I took a spin over to my local MD Honda dealership on Sunday. I was surprised to see they have 30-couple Accords on the lot (maybe 4 two weeks ago). I was eyeing up the EX-L model to replace my '03 (really hoping for the diesel, but not to be) It looks like the EX-L MSRP is around $24.8K.

Across the street was the VW dealer. They had a number of Jetta Wolfsburg editions, which seem similarly equipped compared to the Accord EX-L. Main difference with the Jetta was the 5 cylinder engine and a MSRP in the high $21K (they had 12 or so, none over $22k. That's quite a difference in cost and despite the excellent experience with my '03, sure has me considernig the Jetta. The Jetta also came with a 4 yr/50k warranty compared to the Honda's 3 yr/36k.

Has anyone else shopped the Jetta against the Accord?

How about a Jetta TDI? Those are amazing. I wanted one....but I wanted a bigger car.

I ruled out the VW TDI when I learned the timing belt must be replaced every 60k. That negates most of the fuel savings.

I was really hoping for the Accord diesel, but will have to wail until the Fall of '08 when the '09's come out. VW has no diesel for '08 either, so guess that's a moot point.

With the mileage you travel, I am fairly certain that you will NOT like a VW at all. They've proven to be unreliable and nowhere near as durable as Honda, and the newer models all seem to continue that trend. On top of that, this is a make or break time for VW - there have been rumors that if they don't shape up, they're going to need to exit the US market altogether. Then it might get hard to find parts, especially for an oddball 5 cylinder or a TDI, where neither engine is shared with any other automaker that you might be able to source parts from. Finally, to top it off, VW's warranty is longer, but their unwillingness to perform repairs in the past has me thinking it's not even worth as much as Honda's warranty. There are stories on Passat forums about people who lost ONE oil change receipt, and when their 1.8T departed due to sludge, VW denied to cover any of the cost due to that one lost receipt. BTW, I don't know about the new models, but in the past, VW's have said 105K intervals for the timing belt, but consensus is that if you waited til then you were screwed. A lot broke in the 70-90K region so most people will tell you to change them at 60K anyway.

If you're looking for a cheaper or more fuel efficient car, you really oughta be looking at the Civics and not Jettas. They're excellent cars and come with leather now too.

How many miles do you have on the highway star anyway?

The Jetta also came with a 4 yr/50k warranty compared to the Honda's 3 yr/36k.

There's a reason for that. It's because they're unreliable. That's why JWesG2 sold his.

I sort of heard the same things, the $2k in cost must have made me a bit hard of hearing. Guess I'd be silly not to stick with Honda. Repairs on my '03 are a few bucks less than $150...
Even the TDI folks said to wait for the Honda diesel.

Why not a Civic Hybrid? My mom loves hers and easily gets way over 40MPG.

Nicely loaded too with the blue interior.

Why not a Civic Hybrid? My mom loves hers and easily gets way over 40MPG.

Nicely loaded too with the blue interior.
I'm pure highway, very little city of mixed driving. I used to hit 36-37 mpg regularly with my Accord. (MPG dropped after I hit 200k, now 34-35 mpg) My type of driving isn't a Hybrids long suit. Plus the Civic would be way too small. I keep two milk-crates as filing drawers in my trunk with plenty of room for luggage. The Civic hybrid trunk is tiny.

hmm....that really puts you in between a rock and a hard place.

Looks like the Accord is your only choice here.

The Jetta also came with a 4 yr/50k warranty compared to the Honda's 3 yr/36k.
Considering they are made in Mexico now, I would hope so..

wait for the Accord diesel... :) It will be one of the cleanest diesels out there and no urea injection... that is a plus.

You should be comparing the Accord with the Passat, and the Jetta with a Civic.

Waldo

You should be comparing the Accord with the Passat, and the Jetta with a Civic.

Waldo

Usually cars are compared in real life by how much they cost...that is the normal constraint when people go looking for a new car :yes: The Passat is way more expensive on average than a comparably equipped Accord

Usually cars are compared in real life by how much they cost...that is the normal constraint when people go looking for a new car :yes: The Passat is way more expensive on average than a comparably equipped Accord
Way more expensive, yes. Not one bit more car, however. The Jetta is a lesser car in many ways compared to an Accord. Advantage Honda in both matches.

If everyone was only dollar shopping, only Buicks and Fords would be sold. :D We tend to shop the style (family sized four door?) that meets our needs, and then pick the car that meets our desires and budget.

The Jetta also came with a 4 yr/50k warranty compared to the Honda's 3 yr/36k.

Has anyone else shopped the Jetta against the Accord?

2006+ Honda's have 5yr/60k Mile Warranties.

My stepmother has a 2006 VW Jetta GL with the 2.5L engine (5cyl?).

She's had a horrible experience with VW. At 12k the gauge cluster stopped functioning, so she took it in for warranty repair and to her surprise the miles on her dash were zero after she got the car back. VW did not reimburse her for the loss as far as resale value goes, and saw no need to after numerous complaints and phone calls.

So now, since it's been awhile since she bought the car... it's been inspected and if you look up the VIN on Carfax it says True Mileage Unknown. :thumbsdow

Other than that, she had an issue with the car shutting off intermittently while driving and the computer was replaced to correct this issue.

The Jetta's drive & look nice I must say, but it's not worth it to me. Her car had 45k miles last time I saw it which means she might be getting ready for some major repair bills. :paranoid:

I would never recommend a VW to anyone that wants to drive 240k miles in 4 years. Not anyone.:nuts:

2006+ Honda's have 5yr/60k Mile Warranties.

No they don't...only the powertrain gets a 5/60.