VW Jetta--considering a pre-owned, anything to worry about?

[Oh Haha]

Ok, I'm officially tired of my rusting GM car now.

Considering a 2003 Jetta GLI with 103,000 miles.

It's got the 6 speed manual so gas mileage should be pretty good(about 29 highway). I'm not looking for a hot rod so the performance doesn't even matter.

I haven't driven it yet but it looks good based on the info I have.

What are areas of trouble for these cars?

Thanks,

[Normy]

If it is a 1.8 t....make sure you know when the cam belt has been done. You will want to keep a spare coil in the glove box. I advised my brother, who has one of these to do the same. He hasn't any problems.

That car is FUN to drive! It is the 4th generation Jetta- I own and drive on occasion the 3rd generation, and my car has the almighty VR6. This car moves with AUTHORITY! Hammer it and the tranny drops two gears and then all hell breaks loose!

[Oh Haha]

This car has the 2.8 V6 with a manual gearbox.

[GothingNC]

03 GLI came with the VR6
04 1/2 to 05 1/2 used the 1.8 T

I have owned my GLI for 5 years with no issues other then routine maint,

VR6 have a timing chain guide that needs to be replaced after 100,000 miles

Simple procedure ;-)


VWvortex Forums: DIY - Replacing timing chains, tensioners and guides on a 12v VR6

[carambola]

If I'm not mistaken the '03 VR6 was the 24V unit, 200HP, 200TQ.
Pretty much bullet proof.
The problems are going to be with the coilpacks, O2 sensors and MAF sensors. I believe the MAF sensors can be bought on the cheap if you use a 2.0 part number and switch over the housing, O2 sensors are just a pain in the butt due to typical exhaust rust and the coilpacks can be repaired with hi-temp JB Weld, I coated mine a few years ago and not a single problem since.
The only other problem i know of is the window regulators, the plastic clips that hold the windows tend to break in the original configuration, there was a TSB sent out to have the regulators replaced.
All in all a reliable car with decent pick-up, sounds great while on the throttle. 26 around town and 30 on the highway, but i have the 5 speed.
I hope this answers some of your questions.

[HardDrive]

The 'VW' part worries me.

[porsche4life]

I'd buy it... But I'm a masochist... I owned a Corrado...


Seriously... The VR6 is a good motor... The electronics are hit and miss... Some of the cars a bulletproof... Some suck... Like my corrado? You couldn't run the cruise with rear defrost on....

[Geronimo '74]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

The 'VW' part worries me.

I drive a VW during the week, it is bulletproof (TDI)
My first car was a VW Golf convertible, bulletproof.
I've read several times that people on the other side of the pond have doubts about VW reliability.. Over here they are considered to be very reliable...
Where are American VW's made??

[porsche4life]

A surprising amount are made in Mexico...

My moms jetta wagon was made in Poland... It was good...

[Geronimo '74]

Lol, Poland would be the European equivalent of Mexico...
I thought the European ones were all made in Germany.... Guess not huh?

[porsche4life]

I'm not sure where they are made... I just know that at least part of my moms car was made in Poland... but hell that was 5yrs ago...

[Oh Haha]

Thanks guys.

My wife is going to look it over for general condition today(dings, rust, etc.). If she thinks it is ok I'll dig in further on Monday.

The chain guide DIY from VW Vortex was very well documented.

I'm not worried about little things as I can take care of those myself.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

The 'VW' part worries me.

Our '04 Jetta GLI had one problem with the A/C system (fixed under warranty) and a broken (plastic) attachment bolt that holds the driver's side sunvisor in place. Otherwise, we just take it in for routine maintenance. I'm headed there this morning for the 40K service.