2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Parting Shots

This generation of Jetta IMO is the best one and represents what a Jerra really is. The new one is too bland, bloated, and Corollaesque. The '05 is quirky, yet restrained, compact, has excellent ergonomics, and (proven with the pic of the dark headlight) the usual VW gremlins.

It's disapointing to hear this engine/transmission combo isn't much fun, because otherwise I would choose this one anyday over the new one.

@festiboi1

I think the Jetta looked really good on the outside, but other than that this gen was complete crap.

I also get the feeling James Riswick, after learning he drove a VR6 Jetta, is the kind of guy who would hang around West 6th Street if he lived in Cleveland. ;-)

"What? We had a Jetta TDI?" Josh Jacquot, Senior Road Test Editor, Inside Line

BWAHAHHAHAH!! That is amazing stuff right there!

I'm a big fan of this generation of Jetta, especially the TDI. VW's recent designs have been ho-hum, inside and out. I'm sure the biodiesel was a pain, but we learned that it is only marginally different from normal diesel - this is a valuable lesson, imo.

I'm sad to see it go, as I'm sure it will be replaced by a $95k that I will never drive and have little interest in :P

Prove me wrong, IL! Get a Soul/Forte/Gen Coupe/Accent/Fusion....etc

I will miss reading about this Jetta.

I too own a VR6, but after driving a 118d in Europe, I started thinking about getting a diesel.
A pro about this car is that it is now relatively cheap to acquire and to maintain, and compared to the VR6 gets excellent fuel economy.
A con is that it is softer, has less equipment, and is less fun to drive.

Overall a great test, you should replace the Jetta with another used car.

Other Suggestions:
Mk VI GTI (When available)
Audi A3 TDI (If / When available)
New Subaru Legacy

I own a diesel powered vehicle too ('99 Suburban), and I love it. At least in a full size SUV, diesel power is nearly ideal. I think it also works well for economy-minded cars like the Jetta. I'm not sure it would work well in a performance car, but I'm curious about the BMW 335d. Unfortunately they don't offer it with a manual transmission.

Now that diesel fuel prices are finally less than regular gasoline again, I'm even more pleased with my purchase decision (although there was a time when it was way more than premium gas that it looked like a foolish decision). Still, for the vast majority of the last century, diesel fuel was cheaper than gasoline, and I hope it stays that way. If it does, I think diesel power will play a major role in th U.S. in meeting the upcoming 35.5 MPG CAFE requirements.

The diesel aspects of this car were perfectly agreeable to me: It had more than enough torque to get up to speed and play in traffic.

But, as a car, this TDI had the buoyant, squishy ride I've experienced in a long time. I don't think anything was wrong with it, that's simply the way the suspension and tires were tuned at the factory, with maybe a little looseness from age thrown on top. I never warmed up to it. Thankfully, the new one is loads better.

"I also get the feeling James Riswick, after learning he drove a VR6 Jetta, is the kind of guy who would hang around West 6th Street if he lived in Cleveland. ;-)"

If I was actually forced to live in (shiver) Cleveland, West 6th Street sounds like a good place to be. If it's anything like West Hollywood in Los Angeles (and I think that's where you were going), it must be the nicest, cleanest part of town. I'd have to go elsewhere for a bar, though.

James Riswick

Jriz - West Hollywood was very clean when i visited it back before I knew what it was. But I hated the way I was treated by the people. A piece of meat does not even begin to describe the feeling.

The girls I was with took me to a bar (club) there as a lark. That's just a whole 'nuther culture man.

Anyway....I've heard the VR6 is different and maybe the wheel/tire/suspension combo removed some of the squish, but I hated the way those jettas drove and loved the way they look. I think that described that generation VW to me....great on the surface, but not good for a long-term relationship.

jriz -- good answer.

joefrompa -- now you know how the majority of women on the planet feel.

Mlh - Don't know if you are a women or not.... I've definitely been around guys that act like that towards women, but most guys have either more respect or at least restraint. Whatever your tastes, theres little reason to treat others that way.

Clearly, Mr. Frompa is just a handsome man. He should take it as a compliment.

How stereotypical for a Jetta post to devolve into a conversation about being hit on by gay dudes...

Anyway...sounds like there's a lot of hope for a mildly tuned TDI. If the biggest problems were a squishy ride and clutch/shifter, Neuspeed (et al) could probably help you out.

Of course, I'm one of those people who never evaluates cars "as is", but "as they could be with $1-4k in upgrades".

Regarding the burned out headlight as being yet another indication of poor VW quality - it happens! It's just a bulb and not integral with the car. Considering this car has those stupid DRLs which run the headlights all the time the car's on, and that 4 to 5 years have gone by, it's not surprising. It's one reason that I disable the DRLs on mine. What's the life of a headlight bulb anyway? Your mileage may vary.

Why not just go down to Autozone and replace the bulb? Problem solved.

I agree a burned out bulb shows nothing about VW quality. I am fairly sure VW does not make it's own bulbs. They will just buy them from the same suppliers as everyone else.

I don't think it's a good idea to disable a safety feature like DRL's just to get a little longer bulb life. My Grand Cherokee has DRLs and I haven't had a bulb go in the 7 years I've had it. I doubt they have much effect on the life of bulbs.

Well, I don't buy the notion that DRLs are a safety feature. However, there are certain times during the day when having them on could be useful, but all the day long is just plain unnecessary. If I want them on, I'll make the decision and turn them on when conditions warrant it. If every car were to have DRLs, there's nothing distinct about them, and thus, the original supposed safety advantage is lost. It's similar to the center high mount stoplight. Now that every car for sale in the U.S. has had to have them for the past 23 years, how many additional rear end collisions does it really prevent?

Another reason I didn't like DRLs is that it just about negates the flash to pass signal during the day, as it's then harder for already clueless drivers to discern that a vehicle is flashing its headlights so that they'll do the right thing and move over out of the fast lane.