Used cars: Is the Volkswagen Jetta good for new drivers?
New drivers often look for new cars with sufficient specs, space, performance, and safety kit, but are often disappointed when they realise how little their money buys them. If you have around R145 000 to R200 000 to spend on a new car, you'll be so much better off buying a (much more premium) used car, such as a Volkswagen Jetta. Here's why.
The Volkswagen Jetta is no longer with us, but you'll be pleased to know that we have a wide variety of Jettas listed on AutoTrader. However, we have filtered our search to only include 2014 models and younger with less than 80 000 km on the clock, here. If you're a new driver, we reckon you would want you to enjoy a few more years of low-stress motoring in a younger car with more modern features.
The Jetta received its last facelift towards the end of 2014 so be sure to ask the dealership if it's a pre- or post-facelift model. You can use these images as a reference:
Here's why we think the Jetta is a wise buy:
1. You can be assured of reliability
The Jetta is one of the VW group's most successful models on a global scale. We even have a much older Jetta on site for R35k with over 500 000 km on the odometer. That is pretty impressive!
Volkswagen has a massive dealer footprint in SA and parts pricing is affordable. However, as any car gets older, it's only natural that things may start going wrong, and for this reason you need a comprehensive mechanical warranty. If you're young and cash-strapped, having to replace or repair expensive components can leave serious financial scars. For this reason, it's perhaps better to avoid a high-mileage Jetta and a DSG (dual-clutch transmission) if you're on a tight budget.
According to our technical expert, Martin Pretorius, the DSG has a finite life, even if serviced according to schedule, and rebuilding or replacing such a unit is prohibitively expensive.
"Also be sure to check compression on 1.4T Jettas, as some of those engines (especially pre-2015) can suffer from premature cylinder bore wear as a result of a software glitch. Lastly, some 1.2T engines can suffer timing chain issues, so ensure that the car to which it is fitted has had the OEM recall completed under warranty", advises Martin.
2. There's just so much space
If you always have your friends around, they'll be glad to have rear legroom, plus the Jetta's boot is massive. Think sports equipment, inflatable pool mattresses, and cases of beer, but don't ever drink and drive! Leave your car somewhere safe, and Uber home, if needed.
We doubt that you'll even be able to fit even two sets of diving equipment into the boot of a small, entry-level hatchback!
3. Features aplenty, too.
The last round of standard features added to the 2015 facelift were plentiful.
New VW Jetta: Sportier and modern! (2014)
Available in Trendline, Comfortline and Highline, this is the nomenclature still employed by VWSA to indicate trim. Check out what each trim level offers, as per Volkswagen SA:
Trendline
- “Climatic” manual air-conditioning
- Radio RCD-310 with 8-loudspeakers
- Front centre armrest with storage box
- Multifunction steering wheel
- Electric windows front and rear
- Driver and front passenger’s front and side airbags with passenger airbag deactivation switch
- Driver and front passenger’s seat height adjustment
- Height and reach adjustable steering wheel
- Isofix child seats for two outer rear seats
- Glovebox, cooled and illuminated
- Leather steering wheel
- Leather gear knob & handbrake handle
- Electric exterior mirrors, separately heated
- Body-coloured bumpers and door handles
- Body-coloured door mirrors with integrated indicators incorporating LED technology
- Auto-dimming interior mirror
- Separate daytime running lights
- Windshield wiper intermittent control with rain sensor
- Black radiator grille
- Black lower air intake
- 16-inch “Navarra” alloy wheels
- 16-inch full size steel spare wheel
- Hill-hold control
- Cruise control
- Electronic Stabilization Programme (ESP)
- USB Media-in
- “Doryl” cloth trim seat
Comfortline
As per Trendline specifications, plus the following:
- Flat tyre indicator
- Front fog lights
- Chrome exterior trim (includes upper grille)
- Comfort seats in front, with manually adjustable lumbar support
- RCD 510 Radio/CD (6-CD changer with SD Card and touchscreen interface)
- Rear Centre armrest with 2-cup holders
- “Sienna” cloth trim seat
- 12V power outlet in the luggage compartment
- 16-inch “Sedona” alloy wheels
Highline
As per Comfortline specifications, plus the following:
- Sports front seats
- Climatronic 2-zone Airconditioner
- “Gloss” Cloth trim seats
- Chrome moldings on side windows
- Front foglights with static cornering lights
- Headlamp washer system
- 17-inch “Porto” alloy wheels
- 16-inch steel spare wheel
OPTIONAL FEATURES
A number of factory-fitted options were offered with the 2015 Jetta, so be sure to ask the dealership whether the car(s) you've got your eye on have some of them. These include the following:
- 17-inch “Lancaster” alloy wheels
- Electric Sunroof
- Vienna Leather Seats
- Parking distance control (front and rear)
- Bluetooth phone preparation
- RNS 510 Satellite navigation system
- Rear Assist (Rear View Camera)
- Towbar (unavailable for 1.2 TSI)
- Bi- Xenon headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights
- Keyless Access (Locking and starting system)
Engines
The engine line-up stayed unchanged with the last facelift. The then-new Jetta is available with a choice of five engines: three petrol units — 1.2 TSI 77kW, 1.4 TSI 90kW and 1.4 TSI 118kW plus two diesel units: 1.6 TDI 77kW and a 2.0 TDI 103kW. See the line-up below:
1.2 TSI 77kW Trendline
1.4 TSI 90kW Trendline
1.4 TSI 90kW Comfortline
1.4 TSI 90kW Comfortline DSG
1.6 TDI 77kW Comfortline
1.6 TDI 77kW Comfortline DSG
1.4 TSI 118kW Highline DSG
2.0 TDI 103kW Highline DSG
Verdict
Instead of buying a new, small entry-level car with questionable structural integrity and the minimum amount of safety features, you can drive away in something quite luxurious instead, like the Jetta. The diesel models are almost ridiculously low on fuel and will save you plenty in the long run, just be sure that your diesel Jetta is serviced at regular intervals.
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