Jetta FSI Turbo

[Lima]

With the exeption of the Outback that made way for our GTI I've always had manual cars, right back from learning to drive in a 3 on the tree 1971 HG Premier. I find in our GTI, and I assume the Jetta would be similar, that the pedal travel is quite long on the clutch and the gate's are not as tight as I would like them to be. Maybe it's just because I only drive the GTI on the weekends and am not as familiar with it. Dunno???

However, I've had a quick blat around the block in a mate's GTI with DSG and it really is superb. I could easily see myself living with it as a day to day proposition. The biggest fault it has is the fact that it's pedal setup makes it look like an auto, when in reality it's a manual in an automatic sheep's clothing.

[tofo17]

With the exeption of the Outback that made way for our GTI I've always had manual cars, right back from learning to drive in a 3 on the tree 1971 HG Premier. I find in our GTI, and I assume the Jetta would be similar, that the pedal travel is quite long on the clutch and the gate's are not as tight as I would like them to be. Maybe it's just because I only drive the GTI on the weekends and am not as familiar with it. Dunno???

However, I've had a quick blat around the block in a mate's GTI with DSG and it really is superb. I could easily see myself living with it as a day to day proposition. The biggest fault it has is the fact that it's pedal setup makes it look like an auto, when in reality it's a manual in an automatic sheep's clothing.

I also learnt how to drive on a three in the tree, but mine was a HT Premier! I have fond memories of carrying a mallet in the boot as the linkages use to get jammed from time to time and you'd have to give them a good wack Good times... good times.

[Lima]

Mallet ... luxury ... had to pop bonnet and use hands me. I'd love to drive one again just to see how much of a nancy boy I've become.

[LS1 Cobra]

Congratulations!

We did something similar. I'd been looking at Golfs for a while, one of my work coleagues has one and it struck me as solid well built car. I wanted a new family car that was reliable solid with a bit of class that we could keep for a few years. My wife has been driving a 92 model Jaguar for the last 5 years or so. Nice car to drive but I'm getting a bit tired of working on it as it's getting a bit long in the tooth.

We went to the dealer to look at the new Golfs but my wife went for the Jetta when she saw it. The more we looked at the more we liked it.

We went for the TDI diesel with DSG and identicle paint and leather as yours although we optioned electric drivers seat as my wife loves them in her Jag.

I was thinking about the FSI Turbo but at the time I also had a Ford Pursuit Ute for my performance kicks. We settled on the Diesel as it was very impressive in it's power delivery, this thing has got grunt. It felt significantly quicker to drive than the non turbo petrol version. I guess it's all that low down torque and the way the DSG just keeps snatching the next gear keeping you in the thick of it.

The economy is what has stunned me since. I was used to putting around $90 a week into the Pursuit as a daily driver. Now we drive the Jetta everywhere and put $60 in every 2 weeks or so.

I guess we've gotten hooked on diesel now since I've sold the Pursuit and bought an 03 TD5 Landrover Discovery. The Cobra is up and running now if I need some speed thrills.

Cheers

Michael

[tofo17]

Well I'm very excited! I just received a call from the dealer to tell me the car will be ready as planned for tomorrow. I must admit to having been a bit sceptical the car would be ready on time, so this is a pleasant surprise.

Any advice on what to look for when inspecting the car before handing over the cash?

Cheers,
Tom, who probably won't sleep well tonight!

[GoLfMan]

Well I'm very excited! I just received a call from the dealer to tell me the car will be ready as planned for tomorrow. I must admit to having been a bit sceptical the car would be ready on time, so this is a pleasant surprise.

Any advice on what to look for when inspecting the car before handing over the cash?

Cheers,
Tom, who probably won't sleep well tonight!

i've noticed on new cars that some of the paint jobs on new cars arent up to scratch so check that...
general check over interior check for oil leaks (it can happen!!) check lights and everything works...
well thats just wat i'd do just do a general inspection

[fergVdub]

Hi Tom

congratulations I had to wait 5 months for my Jetta,

some tips would be to check as many things as you can
On pick up of my car I missed two things that are in the process of being fixed, firstly there was a mark on the door panel from the protective paneling that was not removed and more annoyingly the rear passenger window did not close properly and a replacement is on back order.

The Jetta is a complex vehicle in its electronics and features and as long as you read up on the pro and cons on sites such as this you can have a good understanding of what to expect.

At the end of the day they are great cars and I am very happy with my purchase and it isn' even run in yet

good luck

Ferg

[Lima]

Well I'm very excited! I just received a call from the dealer to tell me the car will be ready as planned for tomorrow. I must admit to having been a bit sceptical the car would be ready on time, so this is a pleasant surprise.

Any advice on what to look for when inspecting the car before handing over the cash?

Cheers,
Tom, who probably won't sleep well tonight!

Good advice from ferg above.

I'm not sure it was because our stealer knew we're fussy or not (they even let me put on the rego sticker), but they showed a PDI check list that we had to tick off and sign, partly to absolve them of anything I guess, but also to make sure that we had a decent look over the car to see that everything was alright.

Good luck, the day you collect a new car is one of life's welcome pleasures.

Enjoy!

[tofo17]

Well, I picked it up yesterday and everything went pretty well.

A few little things:
- They forgot to install the iPod adapter but that is being done right at this moment.
- The driver's seat and the centre console storage compartment lid touch and, as they are both leather, squeak when going over bumps. It's very quiet and only noticable when you have absolute silence in the car and go over a rough road.
- the leather on the passenger door near the grab handle looks like it needs to be tucked in under the panel better

Other than those very minor points, everything is wonderful. Of course I am taking it pretty easy for the first 1000k or so (in accordance with the owner's manual) but even so, this is still a quick car. A little run up Mt Cootha demonstrated that it likes the corners... the 225/40 on the 18" wheels surely do hang on well and I imagine they are still scrubbing in, so more grip to be had.

DSG is just a delight and makes me smile from ear to ear. I took a relative for a test drive and he said it felt like an electric car, just a constant surge of power. I tried Sports mode briefly... it's a bit bloody enthusiastic to say the least! It holds gears for eternity and changes down very early, I can see that there's going to be some fun had once she's run in!

I must admit, there is a learning curve here. At first I found driving the car smoothly a bit of a trick. It seemed to be either too slow or too fast, but now I'm getting the hang of it.

Interior comfort is better catered for than in any other car I've owned. For a car with so many features the controls are very intuitive and ergonomic. The stereo really pumps out the tunes well. They've leant me a TDI for today and the difference in sound quality is quite noticable (not having a go at TDIs here, a very nice drive).

Photos will be forthcoming next week.

Cheers,
Tom

[Subie25L]

I must admit, there is a learning curve here. At first I found driving the car smoothly a bit of a trick. It seemed to be either too slow or too fast, but now I'm getting the hang of it.

Congrats on the purchase.

I found the same thing. I now have 2000km down and i am much better but not perfect. I have hills starts down now without the use of the handbrake. The first couple of times the DSG said WTF and i didn't go anywhere when using the brake and accelorator at the same time.


Enjoy those twisties.