VW Jetta: overpriced?

[HEMI300C]

I priced one out at VW.com and while I admit I went option happy, this car doesn't have things like Navigation or HID headlights.

Anyway, this is the price I came out with....drumroll...

$30,087!!!!!

For. a. Jetta. For a Jetta that everyone will say, "Hey, when did you get a Corolla?"

Wow. I am without speech.

[mgescuro]

The current MT has the price as tested at $26,700. It is pretty pricey to say the least.

[Mr_Pringle]

But people will shell out that kind of cash b/c they think they're being "different."

[desmo9]

Very nice interior. I saw one on the lot today with the Rabbit in for service. I dislike the exterior. Too smooth and Japanese looking, but made weird (for me) by donning a Golf/GTI front-end. I am very unhappy about that last part. I suspect VW felt they needed to go more mainstream, and the way they went about it was dumb. In true Bob Lutz fashion, they must have felt that to compete with Toyota in sales, the cars must LOOK like Toyota. Quite the contrary. Nothing in the old one's design prevented it from selling at the top of the charts ... it's just a little too expensive to go mano a mano with Corolla. But I don't condone VW doing a $13K value-special to compete with Corolla.

The newest Jetta, though, is gonna have a hard time of it. The I5 base engine seems to be getting bad press (although, the amemic 115hp 2.0 in the last iteration never hurt it). Although, the good thing about VW, unlike Toyota, is that you have engine options ... the stellar 2.0 DIG turbo and the VR6 are excellent.

People will probably be OK with the exterior, and will love the interior, as long as they can get the transaction price closer to $20K. Which I'm sure is possible. Lease deals are very popular, too.

[jro4566]

I think that for an interior like that, it deserves a higher price than other compacts like the Corolla and Cobalt, though it shouldn't be THAT high.

[desmo9]

Originally Posted by Mr_Pringle

But people will shell out that kind of cash b/c they think they're being "different."

Well, in many respects, they ARE. The car is nothing at all like a Corolla, mainly because for once you don't feel cheap for driving a small car. That's important in this era, when people demand smaller cars and automakers wish to sell them at a profit.

The Cobalt is essentially a knock-off of a Mk4 Jetta (the '98-'04 model). The interior is a copy, even. So it's nice, but also "been there"

[Buick61]

They aren't different. The Jetta looks JUST like a Corolla. It's ridiculously close.

Those that I spoke to that liked (and owned) the previous Jetta were completely turned off by this version. Those sentiments were solidified at the NY auto show. The crowds around the car were majorly disappointed in the style (especially the front end), and the price.

The interior was nice in the higher level models, but not at the special value version.

The price is simply adding insult to injury. Not only does the car look like a Corolla, it now drives softer like one (according to Edmunds), is as slow as one (again, Edmunds), yet costs much much more.

[atomicshark]

Originally Posted by Buick61

They aren't different. The Jetta looks JUST like a Corolla. It's ridiculously close.

Those that I spoke to that liked (and owned) the previous Jetta were completely turned off by this version. Those sentiments were solidified at the NY auto show. The crowds around the car were majorly disappointed in the style (especially the front end), and the price.

The interior was nice in the higher level models, but not at the special value version.

The price is simply adding insult to injury. Not only does the car look like a Corolla, it now drives softer like one (according to Edmunds), is as slow as one (again, Edmunds), yet costs much much more.

Plus add the fact that the 150HP engine runs 0-60 in a shade under 10 seconds is ridiculous in this age of higher performance. Imagine buying a $26,000 compact sedan that runs to 60 in almost 10 seconds and it's not a hybrid Prius. The perceived quality will justify the price in the end.

[desmo9]

A Jetta with the base engine can still be had for under $20K. At $26K or more, I'd think one would opt for the 2.0T, which is alot more engine than you'll find in any Corolla.

[HEMI300C]

There is no such thing as the 2.0T right now, so you're speaking in the hypothetical. All they have is the 100hp TDI or the 150hp 2.5. The engines and the prices are just not where the market is, here in 2005.

[desmo9]

I've seen nothing suggesting much of a delay in the 2.0T. They're already shipping them with GTIs (still in Europe). Most people will end up with the 2.5, anyway. I just can't figure out why they didn;t go with a 16V four-banger at about the same output. Doesn't take 5 cylinders to do what they require. Unless they think it's marketing? But a so-so running 5 is not as marketable as a smooth 4, in my book.

[HEMI300C]

And I'm sure it takes more gas to fire 5-cylinders as opposed to just 4.

Luckily, the new Passat looks a lot better, but I'm sure it, too, will be pricey.

[AG3]

Originally Posted by desmo9

A Jetta with the base engine can still be had for under $20K. At $26K or more, I'd think one would opt for the 2.0T, which is alot more engine than you'll find in any Corolla.

I know someone who checked out the Jetta 2.5 with options and yes, it does reach a bit over $26K!

For $28K you can buy a 200bhp Audi A4 2.0T with a 6-speed M/T, an Acura TSX, Volvo S40 T5...etc

[jro4566]

Originally Posted by AG3

I know someone who checked out the Jetta 2.5 with options and yes, it does reach a bit over $26K!

For $28K you can buy a 200bhp Audi A4 2.0T with a 6-speed M/T, an Acura TSX, Volvo S40 T5...etc

Add to that better quality in the Acura and Volvo, along with luxury brand status, and 28K for a VW seems kinda stupid.

[AdmiralViscen]

Originally Posted by RCtennis3811

28K for a VW seems kinda stupid.

Hey, at least it's not 70k. I guess VW is learning. :p