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
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Originally Posted by nsshunt
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