HELP.. 1999 vw Jetta and Passat ??????????

hello, help me. I'm looking for my first car. I definately wanna go foreign.. so far I checked out a 99 VW passat 64k 1.8 engine & 99 vw jetta 2.0 engine 74k . the passat is turbo and has power everything. the jetta is jus a basic model only power locks. I have read a lot about both of these cars and am trying to be a good buyer and do my reasearch as both cars were used. a lot of people are saying that they are bad cars, and have tons and tons of costly problems. esp. the 2.0 engine. ok so I really want some strong advice. esp. from v dud holders and mechanics. Help Help Help Help.... What is up with the dependability of these cars. I although VW were great dependable cars.

2 weeks ago
please only give me answers relevant to my question...

".. I although VW were great dependable cars"

They are nice cars, if you drive them nice. you have to take a good care of them if you want to drive them a long time, and they're fun cars.

2.0 engines aren't that bad, I mean they don't have so much power but they have a good amont torque. Which means when you're crousing in highway, with some throttle they speed up. it assists the engine last longer.

I drove lots of cars BMW, Toyota Camry, Mitsubishi Galant, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Saturns and Fords. in my family I found my jetta as dependable as my moms Camry. and in fact, mine will last much longer because the Camry's V6 engine isn't good anymore for highways because it burns lots of oil. and it has the same mile as my Jetta.

I have 99 Jetta with 155,000 miles, and it was my 1st and only car.

some good sites you may want to look :

consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/1999 to 2005 volkswagen golf jetta 6.htmconsumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/1999 to 2005 volkswagen golf jetta 6.htm">consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.c.

consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/1998 to 2005 volkswagen passat 6.htmconsumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/1998 to 2005 volkswagen passat 6.htm">consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.c.

Like all foreign cars there overrated junk.Why go foreign? There not any better,in fact usually there worse. they're costly to own.maintain and parts are ridiculous costly.Labor rates to work on them are high. I just do not understand the great love of foreign cars. Everyone I know who has one wishes they did not.

Gas ones aren't. TDi ones fly and don't have any spark ignition systems to annoyance with., they get better than 40mpg and STILL haul butt. NO timing belt to break or replace every 50,000 miles @$450 a pop. and NO state considers Propane injection of diesels illegal, as opposed to NoS.

the car
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the engine
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the people
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OH YEAH.
did I talk about how long they last??? lots longer than Gas engined cars.
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I've worked with VW's in dealerships for 25 years on/off from 1980 to Dec of 2005, so I have personal day to day experience with VW's of this time period. I can tell you that for the most part the people who have had difficulties with the vehicles are problems with the electrical systems for the most part.

The Golf/Jetta/New Beetle all share the same platform, so for the most part the difficulties of each are the same. The issues have been the window regulator failures of the plastic hasp between the glass and the regulator cables frnt power window models only, stop light switches that stick on or do not work at all can keep the car from changing out of park on auto trans if it fails to work, coil pack failures on turbo model vehicles, some cruise control issues, plastic trim that breaks glove box latches, centre console cover latch, window switches, gas door latches on New Beetles etc. Now, to be just, by this time most vehicles have had the recall updates done to them, so all but the plastic trim issues are repaired.

The Passat 1.8 has issues like the above, but also, the auto weather control may be trouble prone, the ABS module issues, the power seat controls, and on some models, the heated seats have been recognized to overheat this is a recall issue for Golfs Jetta Passat for some years . Have a dealership run your car identification number its 17 alpha numeric on the top of the dash at the window on the left side or on the left drivers side door jamb .to check for any open campaigns and have them finished free if they're open.

Between the 2.0 non turbo motor and 1.8 turbo, I favour the 2.0 motor. Yes, its recognized for extreme oil intake 1200 to 1600 miles for quart of oil is common, however as long as you keep oil in it, it'll run forever. The 1.8 turbo can build sludge in it, requires PREMIUM FUEL and SYNETHIC OIL, gets less fuel economy, hard on spark plug life, cooks valve cover gaskets oil leakage, and the pan hangs low, so people have hit the pan going too fast over speed bumps and the like and damaged it.

The thing is that you have to follow the maintenance schedule without fail. they are great road cars with a decent ride and fuel economy, but, are not forgiving about missing scheduled services BY THE BOOK. The big issue here is be sure that whichever model you purchase, it has to have a complete service history, if it does, then your chances of to get a pretty trouble free car are pretty good, without a service history, its a pig in a poke so to speak .

The cars strong points are the safety issue, abs, side and frnt air bags standard, and based on trim level so is traction control. Safety takes no back seat to anybody, these cars were among the 1st in their respective classes to have these features as standard equipment.

So, chose carefully, be sure you have whatever car you're interested in inspected by someone who specializes in make and model of car that you are interested in. By having the car service history, an inspection by someone knows the ins and outs of the car you may be able to improve the odds largely that your buy will be as trouble free as possible. You may also check websites like vwvortex.com for extra info about VW's.

I wish you well in your efforts to find the perfect car for you.
A car nut.

volkswagen jetta are great cars, I generally have jettas and I never have problems, also I have a new beetle and it is a great car too, so certainly I recommend volkswagen. =

As long as you purchase a v6 jetta / passat with maintenance records, you'll minimize your headaches. If you cheap out now, you'll only pay the difference afterward. Trust me.