14th Nov 2005, 06:59
I have that same front suspension sound, and again, the dealer said they couldn't find it. Wonder how common it really is.
25th Mar 2006, 22:06
The suspension noise that you are hearing are the front strut mounts. I have recently found out this is a common problem with the mk4 jettas... and have had mine replaced under warranty!
16th Feb 2007, 09:57
These GLI'S never get the respect that they should... I walked all over a GTO the other day with 4 people in the car... off the line.. and on the highway... people under estimate how great and fast of a car it is!
10th Mar 2007, 22:45
Walked all over a GTO? He obviously wasn't racing you.. lol ;)
I'm not a fan of domestics and probably never will be, but your little Jetta would not stand a chance against even a stock GTO...
11th Mar 2007, 14:32
I'm as big of a VW fan as there is, but I'm going to have to re-affirm the comments of the previous poster, and say that there is no way you could have even come close to beating a GTO, 4 passengers or not, in any sort of race.
16th Dec 2007, 18:50
Just obtained a 2003 Jetta GLI with Leather and heated seats and sunroof, alas no rear wing??? NO Multi Function Indicator either.
Coming from a 92 GTI16V 2.0L the acceleration is phenomenal. I intend to autocross this car regularly so we will see about the terminal understeer issues.
My first tank of gas was 22.6 MPG which is dead on for the EPA estimates. About the same as the MK II 16V.
The ESP hasn't kicked on in a corner yet, but I had to learn the hard way about the ASR on an Icey hill- Nail it mercilessly and let the system work otherwise modulating the throttle will bring you to a halt. Kinda weird, but cool as I like to hammer it anyway!
The Seats are not as good as the MK II GTI Recaros. Not long enogh to support my thighs, I am 6' 2".
ASE Cert Auto Tech, SCCA Member since 1978.
18th Feb 2008, 19:36
I don't believe the person walked all over the GTO, but could hang with it. Have you driven one, they're not all that. A GLI 2.8 can out run a Mustang GT; it depends on who is driving, so don't be too quick to sell him short.
I myself raced a Honda 2000, and the guy inside could not believe the car was stock, because I stayed at his door. As for the Mustang GT, that was not even a race; at 80 I left it.
Just think a few grand and you have one hell of a race car that most cars can't beat.
27th Feb 2009, 23:19
I bought a GLI a couple of months ago, and I love it. Everything above is dead on about the shifting and suspension.
The GTO Racer.. well I don't know if he was pedal to the floor, but.. it guess it could happen. The Mustang GT race.. I really can't believe it! I have never tried to race one yet, but now that you said that I won't be afraid to anymore.
This sounds weird, but my mom used to have a 2001 Honda S2000 and I drove the wheels off of it until she sold it. From driving it and driving the GLI, I am sorry but the 2000 all the way. But the Jetta does beat it for comfort.
17th Mar 2009, 12:33
I love my GLI, but the S2000 is NICCEEEE, obviously different types of cars though! One's a small two seater, others a 4 door sedan, you can't compare.
18th Aug 2009, 11:35
We love our GLI! I do completely agree about the shifting.
Has anyone had trouble burning through tires really fast? We put a set of rather expensive Yokohama's on and in 20K they were bald! The guy at the tire store said he sees this all the time with GLI's and some Audi's, but I can't find anyone else who has heard of the problem or knows how to fix it. We really don't want to have to get rid of our car, but we can't afford to put tires on it all the time. Any ideas on what would remedy the problem?
27th Oct 2009, 14:22
I couldn't love my VW any more. I think the GLI is a beautiful VW masterpiece, and think the VR6 is the best engine VW has ever produced. It gets about the same gas mileage as the turbo GLI, but isn't a four cylinder, and sure as hell doesn't sound like a four cylinder.
The GROWL I get out of my exhaust pipes is my favorite part of the car.
Although my car is a BORA not a Jetta, she's still my baby and I couldn't be any happier.
15th Nov 2009, 23:18
I've tried to beat a friends S2000 (a 2001) and I got smoked off the line. However I did beat an older Camaro (like a 95-96), but it might have been an automatic. I love my GLI, it's a perfect mix between a nice roomy semi-luxury car and a fun sporty drive.
31st Mar 2010, 23:00
I have the same problem with going through tires rather quickly. I thought it was because of the tires being low profile, but now that you mention it, I am only getting like 10000 miles off of mine.
5th Mar 2012, 19:45
I have had a 2003 GLI for almost 3 years now, and I couldn't be happier. I wouldn't be surprised if it can beat a GTO, not flat out, but on the streets... maybe.
I have beaten lame S2000's, Mustang GT's (old and new), Camaros (old and new), G35's, basically anything with an equal or lesser engine, 330's, 335's, an E55 AMG, the list goes on. I even schlobed a guy in a Panamera Turbo. All depends who is driving.
I tend to be reckless and have the mentality that other people will get out of my way, so I can do whatever I want. I did get into a race... or rather watch... a GT500 once... that was fun.
Only problems I had with it was slave cylinder crapping out, and I needed a new O2 sensor to pass smog.
The work I have done to it was; performance exhaust, low pressure turbo, intake, new fuel injectors, and a new manifold.
If you want this car, get it, don't listen to the keyboard warriors.
23rd Jun 2005, 17:58
I've had my GLI for over 2 years and have had no problems except for an annoying sound that seems to be coming from somewhere in the front suspension. It doesn't effect handling that I can tell, it's just a kind of 'boink' sound when first starting out. VW couldn't find the trouble, so I've learned to live with it.
I drive this car a lot in the Cascade Mountains in the winter. With a full set of studs, it is as sure-footed as anything I've ever driven.
Overall, the GLI is a really nice car.