2017 Jetta GLI

dafischer · 03-06-2020, 07:32 PM

Anyone have one, any experience, or opinions? Going to check out one tomorrow, 35K miles, 1 owner, 6 spd. manual, and VW CPO with a 2yr. 24 K warranty. I should be able to get it for around $17K. Yay or nay?

speeder · speeder's Garage

Awesome car if you like VWs. I drive a 2010 Jetta Tdi and really like them in that segment of affordable DD that is sporty. A manual 2017 GLI would be a blast and if it's CPO, it must be a nice car.

I'd say buy it.

David · David's Garage

My son has a 2015 Jetta SE manual. It has the 1.8 turbo and is pretty peppy so I imagine the GLI would be even better. The build is obviously not up to Porsche standards but it’s still German so not too bad. Seats give better support than similar price Asian cars. Lots of back seat leg room for 4 tall passengers. The clutch went out at 40k but likely due to son’s driving. We had the dealer change it but looked super easy so wish I’d saved the money and changed it with my son.

speeder · speeder's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

My son has a 2015 Jetta SE manual. It has the 1.8 turbo and is pretty peppy so I imagine the GLI would be even better. The build is obviously not up to Porsche standards but it’s still German so not too bad. Seats give better support than similar price Asian cars. Lots of back seat leg room for 4 tall passengers. The clutch went out at 40k but likely due to son’s driving. We had the dealer change it but looked super easy so wish I’d saved the money and changed it with my son.

A 2015 would have the 2.0 turbo, much better than the old 1.8 which I think ended around 2005. Changing a clutch on a FWD car isn't too bad if you're a DIY type Pelican.

dafischer · 03-07-2020, 06:33 PM

The car was as nice as represented, has navigation 3 mos. Sirius XM, and everything was spotless. Test drive was great, a nice selection of back roads and highway. The handling reminded me of the 84 Rabbit GTI that I had in the 80's, and was very light on it's feet. The gear ratios are nicely spaced, and the shifter is precise. Good power and acceleration, not as good as my dear departed Volvo S60R, but no complaints. I bought it, so now I'll see how this generation of VW is.

David · David's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by speeder

A 2015 would have the 2.0 turbo, much better than the old 1.8 which I think ended around 2005. Changing a clutch on a FWD car isn't too bad if you're a DIY type Pelican.

Nope, 1.8 turbo. Just double checked. The se is the next to base model.

GothingNC · 03-08-2020, 07:31 AM

2017 GLI has the 2.0

https://www.autoblog.com/buy/2017-Volkswagen-Jetta-GLI__4dr_Sedan/specs/

My neighbor has a 2015 as a DD. 80,000 miles and no issues outside of routine maintenance.

stevej37 · 03-08-2020, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dafischer

The handling reminded me of the 84 Rabbit GTI that I had in the 80's, and was very light on it's feet. The gear ratios are nicely spaced, and the shifter is precise. Good power and acceleration, not as good as my dear departed Volvo S60R, but no complaints. I bought it, so now I'll see how this generation of VW is.

This won't help much for a 2017, but I owned a 2 door 1980 Jetta for about 4 years.
5 speed and as you said...very good handling. The part I really liked about that car was the seat height. It sat like you were in an suv..but still plenty of headroom.
I had zero problems with it.

Kraftwerk · 03-08-2020, 11:04 AM

I miss my '86 VW it was a great DD and always fun (with a few mod's) easy to work on... my mom has an auto 2006 Jetta and it has something slightly wrong with the throw-out bearing, an intermittent problem, so made even more annoying.... The car is otherwise lovely, mint.
Good to see how nice new VW'S still are, I think you will like yours. My uncle has a 2010 GTI and loves it.

Jeff Jagusch · 03-08-2020, 06:57 PM

I have a 2018 GLI (DSG). I really like it, and no issues at 26,000 miles
Snows for winter and it’s a blast to drive.
Averaging over 30mpg overall, unexpected bonus
I say go for it!

dafischer · 07-17-2020, 08:24 PM

I've had the GLI for 4 months now, and I'm very happy with it. It's quick, comfortable, handles well, gets great mileage, and has nice creature comforts. I think I made a good choice.

madcorgi · 07-17-2020, 11:08 PM

Man--it's VW night here. I have a 2017 VW Sportwagen, Dave. Awesome car, and it's similar, but with a less tuned motor. And . . . the lease is up in October, with a residual value of exactly $17K. We're going to buy it out of lease. So I'd say you're pretty much on the money, plus if it's manual you'll have a pretty rare, great car.

Arizona_928 · 07-17-2020, 11:56 PM

Those should have the 2.0 tsi engine. Which vw put in everything including the Audi. While they are very hot engines, long term reliability is nonexistent. Timing chain tensioners, plastic water pumps that blow out the O-ring (recall/extended warranty on them), intentional under sizing of the oil rings for less resistance on the earlier years. I'm not sure if the new ones have a fuel filter, and they take premium.

If the car is a drive till the wheels fall off purchase, I would look for a different engine combo. If you're not going to put many miles on it. Go for it.