It's Saturday evening and I'm just beginning to come out of the post-Murrayfield depression.
Thought HJ's Jetta test would be a good place to test and it's got me thinking: is this the thinking person's Passat?
SWMBO had a 99 Passat TDI 110 as the family bus. I've got a Civic Type Grrr for everyday and an old and bankruptingly expensive Aston V8 for the three weekends a year when it's sunny and I can afford to run it. Sounds posh, doesn't it? But wait...
I can't get rid of the lorry because it's a family heirloom and it's not in brilliant nick (the age-old V8 story of dodgy sills and the reality of 'handbuilt' quality). But the Honda is not cheap to run and I'd thought about one of the new Passat diesels because they look very good. But is the Jetta a more sensible solution? Sounds it.
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Cannot think how to be depressed about Murrayfield although I was feeling low as Falkirk lost 5-1 in the Scottish Cup.
By the what was the score @ Murrayfield again!!
Jetta - no thanks -
Why compromise a Good GolF by putting a boot in it - when you can put the boot into England (once in a blue moon)
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The Passat is "Mondeo" class and the Jetta (along with the original Jetta (to '92, Vento, Bora, Octavia, Leon and A3/4) the "Escort/Focus" equivalent.
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Just read HJ's road test. I had two of the original Jettas, the last being a big bumper 1.6TX.
If small items became trapped at the rear of the boot I literally had to climb in to retrieve them. It was quite amazing just how much you could get into the boot and although my Bora has a pretty big equivalent, it's still some way behind.
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The Passat is "Mondeo" class and the Jetta (along with the original Jetta (to '92, Vento, Bora, Octavia, Leon and A3/4) the "Escort/Focus" equivalent.
I thought about this very thing the other day - volkswagen are advertising the jetta as an equivalent to the avensis, mondeo etc.
Surely the Passat is this sort of size and the Jetta is up against Focus Saloons and similar things?
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For what it's worth, in my opinion, the Golf is a passable car.
The Jetta makes it a nice car.
(Didn't know about it bien pitted against the Mondeo though)
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I think it depends what your needs are: Golf or Golf Plus for versatility, Jetta if you want a saloon with big boot, Passat estate if you need the carrying capacity. It's worth thinking about an Octavia with the same engine: Golf platform rather than Passat but the overhang gives you a huge boot in the hatchback and even more in the estate.
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It's worth thinking about an Octavia with the same engine: Golf platform rather than Passat but the overhang gives you a huge boot in the hatchback and even more in the estate.
I would think an Octavia would be a cheaper option, as there are no big discounts to be had on the Jetta at present. In addition, the Octavia gives hatchback versatility with a huge boot too. I would have thought it would give similar mpg too, if it has the same engine.
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I would still go for hatchback versatility over a lockable boot. As for an improvement in mpg, it wouldn't be worthwhile, if the Jetta is going to be significantly more expensive.
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>>I would still go for hatchback versatility over a lockable boot.>>
Harking back to my Bora, which is the new Jetta's forerunner, it not only has a huge boot but the rear seats can be folded flat to increase the load area even more dramatically.
What's more the split rear seats are both fully lockable.
This feature is also true of the new Jetta so the versatility is virtually as same as a hatchback but, obviously, depends on the size of items being transported. Some will clearly be too large to fit into a saloon's boot (plus rear seats down area if necessary).
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Sometimes the extra height a hatchback offers is required, like the time I transported a large armchair in our C5.
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Anyone read Jeremy Clarkson's review of the Jetta in the Sunday Times Motoring Supp' a couple of weekends ago? He doesn't like it at all! Any views to the contrary?
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Yet he likes the van type "cars" such as this:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=68
No accounting for taste then...:-)
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I posted my thoughts on the new Jetta in a thread about the "new" Passat a few weeks ago. I think it looks really good but it is too expensive for what it is. Looking at the basic 1.9 TDi in "S" trim its only £800 cheaper than a Passat in terms of list price. I think it's fair to say the Passat will have a much better residual value so it's a no brainer unless you plan to keep the car long term.
At 15k VW have pitched it at the wrong market in the same way Rover did with the 400/45. VW would probably like to think it's a cut price BMW 3 series.
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"...The Jetta's boot is 529 litres..."
Autocar (24 Jan 06 - p37) - states "Jetta's bigger boot capacity, at 437 litres against the Golf's 350...."
VW brochure - 527 litres, using 200x100x50mm blocks (don't have many suitcases/golf bags that size, but might be useful if I'm Tonbridge way!)
Are they using different measuring methods?
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I currently have a 2004 Bora 130 TDI Highline.
Leather Heated Seats
Cruise Control
Rain Sensing Wipers
Multifunction Steering Wheel
ESP
6 CD Changer.(not a box stuck away somewhere,just feed 6 into 1 slot)
Metalic Black Paint
Smart Alloy Wheels
Electric everything
Oh and a fancy boot spoiler
Pulls like a train and over 1200 miles on holiday did 56mpg brim to brim.
The car is comfortable,smart and the quality of the interior is vastly superior to say a Ford Focus
It has a "feel good " factor.
I bought this for £10000 with 14k on the clock and 2 years warranty left to run.
Its carries far more than your Golf and in my eyes looks nicer.
It also handles better due to the stiffer body.I like it!
Clarkson has his views on lots of things,but come on,the guy lives a life beyond the reach of us mortals but does that mean his word is gospel ?
I don't doubt that many sales will now be lost because the "Sheep" of the motoring population will be swayed by his negativity towards this car.
This from the guy who loved the Renault Laguna when tested.Now I don't want to fall into the same trap,but the long term experiences of many who have owned/run one will tell you that mostly,it is not a "good" car.
Make your own minds up before dismissing any car and find your own reasons to buy or not to buy.
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Here Here
I've had a 2.0 Petrol Bora since 2001 and it's been a joy to drive, and I too believe it has better looks than the Mk4 Golf.
The only regret I had was not buying the diesel, mainly for the increased fuel economy.
At the time, it was cheaper than the Golf, and came with more kit, including body coloured trim on SE and above - you needed a GTI Golf to get this minor look enhancer.
At the same time, my Wife had a Mk4 Golf company car, and although it drove fairly nicely, it had none of the class that the Bora has.
I took my Touran in to Heathrow VW a couple of weeks ago, and they had a Jetta in the Showroom. It is a lovely looking car, and I wish I had some cash to buy one. The only gripe I had was that they've given it the same dashboard as the Golf.
The Bora Dashboard was/is much better looking than the Golf MK4
The Service Guy was really taken with it and was eager for me to take a testdrive. (The Service desk man, NOT the Sales Rep!)
He even got me a brochure, and I must say I'm impressed.
Anyway, I take Mr Clarkson's views with a grain of salt. Nice bit of entertainment on a Sunday evening, but no realist views for the average motoring public on regular cars.
I remember his comments about the Ford Probe "Snap Knicker elastic at 100 yards" Can't agree, sorry.
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VW Bora (51) 2.0 SE
VW Touran (54) 1.9 TDI
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Leather Heated Seats
Cruise Control
Rain Sensing Wipers
Multifunction Steering Wheel
ESP
6 CD Changer.(not a box stuck away somewhere,just feed 6 into 1 slot)
Metalic Black Paint
Smart Alloy Wheels
Electric everything
Oh and a fancy boot spoiler
And the following
Air Conditioning
Auto dipping rear veiw mirrior
Parking sensors (which I thought were gimmicky at first but now think they are brilliant !)
And of course those very trendy blue backlit dials
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I think it's fair to say the Passat will have a much better residual value so it's a no brainer unless you plan to keep the car long term.
not sure on that one, I've just bought a 2nd hand '02 Passat 130 TDI for £5999.
They all seem cheaper than the equivalent sepc / age / mileage golfs (on average a good 1,000) and the Bora was in between.
So I would be wary - a Jetta may well outlive the Passat in terms of residuals.
Personally I agree about the dull dash comments but the Jetta outside looks superb, understated modesty that gives out an image of high class engineering.
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Anyone read Jeremy Clarkson's review of the Jetta in the Sunday Times Motoring Supp' a couple of weekends ago? He doesn't like it at all! Any views to the contrary?
Honestly. Would anyone take JC's views on bread and butter cars seriously? I know that I would not. I would much rather read considered reviews/test in respected magazines (if there are any left).
JC possesses good comedic qualities and Top Gear has good entertainment value on a Sunday evening - that's all.
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Clarkson is a multi-millionaire from a priveliged background to whom a car's price and running costs are irrelevent. He lives in a fantasy world and rarely drives anything with less than 400 bhp.
It would be odd to take his views on anything seriously, particularly everyday cars.
Very talented and distinctive writer, though.
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Clarkson is a multi-millionaire from a priveliged background to whom a car's price and running costs are irrelevent. He lives in a fantasy world and rarely drives anything with less than 400 bhp. >>
I'm sure that JC, who is always ready to be self depricating, would be highly amused by your assessment...
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I couldn't agree more.
Envy is something that is very sad.
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Apologies for going off-thread then. I will start another thread with that topic if that's OK with everyone.
Stevied
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