Volkswagen Jetta – Nightmare on Wheels

Ever since taking the Holocaust Education class at my local community college, I swore that I would never own a Volkswagen. After I saw all the devastation that Hitler caused I thought it would be horrible to own a vehicle that he had any part of. Well, being the “girly girl” that I am, I love cute things. Guess what car I thought was the cutest when I decided to buy a new carâÂ?¦that’s right, the Volkswagen Jetta. At that time I was working in a Chevrolet dealer, and all my co-workers told me not to buy that car. Being the stubborn person that I am, I went against their advice (and my morals) and bought it anyway. I traded my 1995 Honda Civic that ran like a champ for a piece of crap 1999 Volkswagen Jetta. This Jetta is the worst car I’ve ever owned. As a matter of fact, it’s sitting outside right now, and it’s not going anywhere. Not because I don’t want to drive it, but it won’t move. It has a manual transmission and the gearshift goes in circles, so I can’t even put it in gear. It’s been sitting there for about two weeks now because I don’t have the money to fix it, and even if I did I don’t know if it’s worth it. I’d rather ride the bus than drive that huge piece of traveling junk.

“OhhhâÂ?¦that car is so cute, and the price is unbelievable!” Those were the words that came from my naÃ?¯ve little mouth one sunny day in March of 2003. I should’ve seen the writing on the wall that screamed “LEMON!” Instead, the only writing I saw was my signature on the loan agreement. I bid farewell to my Honda Civic as I sped off in my sporty new Jetta. I loved everything about my new car. It was cute, fast and had a great sound system. However, my happiness would soon turn into frustration as problem after problem arose with the “Hitler Mobile”, as I lovingly call it.

I will admit, I did purchase something good that day – it’s called an extended warranty. Thank God for United States Warranty Company! This warranty saved me a huge amount of money when it came time to fix the Jetta. The first thing that went wrong with the Jetta was the O2 sensor. The “check engine” light came on, so I took it to the dealer and they told me it was the O2 sensor. So they fixed it, I paid my deductible, and I was on my way to work. After I got out of work and got in my car again, guess what I saw when I started it up? Yes, the “check engine” light was on again! So, I called the dealer and they told me I would be responsible for the $90 diagnostic fee again. I called it a loss and decided to live with the light. Since then, I have replaced the transmission (at only 70,000 miles), the clutch, the alternator, three batteries, belt tensioner, serpentine belt, and God only knows what else. But that’s not the only thing that’s wrong with the Jetta, there’s more. However, I’m so sick of this car that I’ve decided not to fix it anymore. The inside door handle broke apart, the cup holder is broken, the CD changer doesn’t work when it’s hot outside (I live in Florida, so that means it never works), the radio display shows some crazy alien-type writing, the cassette won’t come out of the tape player, the airbag light is on, it runs so rough that occasionally it stalls, and I haven’t had cold AC in over a year.

Now I have two new problems with the Jetta. The key that I paid $150 for doesn’t unlock my car properly. Most days I spend over thirty minutes trying to get in my car, playing with my key in order to turn off the alarm. The key unlocks the car fine, but it doesn’t shut off the alarm. When I paid $150 for my key, I refused to spend an extra $80 to get it programmed. So, when I lock the car with the key, it turns on the alarm. Well, the disabling of the alarm doesn’t work so smooth. It’s really embarrassing to stand there and watch everyone glare at you because they think you’re some idiot that likes hearing their car alarm go off. Anyways, I couldn’t drive it even if I did get it unlocked because the gear shifter just goes in circles. There’s no reverse, just forward. And it won’t stay in forward gear long enough to drive it anywhere.

My vote for the worst car of the century would go to the Volkswagen Jetta. Everyone that I know that has owned this car has had tons of problems with it, including the “check engine” light that refuses to go away. I would tell anyone considering the Jetta as their next car to stay away. Research the Jetta forums online and you’ll see what lemons these cars really are. I can’t wait to get rid of my Jetta. I only have two more car payments and I own the thing. After that, I’m selling it and letting someone else deal with this nightmare of a car. Hopefully a mechanic will buy it, that way they will save themselves a fortune on labor when they have to replace just about everything in the car. In the future, I’ll listen to the voice of reason and not that pesky “girly girl” voice inside my head. Right now the voice of reason is telling me “Get rid of the Hitler Mobile!” The Jetta is outâÂ?¦ I’m going back to Honda.