CD Article: 2007 Volkswagen City Golf & Jetta

[lucid0703]

I was also negative about old generation Golf/Jetta's comeback.
But, looking at the features, available options and price, I think they'll be pretty good alternatives to Yaris/Fit/Versa buyers.
Their stylings are still very decent and like siraquaman mentioned, the technologies in the cars are not that dated, either.
Indeed, think of what the target buyers' will want.
They don't want all the latest technologies to be applied to the car so the price would go up significantly.

IF they are not a huge success, at least they'll be volume sellers.

Oh, and I agree with golfer to one point. The resale value of Golf/Jetta will be lower. Even one of my friends who bought a used Jetta 2-3 months ago said she should've just waited and bought one of these when she was told there'll be City Jetta.

[Bullet Blue]

MKII I think Bridge has her heart set on an MX-5 now 

[PJungnitsch]

Well, VW.ca has a link to the City now, but it's uhh, broken. That didn't take long.   

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[Arthur Dent]

Pretty good deal really. Not the car for an ethusist but maybe a good car for your mother.

[soj]

What this comes down to is a desperation move on the part of VW Canada (sic US) in light of abysmal product planning particularly as it relates to Canada.  Talking with friends working at VW dealerships there is almost an under current of fear as they realize they're in for hard times until 09 when the diesel comes back.  From what I hear anywhere from 50 - 70% of Golf/Jetta sales were TDI's.  To that end, for as much as possible, most dealerships have stocked up with TDIs in all forms because they know they can sell every one they can get, full up, i.e.: @ msrp.  That msrp is at least $10K higher that the City equivalent which says something about the value placed on one power plant versus the other.

The fact that they are trying to plug the gap with a 10 year old design powered by an even more ancient engine at a greatly reduced price is only indicative of the level of desperation out there.  As for the "Wabbit", I don't think it'll be their savior either given the spectacular power plant they dropped in it, modern chassis or no modern chassis. 

I think it's the engine issue which best highlights VW's achilles heel.  VW just is not offering customers the same level of engine sophistication at the entry level that Honda and Toyota are.  Why would I buy a City that gets 40 mpg when I could buy a Fit/Yaris/Corolla/Civic that gets 7 - 10 mpg better.  At $0.85/liter it doesn't matter but at $1.20/liter it does and I think most consumers sense that the later is the coming reality.
     

[captain_ron]

I filled up here in Vancouver yesterday, it was 94.7 cents/liter. 

TDI's are WAY WAY overated.  I had a 2000 TDI Jetta, i put on close to 80,000km, and I've had a 2002 Acura EL that i've put over 80,000km on so far......Acura EL IS WAY WAY cheaper to operate,  $42 dollar oil changes vs $105 Jetta,  I HAVEN't HAD ONE warranty claim with the EL, Jetta was in the shop every second week for some stupid MAF sensor and other . 

Unless you drive 40,000km+/year, there is now way a TDI can be cheaper to run than a Civic etc...at current gas prices... .95-1.15cents/liter. 

[Demosthenes X]

As long as you don't mind no A/C and keeping your mileage to 20km/yr or less. 

I was actually commenting on the fact that the review says the buying price equals $12 000 - a lot less than the MSRP for that car.    That said, even at $20 000 with the convience package and AC, the City Jetta is a very attractively priced car.  Were I looking for cars in that price range, it would likely be near the top of my list.  Old technology or not, it's quite a deal for a very good car.  And with the money saved, think of the modifications to be done... 

[MKII]

Applaud VW for offering a great feature IMO, to let the customer personalize the car, with a good choice of stand alone options. I was pretty set on my next car at the $20,000 level to be a MY2007 Mazda 3 GS Sport, with A/C being the only option. After checking out vw.ca and building the City Jetta, spec'd to MSRP $20,350, I have to give serious consideration to the C-Jetta. My last VW Canada ownership experience MY1996 Golf, was not a pleasant one. The Golf was great, but the service department and VW Credit/lease  dealings , makes me shy to set foot in a VW dealership again.

Base MSRP $16,700 
 
 Engine: 2.0L I-4 DOHC SMPI STD 
 
 Transmission: 5-Speed Manual STD 
 
 Tires: P195/65R15H AS STD 
 
 Wheels: 6J x 15" Steel w/Full Wheel Cover STD 
 
 Fully Reclining Front Comfort Seats STD 
 
 Flat Woven Cloth Seat Fabric STD 
 
 Monotone Paint Application STD 
 
 Radio: CD Player STD 
 
 Convenience Package $540 
 
 Cold Weather Package $205 
 
 CFC-Free Air Conditioning $1,350 
 
 Electronic Stabilization Program $450 
 
 Side Curtain Protection $410 
 
 Destination charge $695 
 
 Total MSRP*: $20,350 

[onearmed]

I have a 2003 GTI and I don't feel bad at all.  Plus I don't think I'll be selling mine for another 8 years. 

This allows people who have always wanted to own a VW can do so even if it is an older model.  Again, we have to look at the average consumer that buys a cavalier etc.  They just want a cheap car, and this provides them with one.  It's not a performance car it's a A to B car.  The value is there regardless of age.

4 wheel disc brakes
abs
esp
heated sets
side curtain air bags
galvanized steel body
telescoping steering wheel
larger than yaris/fit
4 year warranty instead of 3 year

[JSCC]

VW is really pushing the colour white this year!
All, I mean "all" 07 models will have the colour option "white".

Why didn't they have white on 06 Passat!?
I saw a picture of a white Passat on a website, and it was the first time I fell in love with the car..

They have white for 07! We accepting trade-ins. $_$

[JSCC]

VWs 1997 technology/design is still ahead of a lot of manufacurers 2007 technology/desgin! 

VW had 10 years to perfect the Golf/Jetta IV platform.
If they don't make the Cities trouble free, I would be mad at VW too! 
Only time will tell.

I don't think any of the current VW products are overpriced.
Even the Touareg and Phaeton is good value, but unfortuantely VW lacks the brand image.
When it's a Q7 or A8, all of a sudden it's worth that much more?
Whatever! What the heck do I know. 

[lucid0703]

VW is really pushing the colour white this year!
All, I mean "all" 07 models will have the colour option "white".

Why didn't they have white on 06 Passat!?
I saw a picture of a white Passat on a website, and it was the first time I fell in love with the car..

They have white for 07! We accepting trade-ins. $_$

Thanks for the info, but I'll consider it after several years

[soj]

Chassis design is not the issue, a 97 type IV chassis is still superior to 95% of what Korea produces and 60 - 70% of what comes out of Japan especially when pushed well beyond NA limits.  On the engine front it's a different matter, there VW slides to the bottom half is not quartile.  Sure the 2.0T is slick but that's not your bread and butter engine.  The old 2 liter and the "new" 2.5 liter are and there sure isn't much fahrvergnugen there.

No, the reality is that VW is in for a rough ride.  The old adage "a good offence is the best defense" comes to mind.  Throwing out boat anchors doesn't solve the problem, at best it buys you time until such time when a "rabbit' can pulled from the hat, no pun intended.   

[bmorton]

This allows people who have always wanted to own a VW can do so even if it is an older model.  Again, we have to look at the average consumer that buys a cavalier etc.  They just want a cheap car, and this provides them with one.  It's not a performance car it's a A to B car.  The value is there regardless of age.

I agree. Those who are all red in the face about VW having the gall to continue to sell the older 2.0 Golf and Jetta aren't the target customers anyway. These stack up pretty darn well compared to other vehicles at the low end of the market. The 2.0 is behind the times, but it still feels peppy around town and is decent on gas. Price, feel and feature list will sell these cars.

[toolatecrew]

I think they will sell quite a few o them. they should be profitable because of the low overhead costs (being an older model with paid for tooling etc).

However there will be a downside. VW did something al little similar when they finally woke up and made their warranty similar to others. People were paying 25K for a Jetta with a 40K warranty. The next month the same 25 K car has an 80K warranty. This tends to tick people off.

Someone buying a 20 K used Golf /Jetta from a dealer and then finding they can buy a NEW one for the same or less? Not warm and fuzzy feelings.

The folks who were ready to trade their Golfs in on a rabbit or on a new Jetta are not going top be favorably disposed when the VW dealer tells them their trade in value has been slashed because the used market for their car has gone down the tubes.

[Brigitte]

I think they will sell quite a few o them. they should be profitable because of the low overhead costs (being an older model with paid for tooling etc).

However there will be a downside. VW did something al little similar when they finally woke up and made their warranty similar to others. People were paying 25K for a Jetta with a 40K warranty. The next month the same 25 K car has an 80K warranty. This tends to tick people off.

Someone buying a 20 K used Golf /Jetta from a dealer and then finding they can buy a NEW one for the same or less? Not warm and fuzzy feelings.

The folks who were ready to trade their Golfs in on a rabbit or on a new Jetta are not going top be favorably disposed when the VW dealer tells them their trade in value has been slashed because the used market for their car has gone down the tubes.

Doesn't bother me one little bit.  I got good value out of my car, and you'd be a fool to think that dealers would give you a fair price on trade anyway.  I consider a trade-in the lesser of two evils.  I have neither the patience nor the fortitude to sell my used car privately. 

All in all, I think it's a brilliant move on VW's part.  Get more people into the VW groove at a reasonable price.  Good on them.  And I would still buy a Rabbit or a GTI tomorrow, despite the supposed 'dilution' of the market.

[MKII]

Indeed a very bold move by VW. The competition must be up in arms, all of a sudden their B class vehicles have to compete against 2 C class vehicles. It has to be good in the long run for the consumer, plus the good old imagine of VW's being affordable has to considered.

[johngenx]

Did they run out of the Kool-Aid at VW?  For years we've seen them trying to position themselves as somewhere north of BMW and Mercedes, and now they seem to have realized that people think of them as "affordable" cars.

Brilliant.  This way they don't have to reduce the prices on the new Rabbit product, but can bring a $20K to market to go head to head with the Civic, Corolla, Fit and Yaris.  Thanks to paid-for tooling and cheap Mexico assembly (hhhmmm...) they can sell the car at that $20K mark with stuff like ESP and side-bags.

Me?  I think the new Civic is better value yet, offering most of the safety gear and no question of quality.  But, I'm glad to see another player in the $20K-flat arena, as it makes it better for consumers.

Kudos to VW.

[canuckdriver]

bad move if you ask me.  VW wanted to go upscale a year ago and now they want to go really cheap??  I really dont like the idea of having the old MKIV around again.  having had a few (jetta 1999 2.0, jetta 2001 VR6, GTI 2003 1.8T) they have to be some of the least reliable cars, and the fuel economy is'nt great...the two MAIN reasons for buying these kind of cars.  Also, insurance should be more expensive.

Just makes little sense. I really would tke a versa, yaris or what not over a 10 year old car...it would have made more sense to put in a 2.0 FSI non turbo to get great mpg...even then.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,43896.msg304677.html#msg304677
City Jettas have landed!

The more I've thought about this, the more I'm concerned about the impact of the City Jetta. Before in 2004, the price premium of Jetta over Golf was something like $4,000+, today the Jetta V over Rabbit 5dr is about $4,000 (significantly more comparatively equipped), however the City Jetta over City Golf is now only $2,600 and you get power door locks std on the City Jetta. Doesn't really make sense, as now the gap between City Jetta and Jetta V is a whopping $8,300!!! VW is almost giving too much choice here for the buyer, especially when someone comes in and is looking to go TDI diesel and is informed the Jetta TDI is $28Gs but they could get a nice City Jetta for under $20... it's undermining the value (if you could argue there is any) of the Jetta V. PLUS they've raised the price of option packages on the Jetta V    Have to wonder who would fork out for a New Beetle as well, not that they sell as many anymore - good thing it has the I5 now and Cabrio versions. I figure the Mexican production cars (Jettas and Beetles) are really the only source of profit for VW in North America, but they're stretching it. The City Jetta should have started at more like $18 instead of $16,7 if you ask me. Using the money from that, bring down the price on the Jetta V by $1,000. That would have made much more sense to me.

Anyhow, do think they'll sell sh*tload of City Jettas regardless of the 2.0L.

EDIT: Just read Beetle's getting a price break, but not nearly enough.
http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/060927-2.htm