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thinking of a jetta and need your input


stegomon

Well-Known Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
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2,181
Age
41
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auburn/minot maine
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1987/1990
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Manual
Thinking of getting an 09 Jetta with 111k on it. Has a 2.5 i5 in it. I have a baby on the way. And with the b2 as a project car and the Baja with 185k on it. I also want something safe. So what do you guys think of the jettas. Have you heard any thing bad about the 2.5 engines in this car? Or any thing bad about this car besides it not being a ford?
 
Jettas are good cars. If I was to buy one I'd be looking for a 1.8T, but I haven't heard anything bad about the 2.5. In fact one of the guys I work with is big into VW/Audi stuff (But gets mad when I say his A4 is just a pretty Passat) and he loves his 2.5. Apparently a lot of the stock 2.8 parts will fit the 2.5 for more power.

My only thing with VW is that once the check engine light comes on it seems like the car is never right again, no matter how much you tinker with it.
 
I have my 2 junkers. The 528e is on blocks awaiting its repaired exhaust The Rat runs fine but needs a few small things to be street legal. My wife's car is an 09 Camry. I don't need a car for commuting, I have a work van issued to me. My point is if own 2 cars you really need a 3rd to carry on without changing your schedule too much :D
 
i cant find any thing bad about the 2.5. there is stuff alot of performance goodies for the 2.5 but the only funny thing i can find wrong is the pvc valve and engine cover is the air box. but this damn engine is a mystery. but i know it is a little torque monster. so i guess i can hall my wheeler just fine with it
 
We have a 2005.5 Jetta with the 2.5 and 165,000 miles on it. By 2009 they had more HP, and the transmission problems on the automatic were sorted out. Mine still gets 30mpg on the highway and with all the package II upgrades it is really nicely equipped. The headliners suck and are a bear to redo, but yours may not pull away from the corners in the back. The 2.5 has held up well--nothing but cooling fans, spark plugs, and oil changes since 2009. I would definitely look at another if I could find a low mileage car. The new ones have been downgraded to compete more closely with the Corolla and Sentra, so the are not quite as nice.
 
Only two things to add...one...we just had a new member who claims to be a VW/Audi mechanic and you should pick his brain while he's hot...lol

Two...they are very expensive compared to other vehicles to fix...apparently...some funky wiper thingies that are a pita to fix (my friend is a VW mechanic too) and...I shot the back window out of one with a slingshot once...surprised the carp out of me...

I've heard many stories about VW in general and they are great overall...until you have to fix them...cost and procedures seem to be from another planet...feed starving aliens...buy a VW...
 
Lol well I am picking it up later can't wait. Going to be my baby's veyron lol
 
Generally VW, is very reliable but so is any other vehicle if you take care of it. I would ask for maint records if there is any.
 
I've owned (at last count) 6 Jettas of different vintage since the mid 90s. All dead-nuts reliable, all fun as hell to drive, and stupid easy to build as a go-fast budget racer. I still have my '98 GLX that I built for road-course work.

I don't know why people think VWs are hard to work on or keep running correctly, or expensive to maintain - they're no worse than a Ranger.

Buy it. 111k on the clock of a VW is nothing.
 
I've owned (at last count) 6 Jettas of different vintage since the mid 90s. All dead-nuts reliable, all fun as hell to drive, and stupid easy to build as a go-fast budget racer. I still have my '98 GLX that I built for road-course work.

I don't know why people think VWs are hard to work on or keep running correctly, or expensive to maintain - they're no worse than a Ranger.

Buy it. 111k on the clock of a VW is nothing.

Maybe things have changed...my Dad bought a VW camper van with the fold back sun roof...it was a nice little van that we did just about everything in...but he was very annoyed with the repair costs back then (1962 or so) and parts were astronomical at the time...I guess the mothership was farther away back then and they found that wormhole that sped things up...

It may be good for a DIY to work on his own stuff...haven't seen a VW book on repair times or what the mechanics charge...I know my friend is retired and usually works a bit cheaper than shops with overhead and all that noise.
 
i know nothing about the 2.5l jetta, but my fiancee has a 2000 with 155k miles on it, but its the 2.0/auto


i just rebuilt the front end and lifted it and put all terrains(205/75/r15 destination a/ts) on it last month....:icon_welder:

11193267_10206837922654513_3931655607247660873_n.jpg


some during pics :icon_twisted:

10390563_10206180697824303_6934534189371173512_n.jpg

back lifted, front still stock in this pic.


so about all i can tell you is they can be lifted, and they have power window regulator problems, other than that i haven"t had to do much to it since she has owned it in 2011(except normal wear and tear, headlights, etc.)... i still need to do the timing belt, if the 2.5 has one its probally due to be replaced (80k to 100k miles)
 
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Maybe things have changed...my Dad bought a VW camper van with the fold back sun roof...it was a nice little van that we did just about everything in...but he was very annoyed with the repair costs back then (1962 or so) and parts were astronomical at the time...I guess the mothership was farther away back then and they found that wormhole that sped things up...

It may be good for a DIY to work on his own stuff...haven't seen a VW book on repair times or what the mechanics charge...I know my friend is retired and usually works a bit cheaper than shops with overhead and all that noise.

You realize you're talking about an aircooled vehicle 50+ years ago. Technology has, um, improved since then. :icon_thumby:

Don't know about book times, but all you need to do if you want to DIY on a VW is find the appropriate Bentley manual. I have one for mine, it's a wealth of information.
 
I have 2011 Jetta TDI. Its got just over 100k on it now. I have had great luck with it.
 

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