CD Article: 2007 Volkswagen City Golf & Jetta

[CD_Editor]

Preview:

They're back!  The previous generation Volkswagen Golf hatchback and Jetta sedan have returned for the 2007 model year with new, lower price-tags.   Starting at just $14,900, the four-door 2007 City Golf is more than $3,600 cheaper than the 2006 Golf CL, and more than $6,000 cheaper than new four-door Rabbit.  Starting at $16,700, the 2007 City Jetta is more than $8,000 cheaper than the 2005 Jetta and the redesigned 2006 Jetta.  Basically compact cars at a subcompact price, the new City Golf and City Jetta will compete with entry-level subcompacts like the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit on price, and help fill a gap left by the absence of diesel Rabbits and Jettas in 2007.      More...

[golfer]

I think this is a bad move. It plummets resale prices for existing VWs, and portrays two kinds of VWs to customers:  those with advanced, newer, competitive technology and those that are cheaper and hopelessely outdated and as a result dilutes the image of VW as a company that makes cars that are the best in it's class (something that is very characteristic of the American manufacturers - selling crap alongside better models). In addition, it antagonizes those who spent $25,000 on a new Jetta and now find the same car for 9000 less - new.


I have a 2004 Golf CL on lease.... one thing is for sure, I'm not keeping the car once the lease is over. The car is worthless once the lease is over.

[JSCC]

That's why VW is doing 2.9%-3.9% financing on CPO Jetta/Golfs with the 2.0L engine.
Our dealer got rid of most of the CPO 2.0Ls.

The 1.8Ts are at 5.9%, the resale value of the cars with these engines won't be affect THAT much.

[JSCC]

I have a 2004 Golf CL on lease.... one thing is for sure, I'm not keeping the car once the lease is over. The car is worthless once the lease is over.

Another reason why people should lease instead of buy, thank you very much.

[JSCC]

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

[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..

[golfer]

It's surprising how positive the article is. Is it really a good thing that cars with technology dating back to 1997 are being still sold here as new? The car from my own experience is really feeling dated, and the engine is quite rough. It's not surprising that the Americans are not getting it - VW couldn't pull it off over there.

i also wonder why the Golf and Jetta had a base price of $20,000 and $24,000 a few years ago, but now suddenly VW can sell them for as low as $16,000.

Also, remarkable is how easily options are made available without having to resort to model changes. you can now pick the options you want for a minimal price increase. Why was that not availabe before, and still is not in Canada for many models (although the US gets this liberty of choice)? That's the way it always should have been.

VW had decreased the safelty of these cars by making the side airbags as an option.

On the positive side, with a price this low, maybe we will be seeing much more VWs on the street now, deservedly

[si]

this is very third world ish....    Europe hasn't seen these models for years, and we're still being fed them.

boo for a reduction in 'moving forwardism' in favour of 'cheapism'

[PJungnitsch]

Nice! I'll have to try out one of these too. That's how to package the options (cough Suzuki, Toyota, Honda). Good to see heated seats and stability control on a cheaper car. Stability control on the Vibe costs about 4 grand with all the extras required.

VW dealers must be tickled. Test drove the Rabbit and it's a wonderful car to drive, but gets pricey fast.

[bmorton]

I think these will sell just fine. The elitists might think it's beneath them to purchase an old-tech VW, but money talks. GM sold tons of crude, ancient Cavaliers and Sunfires because they were cheap. A Golf with sunroof, side curtains, air and stability control for under $20k is priced right.

[nowcar]

" GM sold tons of crude, ancient Cavaliers and Sunfires because they were cheap.

Look at GM's reputation now... of course this is not the only reason but...

"A Golf with sunroof, side curtains, air and stability control for under $20k is priced right."

Priced right... now, How about the last 6 years?

What do you get when you sell old tech cars that are not reliable?

How long can "nice interiors" be your major selling point?

If I owned a 2006 Golf I would be so pissed!

ps. I am not a total VW basher - anyone who made the Corrado is OK in my books

[bmorton]

Point was that I don't think the buying public is as concerned with the older technology as those of us who are car enthusiasts would be. Nor would anyone who's shopping for a car now care that the Golf/Jetta were overpriced in the past. If anything, that's a plus because it means the City Golf/Jetta must be a good deal, and people like deals.

[nowcar]

"people like deals"

- Fair Point

[RunsinLight]

Point was that I don't think the buying public is as concerned with the older technology as those of us who are car enthusiasts would be.

Unless a dealer or an advertising tells them. Most people won't even know.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Wow, didn't expect this article at all when I opened CD this morning!

I don't know who would buy the Golf IV TDI still being marketed at $27,000 similarly equipped to a City Golf IV at $21Gs, but hey... I'm not complaining. The City models represent superb value. Priced like a lightweight car, feeling much more substantial. I'm impressed! I guess the only new model in the market which would compare in concept might be the Versa.

Besides being a now 10 year old design (was intro'd in Europe in 1997, here in '99.5) and being a familiar sight, I still don't consider the cars having that much 'old' technology besides 2 things - the engine most notably being down on power and fuel economy, and the suspension which is comfy in a straight line but not so athletic around corners (accessory/aftermarket components could help this). The main other deficit in these cars remains the lack of rear seat legroom, but that's not a technology thing. The cars still score perfectly well in crash safety tests like IIHS' (they are heavy with thicker steel), they have 4 wheel discs and ABS standard, ESP available, side curtains AND side torsos available, plus a sunroof which at this price not many cars offer (Aveo/Wave, Accent Hatch, maybe a cheaper Cobalt/Pursuit or Focus). And I did over 300K on those same City Golf seats weighing damn near 300lbs for much of the time I drove it and they looked pretty well new with no bolster colapsing or wear, so I can attest to their durability, and their comfort driving to Florida and back without stopping many times.

Best part is you can get options you want and skip those you don't. For example, I'd be skipping the A/T (wasn't there a 5 speed in these models before, or is the author misquoting?), the side torsos, and the ESP, so my City Golf would be $19,205 (not bad, considering I'd get exactly what I wanted), the City Jetta $20,805 (which I think a lot of people will find fackin' great for that car). The Rabbit is still the best value in the line-up IMO, but for many buyers it's still just too expensive. Oh, and as a side note, I love the CITY badging as stand alone chromed letters (just wish they'd be mounted above the 'Golf' and 'Jetta', but think they changed the marketing names from ___ City to City ___ at the last minute).

I don't feel bad for Volkswagen's fortunes in North America the past couple years - they could have and should have priced and packaged these cars more attractively in the past. But you know what, people still bought them at well over $20,000 in droves. And I truely believe it costs a lot of money for VW to produce these models vs competitors because of the materials put into them and the mindset at the time they were designed. I do feel bad for people who bought Golfs and Jettas in 2003-2005 especially with the 2.0L, but really what can you do? Wish the Polo was coming, but this is better than nothing and I think VW has priced the cars really well (rather than a slight drop in price which wouldn't have made a difference). I'm particularly going to watch the City Jetta as that is still a great looking car, and we'll see how the new low price on that model affects sales of the substantially more expensive Jetta V - which is supposedly going UP in price for '07!    It may undermine the price premium of the Jetta V and unfortunately in my mind too they have sort of created a two tiered VW, but I don't think as some of you that the City models are old outdated crap. I think they represent a great way to get into a bigger feeling more substantial car for less money, and I think will attract a lot of buyers in the next year or two they're offered. We shall see. I think a lot of other manufacturers will be either laughing or shocked, but regardless they'll be looking to guage their success in the market as well.

I guess the bottom line for me is that at least Volkswagen did something to address our specific market needs. They could have done nothing, but instead are trying something. 

[Demosthenes X]

Now, I'm not very good at math, but:

Base models can be bought with $1,750 down and payments of $199/month for 48 months at 5.9% interest.

$200/month x 48 months = $9600
+ $1750 = $11 350 total.  If that's the case, I'll be on my way to the local VW dealer and picking myself up a new City Jetta. 

I assume he means they can be leased for those figures?

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Another article...
http://www.auto123.com/en/info/news/roadtest,view,VOLKSWAGEN.spy?artid=69473

www.VW.ca is updated. I can't wait to see the yellow City Golfs 

[Thanou]

Is there a plan to bring the low cost version of the station wagon?

[jww]

Now, I'm not very good at math, but:

Base models can be bought with $1,750 down and payments of $199/month for 48 months at 5.9% interest.

$200/month x 48 months = $9600
+ $1750 = $11 350 total.  If that's the case, I'll be on my way to the local VW dealer and picking myself up a new City Jetta. 

I assume he means they can be leased for those figures?

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

[MKII]

Apologize for the double post, as I have posted this question to Brigitte in  her Jetta post.

Question for Brigitte, seeing you are an owner of a Jetta and pleased with the experience, what is your opinion on VW's releasing the new City Jetta with a lead in price starting at $16,700. Your 2000 GLS base MSRP was $ 23,350, plus the option package. When it comes time to replace your Jetta, will the lower price of the City Jetta  sway you back another Jetta?