Skip to main content

Used 2005 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan Consumer Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
163 reviews
1...

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

Price history graph example

Trending topics in reviews

Pros
Cons
3.13 out of 5 stars

Never again!!!

lslb40, 08/23/2011
2005 Volkswagen Jetta New 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
28 of 29 people found this review helpful

I have had my 2005 2.5L for 3 years now. I have had to replace the timing chain and tensioners once already. 4 months later I had to replace the tensioners again. Thank god my Husband works on VW's cause if you take it to a VW dealer to get fixed your looking at a $2,500 job and that's on the low side. Now my car has an intermittent starting problem which after days and days of research I see that this has been a big problem for this car and several other VW car's. I have talked to a VW mechanic from a local VW dealer and he has said to get rid of the car, especially the 2.5L. He has been a VW mechanic for 35 years. Needless to say. I will never buy a VW again.

Report Abuse

4.38 out of 5 stars

Decent investment

michman247, 02/08/2012
2005 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
11 of 11 people found this review helpful

I bought this car used, 2.0l, 5 speed manual, with under 95k miles. So far I haven't had any problems and it runs great. Overall, the exterior and interior are fine, nothing to brag about although it is a little snug in the back. The car handles well, the power is what you'd expect out of a 4 cylinder, 1st gear is almost worthless. As far as maintenance is concerned, I can do most of the basics easily but the more advanced fixes are not cheap. If you can find one that had the timing belt, water pump, tensioner and etc changed recently then you'll save yourself a couple hundred dollars. If I had the choice again, I'd probably purchase another VW.

Report Abuse
3.13 out of 5 stars

Very disappointed

Elise, 01/26/2010
2005 Volkswagen Jetta New 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
16 of 17 people found this review helpful

My 2005 Jetta has 87000 miles, is serviced regularly, but now I have to get a new car. The timing chain, gears, spark plugs, and coil pack supposedly all went out last week and to fix it would be $3700 according to the dealership. While I have loved the design and the drive, it just isn't worth it. The worst part is they only offered me $1500 for a trade in. Why would I want another VW if that is all they think it is worth? I'll be getting a Toyota this weekend.

Report Abuse

3.63 out of 5 stars

Great car, but high maintenance

cl002004, 10/02/2013
2005 Volkswagen Jetta New 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful

I've had this car for about 8 years now. I'm not really a car enthusiast, just need something to comfortably take me from point a to point b without any issues. It does exactly what I need it to do most of the time. The only thing is that unexpectedly random things will go wrong with it. In the past 8 years, power steering broke, oil leaked, trunk door got stuck, and my favorite, the ignition lock(?) broke so that my key would not go in the ignition. Very costly to get these issues fixed, on top of high regular maintenance costs. Replacing the ignition lock cost $700 + towing expenses.

Report Abuse

4.5 out of 5 stars

Jetta GLI

Robert, 03/05/2007
2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 1.8T 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
12 of 14 people found this review helpful

I purchased my car used with 31,000 miles. Kudos to VW for adding the 6-seepd tranny, larger brakes, stiffer springs, body kit and Recaro seats! This Jetta is definitely worthy of the GLI badge. The suspension is on the firm side, but it's great fun to drive. It is very comfortable on my commutes. As a previous reviewer also mentioned, the front lip hangs fairly low, so you need to exercise caution when parking or when going up ramps. I love the car so far.

Report Abuse
1...
Items per page:
5