Jetta for Meta

[Bill Glasheen]

Meta asked us earlier what we thought of the new VW Jetta. He had a Nissan vehicle that looked like it was ready for a museum, and was thinking of upgrading.

And the new Jetta certainly is a smart-looking vehicle.






OK, so here's my opinion, Meta. And that's worth 2 cents and maybe some change...

The Jetta is in a very, very crowded class of fine cars. It's a small, FWD-oriented vehicle. I am assuming you want to stick in this class.

With this kind of vehicle, you get what you get. You get decent handling with the FWD and 60/40 front-to-rear weight distribution. But you don't get GREAT handling. To get that, you need to think of the BMW 3 series paradigm of 50/50 weight distribution and RWD. But then you're talking another league in price. And I'm assuming the price of the Jetta has you intrigued.

You see... Jetta owners are an interesting lot. Some folks consider them BMW 3 series wannabes. They like the 3 series, but can't justify the outrageous price. So the Jetta gets them that German car feel and look, but more in the economical bracket. And truth be told, it's a very value-packed buy.

In this class, you get some very strong competitors. They include:

Car-of-the-year Honda Civic
The AWD Subaru Imreza (including the boss WRX)
The competitor Mazda Evo
Nissan Altima (with various engine sizes)
Toyota Corolla (the dull dependability king)
The Dodge Neon (which can be bossed up with the SRT version)

And some forgettable entries from GM and Ford. Sorry to offend, folks, but this is MY column... And just remember that in the last 24-hours, Bush says he isn't bailing out GM and Ford, and that they need to build a "product that's relevant." 'Nuff said.

In any case...

You could buy a lot of those vehicles and not do too badly. Each has a bit of a niche.

With the Civic, you have variations that include the new hybrid and some slightly faster versions. That's a new vehicle with a new look. Consumer Reports really likes this vehicle.

The Subaru is an AWD vehicle, and you don't really need that in Southern California. I'd consider the WRX if I was a younger lad, but I live in a different climate and... Let's just say I drive differently. In any case, the Subie is dependable, and another CR favorite.

A lot of people are fond of the Altima. Particularly if you get it with the 3.5 liter engine (a Ward's automotive 10 best for 12 years), you could get a fantastic small car with a kick-ass engine. But it looks a bit dull.

Toyota is Toyota. It's dull, but rock solid dependable and cheap to operate. And you'll always find a part in a junk yard. But... It's a Toyota. Don't expect to feel great buzzing wildly around town. It is what it is. Dull is good - if you like that.

I'm not a Dodge Neon fan, but the SRT version is interesting. But it'll cost you bucks to turbo and soup it up, and that may not be what you are looking for.

So why get the Jetta? It's personal preference. One thing that's clear from reading the reviews is that the Jetta is king in three areas.

* First, the fit and finish on the inside is absolutely superb. Volkswagen as of recent has been getting extremely high marks here from many of their vehicles. And both Van and Bruce Hirabayashi can tell you how much they like their Passats.

* Second, the handling is marginally best-in-class. Marginally... It does best on things like the slalom runs. That's your German engineering for you. Germans know their cars, and make them to run tough and well at high speeds.

* And finally, German vehicles have a certain flavor to them. Germans understand passion. The Japanese don't. Sometimes the Americans do (such as in the Mustang or the Charger). It's a taste thing. You either love it, or your priorities are different.

What are the drawbacks? Economy isn't best in class. It's very average to slightly less than average, unless you get the TDI. The TDI is a GREAT economy vehicle, but you're either into that or you aren't. And despite what you tell me, all my sources say you can't buy that in California. So you get a fine 2.5 liter, 5-cylinder, inline engine. That's a great design, and you'll likely appreciate the torque it gives you tooling around town. But it's just a tad less economical than others in class.

And VW isn't the dependability king. Once they get the bugs out of a model, VW does great. The Passat is a great example. But first year Jetta? It's a risk...

You could do worse, Meta. I say drive it. If it grabs you, get it and tell everyone else their choices ******. But do drive a few others in the class, such as one or more of the new Civics. And most definitely look at a Corolla and an Altima before you turn your nose up at dull. They have their strong points.

Good luck, dude! Happy driving.

- Bill

[Bill Glasheen]

Forgot to mention one thing... The Jetta scored tops in its class in the collision tests - front and side. And that's important to many.

- Bill

[-Metablade-]

Wow Bill!
Thank you for all this most excellent information!
You've given me a lot to puruse, and I'll let you know which I go with.
Thanks again Bro!
m(_)m

[2Green]

Hey, Meta...

I'm a VW guy, since '86. Drove 'em, raced 'em, loved 'em. Still do.

All brands have their "problems" VW is no different.
But the VW is built for use in a country where the speed limit is 155 MPH and nobody buys a 3-5-year car. VW people buy for the decade.

If you're a 3-5 yr or lease-type person, buy whatever suits that scenario and flip the trash when it's due to rust.
If you want a quality vehicle to own and reward you AS A DRIVER, then the Jetta, even though I don't care for its too-generic lines, is the choice.

There is a reason why VW owners are a "cult" if you wish.
The German ethos of car design is to deliberately "engineer in" the subtle yet vital cues and sensations of car control, while the Japanese ethos is to "eliminate those ugly things."

Thus, with Japanese cars you get a cushy-wooshy ride which is ultimately soft in the end, good for the ladies.( no offense..."MOST ladies.")

With German cars you get a well-controlled no-frills feedback-drive, REQUIRING your INPUT!!!!
DON'T buy a VW if you value the STEREO over the ENGINE!

German cars are all about driving...Japanese cars are all about protecting you FROM driving.

In the end, it's not about what is a good car.
It's more about what kind of driver YOU are and what YOU want from a vehicle.

I love VW's and my dream-ride is a Passat wagon with AWD. I may have to visit Subaru to realize my dream in reality.
I believe in AWD because I live in the North East, and winters can be brutal.
I've owned an Audi Quattro and driving is believing.

Subaru has invested in AWD big-time, with Japanese reliability to boot. I believe in their product.
If you're a sports guy, just drive a WRX. Case closed.

What I do is watch the Rally circuit. A rally car is a race car which can go anywhere. Sure, those cars are "built" but look at the "grassroots" rally circuit and you will see the reality.

AWD is where it's at, get it where you can afford to buy it and maintain it.
Subaru is looming large in my next purchase, unless I can score a reasonable-to-buy- AND- maintain AWD Volks.


NM

[benzocaine]

Just don't forget how faithful your Nissan has been to you Meta. Also consider long highway trips. Like 2 Green says the VW's are meant to be felt... you can also expect to hear the GD thing roaring down the highway. As a person who has to drive 700 miles to visit his parents, this has been a consideration of mine.

But I wonder if these guys have actually driven an Altima Meta? Drive both. I think you just might be surprized just how "tight" the Altima's suspension is. You may find it handles better than the Jetta.

But then, Nissan just isn't as cool as Farfenugen eh?



http://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/Model ... rea=altima

[Bill Glasheen]

Actually, guys, you're all on the same page.

When it comes to performance in Japanese cars, Nissan and Subaru are winners hands down. Every car maker has its niche. Honda and Toyota make boring cars that get Middle America from point A to point B as cheaply and dependably as possible. Nissan, however, makes performance Japanese cars, as does Subaru.

If you have the bucks, the "wannabe" Japanese vehicles are the Infiniti G35 (coupe or 4-door), the SUV Infinity FX35 and FX 45, and the luxury performance M35 and M45. (All Nissan vehicles) These vehicles have essentially captured the essence of the BMW ride (50/50 front/rear weight distribution), but slightly less expensive and slightly more dependably. If you don't have the bucks to throw at a Bimmer, Infiniti is the place to go.

For what it's worth, both my vans have the famous Nissan V6 engine that has won Ward's Auto 10 best for the past 12 years. One of the vans has 170K miles on it and counting. And god knows I beat those engines hard. I service them well, but I demand a lot from them and they deliver.

The Subies are about bad weather and off-road sedan performance. Around here it's a Subaru that gets you to the logging trails where they drop you off for cross country skiing. They're a bit bare-boned, but they get you wherever and they keep on ticking. A Subaru Forester is the first vehicle my wife has owned that she hasn't been able to kill, in spite of how badly she's treated it. She had her doubts when I brought her to the Subaru dealer, but now she is sold. And it gets her to her healthcare job when the weather is bad and everyone else must stay home.

But back to the VWs... You mentioned, Neil, about loving to have a VW Passat AWD wagon. Van has one as well, and just bought himself a nifty Bimmer 5 Series with X drive. Let's just say that your tastes are impeccable.

Oh, and I'm jealous of that quattro experience, Neil.

You are right, Neil, that VW is a driver's car, as is Meta and Ben's choice of Nissan. Remember the old commercials? Dat-sun, we are... driven! We're talking the same mindset here.

The VW experience is indeed about feeling the road rather than being anesthetized from it. You won't get the Novocain ride of a Toyota or Lexus. Yuk!!!! Go take a long trip in those vehicles, Ben. Be my guest! Personally I'd rather not, thank you very much.

I'm a fellow who rode a screaming Suzuki GS750 every day for two years. I drove in ALL kinds of weather - including snow. (Believe it or not) I even hit black ice and slid out once. I rode the thing from Charlottesville to Boston and back quite a few times to work out at the famous Cambridge and Hancock street dojo. And I took a few trips up to and even on the streets of New York City with it to study with Dave Finkelstein. Anesthetize ME from the street? I think not.

It's who you are, gentlemen. There's no reason to be ashamed of your basic nature.

So what we're talking about here, gentlemen, is a man who drove a Nissan vehicle into the ground. So based on what Neil just wrote, just what kind of guy do we think Meta is?

One final note... I have this Consumer Reports magazine in front of me that my wife got. It compared 3 versions of the Civic to 2 versions of the Jetta to 2 versions of the Impreza. CR gave "recommended" to the Japanese vehicles, and not to the VW. But you know... I read CR because I want to see what they think - even though I don't see eye-to-eye with what's important in a car. CR is for the masses. But gentlemen, we are NOT the masses. At least your truly used to love to take his girlfriend home to West Virginia by riding my motorcycle on the hairpin turns of Route 60 over the Appalachian mountains. I wasn't happy unless I scraped my center stand around at least one of those hairpin turns. You want to insulate ME from the road? I think not.

So what do I look at in the CR report? The only thing that these pantywaisted numbnuts measured that mattered to me was the emergency avoidance maneuver. This is the fastest speed you can drive and still avoid something right in front of you. Not run into the goddam thing, mind you. I'm talking about AVOIDING it. That's what drivers do. The sheeple among us close their eyes and hope the airbags work. They drive bigger and bigger assault vehicles so they won't get banged up when they screw up. God forbid they learn how to drive!

And who won that avoidance maneuver test? Why VW, of course. Unlike just about any SUV on the planet, you can actually do a classic test maneuver at 55 mph in a Jetta.

Should we expect any less from a country known for the Autobahn?

It isn't what's right or what's wrong, gentlemen. It's what's important to you. It's what moves you.

- Bill

[mjanson]

Being an ex-car dealer. I agree with 2Green about this. Decide what kind of driver you are. There are pro's and con's with every vehicle on the road. Better love what you drive. You have to pay for it ! Besides.....it's all a race to the dunk yard !!!

mj

[benzocaine]

For what it's worth, both my vans have the famous Nissan V6 engine that has won Ward's Auto 10 best for the past 12 years. One of the vans has 170K miles on it and counting. And god knows I beat those engines hard. Cool I service them well, but I demand a lot from them and they deliver.

I remember you were looking at the Dodge Magnum last year Bill. I hope you are not waiting for one of the van's motors to die before getting something with a little more flare. My Father in law is a sales rep for a food distributor. His territory goes all over SW Virginia. He had at least 350,000 miles on his V6 altima, when he gave it to his youngest daughter.

That car would still be ticking today were it not for her driving it over a cement parking bumper and causing severe damage to the underbody.

[Bill Glasheen]

That's both a wonderful and scary proposition, Ben.

Actually playing chicken here is good. I see the Dodge dealer is having a difficult time unloading a few vehicles with the drive train I want. You see... The dealers have been sticking it to the consumer way too damn long. You want this and that feature on a vehicle (Hemi engine with AWD on a Magnum) and they want to shove every damn feature down your throat with it. I don't want 90% of the crap that they shove at me with a "package", all for a premium price. So.... I just drive on by, talk to the dealer, tell him I want a Hemi AWD without junk loaded on the vehicle, etc. So that vehicle sits, and my van still runs, and...

The way my vans are going, he'll blink first.

- Bill