Overview:
This Jetta GLS will put the VW kick back in your britches. I’ve owned a few over the years and always liked them. I’ve had two “bugs” and one Karmann Ghia. Those were fun driving days and this Jetta brought back that old feeling.
Yes, that one too. The ride is solid, fun and as “cool” as it was then. However, those were basic V-dub’s and the Beetle was popular in nearly every circle. The reasons were economic for most and simply “cool”, or “in” for others. Basic was good for the majority because the 1950’s weren’t all that far removed from the end of WWII. People could relate to rationing. The mindset was a mix of save, conserve, rebuild, re-use etc., and “splurge” after all the lean years. The 1950’s were “Happy Day’s” times. You were happy with anything.
Well, people fell in love with VW’s and even fell in love “in” them. Impossible you say. Nothing is impossible. We’ve learned that too. Well, VW’s today have grown and perhaps there is only a slim resemblance to the old. Not even the New Beetle is a basic car. This Jetta I tested had a moon roof and luxury things that take it out of the basic car category. Air conditioning in the “Old” Beetle was crank open all the windows and drive like – well, fast, which wasn’t very. I remember driving up to Las Vegas in the Ghia in a kind of caravan with friends. They all had big American cars with V8’s and they’d pull way ahead going uphill and I’d put the pedal to the metal downhill and catch them. We got there the same time, but for the two of us in the Ghia it was “Mr. Todd’s Wild Ride”. Those things were light and a puff of wind could blow you off the road. Somehow we survived but those escapades gave me sleepless nights when my own kids were out driving after dark. Know what I mean?
Handling & Performance:
Not a road racer since it felt a little loosy-goosey to me. I didn’t feel real “in control”. But it was fun to drive in the context of normal day-to-day driving – zipping around town.
Styling:
but usual. If I wanted different I’d go for the New Beetle or the Audi TT. It isn’t as roomy as you’d expect a 4-door to be.
Fit and Finish:
It’s good like most German cars. Japanese are also better, by and large, than most American competitors. However, you get what you pay for and I’m not sure it’s worth the cost. American cars still seem to have that good old Ford attitude of production line, crank ’em out quickly and make them affordable. And that brings us to cost.
Cost:
For me, VW made getting through college easier. I, like most struggling college students, didn’t have a lot of dough so low operating costs for gas and maintenance was a big help. But things have changed and VW is no longer a low cost car, unless you consider about $20,000 low. That’s where you’ll find prices for the New Beetle and this Jetta. If you want economy you’ll have to go to Saturn, Daewoo Lanos, Chevy Metro, Honda Civic, Kia, Mitsubishi Mirage and Toyota Echo with prices ranging from about $9,000 – $12,000. At these prices that’s even less than the VW bug was back in the early 1960’s considering relative value of the dollar. Money doubles every 10 years at 7%, so $1,500 for a new Beetle then would be well over $12,000 today. So – bottom line, it’s a little pricey for what you get.
Generally, for what we use a car for, and for how long we keep them, it makes more sense (to me) to buy based on price in this “Economy or Compact Car” category. In that regard, I’ve tested all of the competition noted below and for transportation, all are quite equal. So my recommendation is go for the Price Leader.
The Competition:
Chevrolet Malibu $16,460-19,090, Dodge Stratus $15,910-19,810, Ford Contour $16,845-22,715, Honda Civic $10,750-17,545, Nissan Altima $15,140-20,390, Oldsmobile Alero $15,675-21,365, Pontiac Grand Am $15,920-21,350, Saturn LS $15,010-20,135.
Good News:
Solid feel, fun to drive, good fuel economy.
Bad News:
A little pricey for what you get, drive train seemed a little noisy, not roomy.
Standard Equipment:
2.8 liter 174 hp V6 engine, front wheel drive, 4 speed automatic transmission, anti lock braking system, air conditioning, power windows, door locks outside mirrors, cruise control, split folding rear seat, leather, stereo sound system, remote access to trunk and fuel filler, dual front and side airbags, remote access system, anti-theft alarm system.
Gas Stats:
19 City and 26 Highway MPG.
Pricing:
MSRP $23,970
