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#21 ·
Here's Car and Driver's test of five cars in the Focus/Jetta class and their take on each. The Jetta 2.5 SEL (yeah, they didn't test the GLI, but I think you'll get the idea) finished 5th. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiYKjf8lXA8[driving]
 
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#22 ·
I think the GLI and GTI do have the same interior. At least they did in the MKV platform. The GLI also has a turbo....
 
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#23 ·
Comparing new Focus with the Jetta
After spending time in the new Focus , then switching to the Jetta for me is
like watching the best HD Television , then switching to watching old time Television.
The experience is that different to me.
Not to say the VW is not a good choice, but for me it is what it is, the usual same all from VW.

I think the rear seat space is fine, maybe people concerned about this should take some seat time back there and have someone else drive during your test drives.
 
#24 ·
mac.mogul said:
I assume you are talking about a 2012 Jetta? They are made much cheaper than Jettas of the past so be aware that build quality and materials are NOT what you might expect of "German Engineering" but by no means is it a 'bad' car.

The Focus is a brand new car so it's bound to have its occasional problems associated with first year model vehicles, but so far the reviews are nothing but praises. The manual is probably the best choice for now until Ford can put a bit more work into the new automatics. I really enjoyed the one I test drove.

This sums it up pretty well with basic information of each car. (Ignore the Cruze, its a terrible car.) http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/15/the-16-000-question-focus-cruze-or-jetta-w-poll/
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Yeah I agree, I looked at the new Jetta, and have read about the details i missed...the german engineering is actually in the focus now (thats where it was designed), and it seems as thought the new VW's are now being built to cater to the "American" audience of ten years ago..

BTW...Cruze is waaay bland!!

VW has it beat in the looks dept!!

BUT, it drives well, just not quite the same lively hadling of the Focus IMO. I am of course a little biased, but only because I chose the Focus after looking at alternatives![driving]
 
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#25 ·
By the sounds of it you already like the Focus more. The 5 speed is the way to go for sure. I've never considered a VW. I've also never considered a Ford...until I bought this one.
 
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#28 ·
VW GLI vs Focus 2012. In my opinion, they have both great handling but everything stops here. If it were only about tranny, I would go for a DSG transmission vs a manual transmission anytime. But things don't stop to the tranny only. So, test drive both and choose the one you like. My main concern with VW was not the car itself but the service and the HPFP failures (not the case for a GLI though).
 
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#29 ·
Luki13 said:
I think the GLI and GTI do have the same interior. At least they did in the MKV platform. The GLI also has a turbo....
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They do not. It's one of the biggest issues that's brought up when reviewers take on the Jetta.

GTI seats:

Image


GLI seats:

Image


GLI's seats are much cheaper, with much less aggressive bolstering.
 
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#31 ·
I sat in the new Jetta and was THOROUGHLY disappointed. Hard crappy plastics everywhere, boring as hell interior, school bus material seats, and it just continued on. The only thing I liked was the legroom and the trunk. The exterior is probably the most low profile looking design next to the Corolla and they cheaper out on a lot of building costs which probably means your looking at a short life time for the Jetta. Several car comparisons call the Jetta a huge let down, and don't place it very high. It usually is never seen at the top 3.

Whether or not I love the Focus, I believe what I just posted is not biased. I really thought I would like the Jetta when it first came out but I was very disappointed when I got inside. The Focus is more sturdy, soft touch quality material draped almost everywhere at the front of the cabin, still impressive trunk space, and a much more intelligent and stunning interior layout. The exterior blows the Jetta out of the water for sure. My only issue with the Focus is the rear seat legroom. It could be better, I'd be lying if I said I could sit behind myself perfectly fine. (I'm 6'3) But it's decent for a car of it's size.
 
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#32 ·
The Focus is a far better car IMO, and in the opinion of multiple professional reviewers. It has a better style in and out, drives more responsively, smoother, has the technology I wanted, and the maintenance costs will be much lower than for a VW which has very low reliability.


http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1069885_2012-ford-focus-thecarconnections-best-car-to-buy-2012

http://www.complaintsboard.com/news...d.com/news-stories/2012-ford-focus-is-single-best-compact-car-in-the-world.html

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/2012-10best-cars-feature-2012-ford-focus-page-5
 
#33 ·
The new Jetta was decontented and cheapened to sell at a lower price point. It shouldn't even be called a Jetta. It is the american Wal-Mart version and remains a hollow shell of what a Jetta once was. It's Hitlers insult to those of us living in North America.

I took one for a spin because I couldn't believe they were selling brand new Jettas for 25K Cdn when my friends paid 35+ for their older REAL Jettas. You can't even put them in the same comparison to each other.

I looked in that car and said "oohh...leather too, for 25K?" and the salesman responded "nope...leatherette.....its not actually leather but is better". If I pay for leather I want to know a cow got slaughtered to make it happen!!!! [gunfire]

Besides, if you get a VW, you'll have to start wearing loafers [limp]
 
#34 ·
The GLI adds back in much of the content that the normal MkVI Jetta lost. Multilink rear suspension and soft-touch interior materials are present and accounted for, not to mention the 2.0 turbo which stomps the 2.5 5-cylinder lump in the standard car (I'm pretending the 2.slow doesn't exist of course).

So it should handle similarly and have comparable interior finish to the Focus, and will be quicker off the line and roomier in the back seat. But it'll run a good $25k US compared to a manual SE's $20-22k. The Focus is probably quieter (even with more content the GLI likely still has the tinniness that afflicts the MkVI), surely smoother-riding (no sports suspension), and has slightly superior fuel economy to top it all off.
 
#35 ·
Rat Fink said:
I looked in that car and said "oohh...leather too, for 25K?" and the salesman responded "nope...leatherette.....its not actually leather but is better". If I pay for leather I want to know a cow got slaughtered to make it happen!!!! [gunfire]

Besides, if you get a VW, you'll have to start wearing loafers [limp]
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And the Focus has leather for less than 25K american...if leather is your thing. I particulary liked the contemporary look of the Focus leather, and hey, it cant hurt your resale value for most used buyers.

There is one thing to be said about a "business like" interior...it usually means straight forward and conservative, good if you drive your bosses boss around all day, BUT if you want "first class" in its class, the Focus is a lot more interesting to drive YOURSELF around in all day..

Loafers, hilarious... [rofl]
 
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Discussion starter · #36 ·
SV100 said:
The GLI adds back in much of the content that the normal MkVI Jetta lost. Multilink rear suspension and soft-touch interior materials are present and accounted for, not to mention the 2.0 turbo which stomps the 2.5 5-cylinder lump in the standard car...
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This is exactly why I am not considering the other Jetta trim levels.
I won't be able to drive one again until I am back in the States over Christmas so I am taking note of all of you guys' comments about the Jetta and Focus. I am scheduling a few days solely for car testing.

I have searched endlessly for any and all information I can get on both the Focus and the GLI. My wife thinks I am obsessed and making too large a deal about this process! But I love cars and when it comes time to buy one for myself, I want to make the best and most informed purchase.
Getting the thoughts of people who own the cars and have spent many miles in them living in them from day to day is one of the best sources of information.
Auto journalists are a good source, but in a different way. As is human nature, all their articles have a subjective side regardless of claims of objectivity. It's inevitable. But their strong suite is in their ability to compare a broad range of vehicles and their access to the design, manufacturing, and marketing schemes of the auto industry: what's hype, what's real, what's the inside scoop.
So keep the comments coming I read and appreciate all of your posts. I'll keep you up to date on what I learn and eventually what I end up deciding.
Thanks to you all and I love being a part of Focus Fanatics. [headbang]
 
#38 ·
I would drive them both, but also a GTI 5-door. The GLI has a better interior than standard Jettas and independent rear suspension, as well.

I like my Focus and would buy it again, but I have to say that the steering on a rental Jetta SE was much better than on my Focus, at least. Much more precise, etc.
 
#39 ·
SERES said:
I have searched endlessly for any and all information I can get on both the Focus and the GLI. My wife thinks I am obsessed and making too large a deal about this process! But I love cars and when it comes time to buy one for myself, I want to make the best and most informed purchase.
Getting the thoughts of people who own the cars and have spent many miles in them living in them from day to day is one of the best sources of information.
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Boy do I hear you on this. Substitute MINI for GLI and you just described my situation. I have researched the Focus for over a year now, and MINI's for probably at least two years, among others.

Just think back to 10 years ago (if you can) and remember how much more difficult it was to get information before the popularity of forums such as this one.
 
#40 ·
Here's a quick comment on my experiences - I have no experience with the Jetta, other than looking into the window, seeing them on the road, and reading the reliability reviews. I know, Consumer Reports has downgraded the Focus on reliability due to the DCT and MFT, but I think Ford is addressing or has addressed these issues and time will tell, won't it. BTW, I have the 100K 7 year ESP premium plan from Ford, peace of mind purchased for a mere $690.

Just a quick all-is-well comment. I now have 1800 miles on my October SEL. up to about 1700, I had a slight shudder when accelerating from a stop, not awful but annoying for a new car. Three times, maybe four, I experienced a strange up-shift/clutch application/shift-to-neutral flair when going to brake then back to accelerate. The shudder is now virtually non-existent and I tried several heavy-brake/gas sequences yesterday and was unable to replicate my four prior experiences. I continue to marvel at how pleasant this car is to drive - I do believe I like it much better than my 1967 Corvette (gone in 1969), my 1969 Corvette (gone in 1971), or my 1968 E-Type Jag (gone in 1973). None of these cars gave me the road hugging feel and confidence that my SEL gives me - I do really love to drive this machine on the 13 miles of curvy, narrow, tree-shaded country roads to and from my ranch on in the hills! [driving]
 
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