What I did this week (driving in the Bay Area)

JSpira · 07-25-2010, 10:47 PM

First, a disclaimer. I haven't gone over to the dark side.

But I did get to spend a few days in the Bay Area driving the new 2011 Jetta, both the petrol and the diesel version.

Despite an attempt to appeal to a different kind of buyer, the cars were still a lot of fun. They kinda remind me of driving either a MINI or a much older 3er (think E30).

Volkswagen is aiming for 800,000 sales in the U.S. by 2018 and broadening their appeal is a key step for them. But they - just like BMW - have to be true to their roots (in their case, Fahrvergnügen).

Of course, when I got home, I couldn´t wait to drive the 335d again. While VW has made some great advances, the 335d still has a level of refinement that I have only seen in cars like the 530d and the 730d.

I wrote all this up for The Diesel Driver if anyone wants to see the pictures or read more about it.

For the price (16-24,000), the company makes an excellent vehicle.

Joonsup · 07-25-2010, 11:21 PM

bmw-hoya · 07-26-2010, 12:37 AM

Hope you enjoyed your time in the Bay Area.

M3_WC · 07-26-2010, 01:12 PM

Actually a great car for the money. They start at $15-16k. Personally I think you would be crazy to buy a Carolla or Civic over the new Jetta.

07-25-2010, 10:47 PM	#1
JSpira Freude am Fahren 334 Rep 5,254 Posts Drives: Fünfer, Dreier, + Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York, München, Wien iTrader: (1)	What I did this week (driving in the Bay Area) First, a disclaimer. I haven't gone over to the dark side. But I did get to spend a few days in the Bay Area driving the new 2011 Jetta, both the petrol and the diesel version. Despite an attempt to appeal to a different kind of buyer, the cars were still a lot of fun. They kinda remind me of driving either a MINI or a much older 3er (think E30). Volkswagen is aiming for 800,000 sales in the U.S. by 2018 and broadening their appeal is a key step for them. But they - just like BMW - have to be true to their roots (in their case, Fahrvergnügen). Of course, when I got home, I couldn´t wait to drive the 335d again. While VW has made some great advances, the 335d still has a level of refinement that I have only seen in cars like the 530d and the 730d. I wrote all this up for The Diesel Driver if anyone wants to see the pictures or read more about it. For the price (16-24,000), the company makes an excellent vehicle. Attached Images __________________ Freude am Fahren. Jonathan E90 2006 330xi E90 2006 325i E39 2003 530i Sport* E46 2000 328Ci* E36 1996 328iS* E36 1992 325i* E30 1991 318is E21 1982 320iS* E21 1979 320 (6-Zyl)* retired Nominated: Most Contributing Member Last edited by JSpira; 07-25-2010 at 11:28 PM..*
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07-25-2010, 11:21 PM	#2
Joonsup Lieutenant General 322 Rep 17,316 Posts Drives: E92 M3, E30 325i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (8) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [9.50]
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07-26-2010, 12:37 AM	#3
bmw-hoya Captain 25 Rep 634 Posts Drives: Montego Blue 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	Hope you enjoyed your time in the Bay Area. __________________ "Of course I do. I'm Leonard Shelby. I'm from San Francisco." (Memento) "Look, we are all reasonable men here. We don't have to give assurances as if we were lawyers." (Godfather: Part II)
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07-26-2010, 01:12 PM	#4
M3_WC Brigadier General 1040 Rep 3,622 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Actually a great car for the money. They start at $15-16k. Personally I think you would be crazy to buy a Carolla or Civic over the new Jetta.
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