Welcome back! Today we’re sticking with sticks, because no matter what the fun police say, we love them. Today’s cars have different types of forced-induction systems, both of which are known to be a bit temperamental. But at the moment, they both run and drive just fine.
But before we get to those, we need to check yesterday’s results, and – well well well, what have we here? It seems the beat-up Chevrolet has taken a narrow but decisive win. I can’t really argue. If they were closer in price, I’d say it would be down to the test drive, but for a grand cheaper, my money’s on the Chevy as well.
A number of you expressed a dislike for stepside trucks, and I agree; the style works better on older trucks. But I do like the GMT400 with a stepside, at least in regular-cab form. Before I bought my truck, I test-drove an extended cab GMC with a stepside bed, and I just couldn’t get my head around the styling. It looked like those superhero drawings that are all torso on little tiny legs. But this, a short-wheelbase standard cab, I like.
Now let’s turn our attention from trucks to a couple of small European cars with a little something extra under the hood to help them along. One has a turbocharger, the other a supercharger, and both have a reputation for being finicky to maintain. Which one is worth the effort? That’s what we’re going to find out. Here they are.
2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T – $3,295
Engine/drivetrain: Turbocharged 1.8-liter dual overhead cam inline 4, five-speed manual, FWD
Location: Tacoma, WA
Odometer reading: 114,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
The fourth generation is when the VW Jetta grew up, which makes it fitting that so damn many of them were bought as graduation presents or first cars out of college. It was also a huge step forward in complexity for the little VW sedan, and more complex often equals less reliable. And a great many complaints about this car revolve around the optional 1.8T engine.
On paper, it’s great: an honest-to-goodness 100 horsepower per liter, from a twin-cam 20-valve four, with plenty of torque down low. And in practice, it’s a good performer, too. But it’s also known for sludgy oil, coil-pack failures, self-destructing water pumps, and more. This one is for sale from a dealership, so there is no maintenance history available. All we know is it runs and drives well enough at the moment for them to offer test drives.
It looks pretty good cosmetically. This generation of Jetta introduced the “soft touch” plastics, which haven’t held up too well over the years, from what I’ve heard. And I think this is the era of Volkswagen that tended to smell like crayons inside; this is apparently due to the sound-deadening material off-gassing. But hey, there are worse things for a car to smell like.
Outside, it’s, well, silver, like the overwhelming majority of fourth-gen Jettas. But it’s straight and shiny, and these cars do wear silver well. You’ll just never be able to find it in a parking lot.
2006 Mini Cooper S – $4,000
Engine/drivetrain: Supercharged 1.6 liter dual overhead cam inline 4, six-speed manual, FWD
Location: Woodinville, WA
Odometer reading: 104,000 miles
Operational status: “Runs good” is all we get
R53-generation Mini Coopers are cool little cars. They’re quick, handle well, and cute as a button. Unfortunately, they also live up to the stereotype of British cars being fragile and short-lived, even though they’re not British at all – these are actually BMWs, built in Germany. And sadly, they live up to all of the BMW stereotypes as well.
The 1.6-liter supercharged engines in these are actually pretty robust, but they are prone to oil leaks and cracked coolant expansion tanks. I don’t know why BMW can’t keep its vehicles from oozing various fluids, but it seems to be a constant struggle. From what I’ve heard, it’s a lot of nickel-dime problems with these, death by a thousand cuts, rather than any one catastrophic issue. And of course, we get zero information about its history. Best bring a friend along who knows these cars well when you check it out.
It does look pretty well-kept; there’s nothing obviously broken or worn out. And I don’t see any warning lights on the dash, which is a promising sign. I never have been a fan of having the speedometer in the middle of the dash; I didn’t like it on old Jeeps, I didn’t like it when I test-drove a Scion xA, and I don’t like it here. And if you have a passenger who tends to be a backseat driver, they know exactly by how much you’re exceeding the posted speed limit. You’d get used to it, I guess.
I have always liked the exterior styling of these. And more recent versions haven’t been able to improve on it. It’s the one big problem with retro-themed designs; how do you update it? Newer Minis have also forgotten the “mini” aspect; they’ve just gotten more bloated-looking. These early ones are lean and mean.
With either of these cars, you’re likely to have more problems than if you settled for a Corolla or something. But you’ll also have more fun behind the wheel. And really, for the most part, these cars aren’t unreliable, just fussy and high-maintenance. Do things when the book says to do them, in the way it says to do them, and everything will be all right. Mostly. Probably.
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
If I’m buying a car that is going to be an expensive pain in the ass to keep on the road, it sure as shit isn’t going to be a silver sedan that smells like crayons. Mini all the way. At least you’ll be smiling up until it breaks.
My thoughts exactly. The Mini will be a blast until it isn’t.
Real world I’d never touch either, but for pretend money, if I’m going to have something that’s constantly breaking, it better look good so mini all the way
Exactly!
Mini, simply because it is more fun to drive. The Jetta isn’t bad, but I don’t particularly care for that generation and would only take a TDI. The Mini isn’t without issues, but the go-kart like experience when it is running is worth dealing with it when it isn’t.
“And really, for the most part, these cars aren’t unreliable, just fussy and high-maintenance.”
Came here to protest calling the 1.8T ‘fragile’ in the headline, but then you fixed it at the end! I’ve had two 1.8T’s (still daily one) and this is the truth. They don’t suffer fools maintenance-wise, but they are *not* unreliable. Then again, aside from the odd lemon, there are very few modern (90’s and up) cars that are truly unreliable provided you do the maintenance.
My personal VW ownership experiences, plus reading about others experiences with BMWs, Mercs, etc. has convinced me the German engineering mantra is: “Why use a simpler solution when a more complicated and failure prone one works just as well?”
According to many, Toyota is the only manufacturer that makes reliable cars. For everything else, failure is imminent and will be expensive.
Buick used to.
I married fussy and high maintenance, bless her beautiful heart. I don’t need a car to add to my angst.
I was very very very very very very scared to vote. I have had anxiety since I saw the article come up.
Exactly. Mark says these are more fun than any Toyota Corolla could be.
I disagree. I can have more fun, and fun times in something that does not cause me anxiety every time the engine is cranked.
Now if we were talking 1970’s era here, would love an original generation Jetta.
Or a 70’s Mini.
I feel like my heart wants the Mini, but my head tells me I could VR6 swap the Jetta and that might be good fun.
A last year of the first gen R53 should be much more reliable than a first year of the second gen R56. Best to totally avoid the R56.
My girlfriend back in 2001-ish had a MK4 Jetta with the VR6 and a manual gearbox. It was a great little car when it was working properly. Unfortunately “working properly” wasn’t really something that car did often. Mini for me, but I’m not particularly excited about it.
The Jetta’s styling has not aged well has it? It’s about as interesting to look at as a milk carton. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen one from this generation on the road in a long time. I assume this is the last one left to self-destruct.
I’ve owned both a Jetta from this era and a Mini from the generation after this. There’s no contest, the Mini was more fun by a mile. Even the old ones still look good. Just find a good mechanic.
I’ve always thought this was the best-looking Jetta, by a mile.
Going bright red Mini! The styling of this generation Jetta always turned me off.
Wow, do I go for the plain date with severe bipolar disorder or the attractive date with gonorrhea? Thank goodness for penicillin. The Mini it is.
Owned an 04 Mini S. Oil leaks are an understatement. Principally, the PCV system was insufficient, causing internal pressurization and leaks, particularly the oil pan seal. This issue was created when the supercharger did its’ thing. Great fun car, but definitely a problem child…
I had a Mini of this vintage for a while, and yes, it needed lots of little things, but ownership history makes a HUGE difference, and mine had a TERRIBLE history, which is why I was able to get it for stupid cheap.
It was easy enough to work on, though. Nothing was particularly difficult or annoying, and when it ran right, it was FUN.
Mini wins my vote on this. Or it would if my browser extensions didn’t reliably eat the poll widget.
I had a B5 A4 with the 1.8T and I actually think it was a quite nice and reliable engine, it survived 4 years of college student abuse (those were its last 4 years, soon after selling it to a friend, a subframe bolt rusted right off). Maybe it’s because I had the longitudinal variant and the lovely Quattro system, maybe it’s because I got into it from a built WRX and ANYTHING seems reliable after that, and maybe I just got lucky, but it was a good car, and the only time I ever got stranded was when I was driving in a very intense rainstorm with super low visibility and ploughed through a puddle. Flooded the cheek-mounted intercooler, but thankfully didn’t hydrolock. My battery died trying to start (couldn’t get air to the engine), called a friend for a jump start/tools and together we disconnected the pipe from the intercooler to the intake, drove around like that to let the turbo spool and shoot all the water out, and she was good as new, probably with a cleaner intake tract too.
All that said, if I’m getting one of these shitboxes, it’ll be for fun, and for that you can’t beat the Cooper.
The 05-06 R53 is the best of that generation reliability wise (not saying much but it’s something) and will be way more fun for your trouble.
Mini has more upside for when it isn’t broken.
From what I understand those 1.8T engine also are subject to timing chain guide failure, on top of the other issues. And yes, I am mentioning this because of DTs timing belt = unreliable article. No I’m not over it yet.
Well that was easy.
“live up to all of the BMW stereotypes as well”… so the turn signals are untouched?
Seriously though, if I’m going to the trouble of an unreliable car, at least have fun and look good doing it. Mini.
My thinking exactly on picking the Mini.
The VW wing of the Wrench Dream Garage is small and already has a real Vanagon in it. Willing to add a squareback and Passat diesel wagon, not this Jetta.
Have gone many years with at least one VW in the stable. While I am usually in the camp of better “the devil you know”, in this case I’m going to try something new with the Mini. Owned a diesel Mk4 Jetta, but not a fan at all of the Mk4 and the 1.8T makes it even worse.
I picked the Mini. If it’s gonna break your heart (and wallet), you may as well go for the better looking one and enjoy the ride!
Yes!
Everyone knows Good/Cheap/Fast (choose two).
I’d like to propose another such choice: Fun/Beautiful/Reliable (choose two). = Mini
I had an 04 Jetta (no turbo) 5 speed. I loved that little car. It was a great daily, comfortable, well equipped, and even towed a Uhaul 2,000 miles when I moved, with the cabin fully loaded with people and cats as well. I am quite nostalgic for it and I was thinking about it just the other day. I know if I still owned it, it would be mint, but I’ll never find another one in good condition.
I always loved the exterior styling of the Mini’s, but the interiors are just hideous. So many circles. It triggers my trypophobia.
This is true of any machine, but exceptionally true for anything German. If you maintain a German car the way they want you to maintain it, it will treat you well. The only exception is more frequent oil changes. 10k miles is too much, and you won’t change my mind about that.
I have PTSD from changing the driver side headlight on this generation of Jetta so many goddamn times and ripping up my hand in the process. Never (this generation of) Jetta
Haha! I can relate. For me it’s the rear door lock modules. Have to take out the entire window glass (including the fixed portion, which is a real PITA). They didn’t fix the lock modules for the Mk5, but they sure made them easier to get to and replace!
I’ve always loved these Mini Coopers. Don’t get me wrong, I know better than to actually buy one but every time I see one I’m tempted, even if just a little, to forget about the horror stories and pull the trigger.
I own a 06 MCS and I hear the complaint, but I don’t have any issues with mine. Of course I maintain it personally and don’t wait until a small problem becomes a big problem. The first gen cars aren’t bad, but I avoid everything after that, unless it is a base model.
It’s more a fear than a complaint. I’ve heard from all kinds of people who enjoyed a trouble free Mini Cooper experience and they always make me think twice. Honestly it’s sort of miraculous I haven’t bought one on impulse.
I have actually driven an example of both of those cars, and have done a lot of work on a 1.8T. Those engines can run a long time if you stay on top of preventive maintenance and change the oil regularly. A lot of the sludge issues came down to a factory oil change interval that was too long, which they later revised, I think. The supercharged mini is a ton of fun to drive, but the owner told me some horror stories about maintenance and repairs that made the 1.8T seem tame. In this case, I’ll take the devil I know.