Jetta FSI Turbo

[tofo17]

Hi all,

I have ordered a Jetta 2.0 FSI Turbo and should take delivery this week! I know many on this forum have waited months for their cars so I can't really complain, but this two week wait is killing me! In order to let off some excitement steam, and if you'll indulge me, I'm going to tell you a little about the process I went through (long thread warning).

So, first off what am I getting:
- an 06 plated Jetta 2.0 Turbo with DSG
- Blue Graphite Pearl Effect
- Anthracite Leather
- 18" Charleston alloys
- iPod connection
- Tint

The purchase time (i.e. now) was based on two things; 1) a good time of the year to get discounts on 06 plated cars, 2) the wife is expecting our first born, so time for a "family" vehicle. All up, $44k on the road, which I think is pretty good given RRP was over $51k.

The background:
When the MkV Golf GTI came out I was smitten, then I started reading the reviews and lust quickly turned to love. But what to do about these appetites? I couldn't justify a new car, waiting lists were enormous anyway, and a hatch was just never going to cut it knowing a new family wasn't far away. So this burning desire was feed scraps from afar - a glimpse of a GTI on the road every-so-often and reading reviews in magazines and online. Eventually my yearnings quieted and became background noise... for awhile anyway.

The Jetta didn't get anywhere near the attention the Golf got, but I started to spy the odd review and saw a few on the road. My wife was actually the first to put voice to a liking for the Jetta when we saw one parked. I didn't know this about her but apparently she has always liked VWs! I saw my opportunity and started to do some research. You can imagine my delight when I discovered a Jetta with the GTI driveline. Sure it sacrificed a little in terms of dynamics (apparently it has the Sportline suspension, not the GTIs) but for me the gains were far more important. First of all, that boot! Bigger than a Commodore's or Falcons's this was a proper family car. Next of course was the price, two grand cheaper than a GTI with DSG, and no waiting lists. Of course having a less sporting bent might be a negative for some but losing the boy racer image was a plus for me and, importantly, for the wife.

However I didn't let my excitement get the better of me (yet). I went out and test drove the competition. My sister has a Honda Accord Euro, so I spent some time with that... very nice. I spent some time with the Mazda 6, impressive. I didn't bother with a Liberty because I'd want a decent spec one i.e. 3.0B, and that was out the price range.

All of this before test driving a Jetta so that it would have to work hard to impress. Oh, and I even test drove a new SS commodore so I knew what "fast" felt like... man they move.

I arrived at the dealer without permission (from wife) or intention of signing anything. I'll not build anticipation here, I didn't order it that day.
As soon as I sat in a Jetta I was impressed. The sense of quality and of being in something "special" was akin to the first time I sat in my brother's new Mercedes E350, it was that good but a third of the price... OK, for those of you rolling your eyes I know it probably isn't that good on close scrutiny but it felt it. The soft touch plastics, panel fit and design all oozed with elegance, particularly after sitting in the new SS Commodore. The dealer happily offered a test drive, so away we went. Here are my dot point pros and cons:
PROS
- quiet
- comfortable and not as jittery as some reviews had led me to think it might be (perhaps it is compared to other models)
- quick... damn quick, and keep in mind I drove that SS the day before
- DSG, how do I love thee, let me count the ways! Man, the most fun I've had in a car for a long time
- handling, very flat through corners, have to push hard to evoke understeer, lovely weight to the steering (although see cons)
- stereo - it rocks and I love the controls
- intuitive/ergonomics - this was important as the wife is a new driver, but I felt this car was very easy to drive, everything was where it should be
CONS
- steering off centre a bit dead (maybe a result of being electro-mechanical?)
- wooden brakes (though they work bloody well)
- traction/FWD - it's just hard to get power down in a FWD

In my mind it was the closest to perfect match for my requirements:
- not too "boganish" or boy racer - check
- excellent safety - check
- easy to drive for the missus (and auto) - check
- faster than you're average family car - check
- well equipped - check
- $40 to $50k - check
- FUN - check

Though the mentioned competition (Mazda6, Accord Euro) are damn fine cars and fit most of the requirements, they missed two critical requirements - speed and fun. Sure one of the MPS Mazdas might do those things, but not with an Auto tranny. And though not as important, they also don't exude the same sense of luxury and exclusiveness that European cars have.

Suffice to say, that night I mentioned to my wife that I had a test drive of the Jetta and, of course, I waxed poetic about its many virtues. Not expecting much excitement you can imagine my surprise when she says "why don't we just get one if you can get a good deal"! So the next day I'm back at the dealer and we do some haggling and end up at the price quoted above.

All things being equal I should get it this week and I CAN'T WAIT.

In the meantime, I'd love to hear about your experiences, thoughts and advice for when I pick mine up.

If you've read this far, thanks for your patience!

Cheers,
Tom

[nsshunt]

I'm new here as well! Welcome to club - enjoy your car!

Loved your first post and agree with your comments on the other cars. The Mazda6 MPS is manual only so could not have been an option for you anyways.

Fit and finish on these cars is simply a cut above the competition - the only small grief I have about my GTI is that only volume control (for the stereo) is on the steering wheel, unless you can set that up to be different somehow - haven’t read the manuals yet - lol - time spent reading the manuals is time wasted not driving it!

Do you have to use 98 ron fuel for your model as well?

[Bug_racer]

Do you have to use 98 ron fuel for your model as well?

highly recommended

[tofo17]

I'm new here as well! Welcome to club - enjoy your car!

Loved your first post and agree with your comments on the other cars. The Mazda6 MPS is manual only so could not have been an option for you anyways.

Fit and finish on these cars is simply a cut above the competition - the only small grief I have about my GTI is that only volume control (for the stereo) is on the steering wheel, unless you can set that up to be different somehow - haven’t read the manuals yet - lol - time spent reading the manuals is time wasted not driving it!

Do you have to use 98 ron fuel for your model as well?

Hi nsshunt, thanks for the comments. As stated above, yep, 98RON is the go. All the motor specs are the sames as the GTI.

I agree with your comment re: the stereo controls, I'd like skip station/track functionality too (especially as I won't use the phone controls). Having said that, I like how the large display has shortcuts to the stations with the station name/frequency displayed.

How long have you had the GTI for and what's been your favourite driving experience so far?

[DubSteve]

Welcome Tom, and congratulations on your purchase of your Jetta good to see another VW driver in our midst. I'm sure that you will many questions for us and I'm sure that we can answer them for you. Where abouts do you hail from? (i think thats how you spell it ) Make sure that you come along to one of our cruises good way to meet everyone and see the people behind the User Name lol.

Lol that was a awesome first post loved reading it. Good to see that your missus likes the car aswell, its good to have a family that like VW.

Got to love those turbos fast and zippy.

As for using 98 ron considering its a new car of course you would use it wouldn't you, especially a turbo?

[nsshunt]

About 10 days / 1000K's


Went for a lovely drive yesterday - lots of long winding mountain roads. Twisties my favourite thing so far - just the best handling car I've had - period!

Just love the way the car pulls hard out of the corners - leaves you just wanting more and more.

I've still got that 'look back' thing happening when I hop out of the car - lol.

Enjoy!

[tofo17]

Thanks for the replies lads, no doubt I'll have plenty of questions and it's good to find a friendly place to have them answered!

In answer to Mk3vr6, I'm in Brisbane.

When I test drove the car (twice) I didn't notice any problems with DSG, in fact as I said, I loved it. However I've read a few comments that it can be grumbly at low speed and be a bit rough when pulling up quickly. Is this true? Oh, and what behavioural changes does the "Sport" mode invoke?

Cheers,
Tom

[Lima]

Great post Tom. Welcome, and enjoy!

Your Jetta will be a lovely sleeper and DSG as well will ensure you get off the line smartly. Congratulations (on the expecting kiddie as well).



Cheers Liam

[Matty R]

Hi everyone! my first post too!!

im in a similar boat to tofo17, family on the way (wife due in may) and need somthing with a bit of room. I fell in love with the GTIs straight away but i just need a bit more room so in late 05 we bought a brand new x trail, they are a great car but boring as all hell! (coming from a n15 sss pulsar)

We had a good look at the Jetta on the weekend and fell in love. We couldnt belive how big the boot was! Im sold. Unfortuanly i need to pay some more off the x trail before i can sell it, but hopefully it will be around the end of the year.

My only concern is the DSG, everything ive read about them is good, but ive always been a manual man, i guess ill have to drive one and decide for myself

[tofo17]

Hi everyone! my first post too!!

im in a similar boat to tofo17, family on the way (wife due in may) and need somthing with a bit of room. I fell in love with the GTIs straight away but i just need a bit more room so in late 05 we bought a brand new x trail, they are a great car but boring as all hell! (coming from a n15 sss pulsar)

We had a good look at the Jetta on the weekend and fell in love. We couldnt belive how big the boot was! Im sold. Unfortuanly i need to pay some more off the x trail before i can sell it, but hopefully it will be around the end of the year.

My only concern is the DSG, everything ive read about them is good, but ive always been a manual man, i guess ill have to drive one and decide for myself

Hi Matty R, all I can say is test drive one with DSG. I've always been a manual man but the wife only has an auto licence and ostensibly the Jetta is hers, so it had to be auto. Well, even if I had a choice of manual, which you don't in the Turbo FSI Jetta, I wouldn't get it. DSG is a bloody marvel and I think offers the best of both worlds. Once I get the car and have had more time with it I'll give more of a review.

Cheers,
Tom