2011 VW Jetta sucks.

[ctenidae]

Had to take my wife's car to the dealership for work yesterday, and they gave me a 2011 Jetta as a loaner. Sadly, the wife's car now won't be ready until tomorrow, so I'm stuck with the econobox for 3 long days.

I've struggled to find anythign nice to say about the car. 2 things that jump out at good are that it only has 700 miles on it, and the terrestrial radio doesn't cut out when I go under a combo highway/train overpass that Sirius just can't penetrate.

At only 700 miles, the car creaks, squeaks, and rattles, the plastic grunts and groans as it warms up, molded edges are sharp adn gaps inconsistent. The engine is anemic, throttle responsse is entirely non-linear, the transmission has a mind of its own (from a stop light, the routine seems to be press the gas, wait, press the gas further, wait, press the gas further, wait as the engine spools up, count down until the transmission engages, then scoop your kidney off the floor after the car kicks you in it on it's rapid run from 1st to 3rd, never getting RPMs above about 2K). Steering is like tugging on a rubberband attached to a marshmallow. It does absorb speedbumps and torn up pavement more smoothly than the 18 inch low profiles on my car do, so I guess that's a positive.

Honestly, I think for the price a Hyundai would be a much better alternative, and that's based on experience driving a rental Hyundai 3-4 years ago. I'm sure VW afficianados will jump on me, and I know there are good VWs, but in my opinion the 2011 Jetta is crap- really going the wrong way, there. If they're the "great" targetting the "good" of Corolla and Civic, I'd hate to see what the Japanese offerings are like.

 

[Puck it]

Had to take my wife's car to the dealership for work yesterday, and they gave me a 2011 Jetta as a loaner. Sadly, the wife's car now won't be ready until tomorrow, so I'm stuck with the econobox for 3 long days.

I've struggled to find anythign nice to say about the car. 2 things that jump out at good are that it only has 700 miles on it, and the terrestrial radio doesn't cut out when I go under a combo highway/train overpass that Sirius just can't penetrate.

At only 700 miles, the car creaks, squeaks, and rattles, the plastic grunts and groans as it warms up, molded edges are sharp adn gaps inconsistent. The engine is anemic, throttle responsse is entirely non-linear, the transmission has a mind of its own (from a stop light, the routine seems to be press the gas, wait, press the gas further, wait, press the gas further, wait as the engine spools up, count down until the transmission engages, then scoop your kidney off the floor after the car kicks you in it on it's rapid run from 1st to 3rd, never getting RPMs above about 2K). Steering is like tugging on a rubberband attached to a marshmallow. It does absorb speedbumps and torn up pavement more smoothly than the 18 inch low profiles on my car do, so I guess that's a positive.

Honestly, I think for the price a Hyundai would be a much better alternative, and that's based on experience driving a rental Hyundai 3-4 years ago. I'm sure VW afficianados will jump on me, and I know there are good VWs, but in my opinion the 2011 Jetta is crap- really going the wrong way, there. If they're the "great" targetting the "good" of Corolla and Civic, I'd hate to see what the Japanese offerings are like.

Just bought my daughter one of these to drive. is this the low end one. We got her the SE which has the bigger engine. I have been in it only a couple of times and it seemed fine. She likes it and the price was decent for a new driver. She looked at the Chevy Cruze, Kia Something, and the Mit. Outlander.

 

[wa-loaf]

I had heard they sacrificed the fit and quality of the interior to get the price down.

I did get a chance to check out Philpugs Jetta Wagon TDI and it looked pretty nice. I think the stick shift sure makes a difference too.

 

[thetrailboss]

After my brother's Audi experience and my sister's 2004 Jetta, and all of its problems, I will never consider either brand.

 

[ctenidae]

Just bought my daughter one of these to drive. is this the low end one. We got her the SE which has the bigger engine. I have been in it only a couple of times and it seemed fine. She likes it and the price was decent for a new driver. She looked at the Chevy Cruze, Kia Something, and the Mit. Outlander.

It is the low end one, which shows. I'm sure it's reliable overall, and is probably great for teenagers (looks nice, isn't too sporty, but isn't a wood-panelled station wagon, either). It's definitely a price-point car, and probably serves just fine.

17 year old engine, 5 year old suspension, and 1984 plastics are not a great combination, I think.

 

[thetrailboss]

...oh and my 2008 Honda Civic just hit the 50k mark and I love it. No problems, sporty, good mileage, and drives awesome!

 

[campgottagopee]

Farfromgroovin

 

[ctenidae]

Farfromgroovin

Hell, Frafrommovin until it's good and ready

 

[mlctvt]

Made in Mexico production has never been good for VW.
The models made in Germany have much better overall quality..

A friend of mine has a 2010 Jetta TDI Wagon and it's been great, no problems in over a year of ownership. But I'm almost certain that one was made in Germany.

 

[Glenn]

I'm interested in seeing the GLI version with the IRS.

This Jetta is interesting to say the least. It's almost a throwback to my 1994 MKIII....2.0 4cyl...solid beam rear axle. They dropped the cost as well. It's part of VW's plan to be the "world leader" in car sales. Funny, just a few years ago, they were chasing after the S-Class Benz with the Phaeton. I'm curious to see how this new Jetta sells.

I had a made in Mehico VW...it was a very reliable car. German cars can be quirky, but I've found them to be about the same as other makes in terms of reliability.

 

[campgottagopee]

Hell, Frafrommovin until it's good and ready

 

[Edd]

After my brother's Audi experience and my sister's 2004 Jetta, and all of its problems, I will never consider either brand.

After observing my girlfriends issues with her Audi and the countless poor reliability reports over the last decade, neither will I.

It's a shame because the models tend to drive extremely well. If that is your priority then you will be a happy VW/Audi owner.

 

[ctenidae]

Fortunately it's all under warranty, but nnow I've got to wait until Monday to get my wife's car back. Not the end of the world since now I don't have to drive the Jetta tomrrow but still...

 

[pro2860]

Phew! Boy am I glad that we got our daughter a 2010....must be they really cheapened them since then...

 

[TheBEast]

Wife had a mid-2000 Jetta and had all sorts of wacky issues with it. Glad that car is long gone. And I just heard something on NPR the other day talking about VW wanting to overtake Toyota as the #1 car manufacturer in the world by 2018 or something........I doubt they'll ever make it there.

 

[bvibert]

I have been wondering how much they've cheapened the feel of the car with the recent reduction of the price. I guess I'm not too surprised by your assessment c-10. Out of curiosity, what is it that you normally drive?

 

[ctenidae]

I have been wondering how much they've cheapened the feel of the car with the recent reduction of the price. I guess I'm not too surprised by your assessment c-10. Out of curiosity, what is it that you normally drive?

I drive a C300, wife has a 6-speed Cayenne, so the Jetta is obviously not going to win by comparison, but even adjusting for that, it was bad.

 

[roark]

I have been wondering how much they've cheapened the feel of the car with the recent reduction of the price. I guess I'm not too surprised by your assessment c-10. Out of curiosity, what is it that you normally drive?

VWs were the most common car in Argentina, particularly the 'GOL' (a ridiculously stripped down golf, I guess?... seriously - the rear seat belts were fixed - not retractable, no trim in the trunk, etc.)

 

[severine]

I had a 1997 Cabrio that I believe was made in Mexico. Great car. Only got rid of it because we couldn't fit a carseat in it. They're not all lemons.

 

[deadheadskier]

I had an 88 VW Fox in college. Believe it was made in Mexico. Biggest piece of crap I've ever driven with the 04 Subaru Legacy Wagon coming in a close second.