I've looking to buy a 2004 Jetta. Last week I test drove one with the 1.8T
engine. When I asked the salesman if it required premium fuel he said no. Is
this really the case?

Also, is there a huge difference in performance between the 1.8T and the
2.0? I've owned turbos in other cars before, and the durability of turbo
engines was an issue in the past but I suspect they've got most of the bugs
worked out by now. True?

I should add that an automatic trans is a requirement, since my wife will be
driving it occasionally.

Mr. A wrote:

According to http://www.vw.com/jetta/specifications_us.htm, premium is
"recommended for maximum performance". In other words, you have the
option of throwing away horsepower and efficiency if you want to save a
few cents at the pump. Kinda defeats the purpose if you ask me.

--
Mike Smith

Peter Parker wrote:
Well, VW may have the worst-*programmed* automatics out there, with
their long delays and slow shifting. But that can be addressed.

--
Mike Smith

Odd that you would say that VW's Automatic Transmissions are so bad....When
my Jetta was in it's accident, I had a Toyota Corolla as a rental....what a
POS...Sorry...after having driven this car for 2 weeks, I wouldn't buy one
after owning a Jetta...the Corolla had the worst automatic transmission...it
shifted to early, didn't kickdown quickly....never again would I drive a
Toyota.


"Mike Smith" <mike_UNDERSCORE_smith (AT) acm (DOT) DOT.org> wrote

With all due respect...i seriously doubt it.

but I suppose it depends on how you define "keep up with"


inbetweendays
2003 1.8T Jetta

Don't let the salesman kid you.... the 1.8T wants premium fuel.

And as far as difference in performance, the Turbo fares poorly when hooked
up to an automatic. She really wants to learn how to drive a stick. It
might take a week or two, but she'll love you all the more when she's
driving her new 1.8T Jetta.

-Don



"Mr. A" <rocklobsterNOSPAM (AT) techie (DOT) com> wrote

I have a 03 Gti 1.8t. I have ran nothing but premium and will use nothing
else. It is just better all around.
"Mike Smith" <mike_UNDERSCORE_smith (AT) acm (DOT) DOT.org> wrote

Pete Cressman wrote:

Well, I have similar complaints about the Tiptronic in my Passat - slow
and mushy. Switching to Tip mode helps but not much. I've heard the
Tip chips available from various sources can help a lot, but I'm a
little hesitant as I've only had the car for 18 months - wouldn't want
to have warranty problems...

--
Mike Smith

"Mr. A" <rocklobsterNOSPAM (AT) techie (DOT) com> wrote

I had a 2002 Jetta GLS 1.8T with the triptronic. Owners manual states you
should put the premium gas in it but I switched back and forth with
mid-grade
and premium.

I got rid of it because I really didn't like the triptronic automatic 5
speed. I may have been unlucky with the one I got but it had weird
shift points. There were times it up and down shifted when it shouldn't
have. I tried having it reset several times.

I would never tell anyone to get one. As a matter of fact, I drove 2
with manual transmissions and they were little rockets!!! I know you
don't want a stick so I would go with the 2.0.

I traded the 1.8T in on a 2003 Jetta GLS TDI with a manual. I love this
car.

"Rob Guenther" <robertguenther (AT) sympatico (DOT) ca> wrote

I heard the same thing about the 2003's with the 4 speed. Very nice. But
supposedly the 2004 are using the triptronic 5 speed. Yuk!