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May 28, 2009
All MK4-based cars got side airbags as standard equipment, and crash safety tends to be good. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the Golf five stars for driver and front passenger protection in frontal impacts from 2000 through to 2006 models, and four stars for front and rear seat occupant protection in side impacts. Those ratings apply to the Jetta, too. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) mostly agrees. It gave the Golf, Jetta and New Beetle a “good” rating in its frontal offset crash test. The IIHS didn’t test the Golf or Jetta for side impact crashworthiness, but they did test the New Beetle (2004 and newer versions), which got a poor rating despite the presence of side airbags. The IIHS cited a high likelihood of torso and pelvis injury to the driver in a side impact.
 2004 Volkswagen Golf TDI. Click image to enlarge |
Canadian Black Book lists average prices for a Jetta (the most common model of the three being discussed here) as ranging from $2,300 for a 1999 GL to $13,800 for a 2005 Jetta TDI wagon. TDI diesel models tend to be the most expensive, followed by high-performance turbo and VR6 cars, with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder models at the bottom of the range. The New Beetle tends to come in a little pricier than base model Jettas, and while the Golf typically tends to sell for less than the Jetta, a GTI with the 1.8T or VR6 engine will fetch significantly more than a Jetta with either of the same engines, according to Black Book.
When it comes to these cars, I have to admit that I want to recommend them for their nice driving attributes and attractive looks. But my practical side just can’t do it, given their poor reliability history. Of course, there are those VW owners who say they’ve had no problems with their cars, and I believe them, but these cases seem to be the exception rather than the rule. And that’s too bad, but there aren’t many cars that combine German driving feel with affordable prices. If those attributes are what you’re after, then a Golf, Jetta or New Beetle is the car you want. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you about what you were getting into.
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Pricing
Black Book Pricing May 2009 (values for 2002-2005 are for cars in “clean” condition; 1999-2001 values are for “average” condition):
Online resources
There are numerous Volkswagen forums on the web. Here are a few of the more popular/easier-to-find examples. We’d list them all, but that’d take all day. A simple Google search will help you find others if none of these suits your fancy, though if that’s the case, your fancy must be much different than ours. www.vwforum.com – This site can’t claim the huge membership numbers or insane levels of traffic that the VWVortex gets, but it looks like a useful place for MK4 owners. As with the Vortex, the MK4 Golf and Jetta get a forum section, while the New Beetle is grouped together with the Passat and the Lupo and Polo, a couple of subcompact models sold overseas. Membership here is free, too. www.VWfixx.com – Another place to get your VW – ahem – “fix.”; Also very busy, too. Again, the MK4 Golf and Jetta get a forum section, but here the New Beetle does too, though it doesn’t get near as much traffic as other sections do. Definitely another place to check out, however. Check out the technical forums, which cover all of VW’s many water cooled engines. www.audi-forums.com – VW owners even get a place to hang out at this Audi forum, though it’s one of the less popular sections here. www.tdiclub.com – Here’s where dieselheads can go for discussion centred on VW’s oil burners. There’s lots of talk about fuels and engine tech, including a forum just for biodiesel discussions. The Jetta, Golf and New Beetle TDI each get a forum section of their own, though these ones aren’t generation specific.
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First Drive: 2003 VW New Beetle convertible Test Drive: 1999 VW GTI GLX Test Drive: 1999 VW New Beetle 1.8T Test Drive: 2000 VW Jetta 1.8T Test Drive: 2001 VW New Beetle 1.8T Test Drive: 2002 VW Jetta 1.8T GLS Test Drive: 2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Test Drive: 2003 Volkswagen Golf CL Test Drive: 2003 Volkswagen GTI VR6 Test Drive: 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Test Drive: 2003 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Wagon Test Drive: 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 2.0 Test Drive: 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible Test Drive: 2004 Volkswagen Golf TDI GLS Test Drive: 2004 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Sport Edition Test Drive: 2004 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Wagon Test Drive: 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle Test Drive: 2005 Volkswagen GTI VR6 Test Drive: 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle Turbo convertible
Recalls
1999-2000 Golf and GTI: On certain vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine, fuel supply line tension may cause the fuel pump supply nipple to crack, which could result in a leak. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may cause a fire. Correction: Dealers will inspect the fuel supply line for tension, and inspect the fuel pump supply nipple for cracks. If tension is present in the fuel supply line, it will be replaced. If the fuel pump supply nipple is cracked, both the fuel line and the fuel pump will be replaced.Transport Canada Recall Number: 2004436; Units affected: 80,752 2000-2002 Golf, GTI and Jetta: On certain vehicles, the hazard switch and flasher system function may degrade over time because of distortion and material transfer of the contacts of certain hazard switch relays which occurs due to substantially increased electrical current load from higher-wattage turn signal bulbs. The subject vehicles utilize a 27-watt turn signal bulb, instead of the 21-watt bulb used in other VW vehicles, which results in substantially higher current draw through the hazard switch relay. This may result in intermittent or inoperative turn signal and hazard flasher function. Correction: Dealers will replace the hazard switch relay. Transport Canada Recall Number: 2000214; Units affected: 2,094 2000-2001 Golf: On certain vehicles, one of two brackets used to bolt the front control arm to the body structure may not have been welded to specifications. Depending on the strength of the weld seams, the control arm could gradually loosen and ultimately separate from its bracket resulting in control difficulty or possible loss of vehicle control. Correction: Vehicles will be inspected and suspect control arms will be replaced. Transport Canada Recall Number: 2000189; Units affected: 32 2001 Golf: Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 115 – Vehicle Identification Number. Vehicles were produced with a V.I.N. which contains an incorrect check digit. Correction: V.I.N. Plate and Certification Label will be replaced. Transport Canada Recall Number: 2002028; Units affected: 18,615 2001-2002 Golf, Jetta and New Beetle: On certain passenger vehicles short circuits can occur within the electronic control unit of the anti-lock braking system (ABS). This can result in a fire. Correction: Dealers will replace the ABS control unit. Transport Canada Recall Number: 2005012; Units affected: 47,800 2002-2004 Golf, GTI and Jetta: Certain vehicles equipped with the comfort seats option may have a seat heater element that can malfunction when the ignition switch is in the “ON” position and the seat heater switch is also “ON”. If this happened, the seated occupant may experience excessive heat in this location. The heating mat could damage, or melt a small hole in the seat. If this were to occur, an electrical/melting smell or small amount of smoke would be noticeable. In some cases, the small hole in the seat could damage the seated occupant’s clothing. In rare instances, this could lead to a minor or superficial skin injury. Correction: Dealers will modify the driver’s seat heater by installing an electrical repair kit and will install a new passenger side seat heater switch. Transport Canada Recall Number: 2004435; Units affected: 8,072 2004-2005 Golf, Jetta and New Beetle: On certain vehicle equipped with TDI-PD (Pumpe-Duse) engines, the high-pressure diesel pumps were produced with improper fasteners. In rare cases, one of these improper fasteners may yield due to repeated cyclic loading and allow diesel fuel to escape from the high-pressure pump. Diesel fuel in the presence of an ignition source may lead to a fire. Additionally, due to the quantity of fuel that may be released, there is a crash risk posed to vehicles traveling behind the subject vehicle. Correction: Dealers will install a replacement diesel pump kit. Transport Canada Recall Number: 2004075; Units affected: 65,548 1999-2002 Jetta: On certain vehicles, the brake lamp switch may malfunction. If this happens, the brake lamps could become inoperative; or the lamps could come on and stay on, even though the vehicle is parked. Correction: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake lamp switch. Transport Canada Recall Number: 2003184; Units affected: 25,931 1998-2002 New Beetle: On certain vehicles, the brake lamp switch may malfunction. If this happens, the brake lamps could become inoperative; or the lamps could come on and stay on, even though the vehicle is parked. Correction: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake lamp switch. Transport Canada Recall Number: 2006122; Units affected: 91,082 1999-2002 Jetta and New Beetle: On certain vehicles, the brake lamp switch may malfunction. If this happens, the brake lamps could become inoperative; or could come on and stay on, even though the vehicle is parked. Correction: Dealers will replace the brake lamp switch with a newly revised version. This action includes vehicles previously affected by Transport Canada recall 03-184 and 04-075. The switch installed during this prior repair may not function properly. Note: parts available December 2006. Transport Canada Recall Number: 1999021; Units affected: 4,583 1999 Jetta: On certain vehicles, a sound absorbing mat attached to the inside of the B-pillar side trim panel could have been improperly installed. The surface and edges of the mat could have been damaged during the assembly process. It could ignite when exposed to the exhaust gas of the seat belt pre-tensioner in the event of a severe front or side collision resulting in a vehicle fire Correction: Matting materials will be removed from inside the B-pillar on both sides of the vehicle. Transport Canada Recall Number: 2002028; Units affected: 18,615 2001-2002 Golf, Jetta and New Beetle: On certain passenger vehicles short circuits can occur within the electronic control unit of the anti-lock braking system (ABS). This can result in a fire. Correction: Dealers will replace the ABS control unit. Transport Canada Recall Number: 1998101; Units affected: 1,515 1998 New Beetle: Electrical wiring may chafe against the battery tray during normal vehicle operation. If damage occurs, the fuel pump could malfunction, causing the vehicle to stall without warning. In some instances chafing could also result in a wiring fire in the engine compartment. Correction: a modified battery tray will be installed and wiring will be properly routed and secured. Transport Canada Recall Number: 2003313; Units affected: 375 2004 New Beetle: On certain vehicles, the tire information label incorrectly identifies the vehicle as a five-passenger instead of a four-passenger vehicle. Correction: Volkswagen will send a new label to owners of affected vehicles.
Crash test results
Used vehicle prices vary depending on factors such as general condition, odometer reading, usage history and options fitted. Always have a used vehicle checked by an experienced auto technician before you buy. For information on recalls, see Transport Canada’s web-site, www.tc.gc.ca, or the U.S. National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA)web-site, www.nhtsa.dot.gov. For information on vehicle service bulletins issued by the manufacturer, visit www.nhtsa.dot.gov. For information on consumer complaints about specific models, see www.lemonaidcars.com. |
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- What’s New: 2009 Volkswagen City Golf/City Jetta
- Used Vehicle Review: BMW 3 Series, 1999-2005
- Used Vehicle Review: Hyundai Sonata 1999-2005
- Used Vehicle Review: Saab 9-5, 1999-2005
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