View Full Version : 2011 Volkswagen Jetta: First Look
fnkngrv
08-17-2010, 04:08 PM
http://www.vw.com/upcomingcars/2011jetta/en/us/
So, since so many peeps were cheering about the new Ford Fiesta I thought that I might toss the new Jetta in there. It is supposed to outclass the Corolla and have a starting price point of only 16k. That is the same price that I paid for my 07 S back when they first launched (15,910 for my S before Tax, Title, and Delivery Fee). It doesn't look like they cut many corners either to get to 16k.
Quoted from DigitalTrends.com:
The Volkswagen Jetta gets a more refined look for 2011 including technology like Bluetooth and push button start.
As if Toyota didn’t have enough to worry about, the Germans decided it was high time to build an affordable Jetta. The new Jetta, believe it or not, starts at $16,000 and if you’re in the market for a Corolla you’re probably now thinking twice about your potential purchase. We had a chance to whip the car around some twisty roads in beautiful Northern California, and we’ve got to say its a mighty impressive car. And don’t think VW went completely downmarket, they’ve made available the latest bleeding edge technology like push button start, Bluetooth connectivity, as well as a very impressive amount of trunk space and rear leg room. Bottom line, we think the 2011 Jetta is the car to beat. Available in showrooms this Fall.
http://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/vw2011j.jpg
let the fun begin...
darkmoon87
08-17-2010, 04:29 PM
repairs will cost an arm and a leg. and reliabilty of VW is not the same as Toyota. Ill stick with Yotas
if you are considering a lease, this will be a great alternative to corolla.
fnkngrv
08-17-2010, 04:32 PM
repairs will cost an arm and a leg. and reliabilty of VW is not the same as Toyota. Ill stick with Yotas
Oh, I agree to a point. If you can manage to get a Jetta though that is built in Germany then you will be doing much better. It is kind of like with Toyota. Nothing for nothing, but I would not buy a Toyota built in the States. I am very patriotic, but sorry, we just don't do it as well as they do on the island.
Kal-El
08-17-2010, 04:36 PM
The one pictured will be closer to $23K than $16K.
I've never really considered the Jetta competition for the Corolla and Civic but rather its own niche . VW always went the premium small car route and is always considerably more costly. Especially to fix and maintain. And they require a LOT of fixing. I don't care it they have better driving feel, I'd never deal with the headache of a German car.
fnkngrv
08-17-2010, 04:54 PM
Yeah, well that was like with my S...so many said that I overpaid for my car, but it all added up with what I received and I have yet to have anyone that has a Yaris not say they wished they had gotten all the options that I did. The only thing my car didn't come with for options was the fogs.
You know they always show one of their flagship versions of a car model for marketing purposes...that is the nature of the beast...hell even Toyota does it with their Camry and Corolla. I think the only model they have advertised without showing the flagship of the model is the Yaris...I guess I am just feeling like playing devil's advocate today.
KCALB SIRAY
08-17-2010, 05:07 PM
I love the look of it.
tomato
08-17-2010, 05:36 PM
A little off topic here, but I am located about 10 minutes walking distance from where this shot was taken.
this is the Bay Bridge, the one that's falling apart and one of those where the wind blows my Yaris all over the place on a regular basis ;)
sorry for the OT, guys :smile:
jamal1984
08-17-2010, 05:48 PM
Great car for lease, not to own.
nemelek
08-17-2010, 05:58 PM
If I was car shopping, I would look at the diesel version.
marcus
08-17-2010, 06:52 PM
prefer the sonata...
SilverBack
08-18-2010, 05:38 AM
Doesn't look a whole lot different than the current Jetta, except for a Scirocco-based front-end. Could've worked on the overall design just a little more IMO
DevilGirl
08-18-2010, 08:52 AM
If I was car shopping, I would look at the diesel version.
I would have to agree with you. And because of being diesel, you won't see it for less than $23k I'd bet.
But on the flip side, VW's are the only reasonably affordable diesels available here in the US. The only other options are either Audi (which is actually VW's "Lexus" version), or BMW. Unless you want a truck with a diesel, then you've got plenty of options... But not for cars... Wish the US would learn that diesel is better than gas and allow more options to come here... Like the diesel Yarii that they have in Europe.
I still miss Mk. IV styling. :cry:
vwtech
09-26-2010, 12:22 AM
the car is a step down for vw solid beam rear axle and rear drum brakes are not impressing me at all. they also got away from the electric rack because they said it was too exspensive our 12k yarises have them!!!!. I am glad I got my jetta it is very nice on road trips being able to go 600 miles on a tank and the ride is so much nicer than the yaris and it has WAY more power. vw has toyota beat on styling but toyota wins in the reliability department.
chrisj
09-26-2010, 03:57 AM
Sorry, but I still remember the Beetle and Rabbit I owned years and years ago...neither of which had any heat. I would never buy another VW, no matter the style or cost. It's a mental block thing with me. I hate Nissans for a variety of reasons too.
vwtech
09-26-2010, 11:51 AM
Sorry, but I still remember the Beetle and Rabbit I owned years and years ago...neither of which had any heat. I would never buy another VW, no matter the style or cost. It's a mental block thing with me. I hate Nissans for a variety of reasons too.
my mother had a highlander with a bad sludge problem and she never missed an oil change but that didnt stop me from buying the yaris. Ever car line has problems they all break weather anyone on this board wants to believe it or not thats why all of them even toyota have service bays even though people on this forum think that their toyota will never break.
kimona
09-26-2010, 12:33 PM
Rather mundane looking. And yes, it will certanly cost an arm and a leg to routinely maintain and repair a Volks. Cost of ownership is outrageous!
Kal-El
09-26-2010, 04:24 PM
the car is a step down for vw solid beam rear axle and rear drum brakes are not impressing me at all. they also got away from the electric rack because they said it was too exspensive our 12k yarises have them!!!!. I am glad I got my jetta it is very nice on road trips being able to go 600 miles on a tank and the ride is so much nicer than the yaris and it has WAY more power. vw has toyota beat on styling but toyota wins in the reliability department.
VW has made it clear that the intention was to bring the Jetta down in line with the Corolla /Civic class. Until now, it's been a premium compact and for that reason, VW couldn't achieve the sales levels they want. So they had to cheapen the Jetta by giving it rear drums, non- independent rear suspension, cheaper interior, weak base engine, ect. I believe they finally did what they had to do. They've been selling Jetta's for the price of Camry's.
And it kind of seems you're comparing elements of the Jetta with the Yaris. I sure hope the Jetta has a better ride than the Yaris. It costs like $7K more.
my mother had a highlander with a bad sludge problem and shesnever missed an oil change but that didnt stop me from buying the yaris. Ever car line has problems they all break weather anyone on this board wants to believe it or not thats why all of them even toyota have service bays even though people on this forum think that their toyota will never break.
Sure, a rare repair might be needed but usually not until well after 100,000 miles.
Mine hasn't needed a single repair as of 93,000 miles and it feels like it just rolled of the assembly line.
A VW with 93K on it is all but worthless.
Altitude
09-26-2010, 04:59 PM
The Jetta used to have distinctive styling. What happened?
vwtech
09-26-2010, 05:14 PM
VW has made it clear that the intention was to bring the Jetta down in line with the Corolla /Civic class. Until now, it's been a premium compact and for that reason, VW couldn't achieve the sales levels they want. So they had to cheapen the Jetta by giving it rear drums, non- independent rear suspension, cheaper interior, weak base engine, ect. I believe they finally did what they had to do. They've been selling Jetta's for the price of Camry's.
And it kind of seems you're comparing elements of the Jetta with the Yaris. I sure hope the Jetta has a better ride than the Yaris. It costs like $7K more.
Sure, a rare repair might be needed but usually not until well after 100,000 miles.
Mine hasn't needed a single repair as of 93,000 miles and it feels like it just rolled of the assembly line.
A VW with 93K on it is all but worthless.
I know toyota's never break right....I bet the techs are going broke LOL. Last time I went to get my recall done there was a 2 week wait. I understand they are making a car people can afford in this economy but I wish they would have brought over another car to sell instead of making the jetta cheap although still loads nicer than a carolla. we did get a 2 litre 5 speed in and wow was that thing a slug.
chrisj
09-26-2010, 06:57 PM
my mother had a highlander with a bad sludge problem and she never missed an oil change but that didnt stop me from buying the yaris. Ever car line has problems they all break weather anyone on this board wants to believe it or not thats why all of them even toyota have service bays even though people on this forum think that their toyota will never break.
Oh, I've had a Toyota that broke...hard. I had...yes...wait for it...a Mark II station wagon that the Devil himself must have designed and built. Up until that time I never had a car with that many problems.
I owned a 1979 Corolla that I drove to work and back for 6 years (50 mile round trip). This was in 1990-1996 and the car just looked olddddd (if you remember that lovely design). I wasn't sold on Toyota's until I had the good luck with that one. I started driving it and within a month the speedo broke at 123,000 miles. I then drove it another 6 years, then sold it to my brother in law who drove it another few years. So, I was sold on Toyota then.
I've had just about every brand of car made in America plus a few foreign models like a few MGB's, and I have had trouble out of all of them for one reason or another. I beat the hell out of that Corolla and it just wouldn't die. I added a quart of oil to it when the oil light came on (yes I did) and that was the extent of its oil changes. I was the roughest of rough on the car and did no regular service or maintenance.
We owned an Avalon that was fortunately a color that always looked clean whether you washed it or not, because we had that car 9 years and I think it may have been washed twice. God washed our vehicles. We did scheduled oil changes on it, but that was about it. I just expect to get into any car I have, start it up, and take off. I'm not a mechanic and I don't like to fiddle with cars at all. I like them for what they do. Get me from Point A to Point B and back to Point A. That's it.
Now we have a black Yaris, that requires washing regularly unless you want it to look like pure shit. I don't mind it so much. At least the f*cker is small enough not to take a whole weekend to clean it up. I have not always had the best of luck with vehicles, but I have better luck with Toyotas at least partially due to my disregard for them. They are kind to me even if I haven't always returned the favor.
My hatred of particular brands comes from personal experiences and driving them for years putting up with their BS. I never put up with crap from my Toyotas starting in 1990. Now, that Mark II was a piece of crap for sure, but I got a new respect for Toyota after driving the hell out of that Corolla for years and years. Matter of fact, the last car I bought brand new was a 1999 Corolla and I have a special place in my heart for that model, obviously.
So, I treat cars like crap and never expect them to break, that's true. I know they will, but at least the Toyotas I have owned have given me lots of time to save up for future repairs. Which is more than I can say for lots of other brands I have owned.
09box
09-27-2010, 01:45 AM
The base motor for the base Jetta is going to be the good ole 2.0 iron block. A 115 hp/123 lb ft of tq motor pushing around a 3k pound car is a little much for me. I've driven the 2.5 powered car and that was a little bit of a turd too..
DevilGirl
09-27-2010, 09:06 AM
A VW with 93K on it is all but worthless.
Really? We have 2 VW's:
2002 Golf TDI: 198,000 miles (approximate, but definitely over 197k last I checked). Still runs great. Bought at 175k in 2007. No pussy-foot driving of this car. Only repairs since ownership: replacement of turbo.
2009 Jetta Sportwagen TDI: just turned over 16,000 the other day. Do we expect that it will continue the same as the Golf? Umm, hell yea!!!
The base motor for the base Jetta is going to be the good ole 2.0 iron block. A 115 hp/123 lb ft of tq motor pushing around a 3k pound car is a little much for me. I've driven the 2.5 powered car and that was a little bit of a turd too..
That was the base engine for VW for many, many years. And they still were ridiculously overpriced. And had major electrical issues.
Really? We have 2 VW's:
2002 Golf TDI: 198,000 miles (approximate, but definitely over 197k last I checked). Still runs great. Bought at 175k in 2007. No pussy-foot driving of this car. Only repairs since ownership: replacement of turbo.
2009 Jetta Sportwagen TDI: just turned over 16,000 the other day. Do we expect that it will continue the same as the Golf? Umm, hell yea!!!
You have two TDI's. I am pretty sure they are from a different company, or something, because they never have any of the usual vw issues from what I've seen.
The Jetta used to have distinctive styling. What happened?
+1
Mk. IV ftw.
DevilGirl
09-27-2010, 05:34 PM
You have two TDI's. I am pretty sure they are from a different company, or something, because they never have any of the usual vw issues from what I've seen.
To my knowledge (which I could be wrong, and I admit that possibility), they are made by VW. But they are designed differently due to the use of diesel as opposed to gas. I wouldn't even consider a VW if it weren't a TDI. While the diesel engine adds to a higher costing car, the MPG and reliabilty are better than the gassers, thereby making it worth the extra upfront cost. At least in my opinion anyway.
vwtech
09-27-2010, 08:26 PM
Really? We have 2 VW's:
2002 Golf TDI: 198,000 miles (approximate, but definitely over 197k last I checked). Still runs great. Bought at 175k in 2007. No pussy-foot driving of this car. Only repairs since ownership: replacement of turbo.
2009 Jetta Sportwagen TDI: just turned over 16,000 the other day. Do we expect that it will continue the same as the Golf? Umm, hell yea!!!
thankyou for chiming in there I have regular customers (oil changes and timing belts) who own tdi's who have over 300k trouble free miles. I also have 25k trouble free HARD miles on my 09 tdi I beat the tar out of that car and nothing has gone wrong with it the low end torque is adicting. vw has gotten a bad rep because of the passat 1.8 and jetta 1.8 those cars are money pits and I'm sure toyota has their money pit cars as well.
thankyou for chiming in there I have regular customers (oil changes and timing belts) who own tdi's who have over 300k trouble free miles. I also have 25k trouble free HARD miles on my 09 tdi I beat the tar out of that car and nothing has gone wrong with it the low end torque is adicting. vw has gotten a bad rep because of the passat 1.8 and jetta 1.8 those cars are money pits and I'm sure toyota has their money pit cars as well.
actually, that is the point, toyota does not. VW has some cars that can last forever, and a bunch of cars that have serious problems. Toyota, and to be honest most Japanese cars, have vehicles that are almost trouble free, with a few exceptions.
Now of course, German cars, including VW/Audi, are rather fun to drive, while most Toyota's are rather boring. It is a case of where the manufacturer chose to spend the money.
vwtech
09-28-2010, 09:38 PM
actually, that is the point, toyota does not. VW has some cars that can last forever, and a bunch of cars that have serious problems. Toyota, and to be honest most Japanese cars, have vehicles that are almost trouble free, with a few exceptions.
Now of course, German cars, including VW/Audi, are rather fun to drive, while most Toyota's are rather boring. It is a case of where the manufacturer chose to spend the money.
Every japanese car line has their money pit cars, I know this because I have worked at two japanese car dealers one had mitsubishi nissan the other was a toyota mazda dealer. back in the early 2000's toyota had their fair share of sludge and prius battery problems they also had a TON of v6 head gasket problems. I bet you can look under the hood of any older v6 camry to find it pouring oil out of the v/c gaskets. Nissan's had alot of problems as well I dont even remember how many 20k altima 2.5's I replaced because they were burning a quart of oil every 200 miles or sometimes they would just blow up for no reason. pretty much any nissan you own past 60k you'll be thowing cats in them like they are going out of style or cvt's. I dont see why people think that japanese cars never break its so untrue and I cant stand it when they bash domestics for no reason and they have never owned one. some domestics are more reliable than any japanese car and way cheaper to fix. I think toyota is the most boring car line they dont make a single car anymore that is fun or looks good well I take that back the fj cruiser is pretty sweet but way too pricey.
Every japanese car line has their money pit cars, I know this because I have worked at two japanese car dealers one had mitsubishi nissan the other was a toyota mazda dealer. back in the early 2000's toyota had their fair share of sludge and prius battery problems they also had a TON of v6 head gasket problems. I bet you can look under the hood of any older v6 camry to find it pouring oil out of the v/c gaskets. Nissan's had alot of problems as well I dont even remember how many 20k altima 2.5's I replaced because they were burning a quart of oil every 200 miles or sometimes they would just blow up for no reason. pretty much any nissan you own past 60k you'll be thowing cats in them like they are going out of style or cvt's. I dont see why people think that japanese cars never break its so untrue and I cant stand it when they bash domestics for no reason and they have never owned one. some domestics are more reliable than any japanese car and way cheaper to fix. I think toyota is the most boring car line they dont make a single car anymore that is fun or looks good well I take that back the fj cruiser is pretty sweet but way too pricey.
now it sounds like you are mad and willing to say anything to try and make toyota sound bad.
Good way to make a point...
TickleTimeTim
09-28-2010, 10:35 PM
looks good. i like the jetta, always have. but maybe that's because i've never owned one.
vwtech
09-28-2010, 11:41 PM
now it sounds like you are mad and willing to say anything to try and make toyota sound bad.
Good way to make a point...
just speaking from experience all i'm saying is that ever car will break and alot of people think that toyotas never break and that everything else is junk.
chrisj
09-28-2010, 11:56 PM
I have owned about 35 cars or trucks in my life, and although the Toyotas have had issues here and there, the rest were junk by a mile. I speak from experience, not opinion.
kimona
09-29-2010, 05:04 AM
Every japanese car line has their money pit cars, I know this because I have worked at two japanese car dealers one had mitsubishi nissan the other was a toyota mazda dealer. back in the early 2000's toyota had their fair share of sludge and prius battery problems they also had a TON of v6 head gasket problems. I bet you can look under the hood of any older v6 camry to find it pouring oil out of the v/c gaskets. Nissan's had alot of problems as well I dont even remember how many 20k altima 2.5's I replaced because they were burning a quart of oil every 200 miles or sometimes they would just blow up for no reason. pretty much any nissan you own past 60k you'll be thowing cats in them like they are going out of style or cvt's. I dont see why people think that japanese cars never break its so untrue and I cant stand it when they bash domestics for no reason and they have never owned one. some domestics are more reliable than any japanese car and way cheaper to fix. I think toyota is the most boring car line they dont make a single car anymore that is fun or looks good well I take that back the fj cruiser is pretty sweet but way too pricey.
I must have missed something here. You drive a Volks and obviously love it. That's great! Apparently you don't like Japanese cars and you enjoy bashing them on a Toyota forum. So, I'm really wondering what you're doing here on yarisworld (?).
chrisj
09-29-2010, 05:05 AM
I must have missed something here. You drive a Volks and obviously love it. That's great! Apparently you don't like Japanese cars and you enjoy bashing them on a Toyota forum. So, I'm really wondering what you're doing here on yarisworld (?).
There must be no VW forum in anything but German.
There must be no VW forum in anything but German.
VWvortex (http://www.vwvortex.com) ist auf Englisch.
DevilGirl
09-29-2010, 11:37 AM
thankyou for chiming in there I have regular customers (oil changes and timing belts) who own tdi's who have over 300k trouble free miles. I also have 25k trouble free HARD miles on my 09 tdi I beat the tar out of that car and nothing has gone wrong with it the low end torque is adicting. vw has gotten a bad rep because of the passat 1.8 and jetta 1.8 those cars are money pits and I'm sure toyota has their money pit cars as well.
actually, that is the point, toyota does not. VW has some cars that can last forever, and a bunch of cars that have serious problems. Toyota, and to be honest most Japanese cars, have vehicles that are almost trouble free, with a few exceptions.
Now of course, German cars, including VW/Audi, are rather fun to drive, while most Toyota's are rather boring. It is a case of where the manufacturer chose to spend the money.
Every japanese car line has their money pit cars, I know this because I have worked at two japanese car dealers one had mitsubishi nissan the other was a toyota mazda dealer. back in the early 2000's toyota had their fair share of sludge and prius battery problems they also had a TON of v6 head gasket problems. I bet you can look under the hood of any older v6 camry to find it pouring oil out of the v/c gaskets. Nissan's had alot of problems as well I dont even remember how many 20k altima 2.5's I replaced because they were burning a quart of oil every 200 miles or sometimes they would just blow up for no reason. pretty much any nissan you own past 60k you'll be thowing cats in them like they are going out of style or cvt's. I dont see why people think that japanese cars never break its so untrue and I cant stand it when they bash domestics for no reason and they have never owned one. some domestics are more reliable than any japanese car and way cheaper to fix. I think toyota is the most boring car line they dont make a single car anymore that is fun or looks good well I take that back the fj cruiser is pretty sweet but way too pricey.
I must have missed something here. You drive a Volks and obviously love it. That's great! Apparently you don't like Japanese cars and you enjoy bashing them on a Toyota forum. So, I'm really wondering what you're doing here on yarisworld (?).
If I remember correctly, vwtech does own a Yaris for a daily driver.
They way I am interpreting this is: it's not that he doesn't like Japanese cars, but more so that he was pointing out, from his experience as a mechanic, that, yes, there are some VW cars that are total bombs and cost way too much due to constant repairs. But also that other car manufacturers, American, Japanese, German, Purple, Yellow, etc (you get the point, it includes ALL manufacturers), have had their fair share of lemmon cars that need repairs way too frequently. This was submitted in response to the constant bashing of VW's on this forum. Yes, it is a forum for Yaris, which is made by Toyota, but a person should be allowed to speak their opinion, even if their opinion is against the "majority".
Me personally, there are some Toyota vehicles that I love (obviously my Yarii), but there are those in the line-up that I despise with a passion (a.k.a. Prius). I love the VW TDI, but none of their other cars as I don't feel they're worth it. I love Ford trucks, but don't like their cars/SUVs. Chevy, well, we won't go there. :mad:
A lot of my opinions are based on *MY* experiences. Every person is an individual and has their own set of experiences that shape the way they think/feel/do things.
I am asking politely that, even if you loathe VW (or any other manufacturer), please respect the opinions of others when they present them.
vwtech
09-29-2010, 04:27 PM
If I remember correctly, vwtech does own a Yaris for a daily driver.
They way I am interpreting this is: it's not that he doesn't like Japanese cars, but more so that he was pointing out, from his experience as a mechanic, that, yes, there are some VW cars that are total bombs and cost way too much due to constant repairs. But also that other car manufacturers, American, Japanese, German, Purple, Yellow, etc (you get the point, it includes ALL manufacturers), have had their fair share of lemmon cars that need repairs way too frequently. This was submitted in response to the constant bashing of VW's on this forum. Yes, it is a forum for Yaris, which is made by Toyota, but a person should be allowed to speak their opinion, even if their opinion is against the "majority".
Me personally, there are some Toyota vehicles that I love (obviously my Yarii), but there are those in the line-up that I despise with a passion (a.k.a. Prius). I love the VW TDI, but none of their other cars as I don't feel they're worth it. I love Ford trucks, but don't like their cars/SUVs. Chevy, well, we won't go there. :mad:
A lot of my opinions are based on *MY* experiences. Every person is an individual and has their own set of experiences that shape the way they think/feel/do things.
I am asking politely that, even if you loathe VW (or any other manufacturer), please respect the opinions of others when they present them.
Thankyou thats exactly what I was trying to say, I do own a yaris and I think its a good bang for your buck car. I'm not a die hard japanese car guy I think every car line has some good cars I've owned over 25 vehicles and I think my jeep has been the most trouble free vehicle and cheap to repair.
vwtech
09-29-2010, 04:39 PM
I must have missed something here. You drive a Volks and obviously love it. That's great! Apparently you don't like Japanese cars and you enjoy bashing them on a Toyota forum. So, I'm really wondering what you're doing here on yarisworld (?).
I'm just trying to say not every vw is a money pit and not every toyota will run forever. Alot of people think that japanese cars never break and it is so untrue if its designed by man and its a machine it will break. I do actually own a yaris 07 lb and I already had to basicly rebuild the transmission due to a leaky input shaft seal that is designed to be on the inside of the transmission. but I still like the yaris alot and its a great car for the money. Not trying to bash toyota just saying that they have their bad designs as well as vw and every other car line out there.
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