New Car Time - How about some opinions

[John222]

Daughters looking to trade her MK3 for a new 2013 Jetta. Since you folks are obviously owners, what's your opinion of the Gen 6 Jetta? I took a test drive yesterday and was very impressed with the power, handling, fit and finish.

I also test drove a Subaru Impreza. Great ride, and 36mpg is nice. But plastics looked very cheap inside and out. Apparently they also put it on a bigger platform so it's no longer a small car. Acceleration was OK, engine is only 140hp.

Any other cars in the $17 to $20k range worth taking out before pulling the trigger on a Jetta? Any thoughts on the Kia Forte Koup, Nissan Sentra, Chevy Cruze or Ford Focus SE? Keep in mind I'm looking for an all around reliable car with good handling, fuel efficient and comfortable.

Thanks

[azthegame]

Fit and finish on the jetta is the main gripe for most. Cheap hard plastic everywhere with rattles... And also the jetta was put on a larger platform so it isn't a small car either even though it is classified as one. acceleration is sluggish from a start but pretty good once you get to 20mph. Still love my car though.

Out of the cars you mentioned the kia would be better for me. best warranty of those choices and looks nice. outside those choices, a base sonata or veloster would be my choice. stylish and economical with again, great warranties. Got a friend who just got a veloster and loves it.

[Fendermender]

The hyundai's warranty is ridiculous trap. It requires you to maintain a ridiculous service regiment including timing belts at low mileage like 40k or something and all must be done at the dealer or the warranty is void

[Mo_Focus]

2013's are suppose to have better interior and some minor upgrades so maybe look around and try to find out the order sheet to see whats changed.

As for the Jetta, I love my 2011 Jetta, its a TDI, reliable and get great mileage. As for your other cars, i think its best for you to drive them around and see which one she likes better.

Warranty wise,
Kia is 5yrs, VW is 4 in Canada, 3 in US i think, GM/Ford are 3 years.

Kia is a great car as well, way under rated for what you get. Kia is the new and improved Honda imo, but i'm sure others will say other wise.

Focus is a great car and it comes with a great option called "my key" you can adjust some of the settings on it and your daughter will not be able to change them unless she has the special key. Maybe do a quick search on "Ford's my key" to see the benefits. If she is a first time driver it will come handy for sure.

Cruze, would be the cheapest of the bunch, you get lot of value with it, also comes with ON star, again if your daghter is a first time driver its a handy future to have, On Star does get a bit pricy after the first year.

i've noticed usually GM/Ford have lot of incentives and you can get the 2012 models for very cheap. VW right now has the special for 0% APR on all 2012's as well, but if you are getting the jetta i would wait for 2013 for sure.

[John222]

2013's are suppose to have better interior and some minor upgrades so maybe look around and try to find out the order sheet to see whats changed.

i've noticed usually GM/Ford have lot of incentives and you can get the 2012 models for very cheap. VW right now has the special for 0% APR on all 2012's as well, but if you are getting the jetta i would wait for 2013 for sure.

I can order the 2013 and get 0% APR during the month of July.

[John222]

Fit and finish on the jetta is the main gripe for most. Cheap hard plastic everywhere with rattles... And also the jetta was put on a larger platform so it isn't a small car either even though it is classified as one. acceleration is sluggish from a start but pretty good once you get to 20mph. Still love my car though.

Out of the cars you mentioned the kia would be better for me. best warranty of those choices and looks nice. outside those choices, a base sonata or veloster would be my choice. stylish and economical with again, great warranties. Got a friend who just got a veloster and loves it.

You think the Jetta has a cheap interior, check out the Impreza! And the impreza is as large as my 99 Passat.

I'll check out the Kia's while I'm out today. Can't test drive today, but I can look. Yesterday my day was wasted at the Subaru dealer who employs old school tactics to keep you on the lot. Got a saleman who insisted on giving me a drivers lession to teach me the newances of the car. And then kept telling me to slow down. I was doing 35...

[John222]

By the way, the daughters 24 and frequently drive into urban areas. So compact is better.

[CopyNow]

I've owned over 40 cars, including BMW's, Mercedes, Lexus, SAAB, Corvette, ETC, and I am in LOVE with my '12 Jetta. Granted, the interior on the GLI is a tad higher quality. I would say if you want solely reliability, buy her a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla. If you want something higher quality, more fun to drive, and can deal with a tad more expensive repairs, buy the Jetta.

[John222]

Took a Mazda 3 for a spin yesterday. Very nice. Doesn't have the accerelation of the Jetta but well made and great fuel economy (41mpg highway).

[flynavyj]

If you're looking at the 2.5L Jetta, you won't nab 40+ mpg (at least not regularlly) I was able to do it twice...but it could have been a fueling "fluke" or just perfect scenario driving. I purchased my TDI Jetta in the low 20's (about 24k). It's a larger car than my 06' Jetta that's also in our garage, but the TDI is getting significantly better mileage than the 2.5 gasser.

[Jiggie]

Daughters looking to trade her MK3 for a new 2013 Jetta. Since you folks are obviously owners, what's your opinion of the Gen 6 Jetta? I took a test drive yesterday and was very impressed with the power, handling, fit and finish.

I also test drove a Subaru Impreza. Great ride, and 36mpg is nice. But plastics looked very cheap inside and out. Apparently they also put it on a bigger platform so it's no longer a small car. Acceleration was OK, engine is only 140hp.

Any other cars in the $17 to $20k range worth taking out before pulling the trigger on a Jetta? Any thoughts on the Kia Forte Koup, Nissan Sentra, Chevy Cruze or Ford Focus SE? Keep in mind I'm looking for an all around reliable car with good handling, fuel efficient and comfortable.

Thanks

If your looking to stay in the 'New' department... The Mazda 3 was also nice with good mileage as well, although I didn't love the interior on it. Test drive a Dodge Dart, and that was a nice little car, but with the VW deals going on right now, I think its the best offer deal on the market.

Civic's, Corollas and even the new Prius, I think its called a 'c' starts in the high teens.

[John222]

If your looking to stay in the 'New' department... The Mazda 3 was also nice with good mileage as well, although I didn't love the interior on it. Test drive a Dodge Dart, and that was a nice little car, but with the VW deals going on right now, I think its the best offer deal on the market.

Civic's, Corollas and even the new Prius, I think its called a 'c' starts in the high teens.

I hate the looks of the Corolla's and I already have a Civic. I'm going to try a Prius tomorrow.

Thanks.

[jhatfie]

Before my dad picked himself up a Hyundai Elantra we test drove the new Ford Focus and we were both pretty impressed with it. Fit and finish was good and the interior had pretty nice materials for a compact car. I liked it better than the Elantra, but the Hyundai dealer gave him a sweet deal on his trade and a good price on the car, so his pocketbook won. Worth a test drive I think to at least see how it compares to the other cars you are looking at.

[itskohler]

I hate the looks of the Corolla's and I already have a Civic. I'm going to try a Prius tomorrow.

Thanks.

Famous last words on manhood

[rob6188]

I was considering a mazda 3 and the Jetta TDI. The focus, prius, and honda were also on the list. Ruled out the ford based on looks. Ruled out the honda based on the ride - thought it was noisy. Ruled out the prius based on poor driving experience - it was just too sluggish.

Finally, mazda was just a bit out there for me on design. A little too flashy, and the interior was too trendy. But ride and performance were up to par. Was very close to getting this one.

In the end, Jetta won me over for it's simplicity and function. Still sharp looking, but not trendy. The interior really works. Simple controls, large dials, big glove box, roomy back seating. Huge trunk, split seats for more.

MPG is awesome, don't have to try to get 40mpg, it just gets it. Have to shop around a bit to find good price on diesel, but in my area I can find it usually for less than premium gas. Your area may differ. Some people find it for less than regular, some at premium.

VW really hit the nail on the head on this one IMHO. All the complaints about the plastics are justified when compared against the previous models. But I think they got everything else right.

If I had to do it over again, I'd probably consider the GLI. Still get descent mpg, and serious upgrade in materials and performance. But the TDI is awesome. I get plenty of tire chirping with all the torque. It looses a little steam once up to speed, but getting 40+mpg is the reward.

[BenzoSyndrome]

If your going to get a jetta, only get fully loaded tdi or gli. If your not going to get these trims for jetta, get a Honda. I've had nothing but problems w/ my 2012 se. Only have had it a month, (certified preowned with 10000 miles) worst buy ever.

[John222]

Went with the Mazda 3 Brand Touring. Got a pretty good deal.

[itskohler]

Ew.

[SCczar13]

Daughters looking to trade her MK3 for a new 2013 Jetta. Since you folks are obviously owners, what's your opinion of the Gen 6 Jetta? I took a test drive yesterday and was very impressed with the power, handling, fit and finish.

I also test drove a Subaru Impreza. Great ride, and 36mpg is nice. But plastics looked very cheap inside and out. Apparently they also put it on a bigger platform so it's no longer a small car. Acceleration was OK, engine is only 140hp.

Any other cars in the $17 to $20k range worth taking out before pulling the trigger on a Jetta? Any thoughts on the Kia Forte Koup, Nissan Sentra, Chevy Cruze or Ford Focus SE? Keep in mind I'm looking for an all around reliable car with good handling, fuel efficient and comfortable.

Thanks

Youtube is your best bet. Lots of reviews on everything...

[GLI525]

I drove a 3 the other day and did not like it at all compared to my jetta. I would still rather have the 2.5 than the Mazda. Hope it does you well though!

[John222]

Have it a few days now. Accelerations is not quite as good as the Jetta but the Mazda's handling is actually better. Also, very nice independent rear suspension. This the perfect choice for her. She does an awful lot of highway driving and she is a singer/actress on a tight budget. It's reliable and gets about 10mpg better than the Jetta. I know I could get a Diesel, but I don't want her hanging around truck stops to get fuel.

[Verebs1]

You think the Jetta has a cheap interior, check out the Impreza! And the impreza is as large as my 99 Passat.

I'll check out the Kia's while I'm out today. Can't test drive today, but I can look. Yesterday my day was wasted at the Subaru dealer who employs old school tactics to keep you on the lot. Got a saleman who insisted on giving me a drivers lession to teach me the newances of the car. And then kept telling me to slow down. I was doing 35...

I drove a kia forte when I was looking. The 1.8 screams at highway speeds and goes nowhere LOL.
The 2.0 was more like the jetta but still nothing to write home about. Pull the door handle when the doors are locked and watch the skin flex... no thanks.