Volkswagen Jetta vs. Toyota Corolla ??

[billt]

I'm going to be buying a new compact, and I've narrowed it down to these 2. Both are all but identical in size, price, looks, mileage, interior, and style. I really like both cars. They both have what I consider to be one negative. On the Corolla it's the CVT Transmission. You would think they would be cheaper because they are simpler. They're not. They are very expensive to repair if they go south out of warranty. And from what I've been able to research, their long term reliability is somewhat questionable. There have been a lot of problems and growing pains thus far. Toyota's seem to have the best reliability as far as CVT Transmissions, when compared to say Nissan, which has the absolute worst. So the Nissan Versa is off the table. 

I've never driven a vehicle with one. But watching videos of CVT Transmission acceleration, the engine revs way up, then stays there until you get off the throttle. There is no "shifting" like a regular automatic with gears does. They operate similar to the variable speed head on a Bridgeport vertical milling machine. With a system of cone pulley's and a drive belt. So I list the CVT Transmission as the Corolla's negative. They are the future in small cars, and in 10 years all compacts will have them. And they will have the cost and reliability dialed in by then. But now I feel it's too much of a gamble. I'll be keeping this vehicle for a long time. The Volkswagen Jetta has a standard automatic with gears that shifts like most all automatics do. And I'm comfortable with that. The Jetta's negative, (as far as I'm concerned), is it has a turbo.

I know a lot of young drivers like them, but I'm not a big fan of turbochargers on cars. Much like the CVT Transmission, they're a big money pit if they go south out of warranty. Yeah, you get better performance and more overall power. But it's at the expense of that turbo, that you hope and pray doesn't go away. I will admit that today's turbochargers have a pretty good reputation for overall reliability. I'm not sure if the Jetta's turbocharger is liquid cooled or not. I'm hoping it is. So my thinking is the turbo is not as large of a negative as the CVT Transmission is. Advantage Jetta.

In overall vehicle reliability Toyota scores better marks than Volkswagen. Always has. But that and a buck buys a cup of coffee at the counter at Denny's. I had a Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel, and it was one of the best cars I ever had. Totally reliable. So I'm not uncomfortable buying one. And the whole "Dieselgate" mess is pretty much behind them. Volkswagen certainly isn't going away because of it.

So I would like to hear if any of you guys drive either of these, and what you think of them. I'm replacing my 26 year old 1991 F-150. Since I bought my 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, I really don't need two big full sized vehicles. So it's time to downsize. More room in the garage as well. I'm getting tired of walking sideways between 2 cars, and having to squeeze in and out of them!

[Solus]

Bill, haven't driven either, but I think you leaning to the Jetta is a good move.

That questionable transmission will always be in use but the turbo is somewhat resting unless you kick it in.  There when you need it, but in background if you take it easy.

Good luck on which ever you pick.

Take care

[Big Frank]

CVTs are great in snowmobiles and ATVs that use a rubber belt that can be replaced for as little as 50 bucks for a really cheap one. The chains they use in CVTs in cars are a different story. I saw one for sale on Amazon for $350.00 + $41.60 shipping, so close to $400. The CVT is cheaper and simpler to build than a regular automatic transmission and should be cheaper to fix.

[TAB]

How long are you going too keep It? If more then 100k. Get the Toyota.   Vw  are German engineerd  and have of a of strange things that are very expensive too fix

[Timothy]

Keep looking!

Toyota is ok for a while but lately I’m less impressed by the cheap materials.  Also don’t care for CVT.

The VW, no thanks....

(Still a Ford guy).

I’d look at a midsize if you’re over 6 ft tall.  They get darn near the mileage of the chitboxes these days!

[Sponsor]

[billt]

How long are you going too keep It?

Unless it gets wrecked or stolen, until the wheels fall off, or I die.

[Majer]

Having owned VW's I would say go for the Jetta, follow their maintenance schedule religiously and it will last you for a long time. They are well made cars, but need the proper maintenance to stay reliable.

[TAB]

That has not been my exp with them.  I know lots of people that have had them in their feets as they were cheap.  All very well taken care.  But between 100-120k something goes out nd it costs at east 25% of the value of the car.

That is an issue for me, I expect at least 150 with out. Major issue 200 is better.

[MAUSERMAN]

I would go with corolla. Its one of Toyota's flag ship vehicle's with an awesome track record. The vw suffers from build quality issues and polymer parts in place they don't belong. Stay away from turbo's. Its as headache you don't need. I've been doing the same homework and I'm either buying a corolla or the Camry. Honda has gone the turbo route I'm not willing to travel

[billt]

I had a 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel. It was a great car. But that was then and this is now. It was also a non turbocharged diesel. Now they are all turbo gasoline.