1.8 Jetta OR 1.7 EL???
Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 0 
1.8 Jetta OR 1.7 EL???
I recently bought a 2001 1.7 EL. The car is great on gas however it lacks torque. Any power is in the upper RPM range, you really have to get this revving to even move at a reasonable pace. The Acura is rated at 130 hp, however it feels more like 100. My brother has a GTI and it is so much faster and quieter at highwy speeds. I am thinking about buying a 1.8 Jetta, with 180 hp. What so you guys think about German cars?
JAYBEE
JAYBEE
Registered!!
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,712
Likes: 0
From: Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 0 Well if your bro already has a GTI you know about the expensive maintenance (compared to Jap imports) and gas usage.
1.8T is quite amazing in terms of power tho, so if that's what you feel towards, go for it. Mind you the Jetta might only be 1-2 years away from a facelift. The current design has been out for a while.
1.8T is quite amazing in terms of power tho, so if that's what you feel towards, go for it. Mind you the Jetta might only be 1-2 years away from a facelift. The current design has been out for a while.
Registered!!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,841
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 0
Quote
[hr]Originally posted by: MSoft
Well if your bro already has a GTI you know about the expensive maintenance (compared to Jap imports) and gas usage.
1.8T is quite amazing in terms of power tho, so if that's what you feel towards, go for it. Mind you the Jetta might only be 1-2 years away from a facelift. The current design has been out for a while.[hr]
[hr]Originally posted by: MSoft
Well if your bro already has a GTI you know about the expensive maintenance (compared to Jap imports) and gas usage.
1.8T is quite amazing in terms of power tho, so if that's what you feel towards, go for it. Mind you the Jetta might only be 1-2 years away from a facelift. The current design has been out for a while.[hr]
IMO, I'd get the Jetta... get a BOV and you're set!
Registered!!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 0 Do what i did ...... get 2002 Civic SiR ! damn fine car . 2k1 Coupe Si was good , Acura 1.7 EL is fine machine, Jetta in any trim level will be service nightmare. Civic SiR hatch is wonderful machine . I can say this even with Audi a4 also in driveway .
Registered!!
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Ontario
Rep Power: 0 Early this year, I had VW Golf and I had to return it because lease was over. I almost made decision to buy Jetta 1.8T but my Golf gave me so much electrical problem I decided not to buy VW. I went with 1.7EL because I wanted sedan and it cost almost 5000 less than 1.8T with similar option and also, I had wondeful exprience in terms of reliability with my Integra (before Golf). I thought about getting Altima too but I hated its design.... it's got huge a$$
I wanted compact sedan and altima wasn't compact at all. 1.7EL is underpowered for sure... but at it's price, you are not going to get really powerful car anyway. Too bad I couldn't afford luxury sports sedan.[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/IMG] Looks like you already bought 1.7EL that's only 1 or 2 year old.... My suggestion would be keep that car and buy a new car after 2 to 3 years.
I wanted compact sedan and altima wasn't compact at all. 1.7EL is underpowered for sure... but at it's price, you are not going to get really powerful car anyway. Too bad I couldn't afford luxury sports sedan.[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/IMG] Looks like you already bought 1.7EL that's only 1 or 2 year old.... My suggestion would be keep that car and buy a new car after 2 to 3 years. 
Registered!!
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 0 Jettas are indeed cool cars.. and powerful as hell. Even the autos are fast, with the new tiptronic 5-speed...
But I wouldn't buy the Jetta for a couple of reasons.
1. Tons of little problems--electrical, molding falling off, etc etc..
2. Pretty expensive--1.8T starts at $25K+change.. load it up, and you are pushing $30K. New Accord V6 comes into picture here...
3. New Generation Jetta is just around the corner. Promises to be larger, and even more vault like structure. Better handling too.
But I wouldn't buy the Jetta for a couple of reasons.
1. Tons of little problems--electrical, molding falling off, etc etc..
2. Pretty expensive--1.8T starts at $25K+change.. load it up, and you are pushing $30K. New Accord V6 comes into picture here...
3. New Generation Jetta is just around the corner. Promises to be larger, and even more vault like structure. Better handling too.
Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 0 Thanks for the input...I will likely go test drive the Jetta (1.8) next weekend. I'll give my comments then. My cousin recently purchased a 1.9 turbo diesel Jetta. I intend to drive it this weekend...not a lot of hp, however I've been told that it has loads of torque, and it returns something like 45 MPG. I also visited a VW forum (VWvortex.com), the general consensus I get is that VW makes excellent cars however there seems to be a lot of topics about excessive repair costs and poor dealership service.
Regards,
JAYBEE
Regards,
JAYBEE
Registered!!
iTrader: (8)
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 0
From: Barrie (just north of T.O), Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 0 I used to drive a sweet, done up Jetta until a kid went through a stop sign and T-boned me. Wrote it off and got the my new civic. Only 2.0 though. the 1.8T kicks. It drives awesome and has great pick up. Maintenance costs are the only issue and the warranty on them is crap.
Registered!!
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,712
Likes: 0
From: Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 0 Well, extended warranty on powertran is good, but even if they give you 3 years of bumper-bumper, do want to go back for a burnt fuse/wire/bulb/CD/radio every other month? Not all the VWs have problems, but the failure rate is typically much higher than japanese imports.
Registered!!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 546
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 0 i think you're exaggerating the fact that vw's "have much higher failure rate tham japanese imports". I know many people with vw's and they haven't had many electrical problems, all mkIV dubs too.
sure vw have their problems, but so do honda etc. my stock alarm refused to work all of a sudden...took it to honda and they couldnt figure it out (probably part-time newbies).
sure vw have their problems, but so do honda etc. my stock alarm refused to work all of a sudden...took it to honda and they couldnt figure it out (probably part-time newbies).
Registered!!
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 0
Quote
[hr]Originally posted by: brodie_rider
i think you're exaggerating the fact that vw's "have much higher failure rate tham japanese imports". I know many people with vw's and they haven't had many electrical problems, all mkIV dubs too.
sure vw have their problems, but so do honda etc. my stock alarm refused to work all of a sudden...took it to honda and they couldnt figure it out (probably part-time newbies).[hr]
[hr]Originally posted by: brodie_rider
i think you're exaggerating the fact that vw's "have much higher failure rate tham japanese imports". I know many people with vw's and they haven't had many electrical problems, all mkIV dubs too.
sure vw have their problems, but so do honda etc. my stock alarm refused to work all of a sudden...took it to honda and they couldnt figure it out (probably part-time newbies).[hr]
Hmm.. well I wasn't really exaggerating. It's just that every person with a VW except 2 that I know of has sworn never to buy VW again. I never hear a Honda/Toyota buyer EVER saying that! They had major issues with both internal & external electric systems, as well as some interior pieces coming off, most noteablely the rubber moldings.
I also look at customer feedbacks from various mags, like consumers reports, epinions.com, etc etc and they received all consistantly bad reviews, in most cases.
It seems like people with VWs either LOVE them, or HATE them. I am guessing that LOVE them have found nice reliable ones, whereas the ones that hate them found lemons. Keep in mind, that they are made in Mexico, and not Germany. Consistant quality workmanship might not be there... who knows.
On the bright side, the warrnty has been pumped up to 80,000km bumper to bumper. Add on extended warrenty, and it really shouldn't be a problem, as long are you are prepared to make a few possible trips to the dealerships for unexcepted problems. The powertrain on that car is so sweet, it just might be worth the hassle.
Registered!!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 546
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 0
Quote
[hr]Originally posted by: O1Coupe
Hmm.. well I wasn't really exaggerating. It's just that every person with a VW except 2 that I know of has sworn never to buy VW again. I never hear a Honda/Toyota buyer EVER saying that! They had major issues with both internal & external electric systems, as well as some interior pieces coming off, most noteablely the rubber moldings.
I also look at customer feedbacks from various mags, like consumers reports, epinions.com, etc etc and they received all consistantly bad reviews, in most cases.
It seems like people with VWs either LOVE them, or HATE them. I am guessing that LOVE them have found nice reliable ones, whereas the ones that hate them found lemons. Keep in mind, that they are made in Mexico, and not Germany. Consistant quality workmanship might not be there... who knows.
On the bright side, the warrnty has been pumped up to 80,000km bumper to bumper. Add on extended warrenty, and it really shouldn't be a problem, as long are you are prepared to make a few possible trips to the dealerships for unexcepted problems. The powertrain on that car is so sweet, it just might be worth the hassle.[hr]
[hr]Originally posted by: O1Coupe
Quote
[hr]Originally posted by: brodie_rider
i think you're exaggerating the fact that vw's "have much higher failure rate tham japanese imports". I know many people with vw's and they haven't had many electrical problems, all mkIV dubs too.
sure vw have their problems, but so do honda etc. my stock alarm refused to work all of a sudden...took it to honda and they couldnt figure it out (probably part-time newbies).[hr]
[hr]Originally posted by: brodie_rider
i think you're exaggerating the fact that vw's "have much higher failure rate tham japanese imports". I know many people with vw's and they haven't had many electrical problems, all mkIV dubs too.
sure vw have their problems, but so do honda etc. my stock alarm refused to work all of a sudden...took it to honda and they couldnt figure it out (probably part-time newbies).[hr]
Hmm.. well I wasn't really exaggerating. It's just that every person with a VW except 2 that I know of has sworn never to buy VW again. I never hear a Honda/Toyota buyer EVER saying that! They had major issues with both internal & external electric systems, as well as some interior pieces coming off, most noteablely the rubber moldings.
I also look at customer feedbacks from various mags, like consumers reports, epinions.com, etc etc and they received all consistantly bad reviews, in most cases.
It seems like people with VWs either LOVE them, or HATE them. I am guessing that LOVE them have found nice reliable ones, whereas the ones that hate them found lemons. Keep in mind, that they are made in Mexico, and not Germany. Consistant quality workmanship might not be there... who knows.
On the bright side, the warrnty has been pumped up to 80,000km bumper to bumper. Add on extended warrenty, and it really shouldn't be a problem, as long are you are prepared to make a few possible trips to the dealerships for unexcepted problems. The powertrain on that car is so sweet, it just might be worth the hassle.[hr]
