I'm seriously considering a Jetta 1.8t with sport & luxury package, leather etc. Anyone want to argue against this purchase...I need some opinions.

If I got the Jetta, the first mod would be a GIAC chip to increase boost and an up pipe. Should put me in the mid to low 14's. Got to love that.

The car is smaller but lists for 5K less than the Max. There are a few missing items like homelink and electric seats that the Max has and I have grown accustomed to. However, the Jetta seems to handle better. It's very tight and pretty well constructed. Leather is very high quality and I like the smaller steering wheel. You seem more a part of the car. Radio isn't all that hot. Exterior looks cool with the 17's.

Or do I keep my 9 SE-L? A new Max is out of the question since lease deals suck right now.Payments too high.

 

Stay in the Max.

Dont get me wrong, I love the Mk4 VWs, but do you need a new car? Your 99 is barely broken in yet.

Keep it.

 

I agree with mzmtg...damn its a '99, why get a new car already??

its true that those VW/Audi turbos can be made pretty fast easy, too bad they are "chick cars" (9/10 chicks have a Jetta, its a known fact )

 

Well, part of the reason I leased it was the payment and part was because I like new cars. I thought I'd try different cars since I get bored with cars after a few years. I will say I am not necessarily bored with the Max. Not yet anyway. But I don't really have the cash right now now for a supercharger. The Max ia a great car, but...?? The buyout on the lease is 16,300 @ 8.25%.

 

I drove and seriously considered a 1.8t 5spd Jetta before I bought my Maxima. I loved the idea of a turbo that could be modded fairly inexpensively to run in the very low 14s or ultra high 13s. Here is my assessment....
Pros....
*Styling....I always have liked the Euro styling of these cars. More so in the exterior.
*Mod-factor....as I mentioned above, a chip, downpipe, and filter will put you in the low 14s. That is probably 1.5 seconds off stock for around $1000.00. Plus if you want to get daring you can change the tiny stock turbo altogether and play with the big boys.
*Rock solid feel....I wont get into the whole fit and finish debate here but the Jetta felt as solid as granite on the highway at over 100mph. Its just that Germanic suspension feel

Cons....
*Interior egronomics....the first car I've had to actually think about how to adjust the seat in or wonder where certain controls were.
*Turbo lag....even in a 5spd this thing is a dog below 2K rpm. Once your above 2K rpms it'll take off, but not below.
*Handling....it had excellent high speed stability but as far as cornering it was a little tipsy feeling. I suppose this is due to the relatively short wheelbase and tallish height.


I settled on the 2K2 Maxima 6spd because stock it runs a 14.2 at 99mph. With mods I'll easily be in the 13s. Plus I have the blessing of torque throughout the rev range. At least drive the two back to back before you decide. Also, with the Maxima I have room to travel with friends. The Jetta just seemed to cramped in that regard. I paid $24000 flat for my 6spd with the only option being a sunroof, wind deflector, and splash guards, and a $1000.00 Nissan rebate. I dont think the Jetta is all that much cheaper. I know for a fact that Nissan dealers are far more willing to deal on a Maxima. The VW dealer told me he would do me a 'favor' and take off $700.00 from the sticker. That is what swayed me too.

 

Good write up. I agree with the fit and finish. German engineering is nice. Your handling comment was right on. It handles great but I too noticed the small wheelbase tended to lift the rear up.Oh, and the residual value is much better. The Jetta I'm looking at is basically loaded. So is my 99 Max. Unfortunately I'm unwilling to part with leather and some other upgrades hence no new Max. I haven't talked with the sales manager yet but the inital numbers they threw out for the Jetta was 1K off sticker. They'll have to do better. I am also finding it difficult to locate a 1.8 sport / black leather. As far as carting people around, well I just bought the wife a 2K2 Explorer XLT so we could use that if needed. I seem to be making arguments for the Jetta. Humm. I just really didn't count on liking the Max so much.

 

If you dont need the room, why not go for a Golf GTI 1.8t? It'll handle far better than the taller Jetta and accelerate at least as fast. I think they just released an anniversary edition of some sort that run the 1/4 in 15 flat according to the mags which means that a good driver should be well into the 14s with a stock one. Also, the 'limited edition' VWs such as the anniversary editions and Wolfsburgs hold their value even better than the standard fare.

Actually, have you considered the new MB C230 hatchback. The handling should be pretty good being RWD and all and sine it is already supercharged, it should be modable as well (change the pulley).

 

Don't like the looks of the Golf. To stubby. The MB hatchback is a goofy *** lolking car too (imo).
I need some room as I have 4 kids. The leg room is fine, just the width is a problem (three across the back). They can manage but as they get older, yes, right.

 

I sure hope the reliability of the Jettas have improved.....had a 95 GLS and it was a dog..with reliabilty...after two years here is a list of problems: driver heated seat shorted-burned hole in seat, door trim fell off and off and off... muffler fell off, driver power window quit. Not sure about VW warranty now...but then it was only 24K. I did test a GLX 2K1 before purchasing my 2k2 MAX, and two things stopped me....TOO SMALL, and worrying about the reliability and fit/finish. Sure GERMAN engineering is great...being manufactured in MEXICO isnt.

 

I used to own a 2000 VW Golf 2.slow and I can tell you from experience that they are rattle boxes. I mean the hole thing rattled like it had 100,000 miles on it when I traded it for my Maxima. I also have friend who owns a 2000 Bettle and he's had nothing but problems from that piece of crap. Now I will agree with you that the Jetta defiently looks nice with the 17's, but the quality sucks. Another reason to steer clear of buying the 2k2 Jetta is that VW is coming out with a new model in a year. So not much after you buy your Jetta the new one will be here and your's will be old news.

 

Dude, go check out the GTI 337 edition.

18 inch BBS rims
Lowered sport suspension
RECARO racing seats
180 hp out of a 1.8t
Badass factory body kit
6 Speed close ratio transmission
other cosmetic upgrades

All for under 24k! only 1500 to be released..

This is the exact same drivetrain as my GF's new bettle turbo S, and lemme tell ya, that thing HAULS. Now add in the legendary twisty skills of the GTI and you have one fun go cart.

Otherwise, keep the max until you can afford something w/o compromise. The jetta is overweight, undersized, and uninspiring, You will barely break 14's with just a chip, it's got the same hp and more weight than the other 1.8t cars. Maybe hold out and save for a 2003 titanium edition? OR. You could just let your lease on yoru 99 run out and buy a used maxima in a year or so.

 

I was in the same boat just a month ago, my lease of my 99 was up. Test drove a few cars, Jetta wasn't one of them - to small, turbo lag, looks like a go-cart, in general I think VW styling is was off. Like boxes on the road. I drove the Acura TL-S, Now that was a nice car. Bottom line, when I did the math, the buy out on my 99 was worth is. You have a lot of car with a Maxima, SE-L's have some nice little add on's too, and there a hot looking car.

Keep the Maxima - Enjoy the ride!

 

 

I guess you beat me to it 1BADMAX. Everyone I know with either the Jetta or Golf complains about quality issues (i.e.: rattles). These cars may be German Engineered but also utilize Mexican labor. A car is only as good as the weakest part of the engineering and assembly process.

Personally, I'd only consider the VW Passat as a replacement for a Maxima.

 

Actually you are wrong. The Jetta with the sports suspension handles better than the GTI. It has better weight distribution. Remember seeing all the GTIs flipping? Too much front end weight. Jetta isn't any taller either. Sit them next to each other, they are virtually the same car, one with a hatch, one with 2 doors and a trunk.

 

I Luv my Jetta/Vento (MK3). Im going to the track to see how I do on the quater mile this weekend.

Oh yeah, my friend's 01 Maxima got 15.8 seconds. he has an automajic.That day was fun!.

 

benzito: how long have you had it? Any sqeeks, rattles or maintenance problems?

 

Hi Joe-R, I've had my car for almost 4 yrs. yes my car does sqeek and make odds noises from time to time, but that gives it character. As far as maintenance problem... my car has never broken down or needed repairing except the time I had to replace my wheel bearings (And thats because I drive crazy from time to time).

Im not knocking japaneese cars because I owned a lexus es300 before this car. At first it seemed like I downgraded, but now (dare I say) I wished I owned a vw/audi alot sooner. They are alot more fun.

Have a look at this forum: www.vwvortex.com
Register, and ask away. Those guys are very passionate & knowledgable, just like this site, when it comes to cars.
Cya there!

 

...I'm surprised that no-one's mentioned the fact that you can't even check or change your own oil in newer VW's - gotta go to the dealer and pay $50 or so...

 

I recently traded in my wife Passat for a 2K2 SE. There was a lot of things to like about the VW (handling, suspension, fit& finish, shifter, etc. ) but the car was a lemon. I gave it about 10 'next time we are selling it' chances and finally pulled the trigger and got another Max.

I wish I had my digital camera today, there was a new Jetta on the shoulder being pushed down an exit ramp by a Ford pick-em-up. The VW still had all the dealer window stickers on it.

I know that most VW enthusists probably have their own vag-com devices to diagnose the constant CELs. Even the dealer told us "if the CEL is steady don't worry, if it is flashing bring it in!"

I know any car can be a lemon, I am sure many people feel that way about the Maximas but we got bit hard by the VW and probably won't go back even though we enjoyed the product when we, not the service department, were driving it.

 

Keep the Max you are comparing 2 different classes of cars. A 99 is basically a new car still,plus you just cant beat a Max to me especially a 99SEL they are tight.

 

That's false. I have a few friends with 2001 VW GTI, VR6, he changes his own oil.

 

First, I sold my CAI and CAT preparing to sell the Max. So I'm stock except for the rsb and fstb. Second, my wife won't let me get wheels for my car. A gas grill and carpeting in the family room come first. I've been reminded twice just today...no wheels. That's a bummer.

I actually registered at vwvortex.com a week ago and have been researching and asking. I used it to make the decision on a VR6 vs. 1.8t. I'd go turbo (GLS) though I like some of the features on the VR6 (GLX).
I feel like the Jetta is a step down but I've been hearing it's more fun to drive and it has leather, sports suspension etc. I can buuy it in a state with a lemon law just in case and since it's leased, if I have problems, I'll just turn it in.
Just don't know but I have to decide by this weekend. The payoff for the lease has to be in a certain time. Damn...crunch time.

 

time for a WRX. it will outhandle the jetta and it's just as quick stock, plus it's AWD fun with oversteer on boost. i ran 14.6 the one and only time i raced my dads. it's superfun to drive and it makes you want to learn double clutched/heeltoe downshifts. it's a real "driver's" car with a 6 disc indash changer. but i like the fact that i can run low 14s in my 97 max with basically nothing on it and have the turbo civic and stock WRX guys go when they hear my times

 

Damn, how'd you manage a 14.3 with a 4th GXE? I think you've sucked every ounce of power out of that car.

Don't like the looks of the WRX. I thought about one..a friend has one. But it's just not me. In fact, I'm watching speedvision wrc right now.

 

My current car is a 2000 VR6 Jetta.

I love my car, but I'm trading it in for a Maxima.

The maxima engine will last you about 100k miles longer. They are easier to upgrade, AND TO FIX. Its a nightmare to even change your own oil in the Jetta.

I just had my car serviced because an ignition coil had gone bad on me. Cost me 800 bucks!

I've driven my friends Maxima that runs in the low 14's (1997 with mods), plus he just added NOS so it will FLY.

Also if you drop any kind of suspention in the Maxima it will out handle the Jetta any day of the week.

There's my two cents.

 

i have to call BS!! a max will not outhandle a jetta with the same mods

 

the look will grow on you. trust me. plus in some places it's very exclusive. oh, i neglected to mention you hear a slight hiss/whoosh as the boost builds up in the WRX and you get a kick in the pants shifting at redline when the rear differential wants to grab the tarmac. i see jettas everyday driven by people who are unconscious to driving! ugh. that's the worst man (other than camry drivers) lol.

 

COUGH COUGH DOUBLE BS COUGH COUGH.

 

This thread is actually really funny. We are in the exact opposite places. Your trading a max for a Jetta, and I'm trading a Jetta for a max.

In fact, I'm trading a MUCH newer jetta in for a max. 2000 vs. 1996.

my Jetta is auto (not my fault its all they had), and I'm sick of all the stupid little things that go wrong with it.

Jetta's have HUGE electronic problems. I guarantee you that your break and turn signals will go out a lot.

If you want a nice family car, I can sort of understand the switch (although Max’s have more room in them and almost the same creature comforts). But if you want something you can play with and enjoy driving… Stick with your Maxima.

I’ve been driving various Jetta’s for 6 years, so at least in terms of stock cars, I know a fair amount about them.