VW Jetta info

[mgatepi]

Hello Pelicans,
I am looking at a 2009 VW Jetta for my son who is college. Mileage is around 115K and the car looks great. The problem is I know nothing about Jettas. Anyone with experience out there that can give me some pointers as to what to look for or any idea on the reliability??

Thanks so much for your help!
mg

[1990C4S]

This should be interesting.

Maybe read the Audi All-Road thread as a primer for what will ensue...

Yet another Audi question-Allroad 2.7

[oldE]

Since an Audi Alroad 2.7 has almost nothing in common with a Jetta, I'll start with a question:
What engine?

Best
Les

[aigel]

What transmission?

I would not touch a VW with an auto.

The 2.5 is a dog, but I'd prefer it over the 1.8T. Not even sure if 09 had the 1.8?

Why a Jetta and not a Golf? The Jetta is such a grandma looks ...

G

[recycled sixtie]

It's German. Once off the warranty it will be more expensive to fix.
It's German. It is more fun to drive than most of everything else.

[aigel]

oh, and of course, can't be a TDI, you may be selling that one back to VW next year ...

G

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by mgatepi

Hello Pelicans,
I am looking at a 2009 VW Jetta for my son who is college. Mileage is around 115K and the car looks great. The problem is I know nothing about Jettas. Anyone with experience out there that can give me some pointers as to what to look for or any idea on the reliability??

Thanks so much for your help!
mg

specs? Mileage is kinda irreverent with maintenance "a few mk6's with over 300K mi".

[mgatepi]

Sorry for the lack of specs....I should have known better

And a correction, it is a 2008 with a 2.5 and automatic trans. 116K miles
Thanks

[Arizona_928]

Run, unless insanely cheap.

[mgatepi]

Also this is for my son, not looking for performance, just a decent car with good reliability.
Thanks!!

[dad911]

we have a 2004 jetta, auto trans. Bought cheap, used. Been through 7 years of my kids at college, only needed basic maintenance, gas, oil, brakes....

[74-911]

Wife has 2006 Jetta (2.5L with 6 speed auto), 135K miles, nothing but routine maintenance which i do all of. Fit and finish are excellent and is a good solid little car. Only real issue I had was having to replace the headliner.

[968rz]

My 06 with a 2.5 auto has been good except for the ft wheel bearings, replaced them twice. (use OEM to avoid trouble)

[CurtEgerer]

325,000 on '04 automatic Jetta. Transmission has never been serviced. Shifts like new Not sure if '08 is different trans design.

hmmm, maybe I should check the fluid level because I don't think fluid has ever been added. OTOH, why screw around with it now and jinx things

[aigel]

I would look at reliability reports based on statistics over personal anecdotes. I would not buy this for my kid, no matter how nice / cheap. I would buy an equivalent camry and bite the bullet on price differential.

G

[911boost]

Had a friend trade in a TDI manual car instead of replacing the clutch as it was pretty expensive.

I would think a used Honda/Toyota would be more reliable.

[Otter74]

If you're going to maintain it rather than your kid, I think it would be OK if you are careful to find a well-maintained example. If he is maintaining it, a Japanese car would probably be better. Anecdotally, they're a bit all over, but I don't think I know anyone who has owned a Mk IV or Mk V VW who has not had a steady dose of stupid electrical stuff happen to it. My GF has an 04 Golf with a manual that she bought new, and she certainly would not buy a VW again based on all the stuff that it's needed. Based on data, which is worth more, they're not very reliable one. You can find a car that is reliable, but it's more difficult to find than with a Japanese car and a bigger risk to take for the money. This risk might or might not be within your threshold.