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VR6 Check engine light flashing

You'll notice that it ain't idling properly. and listen closely to the exhaust.

2001 Volkswagen Beetle Engine Rattle

Carolyn started the bug last Friday morning (02/05/10) after sitting in a cold garage for a week (snow and ice outside) and encountered a loud ...

OTC Tool Guy Pegisys Direct - Hit Technician 2000 Volkswagen Passat 2.8 Ltr. Engine ...

= 2000 Volkswagen Passat 2.8L ATQ Customer Complaint = Check engine light on Brake Light on and flashing ABS light on. Procedure: 1. Using a full ...

The People’s Car: Das Auto or Das Crap?

In 2008, I got an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts from my community college, so my parents thought it fitting that they do what most parents do for their kids on their 16th birthday or high school graduation and get me a car. I really didn’t mind the wait. I didn’t get my license until I was 17-and-a-half anyways, or in my senior year of high school. I went to a private school with a bunch of prepsters where probably about 90% of juniors and seniors had their own cars, but I started late and my parents weren’t filthy rich. But, it’s all good.

So, just before my graduation, I searched and found a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta online that seemed to be the perfect car. It was pricier than what my parents wanted to pay for a used car (around $7000), but it seemed to be in good condition nonetheless, and was cheaper than a used Honda around the same age. Now, most people know that Hondas or Toyotas are typically the way to go if you want a car that can seemingly run forever with minimal problems (except maybe Toyota now…), and that European cars are fancy things that cost quite a bit in parts and service.

That actually had occurred to me once I had done some research on the Volkswagen Jetta, which could best be described as a cute, economical-looking 4-door that is bound to have all those complicated German-car issues along the way. I went through some forums before buying the car where several people complained about their Jettas being “lemons” and “nothing but trouble.” But, I took a chance, and after 2 years, I actually have had a fairly good experience with my Jetta. It did have less than 100,000 miles when I bought it and now is nearing 120,000, but it still seems to be doing OK. Aside from the oil burning issue (I think mine might do a little better than the “average” oil burning VW, said to be about 1 quart burned per 1,000 miles, but still burns and needs to be checked every couple of weeks) and the occasional purchase of special “accessories” ($40 plus labor to have the plastic oil dipstick guide replaced; extra cash spent on synthetic oil; a headlight that went out twice in 6 months costing me a traffic citation then money for replacement; $25 for a gallon of coolant that can only be purchased at a Volkswagen dealer), it’s been great. Until today, bringing me to this post.

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