Camry vs. Jetta

[dbb]

Ok, so my wife and I are ready to get our first new car. We are very excited, and nervous at the same time. After driving several cars and talking to a few people, I think we have the list narrowed down to two contenders, and I would really like your opinion. I realize that this is a Camry forum, and I am likely to get some 'skewed' results... but any honest opinions, experiences, would be very welcome!


Contender #1
2007 Volkswagen Jetta (Wolfsburg Edition)
2.5 liter 5 cylinder


Contender #2
2007 Toyota Camry LE
2.4 liter 4 cylinder




In your experience, which of these cars is the 'best buy'? Both of them run at around $20,000. The Jetta is more fully equipped, because it starts out as a cheaper vehicle, but the Camry always gets great reviews...


Both have automatic transmissions, and we enjoyed driving them about the same. Both seemed very 'quite', solid, strong, and just plain enjoyable to drive.


Which would you pick, and why? Thanks so much for your help!

[geoff5093]

I didnt look too much into the Jetta, but i'd say if you want a car thats going to be reliable, roomy, and has lots of options, go with the Toyota.

If you want speed, a sporty look, then go with the Jetta.

[ShawnM]

For god sake!! Do not buy the jetta. Im not the biggest toyota fan but i would definatly buy a toyota rather than a VW. Do some searches, get the facts about reliability before you make any decisions. All VW's are problematic. If your very lucky you might end up with one that wont send you to the poor house. Check out www.myvwlemon.com. We have seen just about every one of those problems here in the shop when it comes to VW.

[ghettosled]

depends on how long you want to keep the car. consumer reports doesnt think too highly of VW or audi (neither do i after hearing my friends with VWs bitch about the problems they are having). but if youre not planning on keeping the car past 100k miles, go for either one. personally, i like the strying of the VW more, but the reliability of the camry would sway my decision. (though the new accords strike my fancy as well.) this coming from a guy that has 122k miles on his 4-cylinder camry with no problems.

[PhatRoyale]

The Jetta's styling looks like the current Corolla's. VW's are generally known for their electrical problems. I would get the Camry simply because it is a larger, reliable and more comfortable car.

[dbb]

Originally Posted by ShawnM

For god sake!! Do not buy the jetta. Im not the biggest toyota fan but i would definatly buy a toyota rather than a VW. Do some searches, get the facts about reliability before you make any decisions. All VW's are problematic. If your very lucky you might end up with one that wont send you to the poor house. Check out www.myvwlemon.com. We have seen just about every one of those problems here in the shop when it comes to VW.

Now you've got me scared. Is it really that bad? We know a couple of people who have had them for a few years now, and have had no problems... but maybe they are the lucky ones?

It's kind of weird that VW would have a better warranty than Toyota, if all of that is true.

VW Warranty
Basic: 48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Powertrain: 60 Months / 60,000 Miles

Camry Warranty
Basic: 36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Powertrain: 60 Months / 60,000 Miles

[dbb]

Originally Posted by ghettosled

depends on how long you want to keep the car. consumer reports doesnt think too highly of VW or audi (neither do i after hearing my friends with VWs bitch about the problems they are having). but if youre not planning on keeping the car past 100k miles, go for either one. personally, i like the strying of the VW more, but the reliability of the camry would sway my decision. (though the new accords strike my fancy as well.) this coming from a guy that has 122k miles on his 4-cylinder camry with no problems.

This is very good information. Thank you. I am not anticipating that we will drive it for more than 100,000 miles. It will most likely get traded after 5 years or so (80,000 milesish).

Still though... I don't want to drive a vehicle that is this prone to malfunction. Maybe I had better do a bit more research before I make any decisions. Does anyone have any links that would be useful for either one of these cars?

Thanks, these forums have proven to be great way to get good information.

One Car and Driver magazine: $4
One trip to each dealership to test drive cars: $20
One consumer report issue: $5
Real-world advice from owners who 'have been there': Priceless

[toyomoho]

A friend has a 2003 Jetta diesel station wagon, stick (purchased new). About 45K miles now, to date the only problem was glow plugs. The car drives great, good power and 42 mpg hwy. Did read VW shifted production of some VW models in 2004ish to Mexico, Some web comments have been posted about quality issues as a result.

[marc780]

Originally Posted by ShawnM

For god sake!! Do not buy the jetta. Im not the biggest toyota fan but i would definatly buy a toyota rather than a VW. ..All VW's are problematic. If your very lucky you might end up with one that wont send you to the poor house. Check out www.myvwlemon.com. We have seen just about every one of those problems here in the shop when it comes to VW.

He is absolutely right. I owned a 1977 VW Rabbit for 2 long, painful and expensive years and it was the biggest piece of crap i have ever driven! Terrible electrical systems and more designed in defects than Ford. You'd think VW would have learned something since then but no, they havent! (Check consumer reports ratings if you dont believe me, VW always has higher than average defects.) If you are planning to keep this car more than 50,000 miles and you make the mistake of getting the VW, you'll live to rue the day.
This is totally no contest in my book - Camry. (I only recommend VW's to people i dont like.)

[dbb]

How does the ride quality, quiteness, interior compare between these two models? I am specifically concerned with these characteristics while driving 70-80 down the interstate.

[Creeps228]

dbb, go for the Camry. Camrys are quite all around, unles syou install adn intake or exhuast system, Camry are quite cars and reliable. I heard from people I know that VW, though fun to drive, bring problems sooner or later. Camrys are built to last and if you do encounter a problem it wouldn't hurt as much. I got a '99 Camry 4cly, with approximately 105K, haven't had one problem, and i only had the car for a year, who knows how long the other owner had it for, but the car is running onto 8 years adn still i dont have any problems with it.

Also the VW Jetta is for more of a sports car, CAmry would be great for the family and wife. Just my .02

[camrycoupe95]

I would never drive a VW out of warranty. Expensive electrical issues plague that brand and most German cars in general.

[bigbird]

if u ever plan on customizing it, then go for the jetta. they have tons of aftermarket parts compared to the camry. i have driven the jetta 2.5, it is a great car. it feels faster then its built up to be. also the 6 speed sport shift is loads of fun and i would absolutly recommend it. but as with most german cars it has had reports of electrical problems but there all coved under the warranty but after then ur on ur own.

[Tuner571]

My friend has a 03 jetta with 39,000 miles. So far it has been a decent car but some of the problems it had should have never happened. For example, when I was helping my friend install an intake we noticed that the driver side transmission mount had fractured into two pieces. On top of that the interior is cheaply made, the knobs on the stock radio are already breaking off and the car also has had some eletrical problems. If I were you I would go for the toyota rather then the VW just because it is a good reliable car that will get you where you need to go.

[CamrySExxx]

toyota over the jetta just because VW has the bad rep with the electrical problems...wasnt there a massive recall not too long ago for having electrical problems