phaeton's Trip to the Dealer Jetta Edition

[anthony]

The new Jetta is growing on me,South Yarra VW in Melboirne have a fully loaded 147 on the floor,in Black pearl,and it really does look AWESOME.

[frozze]

That's the one I test drove on Saturday. I think I was the first to test it. They got it in on Friday and the dealer contacted me on Sat morning. Only had 15kms on the clock.

Did you try it out?

The new Jetta is growing on me,South Yarra VW in Melboirne have a fully loaded 147 on the floor,in Black pearl,and it really does look AWESOME.

[snerlo]

Looking at the 147TSI, they don't look too bad. I still prefer the MkV shape. I just think that they have stepped sideways with the shape in my opinion. Guys, you know the one thing that really pi$$es me off though with car companies, is that they go backwards with certain designs. The biggest gripe I have with a great car like the Jetta is the boot hinge. On our MkV, the hinges are above the lip of the boot surround so that they don't encroach into the boot. I can cram that cavernous space full of stuff and still shut the boot, but the latest MkVI has stepped back to 1980 and installed the big C style hinges which encroach into the boot. They want shootin' for doing that to a great car. I rave about how big and useful the MkV boot is, not so much about the MkVI. Not having xenons, even as an option will disappoint quite a few people, including myself. Another big oversight, but that is for another subject. The look of them is growing on me ever so slightly but I don't think that they will be quite as popular as the MkV's, but I would be glad to be corrected. Do they still have the redish colour in their catalogue? Does anyone know? The black still looks smart against all the chrome!
Leon

[frozze]

I like the new look of the car (it looks like a baby passat instead) but I agree with a few "design flaws" like the boot hinge. It doesn't look/feel as solid as the ones found on the MkV. Yes, the omission of Xenon is quite a terrible oversight. I'm sure it'll be added in as an option later on (it's got headlamp washers on the 147 as standard - but on halogen lamps) but, still a big FAIL in my books. I would have loved to optioned it in my order.

They've got the Tornado Red in the catalogue.

Looking at the 147TSI, they don't look too bad. I still prefer the MkV shape. I just think that they have stepped sideways with the shape in my opinion. Guys, you know the one thing that really pi$$es me off though with car companies, is that they go backwards with certain designs. The biggest gripe I have with a great car like the Jetta is the boot hinge. On our MkV, the hinges are above the lip of the boot surround so that they don't encroach into the boot. I can cram that cavernous space full of stuff and still shut the boot, but the latest MkVI has stepped back to 1980 and installed the big C style hinges which encroach into the boot. They want shootin' for doing that to a great car. I rave about how big and useful the MkV boot is, not so much about the MkVI. Not having xenons, even as an option will disappoint quite a few people, including myself. Another big oversight, but that is for another subject. The look of them is growing on me ever so slightly but I don't think that they will be quite as popular as the MkV's, but I would be glad to be corrected. Do they still have the redish colour in their catalogue? Does anyone know? The black still looks smart against all the chrome!
Leon

[TomC]

Looking at the 147TSI, they don't look too bad. I still prefer the MkV shape. I just think that they have stepped sideways with the shape in my opinion. Guys, you know the one thing that really pi$$es me off though with car companies, is that they go backwards with certain designs. The biggest gripe I have with a great car like the Jetta is the boot hinge. On our MkV, the hinges are above the lip of the boot surround so that they don't encroach into the boot. I can cram that cavernous space full of stuff and still shut the boot, but the latest MkVI has stepped back to 1980 and installed the big C style hinges which encroach into the boot. They want shootin' for doing that to a great car. I rave about how big and useful the MkV boot is, not so much about the MkVI. Not having xenons, even as an option will disappoint quite a few people, including myself. Another big oversight, but that is for another subject. The look of them is growing on me ever so slightly but I don't think that they will be quite as popular as the MkV's, but I would be glad to be corrected. Do they still have the redish colour in their catalogue? Does anyone know? The black still looks smart against all the chrome!
Leon

I completely agree with everything said here. VW needs to be very careful with their corporate design policy that they don't go so generic that everything just ends up looking the same...plain!

[Riker]

Agree with the above posts... I/we were all set to order the MKVI Jetta 147 with a bunch of options but when I confirmed before it was released that an option like Xenons was not available at all & some design & quality backward steps were part of the new MKVI package we decided against it & looked at the Passat. We have since ordered a Passat 125TDi Highline with a bunch of options & am very very happy we stepped up. The pulling power of the 125TDi is just about V8 awesome.

The MKVI Jetta has been made to a world standard (read:US standard) & that has been to the detriment of Europe & the Asia-Pacific. Sure the EU & Asia-Pac have the upgraded suspension & some better quality interior bits but it is still the same car as the US version.

The MKVI design isn't offensive & can no doubt be easily lived with but it is an unadventurous looking car. Maybe this is what VW was looking for with the MKVI, as inoffensive & unadventurous design....? We were dissapointed as we were expecting a move upwards in equipment, style & quality of the MKVi over the MKV. Just saying it as I see it.....

To you guys that have them or have ordered them enjoy... They are VW's after all......

[scamma]

Riker, I think your comments are fairly balanced in that those things are important to you and agree we will enjoy our VW. Xenons were not an issue in our decision to buy a Jetta - they are just not that important to us (having never had them, I guess we don't miss them) but understand all things are different for all people. I agree with other comments that the boot hinges appear to be a backward step but again don't warrant a step up $ wise to a Passat to overcome this for us. Being our first VW purchase maybe the expectation isn't as high but also was a major leap forward from my wife's 2000 Civic for her! I would certainly agree the design is fairly conservative but it is still pleasing on the eye and wont date too quickly we hope.

[frozze]

Funnily enough, I was actually looking at the Passat 118TSI at first, back in July/Aug. Test drove it several times. Went back and forth with the dealer regarding the options and what were available. Almost put a deposit in but never did. Somehow I was never 100% on the Passat. I decided against ordering one and waited it out. I'm glad I did coz I didn't know the Jetta was coming out until I saw it at the Motorshow. No doubt, the Passat is a nice(r) car, better built and more features/options. But I felt that it was geared more towards the young families with 2-3 kids, executive lifestyle (mid 30s) couples. I guess it didn't really "fit" me (I just turned 26!) and felt that the Jetta had a "younger" feel/look to it.

The Passat 118TSI that I wanted cost nearly $50k! Despite the shortcomings on the Jetta, it "felt like a glove" for me as soon as I drove it. Plus, I got a more powerful engine for $41800! Mind you, I'm upgrading from a Corolla Ascent Sports. So either the Passat or Jetta is a substantial upgrade for me!

[Riker]

scamma & frozze, spot on fella's. We can be diverse in our our tastes & this is exactly what car manufacturers bank on when designing & positioning cars on the market.

Considering some things I came to the conclusion that MKVI Jetta is going to be a more appealing car than I first thought due to it's increased size & good spread of engines. I am still dissapointed that VW has in my opinion missed an opportunity to build in more eye opening qualities over MkV but maybe that is what they wanted. A car that possesses all the inherant VW qualities but is sensibly simple in design with a view to increasing a greater market share here & in Europe that emulates the Jetta's success in the US...

Whatever the case, I am looking forward to seeing a 147 Jetta with all the bells & whistles including some nice 18' Charleston wheels.

[frozze]

We can be diverse in our our tastes & this is exactly what car manufacturers bank on when designing & positioning cars on the market.

Agreed!

I'm actually really surprised with the lack of options for the new Jetta. Considering this is a "new design" (i.e. the next Mark up), I thought they would have gone all out like they did the Passat. No options for Xenon, park assist, adaptive cruise control, Dynaudio, adaptive chassis control (for the 147 at least) etc.

Maybe they're saving it for a future Jetta R? That would be a nice thought..