2004 Jetta GLI, Volvo S60R?

[1CleanEg]

Im currently in the market for a newer car, First wanted a Audi b6 1.8t but after much research and seeing nothing but mainly complaints thats no longer an option. So now im thinking about a Jetta GLI b/c i dont really see all that many around and i have heard that they are pretty reliable and can be decently quick. Was also wondering about a Volvo S60r which i rarely see as well. Discuss...all help is appreciated.

[RL...]

Im currently in the market for a newer car, First wanted a Audi b6 1.8t but after much research and seeing nothing but mainly complaints thats no longer an option. So now im thinking about a Jetta GLI b/c i dont really see all that many around and i have heard that they are pretty reliable and can be decently quick. Was also wondering about a Volvo S60r which i rarely see as well. Discuss...all help is appreciated.

If you can't/don't do your own research on one of the biggest purchases you'll ever make in your life than you're beyond help.

[1CleanEg]

If you can't/don't do your own research on one of the biggest purchases you'll ever make in your life than you're beyond help.

hey dumbass did u clearly miss the part that stated, "after much research"? Nothing wrong with possibly getting personal opinions and experiences from people on the board who actually have had these cars.

[nsany(atl)]

My wife has a '04 GLI great car no problems, just short on room.

[1CleanEg]

^^ yea seems like they are pretty reliable, and since i have no wife or kids the room shouldnt be a problem. appreciate it

[leobond001]

s60r all day long

[yerrow]

but does the OP have the $ to mod it? volvo parts don't come cheap, nor does maintenance

[trini_gsr]

i have a b6 1.8t...no complaints. these cars aren't terribly difficult for DIY stuff, there's forums out there with lots of info. Stay up on your maintenance and make sure to find a clean used one and you'll be fine.

but parts can be expensive for audis. and modding the jetta is going to cost probably about the same. i'd say get the vw except...jettas just don't have the presence of a clean b6

good luck!

[1CleanEg]

s60r is nice but like someone said, i have come to realize that mods and maintenance are expensive.

[1CleanEg]

i have a b6 1.8t...no complaints. these cars aren't terribly difficult for DIY stuff, there's forums out there with lots of info. Stay up on your maintenance and make sure to find a clean used one and you'll be fine.

but parts can be expensive for audis. and modding the jetta is going to cost probably about the same. i'd say get the vw except...jettas just don't have the presence of a clean b6

good luck!

is ur b6 a 1.8t quattro? Love the bodies on them especially when done right. I may just get the jetta, seems like mods maybe a bit cheaper for the jetta as well.

[RL...]

Since it sounds like cost is such a huge factor for your car purchase just get a honda.

[trini_gsr]

is ur b6 a 1.8t quattro? Love the bodies on them especially when done right. I may just get the jetta, seems like mods maybe a bit cheaper for the jetta as well.

yeah it is, 1.8t quattro. actually i have an avant (wagon). i guess the jetta is the most cost effective choice out of what u mentioned

[Paul]

if you go gli you can get vr6 or 1.8t... both are pretty sound motors. if you want to mod it go 1.8t; great power plant. s60r is nice but more expensive and really expensive on parts/service

[JITB]

if ur affraid of the audi, than the vw im sure would be in the same boat, as far as reliability, and complaints. id choose S60r..

[1CleanEg]

if you go gli you can get vr6 or 1.8t... both are pretty sound motors. if you want to mod it go 1.8t; great power plant. s60r is nice but more expensive and really expensive on parts/service

yea i found a 1.8t im gonna go look at this weekend with low mileage. i have my mind set on the gli pretty much at this point, nice interior and a pretty good engine like u said.

[1CleanEg]

if ur affraid of the audi, than the vw im sure would be in the same boat, as far as reliability, and complaints. id choose S60r..

well i was thinking the samething as far as the audi and vdub but seems like the audi had alot more little mechanical problems and all reviews about the gli have been good.

[alpine_aw11]

Audi and Volvo aren't going to be very different as far as maintenance goes, they aren't Hondas. You pay for more quality. Find a well maintained s60r and buy it. Don't beat the shit out of it and you're only going to worry about routine maintenane.

[fivex684]

Out of those 2 I would go with the GLI and I own and mod a Volvo. As far as Volvo's go, 850R>S60R.

[Elbow]

850R's are reliable cars from what I hear, S60's not sure, general rule is the newer the more technical and costly it is to fix...duh.

[superboost]

The s60r is pretty nice. They're not cheap, but you get what you pay for. That being said, I have a friend with a well maintained S60 that he is about to sell. PM me for details. He's 65 btw, so its not too beat on.

[fivex684]

S60R's are not bad cars, just know what you are working with before you jump in.
http://forums.swedespeed.com/zerothread?id=45546

[cjhutch]

Out of those 2 I would go with the GLI and I own and mod a Volvo. As far as Volvo's go, 850R>S60R.

This. In addition I know a guy who until recently was a Volvo Service Manager and he told me to be ready to open my wallet if I were to buy a S60R. He recommended a 850R if I wanted something to mod and could work on myself. I think the earlier models (S60R) had some issues with the transmission that led to really costly repairs.

[1CleanEg]

i appreciate it fellas^^

[Alan®]

As a former salesman for Volvo, I'll say this. your looking at two very different cars and I'm sure I don't have to tell you that. Most people that buy these don't actually beat them that hard. The ones that we had go through our service department were almost always in for just routine maintenance.

The way I look at it is this. The volvo is more of an executive car and the GLI is more of a car you can toy with than the S60R depending on your budget. Like others have said parts and maintenance for Volvo aren't cheap but they aren't actually all that ridiculous either. If your looking for something that you can have a decent amount of fun in and still be comfortable in than the Volvo is what you want. Not to say that the GLI isn't comfortable by any means but when you look at over all fit, finish, and comfort the Volvo puts bus lengths on it. If your looking for something you wanna put a bunch of money in down the road than go with the GLI. But for my money S60R all day long.

My only gripe performance wise with the S60R is the AWD system. Since this is a volvo its still gonna be primarily economy focused then preformance focused therefore the AWD has a FWD bias to it.

[2turbo4u]

P.M BoostedS60r on here he got a modded R!

[OnURleft]

A B6 1.8T and GLI are virtually the same car but different chassis and drivetrain if quattro so your reliability complaints you talked about with one and not the other make absolutely no sense at all.

Personally, i'd get the B6 1.8T Avant hands down. If built properly and maintained with records these cars can be incredibly fast and very reliable. My buddies had 340WHP courtesy of APR stage 3+ , never had any issues and got 32mpg highway. Keep in mind this car was built, and built properly. Stock ones can be up and down but mostly good cars will be good to you, if you can afford the regularly scheduled maintenance.
The GLi's are great looking but I see no point in getting this car when I could have a quattro Audi Avant which is night and day nicer in almost every respect.
THe S60R's are such an amazing car from Volvo. Even the stock suspension and it's different settings is amusing and surprisingly capable. With simple exhaust, inter-cooler (they are in much need of a better intercooler) and software you can get these things to 300-340 awhp and torque. That's plenty of power, but they are about maxed out there and I would be skeptical of how the stock 5 cylinder would hold up at this level.

[nreggie454]

What mechanical problems are you referencing with the B6? Oil sludge build up? A regularly maintained car will not have that issue. Shitty coil packs? Audi finally owned up to it and recalled them and will replace them for free.

I love my A4. It may be slow, but it can drive in any conditions. I love the way it looks debadged and with tint, and am satisfied leaving that way until I have money to mod it. So far, the worst problem I have had with the car is the passenger taillight bulb went out.