CD Article: 2007 Volkswagen City Golf & Jetta

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Care to post some photos Lotus Land? What colour did you get? Saw my first City Jetta on the street yesterday (I like the new headlamp treatment, and really like the discreet 'CITY' badge and overall the badges on the MkIV vehicles - the large spread apart chrome letters).

I think VW will have to do something about the City Jetta - new Jetta price gap. If I were giving advice I  think they should move the City Jetta up slightly in price (few hundred) and move the new Jetta down in price by $1,200 to $23-something.

I believe Golf IV production for North America moved from Germany to Brazil in mid 2001MY. My early '01 was German built and I had corresponded with the VWC PR dept about timing way back when.

Anywho, keep us updates and post photos if you can!

[PJungnitsch]

The reliability of the Mexican-built Jetta's, abt the same as the Golf:

[sirAQUAMAN64]

The reliability of the Mexican-built Jetta's, abt the same as the Golf:

Thanks for posting. I didn't expect it to be much different, but figured it would be a larger sample size.

The '04 looked a little improved but not Japanese-like clearly. Can't really tell for '05, as the '05 MkIV and the '05.5 MkV were sold in the US and likely mixed in those results.

[macsupra76]

Well, I just picked-up my Jetta City Friday. It has less than 500km on it, but so far it seems like a well built car with no rattles or strange noises and everything is working properly. I've read some of the comments regarding the Gold City and it's less than stellar reputation as a Brazilian built car. While that may be true, I truly believe that the Jetta will prove to be a more reliable car than the Golf since it is built in Mexico. I don't know how long the Golf has been built in Brazil, but the Jetta has been around Mexico since 1990, when VW moved the plant from the U.S. to south of the border. As a matter of fact, VW was able to price it close to $2,0000 less than the previous year's model because of that move.
As for the Jetta/Golf City program, stories and rumors are flying around as to why VW did this and I don't think that anyone not involved with VW directly has the real answer. But in my opinion, this is a gutsy move by VW and may very well help them reclaim a segment of the market that they were losing.
Like others on this board, I truly feel for the VW owners who bought the same car for $8 - $12k more just 2 years ago and it may very well hurt the resale value of their vehicles, especially if it's a 2.0 L. gas engine.

On the other hand, the City Jetta/Golf program will enable a lot of people to purchase a reliable and fun car with all the trimmings without having to take out a second mortgage on the house. In my opinion, a fully loaded City Jetta, manual transmission, for about $24k, taxes and all duties and surcharges included, is one good deal and that is what really clinched it for me.

What I am worried about is how this will affect the sales of the new Jetta. I think VW has outsmarted themselves with the City Jetta's low MSRP and a very successful marketing/publicity campaign. There were 5 customers looking at new Jettas/Golf/Eos at the dealership the day I picked up my car. 2 of them came over to comment on how good my "used" Jetta looked. When I told them that it was a 2007 City Jetta, they looked at it and saw the badging on the trunk lid and immediately remembered the television commercials and the prices. At least one of them was now considering taking a serious look at it. If more and more potential new Jetta buyers react in the same way, I'm not sure how the MK V will do. It's almost reminiscent of the "new Coke" vs. "classic Coke" era.

Lotus Land, congrats.
How was your buying experiance? did you do any price dealing?
PS Post some pics for us to see your new ride.
THX

[Lotus Land]

Lotus Land, congrats.
How was your buying experiance? did you do any price dealing?
PS Post some pics for us to see your new ride.
THX

This was my 3rd different dealership visited and the buying experience was really good. The salesperson did a lot of looking around to find a car for me with the options/colour I wanted. The reason I chose that particular dealership is that they were able to get me a City Jetta in a week vs. 4 months for others.

As far a price dealing and haggling, that is a non issue for City Jettas or Golfs. The profit margin is so small that the only recourse left is to negotiate on the value of the trade-in vehicle, and even then, they don't really move that much.

However, the dealer did through in mud guards at cost, "monster mats" for free and a full tank of gas so I'm not complaining.

As for the pixs, I'll try and get them on soon.

[macsupra76]

Thanks for the response Lotus.
That arms me with the educaton I need on negotiating.

[jww]

Lotus Land, congrats.
How was your buying experiance? did you do any price dealing?
PS Post some pics for us to see your new ride.
THX

This was my 3rd different dealership visited and the buying experience was really good. The salesperson did a lot of looking around to find a car for me with the options/colour I wanted. The reason I chose that particular dealership is that they were able to get me a City Jetta in a week vs. 4 months for others.

As far a price dealing and haggling, that is a non issue for City Jettas or Golfs. The profit margin is so small that the only recourse left is to negotiate on the value of the trade-in vehicle, and even then, they don't really move that much.

However, the dealer did through in mud guards at cost, "monster mats" for free and a full tank of gas so I'm not complaining.

As for the pixs, I'll try and get them on soon.

I am not surprised that there is little or no discount to be had on these vehicles. Sub compact cars are essentially a commodity item, and therefore have little room for margin built in. Heck - we are talking about well sub-20K cars, not luxo sedans or pocket rockets.

Glad to hear you had a good buying experience. Nothing like a bad customer experience at a car dealership. I had such poor experience with 2 different VW dealers in Ottawa that I simply thought that crummy customer service and salesmanship (or lack there-of) was representative of VW dealerships in general.

[Julie]

Glad to hear you had a good buying experience. Nothing like a bad customer experience at a car dealership. I had such poor experience with 2 different VW dealers in Ottawa that I simply thought that crummy customer service and salesmanship (or lack there-of) was representative of VW dealerships in general.

Actually, I think that's one of the reasons behind why I purchased my Civic this summer.

I had come out of a "not feeling so good" experience at the other Toyota in town (the first one was worse), and the sales person was really nice at the Honda dealership. It feels silly to think I was influenced by that, but I believe I partly was.

[JSCC]

Glad to hear you had a good buying experience. Nothing like a bad customer experience at a car dealership. I had such poor experience with 2 different VW dealers in Ottawa that I simply thought that crummy customer service and salesmanship (or lack there-of) was representative of VW dealerships in general.

Actually, I think that's one of the reasons behind why I purchased my Civic this summer.

I had come out of a "not feeling so good" experience at the other Toyota in town (the first one was worse), and the sales person was really nice at the Honda dealership. It feels silly to think I was influenced by that, but I believe I partly was.

It will always make a difference.
If the dealership runs in a "special" selling philosiphy, the sales consultants will be affected in a way that will directly/indirectly transfer to the customer.
Every little bit can change the whole process and selling/buying experience.

[Hui]

Just got my city Jetta last Thursday.
The auto transmission seems not smooth at lower engine RPM when I was in the traffic jam at 401 last Friday, it is good only when the engine over 2800RPM. I should have manual.
Another is the rattle sound from driver's door. It is soundable when I passed Yonge street at the inner lane of 401 express. I am not sure dealer will do anything for this. However, it is a fun car to drive.

[Lotus Land]

Actually, I think that's one of the reasons behind why I purchased my Civic this summer.

I had come out of a "not feeling so good" experience at the other Toyota in town (the first one was worse), and the sales person was really nice at the Honda dealership. It feels silly to think I was influenced by that, but I believe I partly was.

I know the feeling. One of the Vancouver area dealership I visited was a VW/Audi/Porshe dealer, divided into 3 areas but sharing a common showroom. Although the sales staff on the VW/Audi side worked both lines, as soon as I mentioned that I was looking for a City Jetta, the salesman, who was all over me for the first 5 minutes, couldn't even bother to walk with me to show me one.

But it's not just limited to VW. I've had bad experiences with some Toyota and Honda dealerships in the past as well as Nissan. I guess it depends on the sales manager's philosophy and how he and, by extension, his staff consider the costumer. In the past, I've had some sales people make me feel like I wasn't worthy of buying a car from them.

[jww]

I should clarify that my negative showroom experiences have not been limited to VW. GM and Chrysler weren't any better. I mulled around the HHR last year for over 30 minutes before anyone came up to talk to me. When I said I wanted to test drive one, he asked me if I was looking to buy or not - because they were being directed to only let serious buyers test drive. So I walked. When shopping at the Chrysler dealership, the sales rep wouldn't even speak with my wife - and played the 'it's kind of complicated' line on her. We walked instead of test driving a Magnum and Charger as we had initially planned. It's gonna be a long time before we set foot in either these dealerships again.

Insofar as the sale culture being dependent on management/ownership - that is definitely a true statement. The Bytek Auto had recently hired a new New Car Sales Manager. When we indicated we were closing out a lease on a Nissan, he took 5 minutes to look at the car and told us he couldn't help us. That was without asking any questions about the car or our situation. He assumed we wanted him to buy the car - which we didn't. They didn't call us for almost a week, and I wasn't about to chase after them. I figured if they wanted to sell me a car, they would let me know. In the meantime we bought something else.

I have had excellent experiences with St. Laurent Volvo and Ogylvie Subaru in Ottawa. Both are laid back, and let you ask lots of questions. Arranging test drives at both dealerships was really easy, and they re-connected with us plenty afterwards to check where we were. Not harrassing types - just good sales folk. Performance Mazda and 417 Nissan were also good to deal with from a browsing perspective. We bought from 417 Nissan, and would do so again if we were in the market for a Nissan or Infiniti vehicle.

Apologies if this thread has been hi-jacked.   

[New Buyer]

VW's are soooo popular, i doubt they would budge, and because they're such a high demand for them considering they're so much cheaper than the 2006 its gonna be hard to find someone to budge. Just to let you know...i bought a 2007 City Golf..i've only had it for a few days, and its my FIRST new car ever...but i love it. ANYWAY!  VW was  able to cut the prices down because 1..there was too much competition and VW was losing money, and 2 because they put dumb things in packages. Like...floor mats, you have to buy seperately, (and they're not cheap) while the  2006's i believe came with them...
(i just bought floor mats from canadian tire...haha)

[Julie]

VW's are soooo popular, i doubt they would budge, and because they're such a high demand for them considering they're so much cheaper than the 2006 its gonna be hard to find someone to budge. Just to let you know...i bought a 2007 City Golf..i've only had it for a few days, and its my FIRST new car ever...but i love it. ANYWAY!  VW was  able to cut the prices down because 1..there was too much competition and VW was losing money, and 2 because they put dumb things in packages. Like...floor mats, you have to buy seperately, (and they're not cheap) while the  2006's i believe came with them...
(i just bought floor mats from canadian tire...haha)

New Buyer, congratulations. Post pictures!, we love 'em here.... 

[ramin]

I got my City Jetta yesterday I will post pictures soon. It's titanic gray and has all options except sunroof and mags.

1. I need to buy nice floor mats that fit my car perfectly. what are my options? where should I buy them? and how much should I expect to pay for them?

2. I will also need 4 winter tires. What brand do you recommend? How much should I be paying for them?

Thank you

[Lotus Land]

I got my City Jetta yesterday I will post pictures soon. It's titanic gray and has all options except sunroof and mags.

1. I need to buy nice floor mats that fit my car perfectly. what are my options? where should I buy them? and how much should I expect to pay for them?

2. I will also need 4 winter tires. What brand do you recommend? How much should I be paying for them?

Thank you

I would suggest the "Monster Mats" available at your dealership. That's what I have in my Jetta. I think the cost is around $200 or so. The nice thing about them is that they're made of industrial grade rubber, look good with the Jetta name on them and are secured to the floor with the built in tabs on your car's floor. No more chasing errant mats with that system.

As for winter tires, Michelin or Pirelli are what I've used in the past.

[onearmed]

I got my City Jetta yesterday I will post pictures soon. It's titanic gray and has all options except sunroof and mags.

1. I need to buy nice floor mats that fit my car perfectly. what are my options? where should I buy them? and how much should I expect to pay for them?

2. I will also need 4 winter tires. What brand do you recommend? How much should I be paying for them?

Thank you

I would suggest the "Monster Mats" available at your dealership. That's what I have in my Jetta. I think the cost is around $200 or so. The nice thing about them is that they're made of industrial grade rubber, look good with the Jetta name on them and are secured to the floor with the built in tabs on your car's floor. No more chasing errant mats with that system.

As for winter tires, Michelin or Pirelli are what I've used in the past.

I have monster mats as well, best mats.   I talked to my sales person after I bought the car and they gave me 50% off.  Maybe you can work a deal with them, see if they can help you out.

[Julie]

Blizzak Revo 1s for winter tires.

[ramin]

I am a casual driver. I just did a simple calculation and came up with a surprising number for fuel consumption for my City Jetta: 15Lit/100km 

old mileage: 120km, new mileage: 540km, total traveled: 540-120 = 420km
gas consumption: 25lit + 40lit = 65lit

fuel consumption/100km = 65lit/420*100km = 15.47Lit/100km

What the heck!? Is something wrong with my car?

[slybry]

Old mileage, new mileage? New mileage -old mileage? 25L + 40 L?

This has to be the most confusing fuel economy calculation ever.

Lets do this again. Fill tank up completely and set trip odometer to 0. Drive till tank is near empty. Fill up tank again. Then take you ttl Kms on that tank and the number of liters you needed to re-fill it and calulate again.