Used 2004 Volkswagen Jetta Diesel Consumer Reviews
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problems
We like the car and the diesel engine. My problem is that with 4000 miles, the transmission has been replaced!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm now a believer!
I bought this car as a hedge against another gas crisis.I drove it sparingly but my wife was a Jetta convert after driving it for a month.I poured my 6'4 frame into this little diesel and now I rarely drive my other cars.This is the little diesel that could! It is a small car with a big ride and heart.I am currently shopping the Toureg but find the $65000 list too steep..VW has made me a believer.I would rate the Jetta TDI as one of the best cars I have ever owned.A tiny ,tiny bit noisy at idle but with quality like this and45-50 mpg who cares?....popster
First VW
A great experience I will surely buy VW again
Great, reliable, useful car!
I have had my Jetta Wagon TDI for 3.5 years now and basically would not trade it for anything out on the market. It was relatively inexpensive to purchase new in 2004, especially compared to other comprable cars on the market at the time, especially comparable WAGONS on the market (subarus and such). I drive it to work every day and have no complaints with 43 avg mpg. I carry my two 50 lb dogs in the cargo area regularly and they have more than enough room to be comfortable. The back seats are lacking in footroom but since it is just me, I have not been too concerned with that. Don't know how well carseats do in it yet either. My husband plans on using it as his commuting vehicle in future.
VW Diesel Rocks!
Great little car. I run it using Biodiesel, which makes good sense to me. Better for the environment. Only complaint is the seats aren't comfortable and the gaps between the seats are difficult to clean and reach those items that just disappear! Exterior paint scratches easily. Windows are tight when electronically moved up and down. Great performance and holding on curves. Love the mileage anyhwere from 45-55 mpg. All around, would highly recommend this turbodiesel engine. No bad odors and It flys!
great on gas
what a fun car to drive. it certainly helps that it gets on a bad week 50 mpg.. cant beat that ..
AWESOME!
BOUGHT THIS AUTO FOR THE GAS MILEAGE, BUT COULD NOT HAVE ASKED FOR ANYTHING MORE! ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! WHERE WERE THESE VW'S ALL MY LIFE? WILL NEVER BUY ANYTHING BUT A VW DIESEL AGAIN.
Ask how much to change the oil.
I've found only two oil brands that are certified for use in the new diesel. My dealer charges $70/oil change. They will sell a quart for $10/qt. Otherwise you may need to find Motul oil on line to order. That's what I plan to do. The dealership seems confused about the oil situation. I don't want to take my car fo them for care.
unreliable and overpriced
Except fpr great milage, the car is cramped, especially in the back, very expensive when compared to other makes with gas engine, very expensive to maintain and mechanically unreliable. Had trounle with whell bearing, glow plugs, trunk struts, rear brakes. Oil change and filter are ridiculously expensive. Apholstery is a lint magnet. The saving in gas does not justify the extra costs in breakdown and routine maintenance.
Great car to own/drive
The TDI wagon has been a great car - few problem, great mileage, comfortable, and it can carry all of the things you need. I installed a tow hitch on mine to drag a GTX 4TEC Sea Doo and it has no problems getting it out of the water. We do get some funny looks as the PWC is almost as big as the car. Our golden retriever has not offered any complaints about riding in it. It performs well for a diesel - no sluggishness from this car. You step on the gas and go!
exspensive upkeep
I had a tdi 4 door and Demontrond dealer in houston was horrible on maintenance. Went in for a $55 dollar oil change and they stripped the drain plug and charged me $75 dollars to fix? Needless to say I no longer own a jetta and never will again. Check with dealer to see what cost are for common repairs and you will probably go with a honda or toyota if your smart.
Expedition to Jetta and I'm OK with that
After 17000 miles I'm very happy with the 04 Jetta wagon. Very comfortable on the highway (I'm 6'2" and have an hour long commute, so this was a concern). Have hit 50+mpg on highway drives, average is closer to 40 though when commuting. Mine rattles between 35 and 40 mph, but can't complain 'cause I haven't taken it in for a fix yet. I went from an '02 Eddie Bauer Expedition to the Jetta; I can't realistically tow my boat with it, but other than that I'm happy with the change. I did install a class II hitch on it though and can pull a loaded 4x8 trailer easily (the low and torque is an obvious benefit here).
Mexican German Quality
I had been hearing about years how Volkswagens were well built, had incredible fuel mileage, etc, so I decided to try it out myself. After the twins came along, we decided it was time for a little larger car, so we bought a 2004 Jetta GLS TDI. I simply cannot believe how cheap this car is to run, we get over 1100 kilometres on a tank of combined city and highway driving. That alone offsets the high price of the car and the oil changes. Don't let other reviews change your mind about Volkswagens, they truly are made for drivers.
Far-From-Pumping
Just hit 25,000 miles and loving every second with this car. Fun to drive, sips the fuel, and plenty of power to spare. I've added a Thule luggage basket, tinted the windows, and added a trailer hitch. This car looks awesome!
Buy a Jetta!
I already owned a 98 Jetta and an 83 Rabbit, so I bought this car for my wife who always wanted one. She said it was love at first site. I cannot get her to shut up about how much she loves the car. She is always bragging about her fuel economy and how the car will run forever (which it will). She said she is going to drive it until the wheels fall off. We got our car with 25,000 miles on it and now have 40,000. We have not had any problems what so ever. I would suggest changing the oil your self to save some money. You can buy entire oil change kits (filter, oil, o- rings and drain plug) for $50 including shipped.
Excellent!
I think the TDI Jetta is the most inovative practical design in a long time! Really a wonderful car to own and drive.
Great ride!
I drive 75 miles round trip daily and take the kids all over the place. I need only one tank of gas weekly getting 44.5 MPG. The car drives beautifully and is smoother than my last three new cars. The Jetta TDI jumps out of the starting blocks and cruises like a champ. My 17 year old wants to drive it all the time.
TDI-PD
Excellent car excellent fuel mileage and suprising performance from a 100hp motor.the only thing i would have improved is interior noises and rear leg room handles great and the leather heated seats w/cold package are really comfortable its a buy
V W Diesel Jetta
This car is so enjoyable to drive and ride in. The comfort is great. I have the turbo diesel and this is truly the best car I have ever had. I am averaging about 45 to 50 mpg. I traded in a Nissan Maxima and the Jetta blows that car off the road. For this car only to have 4 cylinders, there is no problem with the car not having power. I get compliments on it every day.
The ultimate
My Jetta wagon is getting 45-50 mpg in mixed driving. From what I hear, the TDI automatic doesn't do nearly as well, so if you want a TDI, I'd suggest the manual. Beyond the fuel economy issue, I also really like the way it drives. The engine has a narrower power band than a gas engine, but has lots of torque in the 1500- 3000 rpm range. The TDI feels surpisingly strong for 100. The car itself is well put together and, so far, has had no problems. (knock on wood) I really like the way the instruments look at night, with the blue LED lighting. The interior is attractive and comfortable for this thin, 5'11" guy.
1st VW
Be sure if there is a problem with the vehicle that you get back to the dealer ASAP. The headlights on my car were too low to be safe. I didn't ask for them to be realigned until 8 months and 20,00 miles had passed. They charged me $54, I appealed to VW America and they still refused to reimburse me. Said I had to be in within 4000 miles of purchase.
Love my Diesel Jetta
Well, no matter the fuel costs, $1.59/gal(june04) or $2.09/gal(12/04), I get the advertised 38mpg city, but set at cruise, 65mph Hwy, I get 52 mpg. The overall comfort is very good, but the front seat shoulders should curve in more as being 5'-4" I don't get full effect of seat comfort. Interior controls are very easy to use w/o affecting driving, rear seat leg room cramped a bit, but manageable. I sometimes get "creaking" noise in doors, but I WD40 the hinges and that stops. LOVE the interior control lighting. It's fun to drive all the time. I look forward to driving it. Handles all curves excellent, even at 45 mph.
Happy Dieseler
We've had our 2004 GL TDI auto (Tiptronic) wagon for 4 months and 7K miles. Love it! This car replaces a 2001 GLX VR6, and I don't miss the added power of the V6 that much. The TDI is wonderful--punchy at all speeds, with a great surge of turbo power always available. Gave up some creature comforts in going to the GL, but the seats are still great and the car still has good featutes. Tons of cargo room, and a great ride for long trips. We regularly average 40-42 MPG in mixed driving. A wonderful car! Our 2nd Jetta and we've been happy with both.
Problems, Turbo & Clutch
It is a lemon !!! Turbo bad at 6k mi. Clutch bad at 17k mi. heated seat has a recall notice I do love driving it and the great fuel mileage !!
Love it
The VW Jetta is a great car that is built better than any other car on the road. Most German cars like BMW and Mercedes are good quality but,high maintanance cost. The Japenese cars are reliable, but have cheap features and interiors. The American cars have a long way to go with quality in both the interior and exterior...also with reliablity. So the Jetta is the one car that you can get German quality, virtually no maintanance, very safe, and extremely reliable all one.
Jetta tires in snow
Got the Jetta TDI to "help the environment" because of its great fuel economy, and I drive SO much. I loved it the whole eleven days I got to drive it. The stock tires (all season tires) CANNOT handle any snow. There was a light snow and I was travelling on a road that hadn't seen much traffic when the back end whipped out on a slight curve. Ended up in a head-on collision. I give the car a fantastic rating for safety, and I recommend the car hightly, but for heaven's sake, get snow tires immediately!!!!!
Great german car
The redesigned exterior though very subtle just adds a classic touch to the car and makes it different enough from previous years that you want to get the 2004 and not take advantage of the 2003 clearance sales. I have driven close to 600 miles with the first tank and was blown away by the smoothness of the engine (it's hard to tell it is a diesel!)and also impressed by the engine's torque... German styling,german drive,german look and feel at a very affordable price.If you want to have the best of both worlds and get a great car with an incredible fuel economy,there is no other choice like it!!!Go get one now!
Economy car with luxury maintenance cost
How does $10/liter for oil sound? That's what my dealer tried to sell it to me for. I went online and bought it for $6.40/Liter. How does $34/liter for transmission fluid sound? That's what my dealer wants. Again, I went online and found it for half that (which is still outrageous!). I wanted fuel efficiency and that's why I bought the Jetta TDI, but it's an expensive car to operate. Buy a Honda...I wish I had.
Why Hybrids?
My Florida car. Great run-about economy with performance to boot.
buy one-you'll love it !!
This car handles great and isn't as loud as you think ,especially when you're saving all that gas!This is my second diesel vw jetta-last one was a sedan and they're just great! Not much difference in the parking than the sedan because these 2 cars are only 1 and 1/2 inches in length different!
Just love my Jetta!
I usually just drive to work and back in traffic, and I get excellent mileage. My only complaint is that I can't buy diesel at Costco. I took my first long trip and it really handled those windy, curvy roads securely. My previous car, a Honda Accord, can't compare to this little car. It is so much fun to drive! The only thing I find fault with is the placement of the seatbelt. I'm only 5'3", and it rides above my shoulder, and it almost cuts into my neck.
transmission broken
1st needed to replace exhaust recycle unit 2 and the 5 speed manual transmission ripped itself apart at 90k miles cost over to $4000 repair
Happy Diesel owner
Excellent fuel milage. First trip on the highway 52.3. Around town 35. Great for an automatic. Only 3000 miles on the car. Plenty of power. handles well.
Poor fuel milage
We purchased our VW and are very disappointed in the gas milage. The sales sticker on the vehicle stated that it would get 47 mpg highway and 41 city. We only get 34 mpg highway. We have had it to checked three times and they can't seem to find the problem. It seems there are other people that have similiar problems with this make of VW.
Great Car
Great cars nothing more to say about them 51 mpg on the hiway running 70mph with the air on what more can some one ask
Reliable & Extrodinary transportation
Great overall performer. With the five speed and the turbo-diesel engine I can zip up and down the mountains of Colorado and still approach 50 MPG. Comfort, (I am 6'2" tall and have plenty of leg and head room), performance, handling this jetta with the GLS option has it all.
2004 PD TDI WAGON
This is my second VW TDI. Other cars include a Mercedes and Corvette. The new 2004 PD TDI has noticably more torque and more power, however, fuel mileage is not quite as good as the 2000-2003 TDI's. I got 45 -50 mpg on last TDI; 2004 PD TDI gets about 40-45 mpg... still very good. I would avoid the light beige cloth interior... too hard to keep clean. (I known this from my 2000 TDI). Overall, very happy with car and would highly recommend.
TDI- unbelievable
I have owned my 2003 Jetta TDI wagon for 7 months now and I have to say its the greatest thing I have ever purchased. I get 45-50 MPG average with a Lead Foot! FUEL prices are as low as $1.45 at local truck stops and with a 700 mile range in the tank its easy to shop around. The car is well built with very little interior noise and a great factory radio. Overall Looks great, uns good, nothing but smiles here.
2nd VW and still lovin it
I just traded my 2000 JETTA GLS TDI for you guessed it a 2004 JETTA GLS TDI. Yes, I had the typical Jetta problems, the windows and the cupholders. Both were warranty items and only a minor inconvenience when you look at the overall picture. In four years I drove my Jetta across country TWICE, with the only major problem being a faulty mass air flow meter. Otherwise oil changes are the only maintenance I've had to do in 60,800 miles. I hope my new Jetta gives me as al times I've opted to save money great of gas mileage and miles of pleasure that the first one did! By the way the ONLY reason I got a new one is because I HAD to have a moonroof!
Gets the job done
This is my 10th VW. I bought it as a Certified used car from a dealer rather than a 2006 model since I wanted a factory tape deck. This is my third diesel and is, by far, the best. I spend quite a lot of time in the car and it is does everything well. The Monsoon sound system is great except for poor AM reception that the dealer has been unable to correct. Although I drive the car briskly and primarily non-city, the fuel consumption has been 48 - 49 MPG over the last 7,000 miles. The cruise control, despite less than optimal placement, is dead-on accurate. The car handles well, has excellent brakes and the ESP system works flawlessly. The trunk capacity is good, but the rear seat room is below average.
GREAT CAR
I bought my TDI wagon brand new and have been driving it for about a year now and am still wild about it. This is a great car, fun to drive, looks more expensive than it is and has tons of whistles & bells. I've not had one problem with it and get lots of comments about what a great looking car it is. It has so much power you would never imagine it was a diesel and since the price of gas just keeps going higher and highter I love the unbelievable mileage. Great ride & handling & plenty of room in the hatch to carry anything I need.
Utilitarian Bullet
There is no better work car! BEST FEATURE: I can drive in 3rd gear at speeds as low as 15 mph allow many turns without shifting, permitting me to eat while driving in heavy traffic. The handbrake is conveniently positioned for handbrake turns unlike many manufacturers. Sit in the back and experience a hungry growl not heard in the front! The car cleans up in easily too when splattered with mud on the inside. How's it on the freeway? 70 mph is an idle. 90 mph is where is feels right. 110 mph is a little noisy. Pickup on icy terrain is so exceptional that you realize 4-wheel drive is unecessary in northern urban areas.
Best Wagon for the Money!
Compared a Subaru Outback Wagon, an Audi A4 Quattro Wagon, a Volvo V70 Wagon, and a VW Jetta Wagon. I eliminated the Subaru because Japanese cars are just to plastic on the interior. I narrowed it down to the Audi, Volvo and VW and compared everything- from quality of components, performance, comfort and space and decided on the VW Jetta. The diesel engine has great torque and sips fuel. It is solidly built, good looking and was $10k less (paid $21k) than the Audi or Volvo. It is identical to the Audi A4 Quattro Avant Wagon, except that it is front-wheel drive and not all-wheel drive.
Diesel Jetta
My 2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI is a great vehicle. It is fun to drive, incredibly fuel efficiency, and oh yeah it has pick up. It also has a good sound system, rich interior and oh did I mention that it is fun to drive!
Fun to Drive Car with low Gas Mileage!!
I love my TDI. We consistently get great gas mileage, plus the car has so much power it's like a little sports car.
Great Compromise
MY Jetta TDI is a great great automobile. I average 47mpg with combination driving (75 city/25 hwy), it doesn't take off like a 3.5 Altima..but then again an Altima (no matter what engine) can't get 50mpg...ever. It can, however, get out into traffic with no problems...was pleasantly surprised at it's ability to go from a stop. It is loads more comfortable than the Corolla I traded in on it, which is important when travelling more than 2 hours at a time. The has great build quality, and is surprisingly quiet on the road too.
Check this out.
I bought this wagon because I was sick of paying $300.00 for gasolone. I drive a lot to the Cape and round trip is a seven hour ordeal. The VW has made life easier. Excellent mileage at 45 on a gallon of fuel, ride and comfort is unbelieveable. Plenty of power at 90 HP :) Love to drive the car too.
Excellence Pure Excellence
I absolutely LOVE this Car. I will remain with a Jetta TDI GLS it's the perfect Sports car!!
Love that TDI !!
I never considered owning a VW until reading the rave reviews for the TDI engine. TDI is quiet, starts quickly even in severe cold, plenty of torque. Fabulous fuel efficiency. Chose Jetta TDI wagon over more expensive Volvo V40. Acquiring the exact car I wanted was extremely difficult given that TDIs are on limited allocation and dealerships wanted to tack on unreasonable markup.
vw
Fine auto, great mileage and more power than expected in a Diesel