[619zFinest]

Hello,
I'm new, so please forgive me. If I'm in the wrong spot please guide me!
How long do Jettas last?

I am looking to buy a used Jetta and have found a decent 2003 Jetta GL w/ 119k miles.

Since it is used and I don't know the prior owner, I want to service it right away so it will last me a while. What should I have done? Timing belts and fluids? Transmission service?
Are there prone problems that will come to me eventually like the water pump failing and my car over heating? I'm worried about buying a lemon of a Jetta so any tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

[RQS]

Welcome to the forum!

I'd recommend checking this out first. Its a pretty good checklist:
http://jettajunkie.com/vw-jetta/sho...-Things-to-look-for-when-test-driving-your-VW

As for how long Jetta's last, its just like any other car; it depends on how they're taken care of. If you do go with a Jetta, which I highly recommend because you'll love it, the first thing to change is the plugs and wires (basically a tune up). Also, make sure you run synthetic oil only since the motor is made to run with synthetic. Check that the coolant is pink in color (these cars run a special coolant called G12 and it is IMPORTANT to use G12). As for the timing belt, it is supposed to be replaced every 60,000. With a 2.0l motor, it isn't quite as important to be exactly, but at 100,000+ miles, if the previous owner doesn't have proof of it being replaced, make sure you take the timing belt cover off and check for cracks or frays in the belt. The water pump should be replaced every 80,000 miles, and it is run off the timing belt, not the assesory belt (in case you didn't know), so if you replace the timing belt, also replace the water pump for good measure along with any seals you can get to.

Btw, check out the Noob guide in the sticky section of this forum. It has a ton of info on it just for people in your situation. Link:

http://jettajunkie.com/vw-jetta/showthread.php?8454-**MKIV-Noob-Guide**-READ-BEFORE-POSTING

 

[DiptothaSet]

DO NOT buy an automatic! Not only is it just anti-driver, but VW non-DSG automatics suck big balls, it will die prematurely, almost guaranteed

 

[RQS]

I'm pretty sure they stopped making the trans you're talking about in 2002. And I drive a 2.0l jetta with the non-DSG automatic. I would love to have gotten a 5-speed model, but this car was in good enough condition that I couldn't pass it up, especially compared to the 5-speeds around when I bought it. To be honest, the transmission is not bad at all for a DD. Its not super sporty, but if you punch it, it will run to redline and accelerate at a tolerable speed (faster than a 2009 focus 5-speed - the car I used to drive). I also average 30-32 mpg. It is much better at putting power to the wheels than any american auto's that I've driven. By the tone of his original post, it looks like he's looking for a DD, not something that is necessarily fast. And my car has almost 150,000 miles, and the transmission still shifts like butter through all gears. I do plan on replacing the trans fluid soon, just because I doubt it has ever been done since this car "didn't need" it.

 

[619zFinest]

So what's DSG? Or DD? All the Jettas I've looked at have been automatics which is fine for me... I love how smooth it shifts. I am open to a stick I just need practice.

How do Oil Changes work? I looked on the VW dealers website and it just shows like 199.99 for an oil change... Can this be?! Every how many miles?
If this car will last me a long time I'm okay with paying a little more, I've just been worried about leaving the Asian realm of cars over to the German side.

I've actually located another Jetta for sale in the San Diego area, like a 2004 VR6 in great shape w/ 80k miles. Wondering if a v6 would give me more problems or last longer??!

Thanks again man for your knowledge!! Appreciate it!

 

[RQS]

DD is "Daily Driver" or a car that you intend to use for everyday driving, not just a weekend project car. As for DSG : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct-Shift_Gearbox

Uhhh... I got my oil change done with OEM VW oil and filter at Valvoline last time for $60. Or you can do it yourself for like $25 or less. And with synthetic oil, every 6,000 miles.

I don't have much knowledge with the VR6 other than they're faster and typically more people want them. The VR6's are more expensive to repair.

 

[daggit32]

i have a 2000 vw jetta gl 2.0 that i bought with 93k miles, its definitely important to make sure this car was taken care of because mine was a piece of junk(not sure if it was unlucky or the owner before me) when i first got all the belts replaced on it which cost me about 800$ and about 2 weeks after that a sensor in the shifter went bad(automatic model) that caused the car to think it was in reverse all the time so it wouldnt start then i started getting cat codes so i replaced the catalytic converter along with oxygen sensors. but all that work went into nothing unless i do an engine swap because recently my cv joint snapped while i was driving which i believe caused my engine block to crack also. so i would be sure to check everything if this is the particular car that you want. even though this car caused me alot of problems i dont wanna get rid of it because i love it. so im thinking about an engine swap

 

[RQS]

^ and that is the reason to buy a Jetta... or not to buy I guess Even when you put money into them, it makes you love them even more. There are a lot of lemons out there, just make sure you know what you're buying before you purchase it. For instance, when I bought my car, I also looked at a 2001 1.8t jetta with 20,000 less miles than the one I bought, but the one I ended up buying (1999.5 jetta 2.0l auto) came with all the service and ownership records since it was built, making it a better buy and why I spent $600 more on a slower and older car. I even have the window sticker from the dealership haha. $13,500 off the lot, and 12 years and 141,000 miles later I bought it for $3,250, which less than Kelly Blue Book value for the car. And now I'm rambling haha.

 

[mk4loverr]

read something about using g12 coolant, i've been using normal autozone coolant due to replacement of a cracked coolant flange (very typical issue with this cars so make sure to check that) in my 1.8t for a couple of months now and haven't had a single problem. What would happen in the long run if G12 is not used?

 

[CommanderCob]

I've seen that the glove box and center console latches break. lol

 

[DiptothaSet]

read something about using g12 coolant, i've been using normal autozone coolant due to replacement of a cracked coolant flange (very typical issue with this cars so make sure to check that) in my 1.8t for a couple of months now and haven't had a single problem. What would happen in the long run if G12 is not used?

as far as I know using the G12 coolant is a MUST! All company's have different component used inside the engine/parts/hoses/etc;, and I recall a video science experiment with metals and the different coolants and not using the appropriate type for your car can cause lots of corrosion on the parts. I personally recommend only using what the car recommends for coolant, in this case the VW dealership only G12 coolant

 

[RQS]

Here's an experiment to show why to use G12 coolant:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/263790-Antifreeze-Experiment-amp-Testing

Btw... I believe every link I've posted in this thread is from the Noob Guide sticky in this forum. Check that out. There's tons of info in there for anyone, whether they've owned a VW before or not.

 

[RQS]

And yes, the glove box handle breaking off is very common (mine is like this, but I can still get into the glove box). The hinge on the center console is also a common problem (that is broken on mine as well). And the cupholder's suck since they pop out right above the radio and heating control area (but there is a fairly cheap and easy fix to this with a newer center console with cupholders in it).

 

[J2G]

^ Those cupholders suck as well, the one in front is very short and if you have an MT you need to adjust your shifting style. The second one you have to lift the centre console to get to and of course since the tabs are broken it'll open and throw around everything.

 

[RQS]

And that is why I use the space between the e-brake and the seat as a cupholder instead haha. It just makes everything better.

 

[CommanderCob]

And that is why I use the space between the e-brake and the seat as a cupholder instead haha. It just makes everything better.

Haha that's where I put my water bottle that rides with me. I remember pulling the cup holder above the radio out to put my drink I just got in it. Pulled the whole sliding part out. Big WTF moment in the drive-thru.

 

[RQS]

Haha that's where I put my water bottle that rides with me. I remember pulling the cup holder above the radio out to put my drink I just got in it. Pulled the whole sliding part out. Big WTF moment in the drive-thru.

Haha I use that spot for everything. I got tired of stuff dripping all over my radio and gear select(auto, I know I know) making water spots over everything. I've thought about upgrading to the center console cup holders, but I use my armrest too much.

 

[RQS]

Haha that's where I put my water bottle that rides with me. I remember pulling the cup holder above the radio out to put my drink I just got in it. Pulled the whole sliding part out. Big WTF moment in the drive-thru.

Haha I use that spot for everything. I got tired of stuff dripping all over my radio and gear select(auto, I know I know) making water spots over everything. I've thought about upgrading to the center console cup holders, but I use my armrest too much.

 

[CommanderCob]

Haha I use that spot for everything. I got tired of stuff dripping all over my radio and gear select(auto, I know I know) making water spots over everything. I've thought about upgrading to the center console cup holders, but I use my armrest too much.

I use my armrest a lot as well. But what's this center console cupholders upgrade? Does it eliminate the center armrest completely? I can't really have anything interfering with shifting so I'll put stuff in the backseat cup holder since it's sorta close lol

 

[RQS]

http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Jetta_IV--1.8T/Interior/Center_Console/Conversion/

You can get one of these. They're pretty easy to install, you just have to bend the e-brake handle slightly (which can be done by hand). I'm pretty sure you could find these cheaper elsewhere, thats just the first place I looked so I could show an example. That plus an armrest delete (http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Jetta_IV--1.8T/Interior/Center_Console/Armrest/ES259691/) would be a good combo, since the cup holder is underneath the arm rest.