Well, I think I might be getting rid of the 2003 Maxima SE 6 speed Maxima. My wife and I went to the VW dealer two days ao and test drove a 2003 Silver Jetta GLS 1.8 Turbo. Well it was only a 5 speed but WOW it moves out nicely. We brought it and I love it more then my MAX. The interior is Crisp, The lighting inside is Awsome, Purple with Red Needles. It really lights up nicely. Also I asked the dealer about performance options and he advised us of two things to do which would get us some horsepoer for the Jetta. First was a AEm Cold Air Intake, true CAI that would get us about 5HP for only $183.00 and then the Chip $495.00 which will give the Jetta between 35HP and 45HP extra. The Jetta has 180HP at the wheels now and getting these two items would boost it up to about 230HP. For that price it would easily have more HP then the Maxima since we all know the 03 Maxima says it has 255HP but in actuality it's only about 220HP. I drove her Jetta tonight and I will say, its lighter, handles so much better and much quieter inside. I figure with the Chip and Air Intake, the TURBO will really take off. What does everyone think of the VW?

 

have fun with one headlight always being out

not to mention how noisy it will eventually get

 

VW make nice cars. I had an older Jetta before and it was a blast on the highway, but reliability is not up to par with JP cars. Even my mechanic, who is a die-hard german car fan (he is from Germany himself, been in business for over 40 years) admits that you do get more enjoyment out of German cars, but you pay for it as well....especially after 100k miles.....

 

My wife just got rid of her Jetta after two miserable years of taking it to the dealer for warranty work TIME AFTER TIME....if you enjoy all kinds of random electrical problems, then you will enjoy the jetta.

Also, are you sure the 1.8T makes 180 to the wheels stock? That sounds high...

Jetta looks nice, has a great interior and that's why Carin got one in the first place. But after 2 years she absolutely HATED the car and traded it in on a Mazda 3s, which is a little less expensive and has an equally impressive interior. If you like the red/blue gauges and buttons, test drive a 3s....you will get all you want plus much more reliability.

just my 2 cents.

 

02-03 max has 240-245hp not 220. Personally I am not impressed with the Jetta.

 

yeah I think Jetta 1.8T is running 180 at the crank, not at the wheels. And the VW dealer is telling you all this stuff but probably he's overhyping the gains and remember, he just wants you sell you the stuff, so take it with a grain of salt.

BTW - my wife's jetta had all these problems before she got rid of it with only 35K miles....that is not a good sign.

 

My friend is trying to sell his POS VW 1.8T so he can register the Maxima he bought!!!!

 

the only thing that VW is good at is body design. extremly expensive parts and not reliable at all.

180hp at the wheels? sure buddy.........

jetta is nothing compared to a maxima.

 

jetta is a chick car, not a man's car. Just look around at who drives most of them. If you insist on getting a jetta, at least get a VR6......

 

The only way i get rid of my max if i know i will get G35.

 

Maybe I will keep the Max for 3 yrs and then trade it in. thats the only way of getting what its worth. By then maybe VW will have a nice Jetta with a V8 in it with all wheel drive. I wish I could afford the R32 VW, that thing is loaded with 18's, all leather, Air Intake, Turbo and 240HP's

 

220 its better than 180.And 245 better than 220.
But lets not forget that the vw is lighter than the max ,witch make it tourqe faster than the max.But at high speed on the highway i allways win.

I work at the casino valet parking .So i drove all kind cars ,start from junkyard cars to the most exp cars (2004 lambo Yellow V24),It sound like train in the casino garage.

But i fall in love with the max its too sharp.

 

I've eaten every Jetta or GTi turbo or VR6 that's tried me with ease. VWs are complete sh!it in terms of reliability. You are going to be sorry you bought it.

 

My friend leased a GTi and he hated it because stuff was always breaking and it took weeks for them to order the parts and fix it.

But I guess if that floats your boat, roll with it.

 

why not get an audi? they both cost the same in the long run, as tragic as that might sound.

btw, maxima is full size, jetta is compact. can't compare them. it's not even the same category.

 

I wouldn't buy a VW. They have lousy reliability. Take a look at the April 04 issue of Consumer Reports and compare Maxima reliability to all VWs and you'll see what I mean. Every VW has worse than average reliability other than the Passat V6.

BTW, in the 5 year old car category by brand in terms of reliability, VW came in DEAD LAST.

Oops, I misvoted, I meant to vote "keep the max" instead of "nothing".

 

I'm pretty sure VM voids your warantee if you put that chip in. IIRC, a VW mechanic said they can tell if the chip was installed or not, so if you run too much boost and blow the motor, and take the chip out and play dumb...its not going to work..

 

I had the Jetta on my list when I bought the Max. As stated, reliability is clearly an issue......and also as stated, VW's are generally chick cars.

 

the doctor thinks it's another classic case of the "I'm bored with my car, I want a new one" virus. This virus usually runs it's course in a week or two. I catch a case about three times a year. Be smart and don't make any buying decisions until this "lust for a new car" passes. You will return to your good senses in a short time.

But really, the harsh points regarding VW are well-founded.... in a year you will wish you had the Maxima.

 

good luck with reliability and repair costs post-warranty....

IMO going from a maxima to a jetta is almost as bad as that guy who went from an 02 maxima to an 04 sentra 1.8....

oh well....you prolly already made up your mind if not bought it so, See ya!

 

keep the max...
mostly girls and gay guys drive jetta's

 

Def keep the max!!

 

I believe he said that he already bought it. All he wants to know is whether we think he should keep his Max. Good luck with the Jetta (wouldn't be my choice) and keep the Max if you want to. IMO

 

ya keep the max
jetta is vm
Audio Is suped up vw
porsha is glorified vw

 

True dat!

I was in a parkig lot one day next to what looked like a really new Jetta, owner started it up and GOD was that engine noisey.

Here's food for thought==> they're made in mexico...

 

What are you smoking? A stock VW Jetta 1.8T, noway in hell has 180HP at the wheels. Have you even pushed your Maxima, you can't feel the power difference. VW has unbelieveably sorry build quality.

If you get another car, upgrade don't downgrade. Infiniti G35 sedan or coupe, can't beat RWD, VQ proven performance and Infiniti customer service.
Also I agree with irish; test drive Mazda 3s(inline 4, 2.3L) with 5 speed and you may have second thoughts about VW.

DEFINITELY KEEP THE MAX.

 

Although I must say, my friend just picked up an R32 and that car is AMAZING! With 240hp, 4 motion, dual exhaust that sounds amazing with a completely different interior the car is truly nice, but for $30k I think there are other cars out there just as nice...

 

Hey Maximaracer28, check the GD forum, for the JMS grille, i need your name.

 

Yeah no way you find me driving any VW if I had 30K to spend. I would at least go Audi...more class, more style. But if someone wants to buy me a Phaeton, I will grudgingly accept.

 

Ive heard some bad stuff about the regular gas jettas. My wife wants the deisel jetta b/c she dont give a crap about perfomance and I think they are supposed to be more reliable than the gas ones. Just not all that fast. The interiors always get all scratched up too....

 

oh, and my sister in law has an a4 1.8turbo and it is slow as he!!. I was really disapointed when she let me take it out. Plus its broke down on her twice.

I did test drive the Vr6. 200HP i think. It had great initial acceleration but on the hwy not as good as the max IMO and who gives a crap if alot of girls drive jettas, i know im a man, i dont need a car to tell me that,its not a punch bug Damn. Plus my neighbors friend did an engine swap in his jetta and other crap and it is phat, i would drive it!!!!

 

By the looks of the current poll numbers, I think that

It appears that the jetta has been

You can be sure that with a jetta you will need alot of electrical warranty

and anyone who told you Jetta has 180 whp is 'ing you.

now, don't be this guy:

Stay with the maxima

and as you can see I am very bored right now.

 

If I am not mistaken those are made in mexico. They look really sharp and cool and the gauge color is really cool, but these things are built like crap. My roomate has one and when the doors lock and unlock I think I am in a Ford Festiva. And when the doors open and shut it is just horrible for a newer car. One day in the snow the whole under cover fell off. These things are built like crap. I hope that $80k something Phaeton doesn't have these issues or I would kill myself after that purchase. My advice let the wife drive the "cute" jetta and stick to your Maxima or trade it in on a G35. JMO

 

Check out an online Jetta forum. A friend of mine was considering the Jetta until he saw how unreliable they are. Plus, virtually no legroom in the backseat. I can understand a move to a Passat from the Max, but a Jetta? Clearly a lesser car in all categories except handling IMHO.