2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Reviews, Pricing & Specs

This car is purely for speed only. I have an exceptional amount of mods on this car, and once it passes e-check I will run it down the track as promised. So I hope it pulls a good time. Since 2006 I have only replaced the water pump and done oil changes and tires...very reliable. I've had the car up to 155mph with more to go. Haven't ran it on the dyno since the fmic and 3" exhaust, but should be 330hp out of a 1.8 liter engine.Jul 23, 2012

Performance - The 1.8L Turbocharged engine delivers a very satisfying flood of acceleration, it pulls hard in the power band for all 6 gears. The brakes are ferocious: more than enough to stop the weight of the car and anyone or anything inside. Handling is superb thanks to a beautifully balanced weight distribution, solid suspension, and 18 inch BBS wheels with wide Z rated tires. All you have to do is think about a lane change and the car will respond quickly and smoothly. Build Quality - I bought the car with 85,000 miles and had to replace the water pump and timing belt almost immediately. Since I had done research on the car and knew this was something it would need, it was not an issue. The car now has 91,000 miles and the only rattle comes from the trim around the radio where it meets the center console. My overall impression of the build quality is: EXCELLENT. This car is in better condition than other cars with less than half the miles. I was built to last, and it IS. Appearance - One word: gorgeous. The body kit and big wheels on the Red Badge GLI model I have make the car look agressive and sporty. Volkswagen's wing spoiler on the decklid is sporty without making the car look like a rice-burner. The factory black metallic paint is stunning in direct sunlight. The inside is well-appointed in black with black cloth seats but somewhat monochromatic. Minimal use of cheap plasctic panels combined with brushed aluminum and fabric trim give the inside a quality feel. The best part of the interior is the two factory-installed RECARO racing bucket seats up front. These seats are the best passenger car seats available for lateral support and are infinitely adjustable with lower back lumbar support Cost of Ownership - Insurance is cheap since it's a small 4-door sedan. It only added 3 dollars for six months to my policy coming from the Saturn ION sedan I had there previously. If driven conservatively, the car will average 30-32 mpg highway and 25-27 mpg city. Premium fuel is required due to the turbocharger, but conservative driving will more than offset the increased price for premium fuel. Maintenance is about the same as what you'd pay for any American or Japanese compact sedan. I know, I've owned them all. Fun Factor - I could go on forever in this section but I'll try to summarize. This car blew my mind on the test drive. The balance between sporty driving/handling and ride and noise comfort is better than any other car I have ever driven, or ridden in for that matter. The 6 speed manual shifts smoothly and deliberately, and the clutch is very forgiving. Traction is superb in the dry and wet, and the top speed is eye-watering yet surprisingly comfortable. What else can be expected from German engineering? Autobahn tested, Autobahn approved.Oct 19, 2011