looks, handling, comfort, power. I test drove the 2.0 liter version

read a review of its tendency to understeer at higher speeds.

going to buy this car as i write this review, cant stop thinking about it. first time it ever happened to me. hehe

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read all reviews and test drove the vehicle myself. no comparison to most of the cars tried : accord 2001 BMW 318 BMW 325(good alternative)

Sport suspension and seating give a remarkably comfortable ride, not jarring like you might think. The 1.8T combined with the 5 spd is a total joy to drive, very quick and responsive! The Monsoon sound system (we added the in-dash CD player) makes the ride even sweeter. Climate controls and gauges are well-placed and easy to read. Wolfsburg package turns heads everywhere I go! Tons of standard features at a very nice price!

Cup holders-or lack thereof. VW needs to rework it's center console design.
Maybe after a few years I'll find something else but I'm doubting it :)

We researched more than most people probably would before buying, knew our facts before even taking a test drive and it definitely made a difference.
The Wolfsburg edition Jetta is a beautiful combination of speed and style. My advice?: If you're looking for great mileage and a decent engine - buy the Jetta TDI. If you're looking for good mileage and a sedan that looks sedate but drives like a sports car, buy the Wolfsburg Jetta.
Test drive 'em all and read everything you can get your hands on both on and off the 'net. Chances are you'll still come back to the Jetta!

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Test drove Pontiac Grand Am GT (too plastic-feeling, no 5 spd available), Mazda Protege (not as good as my '90 Protege), the Jetta TDI and even considered a couple of mini-SUVs before buying the Wolfsburg Jetta. The TDI would have been our choice but the diesel performed better in the New Beetle than in the Jetta. I am completely satisfied that we made the best choice and I absolutely love this car!!

WOW! I am soo impressed by this car!! I've had it for a month and it drives like a dream. The Turbo is just right, it gives you plenty of ummpph, while maintaining good gas mileage. The car looks so slick, (especially in the Silver), the Jetta has come along way from its earlier "Boxy" look, and handles incredibly, true to form to its European design. The 5 spd is smooth if you know how to use it. The doors are heavy and solid, and the interior is reminiscent to the classic european sport cars. Not a bad stock sound system either, with 8 speakers it sounds pretty good. You will get plenty of compliments from people on the street, as for the price, you cannot find anything better.

As most people have already commented on, the trunk doesn't pop up when you open it. A real problem if you have your hands full, as it is real heavy. Also I wished the alarm would arm itself, at times I forget to arm it and it does not activate on its own. Also, having to slide up the bottoms of the back seats in order to fold them down is very annoying. I also dont know why they dont make the Wolfsburg Edition in Silver? But I am being picky.

Excellent car for an affordable price. For $20,000 you will not find anything close to this. It has the handling, styling, and comfort of one of its $35,000 European counterparts. I would recommend this automobile to anyone looking for a $20,000-$25,000 car that gives you a perfect balance of performance, and luxury, while not having to tow a gas station behind you. I love it and so will you.

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Compared to a 1992 Mazda Protege: Nowhere in the same league as the Jetta.

Truly an exellent value. At 17k the car included many safety features such as 4 wheel ABS, 8 airbags and side anti-intrusion bars. The 5 speed manual 2.0 engine has plenty of zip, a little tweeking and you can easily get more HP out of it. The interior and exterior is truly European, and the blue and red illuminated dash is definately an eye catcher. 8 speaker stereo not bad, I also intalled a factory 6 disc cd changer in the trunk and was placed in a nice location with folding door. The driving position is very comfortable and is the car is very quiet on the open road. Handling is precise and it corners pretty well. In addition, air vents on the floor for all passengers distrubutes heat and ac evenly. The key design is an added bonus. In general the Jetta is an exceptional car for the price. Very solidly built. Gas mileage a plus, I get 35-38mpg the highway.

Tight back seats, trunk does not pop up all the way and is heavy, poor radio reception, stiff horn. Feels light at high speeds. If you can afford it get the VR6.

I have the car for a month and I want to drive everywhere. I actually like to run errands now. A very fun car to drive.

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Nissan Altima 2001, doesnt compare. Ameerican cars, forget about it. Honda Civic design and pep doent even compare.

1.8 Turbo POWER, can't be mentioned often enough.
Tight and refined feel.
Power moonroof, Monsoon, did I mention the 1.8 turbo.
Quiet, and with sport suspension, handles great.

Would prefer the new steering wheel with cruise controls in it, but regular cruise works great, Wolfsburg not available any other way.
As mentioned in previous review, alot of other drivers seem to want to race you.

I didn't drive any other Jetta except the 2001 Wolfsburg edition. After driving this car, you are ruined for any other car in the low $20k range. I have never enjoyed my overall driving experience like I do with this car. It makes you want to forget errands so you have to go back out.
You can't go wrong with the 1.8 turbo motor. If 150 HP is not enough, for about $400 you can add another 40HP/40+ Ft-lbs torque with a chip job. The dealer I bought from has sales people with Volkswagens and Audi's that have done this, and found absolutely no downside, and alot of increased engine performance.
I drove an Audi A4 basically the same as this Wolfsburg, and other than the Audi's quattro system, found very little difference between the two except the $10k you save going with the Jetta.

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2001 VW Passat, wifes car. Mazda Protege, Honda Accord
2001 Passat has slightly different personality, a little less sporty, but great car. Mazda Protege and Honda Accord did not even come close to comparing to this car.

The pickup on this lit 2.0 is pretty amazing. Not to mention the 33mpg I've been AVERAGING. A couple hundred dollars on a performance chip, nice exhaust, and a nice air intake and you have enough horsies to make up for that lack pick up. The stock stereo system is very nice, as far as the location of the speakers. The car is well put together and very managable.

The problems with it being light is a definite. I took it on a test run to see what I could get her up to. When I hit about 90mph it felt like the car was going to pick up and flip over. When it's cold out, the car runs like a one legged man.

I love this car and got a great deal on it. I will never buy another domestic again. I'm sticking to strait up Euro imports. After driving this and my friends 98 Beetle TDi, I must say, VeeDub makes an awesome vehicle and I got much respect for the other owners out there!

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Design, detailing, more detailing and performance. Makes the car an object of art!

I wish the trunk poped up, and that they made the funky trip-meter as a standard on all cars. What as waste of design to be made premium. Also the position for the cruise controls on the 3-spoke steering are bad. I was lucky that mine came with a multi-functional one.

No damn reason for classifying the silver color as a premium!

Great car. It was obvious that I would buy a VW simply because it is a "designed" car. Not many people know that the car has been designed by J.Mays an architect who was also the brainchild behind the Audi line, the Audi TT, the VW Beetle and now unfortunately is with Ford.

My car came with a host of goodies and the combination of Silver exterior with black leather was hard to find. the car goes great on the highways but crucifies the average on city roads. But it has all the power that one may ask for anytime.

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I dont know what to compare it to as it is neither a "compact" car nor a "full size". But if you are looking for design, economy and worry about the gas stick to a 1993 Honda Accord....the next best designed car!

I bought this car for my wife because of her long commute. I thought I was buying a solution to high mileage and gas prices. What she ended up with is amazing.

I cannot say enough about this car...The looks are true Euro-Class and enough performance behind this little turbo to keep most people happy. The standard features and safety in this automobile are well ahead of the competiton. Where else will you get 6 airbags, ABS, a 50 MPG turbo, 8 speaker stereo and all this fun for under 19K.
I have owned a GTI and a Scirocco and until just recently I had forgotten the VW experience. This car is like it is on rails in the corners and hums like a kitten

Not too many.
I actually wanted the leather package in this car...N/A
The styling added with that package avaialble in the Passat really would have put this vehicle over the top.

I get jealous everytime I get a chance to drive this car. My wife loves it she hooked on VW already. sales rep did a great job...

...by the way, I said I was jealous...I own a 2000 BMW Z3

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Looked at Honda- no comparison
Focus is similar in performance...but EWWWW! to look at

This car starts first turn every time and sits rock solid on idle @ 9000rpm
has pretty good pick up for 150000 miles, fun to drive and gets around 50mpg, wouldn't hesitate to take a road trip in it.

Crappy door handles and window cranks on both inside and outside of car, 2 windows held up by coat hangers and am afraid to unroll the other 2. Pretty much have to be at a dead stop before you can "JAM" it into first gear, no cup holders, only 2 of 6 speakers work for no apparent reason.

I would say my experience has been positive, i haven't had to replace any parts yet but here they are expensive.The good thing is engine compartment looks pretty basic and i've been a backyard mechanic so this should helpful.Other than cheap hardware on doors and windows i can't say anything bad about it. I am second owner and was told tranny was replaced within 6 months of being purchased new, other than that no major repairs.

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Nissan 240 z

I think that it is a very fun and awsome car. Speed wise it feels like it is going fast because of the manual transmission, but in reality its not really that fast. The sun roof kicks. The manual windows suck. The stock speaker system is pretty good. This car is definitly better than a freakin camaro piece. It over all is a very fun car to drive. Everybody loves it everybody wants me.

The only weakness that i can think of is that while im driving in the rain on the freeway and going like 80 the car feels like it is going to lose control. It is a very light car. Its pretty damn scary. but other than that its a kickin car.

Over all its awsome. the green light for the speedometer adds to the badassness. The stereo is cool the color (techniblue) is awsome. The spoiler makes it cool and i always get looks so you know wut .. all you people with american cars can suck it.!

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