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Re: VW reliability vs SAAB? Jetta GLI 1.8T purchase.... Posted by ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from ari) on Sun, 5 Sep 2004 14:15:22
In Reply to: VW reliability vs SAAB? Jetta GLI 1.8T purchase...., AlexA, Sun, 5 Sep 2004 10:39:59 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
As an owner of an '01 GLS 1.8 and a herd of Saabs-
My '01 Jetta has 58.5K miles. In that time, the only two things that went bad were one window regulator and the AMM. Only the window regulator was an issue - the window went down and didn't go back up. The dealer fixed it the next day. The issue was a plastic pulley. they replaced both pulleys with metal. I'm under the impression that they've gone to metal on new ones. The AMM was producing some minor diveability issues and an intermittent CEL. Again, replaced under warranty.
I never had any iginition coil problems, but they were replaced under warranty with 'improved' ones. So again, I assume those would be in the new ones.
Otherwise, except for oil and filter changes, the car has been maintenance-free. It feels really strange not to do more on a near 60K mile car. The rear brake pads wear fast on Jettas, but no big deal - new rear pads at 25K, but the second set still fine at 60K. Front pads original, much to my surprise.
Interior holds up OK. Some minor wear on the plastic trim on the inside door pull handles.
My guess is that the coil and window regulator issue has been addressed. Also, VW increased the warranty to 4 years, up from the meager 2 years back in '01.
My gut feel - the VW is and will be more reliable. That doesn't mean that you won't get unlucky. But if I were going to pick the more trouble-free car, I'd go with the Jetta. And frankly, the 1.8l turbo is a hoot and a half. I still grin when I lay into the gas.
That said, I'm looking to supplement my fleet with a late model 9000 automatic. Still thinking about a CPO '01 or '02 905 wagon. What? Am I nuts? what with the known DI and autobox issues in the 9K, and the turbo/DI issues in the 9-5? You bet. I love my Jetta, but every time I try and fit a bag of groceries in the Jetta trunk, I miss the Saab. The Jetta is sports-car(ish), but the cabin is a bit tight, and I'm not big (5'8" and skinny). The Saab has just that much extra room, and gives me that much better feeling of safety. For that, I'll replace stuff when it breaks. A few years back I hit ice and slid a '86 900 into a bridge abuttment at highway speeds. I opened the door and walked away. Bought another Saab (9K) a week later. Even with all the airbags, I don't know the Jetta would do as well.
I think the Jetta is a great choice. I like mine, and recommend it to others. Definately more reliable than the Saab. However, there's more than just reliability. Everyone sets their own priorities.
posted by 12.76.15...
, Sun, 5 Sep 2004 20:16:46, Sun, 5 Sep 2004 18:37:07, Sun, 5 Sep 2004 14:15:22 <-- Viewing This Message, Sun, 5 Sep 2004 12:46:17, Mon, 6 Sep 2004 14:40:56
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