"Sprinty" (1985sprinty)
11/22/2016 at 02:12 • Filed to: None
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"Sprinty" (1985sprinty)
11/22/2016 at 02:12 • Filed to: None | 0
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Greetings fellow Jalops.
I have a conundrum: Do I sell a 2007 Ford Focus SE Sedan auto for a 2001 VW Jetta GLS Wagon Manual? Our focus has 160XXX+ miles on it while the VW has 125XXX on it. What do y’all think?
Anything I should know about the Jetta Wagons? I’m trying not to get caught up in the manual+wagon dream, but it seems comparable to the Focus, which isn’t in the greatest condition. A friend is selling his for $1800.
Guidance is much appreciated!
bob and john
> Sprinty
11/22/2016 at 02:18 |
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eh, if the focus runs and its just a commuter, I wouldnt. those VWs then to be hit or miss, esp with the electronics. that said, if you wanted to tune/mod it, the VW would have way more aftermarket support.
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Sprinty
> bob and john
11/22/2016 at 02:21 |
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Is it mostly electrical stuff? From what i’ve gathered, that’s what haunts the VW...
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bob and john
> Sprinty
11/22/2016 at 02:25 |
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yea, almost any VAG group car from the early 2000s to mid 2000s (about 1/2 through the mk5 lifecycle) is going to have a lot of electrical issues. its not major things... but a oil pressure sensor here, a window regulator there, a button every once in a while. It can nickle and dime you to death.
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Sprinty
> bob and john
11/22/2016 at 02:26 |
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That’s my biggest concern, and with my new job, I will be the one commuting in it. I’m decently handy, but who knows with electrical. Thanks for your input! I can always count on Jalops to point me in the right direction.
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bob and john
> Sprinty
11/22/2016 at 02:29 |
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its not so much electronica as parts driven by electronics.
again, its what you want to do with the car. if you had neither one of them I would have said go for the Jetta. its not HARD stuff per say. Just annoying.
also, you would be wise to keep a coil pack and alway run synthetic oil in them.
bhtooefr
> Sprinty
11/22/2016 at 02:33 |
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Also, what engine does it have? The TDI wasn’t available in the wagon in 2001 IIRC, and the 1.8T wasn’t either it seems, so it’s either the 2.0 or the VR6.
2.0s are pretty reliable, just make sure the timing belt is changed properly and on time . And, because the wagons were made in Germany, no worries about the engine being one with upside down oil control rings (that was a thing on earlier Mk4s made in Mexico), IIRC. However, they’re not particularly efficient, and with 115 hp, they’re not exciting.
VR6s... here be dragons. The big thing is timing chains, which Volkswagen is terrible at... and the VR6 timing chains are on the transmission side, meaning the transmission has to come out to work on them. Also, inefficient and needs premium. Sounds nice when the exhaust is opened up a bit, though.
Also, Volkswagen parts are a lot more expensive than Ford parts.
Upshot is, look for a Focus wagon with the Zetec or Duratec and a manual, I’d say, if you want a manual wagon.
RallyWrench
> Sprinty
11/22/2016 at 02:35 |
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Is the Jetta a 2.0L (non turbo)? Almost impossible to kill if so. Little stuff will annoy you and the occasional window regulator will die, but you have to try to kill it. The 1.8t is a pain in the ass.
ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
> Sprinty
11/22/2016 at 07:37 |
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Keep the Focus. It’s way more reliable than the VW.
TysMagic
> Sprinty
11/22/2016 at 09:07 |
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keep the focus or sell it and buy a similar one with less miles. Either way, I think you’d be better off long run using that as a commuter or the possible headaches of the VW
KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
> Sprinty
11/22/2016 at 09:24 |
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Eek...Of all the VW you could pick, you pick the one with the flakiest electrics (MkIV through MkV). Therefore there is only one possible response.
nope.gif
Nibbles
> Sprinty
11/22/2016 at 13:39 |
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As much as i loathe the Focus - had a 2007 SES auto as well - it’s still better than that Jetta, reliability wise. Keep it.
Justino6969
> Sprinty
11/23/2016 at 21:00 |
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My Jetta’s dash is lit up like a Christmas tree (6 at the moment, to be exact), but I drive the crap out of it everyday and the mechanicals have yet to fail with the 197,000 miles that are on it. If it was treated well and you really want it, I say go for it. I love mine.