I’m currently driving a 2012 VW Jetta, but I’m thinking about moving out west. Since I work in the environmental field, I need a reliable 4WD vehicle. I know Tacomas are known for their reliability, but I also understand that every used car has its quirks. I’m planning to use this for daily driving, camping in remote areas, and cross-country trips, so I need something that’s mechanically sound and structurally solid. I’m not too concerned about cosmetic issues, and I have some basic mechanical skills to handle minor fixes. I’m graduating soon, so my budget is limited. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.
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Honestly, any Tacoma generation will be way more reliable than your Jetta. Don’t get stuck overthinking it
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Fair point. My Jetta has 160k miles on the original motor and clutch, and I’ve kept up with maintenance, so I’m used to taking care of my cars
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I have a 2011 Jetta TDI and a 2015 Tacoma 4x4, and let me tell you, the Tacoma can handle anything. I’ve had no issues with either one
The TDI is a different beast compared to a regular Jetta
Totally, I love the Jetta for commuting, especially getting 38-42 mpg, which is great compared to my Tacoma
My first car was a 25-year-old VW diesel Rabbit. It had 279k miles and got 45 mpg. Having that car really shapes your expectations. You think every car should last at least 200k miles, and then you realize you need a hybrid just to get 40 mpg. It’s tough when your first clunker turns out to be built like a tank
I had a 2014 Jetta that I traded for my 2023 Tacoma, and let me tell you, it was a total lemon. I only kept it for so long because I had other vehicles. No one in my family will ever own a VW again
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A friend of mine had a GLI and a similar experience. My 2.5 has been pretty reliable, though it does leak oil a bit, which seems to be expected with VWs
I had to get an engine replaced, luckily it was under warranty, but the new engine still has issues. My headlights have problems too. Have you noticed that every Jetta of that style has at least one daytime running light out? It’s like I can’t unsee it now. I wouldn’t wish VW any good
Yeah, Volkswagens really fall short compared to Toyotas
I’d argue they’re still among the more reliable options from Germany, much better than the big three here in North America
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I’d say they used to be, but not anymore based on my experience with my 2019 Alltrack. I had to deal with a turbo oil leak and a 4WD clutch replacement with less than 50k km on it