Used 2005 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Good daily commuter car. Not fun.
ajt36, 08/07/2014
updated 08/07/2017
2005 Volkswagen Jetta New 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
We've owned our 2.5L Jetta since new, but I've been driving it since about 44K miles. Now has 127K. This is a well-built, full-featured, and generally dependable daily commuter. New it was $27K and it has some features missing on my wife's $50K 2011 Audi A4. While it is a good "A to B" car, there is nothing fun or inspiring about this car. If that is not a priority in your car ownership, then no worries, the interior amenities will more than make up for it. But if you want something that's fun on the on/off ramps, and inspires confidence when you go to pass, then the 2.5L 5 cyl. is not your engine. Go with the 2.0 Turbo. Just regular maintenance, but some inconvenient repairs. UPDATE 8/7/2017 (since Edmunds asked for one): I got rid of this car at about 156K last year (maybe, April/May 2016). It was having some form of spark/fuel issue and I ended up donating it to charity. Presumably they figured out what was wrong with it and sold it because they sent me a check for a $1,000. Beside that issue, I had the oil separator valve go bad not to long before that. There is an aftermarket replacement part, but VW has integrated it into the valve cover for some strange reason, so the "dealer" repeater is to replace the valve cover for $300.00. I wasn't playing around with a cheap aftermarket part so (unhappily) paid for the valve cover. The only other two major issues with the car was the one electrical cooling fan for the radiator went bad (which I replaced myself - not terrible difficult). Earlier on its its life (right after warranty expired), the oil pan had been leaking. We kept having it checked and asking dealer to fix it, but they couldn't seem to find the problem until AFTER the warranty expired when it was a $1,000 job. After we complained, they did fix it under warranty "this time." Glad we documented it as a problem with the dealer. Also now that I think about it, the driver's side fender rusted out underneath and a small patch of rust started on the driver's rocker panel. However, even almost 10 years in, VW covered it under the rust protection warranty. But still, the car did start rusting out when it was pretty well taken care of (waxed at least once or twice a year). So, overall, it was a very good, but not great car. I've owned other cars that required more non-routine maintenance and others with less, but if I'm going to have oddball problems in a car, it needs to be a fun driver.
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
Unable to resolve problems
Unhappy, 05/21/2005
2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 1.8T 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
All new cars may have problems but, it is how the dealership and company handle these problems that show the mark of true concern for the consumer. I own a 2005 Jetta GLI which has been in the shop seven times in less than 7,000 miles and the problem is still unresolved. The Volkswagen of America claims the problem belongs to the dearship and the dealership state the problem belongs to the company. The only communication available to the consumer is a customer representive who regardless of the customer's comments relies strictly on what is stated by the service manager. The service manager is basically in charge of all problems involving Volkwagen products.
Fun, but Unreliable
Dan, 11/21/2009
2005 Volkswagen Jetta New 2.5 PZEV 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Purchased this car as a certified used vehicle from a VW dealer a little over a year ago. Fun to drive, mileage is excellent. However, I've spent way too much time in the dealer's service waiting room. Broken trunk latch, peeling radio controls, two bad cooling fans, bad rear brake calipers, smearing and chattering windshield wipers. In a few days I'm having the windshield replaced because it is so scratched and full of tiny pitting that it is dangerous to drive at night. Dealership claims the windshield is due to "external factors", but based on the uniformity of the pitting I'm sure it is a materials defect. I've wasted too much time getting this car fixed!
Love Hate Relationship
marson, 05/16/2011
2005 Volkswagen Jetta New 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I have loved my Jetta since I bought it but it seems like too much is going wrong to make it worth keeping. I have had to replace almost 10 sensors on it, adjusters are breaking, and check engine codes are flying out of it like crazy. In the last month I have had to put close to 2,000 into the motor because of problems and there is only 90,000 miles on it. I take very good care of my cars and I have never had to go through this much of a headache with a car. I would never buy a VW again and if I could go back I would buy anything else.
Fun & Fast
Inspector Jay, 03/08/2006
2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 1.8T 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
This is my 6th VW, my first was a '69 Bug. It is my third Jetta in a row and all the Jettas have been red. My brother is still driving my 96 Jetta! The power and shift points on the 05 GLI have been matched perfectly! This is a turbo hot rod. It's street appeal and overall handling combined with the turbo power make it a great car to drive! I too miss the heated seats, but have grown very comfortable in the Ricarro's - it's a true sports car - some luxury has to be lost when driving a car like this. I bought it late in the production because I love the styling and my '02 only had 23,000 miles on it. I use the cruise control and get no less than 25 mpg and even 30 on the hyway!
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