2001 Volkswagen Jetta GLX 2.8Liters from North America

Summary:

Excellent cost quality ratio

Faults:

The EPC (Electronic Power Control)would turn on for no apparent reason, the car would start, but the transmission won't respond. Moreover, no mechanic around town wouldn't work on it. They all said "take it to the dealer"

The cooling system is a bit delicate, but I'm not quite sure where the problem comes from.

The power seats reset to their default positions quite often. At least it's true for the driver seat.

General Comments:

This is a very fun car to drive - the gas mileage ratio is acceptable considering it's equiped with a 6 cylinder engine.

It's pretty comfortable ride, even though the leg room is a bit restraint for the back seat passengers - but who cares anyway.

As far as acceleration goes, my friends and I tested it and came up at 9 seconds for 0-60 mph.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th October, 2004

2001 Volkswagen Jetta GL from North America

Summary:

Jetta's are money pits

Faults:

When I first got my Jetta GL I had a missing bulb... very small problem. After regular maintenance and 10,000 miles later my driver side window shattered while I was driving down the highway. $500 in repairs. Just recently my blinkers stopped blinking the switch went bad.

General Comments:

Over all performance is pretty good, but I cannot afford a repair every 2,000 miles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th September, 2004

2001 Volkswagen Jetta VR6 2.8 from North America

Faults:

You name it, it has gone wrong. I thought I would add a few problems that I haven't read about on here.

I bought my car on a Friday, and the following Wednesday my passenger side floorboard was flooded with water, because the air conditioning valve had backed up and had been depositing water up through the floor. The car had 450 miles on it. Yes, four-hundred and fifty!

A lot of my problems were covered by the warranty; I am just upset I have had this much trouble out of a car that is brand new. The closest VW dealership is an hour away from my house, so I have to drive an hour each way just to have it serviced. It is extremely inconvenient. Yes, maybe I should have bought a different car from a dealership in my hometown, but I really like the look and ride of the Jetta. You can't blame me for assuming I wouldn't have to drive it back and forth to the dealership every couple of months.

When my windows fell down in the door, the dealership paid for a rental car. That meant I had to worry about wrecking the car and having to pay money out of my pocket, because I felt I shouldn't have to pay the insurance coverage fee myself instead of VW. I was also responsible for refilling the car with the gas I used.

One problem I have that I have not seen anyone mention is the smell of crayons in my car. This is not just my car, several people I have talked to have the same problem. Where is it coming from? It's not the leather seats, because I have heard of this problem in cars with leather and cloth seats. I don't have any kids, and I usually don't color pictures, so I know I didn't accidentally leave a box of Crayola's under my seat.

I questioned the dealership, and they acted like they didn't have any idea what I was talking about. Whatever.

I know cars have smells, but this is embarrassing!! Everyone who has been in my car has noticed the smell. Sometimes when I have been in the car for a while, you can actually smell the scent on my clothes. That is how strong it is. I have tried air-fresheners, and nothing works; the smell comes back the next day.

People say maybe you are just unlucky and bought a lemon. From what I have heard from other Jetta owners and read about on this site, it seems to me if you buy a Jetta, you are asking for trouble. If you get one that does not give trouble, you have actually lucked up.

General Comments:

The car is very appealing to the eye, and I have had a lot of comments on how nice my car looks.

If you want a car with good looks, this is the way to go, as long as you are not depending on getting from point A to B.

One last thing, I would like to know who came up with the idea of putting the cup holder above the CD player. You have to close the cup holder when you want to change a CD, which is of course very annoying if you have a drink in the cup holder. Also your cup sweats and drips down on your gear shift and ashtray area (where I like to lay my cell phone), getting everything wet. When the heat is on and you have a cold drink, the drink gets hot and vice versa. This was a really bad idea, and not very well thought out.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 24th September, 2004

26th Sep 2004, 18:41

The plastics in the car have scents during hot days. Some good scent some bad. If it is the case nothing can be done. try to alleviate the smell with some cockpit spray.

18th Oct 2004, 10:11

I bought a 2001 Jetta TDI in July 2004 and within a month I noticed a smell in my car. I have it narrowed down to that of a "closed up tent" smell. It is embarrassing. I'm to the point of either wanting to set the car on fire or trading it. Everyone bragged about Volkswagen, but I don't think I'll every buy another one.