2000 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 1.8 turbo diesel
Summary:
Wounded Jetta keeps going
Faults:
The glow plugs failed at 45000.
The glow plugs failed again at 55000, but the dealer fixed at no charge.
General Comments:
I bought this car used from the dealer in 2001 for my daughter. It was one year old with 35000 miles. She drove it for one year, then got a DWI and I took it away from her. I gave it to my son who hit a fire hydrant the first month and almost totaled it. I then took it away from him and used it as my business car.
I would never have considered the Jetta as a car for my business. I drive about 800 miles a week and haul a lot of equipment. I have been pleasantly surprised with the Jetta TDI and would consider buying another one when this one wears out.
I have owned 5 Mercedes diesels prior to this car and I rank this car among the most satisfying even after the horrible wreck. It is one of those cars that you enjoy driving and it really has been reliable. It has really comfortable leather seats and a 5 speed transmission which gets 50 mpg. The trunk is amazingly big and the interior workmanship is as good as any of the Mercedes that I have owned.
I realize that disgruntled car owners tend to be the ones that write to these web sites. However, this wounded Jetta keeps going and going.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 23rd March, 2004
6th Jan 2008, 20:14
I have a 2000 Jetta TDI 5-speed with manual windows, which I bought new. Currently have 89500 miles on it. I had to double-check while I was reading the comments to make sure you weren't in my garage looking at my car. Yes, I have the mystery spring and the broken glove box, and had the dealer sideshow antics. Yet I love the power from such a small engine and the long drives between fill-ups. The handling is very nice as well. I also have a very knowledgeable mechanic that I trust. Am I hooked on diesels? You bet! Will be interesting to see diesels in Honda, Volvo, and Audi future cars here in the U.S.
8th Feb 2008, 17:19
I bought a 2000 Jetta TDI 8 months ago and regularly get 50 mpg, which was my goal. It's fun to drive, has a lot of power, and has had little problems.
The CEL has come on twice due to glow plug faults, which I checked and found the harness is going bad. I ordered a new harness, have cleaned the intake manifold (needs done, they get gummed up), and need to do brakes next.
The previous owner installed Kerma Sprint 520 injectors, which gives it a great boost in HP.
If you're not mechanically inclined, I'd honestly say buy something else. For me, it's a great car.
20th Dec 2007, 22:29
I am glad to find another happy TDI owner. I bought mine with 90,000 miles on it, and have put another 35,000 on it, and have spent very little money on it in repairs. Mainly just oil changes and tire rotations. I also have found my car extremely simple to work on. Most of the problems I have heard about on this website I have been able to fix inexpensively myself. My favorite thing is that you can drive 85 and still get 45 miles a gallon.