skoda Octavia. Even bigger boot. The sedan is actually a hatch & there's a wagon.

Generally they are better appointed and there are manuals available with the 147tsi.

The 118tsi engine is a cracker if you don't want the "big block" 147tsi

Prices are generally cheaper than the Jetta too.

Cheers Brad. I'll have a look.. I like the sound of a manual 147. Is the 118TSI in the sKoda's the same as the 118tsi that has had so many issues in some of the VWs? Not sure i'd want part of that

[tigger73]

Cheers Brad. I'll have a look.. I like the sound of a manual 147. Is the 118TSI in the sKoda's the same as the 118tsi that has had so many issues in some of the VWs? Not sure i'd want part of that

The 118TSI in the Skoda range is a 1.8l turbo with double overhead cam. 0-100 in 7.9sec so it's no slouch.

The 118TSI in the Jetta is the 1.4l twin charger - seems to have more problems in the Golf than the Jetta but these do come out of different factories... I'm not sure if that makes a difference or that there's just more 118TSI Golfs than Jettas sold in Australia.

Both 118TSI Jetta and Skoda run the 7 speed "dry" DSG. If I was buying second-hand I'd lean towards the more reliable 6 speed DSG (Octavia RS, 147TSI Jetta, any diesel engine) or a manual.

[brad]

Cheers Brad. I'll have a look.. I like the sound of a manual 147. Is the 118TSI in the sKoda's the same as the 118tsi that has had so many issues in some of the VWs? Not sure i'd want part of that

No totally different.

I have a manual 118kw 1.8tsi & love it - very reliable, powerful (for a 1. & economical - it's had a remap for more than 100,000km and has been faultless

[SuperChimps]

Good to know the 118's are different, that puts them back on the list.

Was meant to go look at a Jetta last weekend, but got swamped with other stuff. Had a bit of a look at Octavia online, but I'm not seeing as much in my price range as the jettas. Some of the newer 'R' Octavia's look pretty great - nice mix of practicality and speed, but they're a bit more than I'm looking to spend. Anyway, its not an urgent thing, I can give it a few months waiting for something nice to turn up.

[brad]

There's a few for sale in QLD. Don't discount the 1.4T - it's also a good engine. There's a 2012 with 123,000km for <$10k up there.

[anthony]

Jettas are great,I have just returned from the USA,and after Corollas and Camrys,they are the most popular car on the roads over there.