| Dating back to its introduction in 1979, the Volkswagen | | | | parts. Purchasing parts directly from the Volkswagen |
| Jetta has maintained its position as a midsize model for | | | | dealer means that owners will have to pay |
| VW for more than three decades. Translated as "jet | | | | intermediate mark ups when choosing select German |
| stream" from German, the Jetta made its North | | | | replacement auto parts including Bosch, Hengst, Mann, |
| American debut in 1985, helping to round out | | | | Zimmerman, Brembo, Varga and others. Sure, you |
| Volkswagen's then limited product line. Now in its fifth | | | | could settle for cheap "knock off" parts from China, |
| generation, the Jetta will likely be updated again in time | | | | but quality is suspect, even downright dangerous for |
| for the 2011 or 2012 model year, signaling the | | | | both car and driver. |
| automaker's commitment to one of its longest running | | | | Some Jetta owners will swap parts, not a few which |
| models. | | | | are interchangeable with other VW models including |
| Longevity And Fan Enthusiasm | | | | the Golf, Rabbit, Sirocco, Passat, etc. Yet, the fact |
| Jetta's longevity has inspired a fan following for the | | | | remains that enthusiasts may be satisfied with certain |
| model, which includes a sedan and in more recent | | | | parts found on eBay, at the flea market or at the |
| years a station wagon, from enthusiasts who share | | | | salvage yard, but if they want new brakes, rotors, air |
| advice, exchange parts, and even wax poetic over | | | | pumps, fuel injectors, a catalytic converter or other |
| their Jettas. Though clearly not a styling queen, the | | | | new part, they would do better shopping online |
| Jetta manages to hold its own against more | | | | especially through an online retailer specializing in |
| expensive competition including comparable Audi, | | | | European car parts including Volkswagen parts. |
| BMW and Mercedes sedans. Indeed, those Jetta | | | | Quality car parts can be found online through retailers |
| models with earlier edition diesel engines can still be | | | | who sell directly to customers and who sell OEM |
| found on the road today, many with 250-, 300- even | | | | (original equipment manufacturer) parts. This means |
| 500,000 miles or more on the odometer. | | | | that you'll want to choose the same parts that |
| But the vast majority of Jetta models on our roads | | | | Volkswagen recommends instead of selecting a lower |
| are newer, as sales of the car has increased and as | | | | cost, but much lower quality car part that fails to meet |
| buyers have traded up to newer cars. The fourth | | | | industry safety standards. |
| generation Jetta was rolled out for the 1999 model | | | | Let Your Mechanic Do It! |
| year and was distributed until 2005 although | | | | Finally, if you end up finding the parts you want but |
| Volkswagen did make the decision to allow both the | | | | aren't sure you want to install them yourself, some |
| fourth and fifth generation models to be sold side by | | | | mechanics will accept your parts charging you for |
| side for several years, except for in the United States. | | | | labor only. But that means making certain that the part |
| The most recent Jetta is more upscale, thus the older | | | | you get meets quality standards because if you buy |
| model has allowed Volkswagen to target buyers who | | | | knock off Volkswagen parts and something breaks, |
| want a less expensive car. | | | | your mechanic will have to charge you additional labor |
| The Search For OEM Car Parts | | | | as he swaps out the defective part. |
| As with any older vehicle, keeping those cars | | | | Owning a Jetta doesn't have to be complicated, |
| roadworthy means regular maintenance and the | | | | therefore shop wisely in order to ensure that it delivers |
| swapping out of components and updating of some | | | | years of additional driving satisfaction. |