which would you rather drive?

Malibu, I test drove a Jetta. To small, not enough power and overpriced. Plus, as of late VW hasn't had the best reputation with the Jetta.

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/9810/malibusig.gif

Well, seeing as this is a Malibu site, the results might be a little skewed.

If you are getting a TDI version than hands down Jetta. Superior drivetrain especially with the 6 speed manual and of course the TDI.

If you thinking about the gas engines then the Malibu would have to get the edge IMO.

If you are getting a TDI version than hands down Jetta. Superior drivetrain especially with the 6 speed manual and of course the TDI.

If you thinking about the gas engines then the Malibu would have to get the edge IMO.

God I hate diesels. And yeah, I have driven my buddies TDI. No revs, things runs out of steam at like 4500 rpm and is NO fun to drive. IMO a TDI in only good if all you care about is commuting and aren't into cars at all.

God I hate diesels. And yeah, I have driven my buddies TDI. No revs, things runs out of steam at like 4500 rpm and is NO fun to drive. IMO a TDI in only good if all you care about is commuting and aren't into cars at all.

Well, that is your opinion. Its not a sports car but it feels far better than a straining Ecotec at 6800 RPM trying to motivate a 3600lb car. Id rather have some low end TQ rather than high end RPM.

Of course it runs out of steam at 4500, its a DIESEL. lol


Again, depending on what you want, youll choose either car. Im honestly glad we are trading in our Malibu. The small annoyances are starting to get really annoying.


http://autos.aol.com/cars-Volkswagen-Jetta-2010/available-trims

http://autos.aol.com/cars-Chevrolet-Malibu-2010/available-trims

Well, that is your opinion. Its not a sports car but it feels far better than a straining Ecotec at 6800 RPM trying to motivate a 3600lb car. Id rather have some low end TQ rather than high end RPM.

Of course it runs out of steam at 4500, its a DIESEL. lol


Again, depending on what you want, youll choose either car. Im honestly glad we are trading in our Malibu. The small annoyances are starting to get really annoying.


http://autos.aol.com/cars-Volkswagen-Jetta-2010/available-trims

http://autos.aol.com/cars-Chevrolet-Malibu-2010/available-trims

Well, I would never have bought a 4 cylinder Malibu. Car is too big for a 4. Plus, IMO the Jetta is not in the same category, it is alot smaller. Maybe a Passat.

Well, I would never have bought a 4 cylinder Malibu. Car is too big for a 4. Plus, IMO the Jetta is not in the same category, it is alot smaller. Maybe a Passat.

True. Its really a small midsize car compared to a solid midsize car for the Malibu. Now, if you were talking about the Passat then Id get the Passat. Its way better built and feeling and again doesnt have those overbearing annoyances.

As for the 4 cyl Bu that is again your opinion. Its a shame that GM wont put the DI Eco in it. Id like to see how many people actually pay for the V6 as I bet its less than 25%.

True. Its really a small midsize car compared to a solid midsize car for the Malibu. Now, if you were talking about the Passat then Id get the Passat. Its way better built and feeling and again doesnt have those overbearing annoyances.

As for the 4 cyl Bu that is again your opinion. Its a shame that GM wont put the DI Eco in it. Id like to see how many people actually pay for the V6 as I bet its less than 25%.

Not to sure about being better built. Google VW and recent problems. They are not so hot. I have two friends with VW's, both have been in the shop alot for pretty major stuff. I am not a Passat fan anyway, but I like the CC alot. But it is overpriced. Many cars I'd get before dropping 40K on a VW. :D

Opinion yes, I just always take power over economy. I'm old school. Plus the V6 is pretty close MPG wise in the real world. Even though the V6 is a high 14 second car it still feels slow compared to my other car (V8). So the I4 would have annoyed me alot. Now, the DI Ecotech would be a good idea, and I'm sure will make it's way in.

Every auto maker has problems. Google GM problems. lol

If VW had a good SUV that my wife liked she would be getting it. To me VW has been making better quality interiors for YEARS while GM has just finally stepped up to the plate. Hell, I just bought an 03 Golf and its the BASE model and it has auto up/down windows on BOTH front windows. Our 09 LTZ still doesnt!! WTF is up with that.

Anyways, Id take the Malibu over the Jetta depending on the engine choices.

American made of course. I'll only take GM cars. :)

I just traded an 06 Jetta TDI for a 2010 Malibu LT2. There is no comparison on numerous levels.

* Yes, the TDI got a wonderful 44-47 mpg, but the repair bills zeroed out any cost savings.

* The Malibu's service schedule is quite modest, and it's easier to work with Chevy staff on repairs than with VW.

* Regarding size, the cars are in completely different classes.

* The Malibu is not as nimble as the Jetta, but it's ride is easier on me over long distances. It's also nice to have a quiet cabin. The TDI was heard primarily at low speeds, but at all speeds the low profile tire roar in the front (right) was an irritant, especially as tires wore down. The Malibu is silent by comparison.

I miss the Jetta's engine a lot; it was a joy to drive. I don't miss the dual-mass flywheel, nor the $1000 bill to replace a timing belt and water pump. I think I'll stick with the Malibu.

I just traded an 06 Jetta TDI for a 2010 Malibu LT2. There is no comparison on numerous levels.

* Yes, the TDI got a wonderful 44-47 mpg, but the repair bills zeroed out any cost savings.

* The Malibu's service schedule is quite modest, and it's easier to work with Chevy staff on repairs than with VW.

* Regarding size, the cars are in completely different classes.

* The Malibu is not as nimble as the Jetta, but it's ride is easier on me over long distances. It's also nice to have a quiet cabin. The TDI was heard primarily at low speeds, but at all speeds the low profile tire roar in the front (right) was an irritant, especially as tires wore down. The Malibu is silent by comparison.

I miss the Jetta's engine a lot; it was a joy to drive. I don't miss the dual-mass flywheel, nor the $1000 bill to replace a timing belt and water pump. I think I'll stick with the Malibu.

Great decision! Both vehicles do have their good and bad but its nice just to get into one that makes you happy, congrats!

I would have had a much tougher decision if there was a a VW dealer in Amarillo. Really liked our 05 Passat but we could not find a competent shop for basics. I found that for the money the LTZ was a great choice.

I just traded an 06 Jetta TDI for a 2010 Malibu LT2. There is no comparison on numerous levels.

* Yes, the TDI got a wonderful 44-47 mpg, but the repair bills zeroed out any cost savings.

* The Malibu's service schedule is quite modest, and it's easier to work with Chevy staff on repairs than with VW.

* Regarding size, the cars are in completely different classes.

* The Malibu is not as nimble as the Jetta, but it's ride is easier on me over long distances. It's also nice to have a quiet cabin. The TDI was heard primarily at low speeds, but at all speeds the low profile tire roar in the front (right) was an irritant, especially as tires wore down. The Malibu is silent by comparison.

I miss the Jetta's engine a lot; it was a joy to drive. I don't miss the dual-mass flywheel, nor the $1000 bill to replace a timing belt and water pump. I think I'll stick with the Malibu.

Pretty good review.

However, I will say that the $1k repair bill for the timing belt must of been at a dealer right? I just purchased a TDI to replace another car and have found that there are good mehanics in most populated areas that will do the TB change for FAR cheaper than that.

Yes, the DMF is a joke. From what Ive read a lot of people change them out just so they dont explode when the miles start adding up.

Regardless of what the maintenance costs on Jetta, you pay extra for that engine and diesel fuel is way too expensive in US. All together, extra for diesel car, extra for maintenance and extra for daily fuel, you won't be able to recoup extra money you spent at the beginning by the fuel economy.

Regardless of what the maintenance costs on Jetta, you pay extra for that engine and diesel fuel is way too expensive in US. All together, extra for diesel car, extra for maintenance and extra for daily fuel, you won't be able to recoup extra money you spent at the beginning by the fuel economy.

Gas is around the same price as diesel. Here it was .15 more a gallon for it. Factor in that I get 52 MPG in my Golf TDI and our Malibu gets 31 MPG we will be taking the Golf on trips.

You ALSO get back the cost you paid on the engine at purchase with a higher resale later on in life.

Compare an 03 Golf with 120k miles on it.

The gas comes back around $6400. MSRP was $15,295. 41.8% of original MRSP.

The TDI comes back around $9000. MSRP was $16,920. 53.2% of original MRSP.

Maintenance is maintenance. The biggest on the TDI is a timing belt change and like I said you can get an import garage that specializes in TDI engines for $400-500. I never take ANY car to a dealer to get work done that isnt warranty as they tend to take it to you regardless of what you need done.

Regardless, they are two very different cars with two different missions.

I appreciate the point about using independent mechanics to reduce cost on repair. In my case, however, I had just moved to another state and was working an average of 60 or 70 hours a week. There just hasn't been time to find the *right* mechanic ... and the wrong one can be disastrous. I can't risk losing a powertrain. At this time in my life, Chevy and the Malibu were the better choice ... albeit regretfully. I had hoped to keep the Jetta for many more miles......

I find it hard to believe anyone picking a LT malibu over a jetta, for the same price you get real wheels, touch screen radio, bluetooth, leather, heated seats and a sunroof. You would be hard pressed to find a malibu like that outside off a 28k LTZ.

I find it hard to believe anyone picking a LT malibu over a jetta, for the same price you get real wheels, touch screen radio, bluetooth, leather, heated seats and a sunroof. You would be hard pressed to find a malibu like that outside off a 28k LTZ.

Base Jetta's are pretty stripped if you ask me....

a SE, jetta is cheaper and better equipped than a LT malibu.

a SE, jetta is cheaper and better equipped than a LT malibu.

A LS yes, not too sure about an LT though? The ones I looked at were not. Unless it was a GLI.

A LS yes, not too sure about an LT though? The ones I looked at were not. Unless it was a GLI.

I don't agree the SE jetta is equipped as a mentioned above, you will not find a 1LT malibu equipped like the SE and the 1LT is more expensive, even with all of the rebates on chevys.

To each his own but almost $30k for a LTZ malibu, you could almost get a 3 series BMW.

I know the LS is a consumer best buy but I dont want a car with hub caps, sorry.

I don't agree the SE jetta is equipped as a mentioned above, you will not find a 1LT malibu equipped like the SE and the 1LT is more expensive, even with all of the rebates on chevys.

To each his own but almost $30k for a LTZ malibu, you could almost get a 3 series BMW.

I know the LS is a consumer best buy but I dont want a car with hub caps, sorry.

Don't get me wrong, the Jetta is nice, but I don't know how you car shop, but I looked at Jettas too. A nice one with the 18's, spoiler, leather, premium audio, etc was over 25K out the door. A GLI was in the low 30's. A joke for a small car like that IMO.

Furthermore, nobody pays almost 30K for an LTZ either. With rebates, incentives and dealing mine was well under that out the door.

And finally, and nice 3 Series is nowhere near 28K. BMW charges you for everything. My friend has a 328i and it stickered for almost 38K.

SilverLTZ, I think you got your facts wrong, check out the link: its $30,750 to $28,625 for a LTZ. When comparing cars you have to use MSRP not what you think you can get I don't trust what people tell me they pay for a car.

http://www.sweeneychevrolet.com/search/search_filter/type/new/make/Chevrolet/model/Malibu/sort/price/order/desc/

Comparing trim packages and purchase price between the Jetta and Malibu is relevant if that's ultimately the deciding factor for a buyer. Do some research on the dual-mass flywheel used in the A5 ('06.5) Jettas given PD injectors, and you find the hidden story. Owners report catastrophic failure of the clutch as early as 20k and often at 60k, including cases where the flywheel became a grenade punching a hole in the outer casting. VW refuses to use upgraded parts produced by the same vendor who produced the OEM parts, and insists that weak OEM parts be used for repair. Now we're talking real money, and part failure almost certain to happen again. Suddenly the touchscreen and bluetooth are less relevant for every buyer because the car won't run. And the Malibu, with a single-mass flywheel and a transmission developed by Chevy, Ford, the Swedes and Germans in consortium, seems a better long-term buy. At least is seemed so for me.

When comparing cars you have to use MSRP not what you think you can get I don't trust what people tell me they pay for a car.



If your shopping around just going by MSRP your missing out big time.

My purchase was forced on me by my previous car so I didn't have time to shop around. I was expecting to start shopping in Spring '09 but ended up purchasing in December '08, just before all those rebates and incentives came into play! If only my car had waited... :>(

I got 3 years/36K miles of LOF and tire rotation with the purchase for a per-service cost about half of the instant oil change places.

Anytime I buy something I look at the price out the door AND the price down the road, and whether or not it's even worth spending/wasting my money on. A manufacturer can suggest a selling price, but sales people are there to dicker and they have a fair amount of room. I got my 2LT for only a little more than an '08 USED Impala with 31K miles on it.

I just went to both sites to build a Jetta and build a Malibu. The Jetta SEL nicely equipped the way I'd want it is $31,438 and it only has a 170-hp 2.5-liter engine. The Malibu LTZ nicely equipped with the 252-hp 3.6-liter is $27,965. That's about $3500 of my money and I'm getting more engine and an interior that is strikingly better looking.

The VW site shows the accessories in a much more understandable way than the GM site, plus GM requires a zip code before they'll even let you build one. VW at least builds it without having to surrender any personal data.

What would it take to get more horsies under das hood? I couldn't find it, plus to get 2/3 of the V6 power it has to be turbocharged, which simply adds more complexity and cost to maintenance. I prefer raw power, and then if I want to add more in the future I have a larger base on which to do it.

Down the road, maintenance is required by any car, and since I don't know the costs of VW ownership I can't compare them, but I'd wager that they're commensurate with the Chevy or a tad more.

If this seems like a chant for the 'Bu over das Jetta don't be fooled. I like my car and I like the VW. I'm simply adding some facts from the manufacturers' sites and some opinions of my own. After all, isn't buying a car a personal matter and not just a reflection of number-crunching?

So, how do I vote? 'Bu. I paid thousands less than the above price and all I'm lacking are some features that would be nice, but for $5000 I'm as happy as ever with what I have. Compare that to the Jetta and I saved over $8000. Plus, with my V6 and 6-speed I can take the Jetta without even using a turbo or silly gas. Not bad, eh? (Yes, right after I bought it I looked into nitrous, but since I don't have any experience with it I decided to err on the side of caution.)

Jetta and Malibu are not in the same class. Malibu is a family sedan. It is a mid size car. Jetta is a compact car and should be compared to Cobalt.

Jetta and Malibu are not in the same class. Malibu is a family sedan. It is a mid size car. Jetta is a compact car and should be compared to Cobalt.

Jetta blows the Cobalt away, not even close.

Jetta blows the Cobalt away, not even close.

Agreed. Since the SS sedan is no more....

Biggest problem the Jetta has is power. Even with a manual it is a dog. Unless you buck up, alot, for a GLI.

Jetta blows the Cobalt away, not even close.

The Cobalt is even less expensive than the Malibu, which makes the gap in the prices that much steeper. For many that's a big consideration. So, for about twice the price I could get a Jetta, or pay about half that and have a Cobalt, then use some of those savings to modify it to keep up with Corvettes. Unless I just had to have a Dub.

Jetta blows the Cobalt away, not even close.

That doesn't change the fact. Jetta is a COMPACT car. Jetta is an overpriced compact car.
What criteria you are using to start comparing cars, then? What is your beginning point? Are you using price range? HP? MPG? Interior space? Resale?

If you want to compare Jetta with something in Chevy line, you ought to be using Cobalt.
If Cobalt is to light for you ( I assume - per your response - power is your concern) then start comparing Jetta with other make - like with Mazdaspeed - forget speed, any mazda3 blows Jetta away, anytime.

I did this comparison in November 2009. I test drove both and picked the Malibu. I test drove the Jetta Wolfsberg edition, It was nice but small if you have to put two kids in the back. Also look up the reliability ratings, Jetta did not fair to well compared to the Malibu. Also if your shopping price the jetta is less in price and less in options. But you need to do the correct comparison, if you are comparing versus LTZ then you need to use the jetta Wolfsberg ( for the closest to horsepower and suspension) if you compare a Jetta S 2.5 then you need to compare it with a Malibu LT1. Then check the insurance , here in the north east the Jetta (wolfsberg) cost more than an LTZ.

Good Luck

Jetta is not a compact car. It is a small midsize.

You can NOT keep cars in a 3 class car system these days when they are growing bigger bigger every generation. Compare a 1980 Civic to a 2010 Civic and tell me its still a compact car.

Same with the Malibu and the 5th gen. Look at how much its grown in about 5 years. Malibu is now a big midsize car.

You certainly may classify it as small midsize, if you wish. That is your understanding.
One thing you can do is asking yourself what type of specs a car should have, to be classified as midsize. And see whether Jetta has these specs or not.
To me Jetta doesn't have anything.

Today's Jetta is not anymore bigger than previous or earlier generations of jetta. Certainly,it may look bigger but the same crampy seats, underpower engine, high price tag, expensive spare parts, etc.

5-6 tier classification system is forced down to consumers by marketing people. If VW puts $24K price sticker to a car and then comes to me to present that car as compact car, I am going to tell them "go @#@$@ yourself".
But, if they present the very same car as midsize (or small mid as you put it), I'll look into it - regardless of I buy it or not their goal is take midsize sedan consumers' attention.

Ok, so compact cars cant be expensive because of their size? How is Mini doing on that? :p

Sorry, but if you compare the Jetta to the Cobalt, there is no question what is the better car.

VW has been putting things in cars for years that GM STILL hasnt put in a car of the same price. It might be small things but to many, the Jetta still feels far more premium than a Malibu. If you dont believe me, then go sit in a new Jetta Wagon (its the updated version, the sedan still is updated) and tell me how it compares to the Malibu.

Malibu:
Headroom (Front) 39.4
Headroom (Row 2) 37.2
Hiproom (Front) 53.0
Hiproom (Row 2) 52.1
Legroom (Front) 42.2
Legroom (Row 2) 37.6
Shoulder Room (Front) 55.9
Shoulder Room (Row 2) 53.9

Jetta Wagon:

Headroom (Front) 38.4
Headroom (Row 2) 38.1
Hiproom (Front) N/A
Hiproom (Row 2) N/A
Legroom (Front) 41.1
Legroom (Row 2) 35.4
Shoulder Room (Front) 54.8
Shoulder Room (Row 2) 53.1

Expect the Jetta sedan to be around the same size as the Malibu when it arrives this fall (I think that is when it gets here).

Ok, so compact cars cant be expensive because of their size? How is Mini doing on that? :p

Sorry, but if you compare the Jetta to the Cobalt, there is no question what is the better car.

VW has been putting things in cars for years that GM STILL hasnt put in a car of the same price. It might be small things but to many, the Jetta still feels far more premium than a Malibu. If you dont believe me, then go sit in a new Jetta Wagon (its the updated version, the sedan still is updated) and tell me how it compares to the Malibu.

Malibu:
Headroom (Front) 39.4
Headroom (Row 2) 37.2
Hiproom (Front) 53.0
Hiproom (Row 2) 52.1
Legroom (Front) 42.2
Legroom (Row 2) 37.6
Shoulder Room (Front) 55.9
Shoulder Room (Row 2) 53.9

Jetta Wagon:

Headroom (Front) 38.4
Headroom (Row 2) 38.1
Hiproom (Front) N/A
Hiproom (Row 2) N/A
Legroom (Front) 41.1
Legroom (Row 2) 35.4
Shoulder Room (Front) 54.8
Shoulder Room (Row 2) 53.1

Expect the Jetta sedan to be around the same size as the Malibu when it arrives this fall (I think that is when it gets here).


Certainly compact cars can be as expensive as they can. That is mfg's decision. Higher the price, lower the number of units that can be sold.

I am not comparing Jetta to Cobalt. If there is a comparison, lets stick with apple to apple comparison. Don't compare apple to watermelon :cool:

Jetta may feel premium, you are entitled to your own opinion. Important thing is how US consumers have been feeling about Jetta. Simply, look at VW's sales figures:rolleyes: That shows you everything.
At the other side of the equation, lack of premium feel in GM cars has not beed stopped US consumers to put GM to top 3 (used to be top one).

Why did you compare wagon Jetta to 4 door sedan:confused:To prove your point??

Certainly compact cars can be as expensive as they can. That is mfg's decision. Higher the price, lower the number of units that can be sold.

I am not comparing Jetta to Cobalt. If there is a comparison, lets stick with apple to apple comparison. Don't compare apple to watermelon :cool:

Jetta may feel premium, you are entitled to your own opinion. Important thing is how US consumers have been feeling about Jetta. Simply, look at VW's sales figures:rolleyes: That shows you everything.
At the other side of the equation, lack of premium feel in GM cars has not beed stopped US consumers to put GM to top 3 (used to be top one).

Why did you compare wagon Jetta to 4 door sedan. To prove your point??

Jetta and Malibu are not in the same class. Malibu is a family sedan. It is a mid size car. Jetta is a compact car and should be compared to Cobalt.
:confused: You said to compare them?? So I did and then you tell me not to? Whats going on here? lol

The interior dimensions wont change when the Jetta sedan arrives. I said that in my post that you quoted.

GM sales more because they want volume. Its the only way they make money. GM lost volume a year or so ago and look where that got them.

Volume does not mean that a company is good. It merely means that they produce a lot of the item. Of course, if you were to proportion it out, I would assume that VW actually sales MORE vehicles than GM because they dont produce as much.

Just an FYI, VW sold 7,828 Jettas in Feb. GM sold 15,150 Malibus. Given the fact that VW sales about 10% of the total amount of vehicles that GM does, the Jetta is doing pretty dang good. Plus, there are ZERO rebates and probably close to nill fleet sales as well. ;)

"You said to compare them?? So I did and then you tell me not to? Whats going on here? lol"

Oh, please don't take the face value of everything I say here. You are simply twisting the facts to prove your point.

Let me put it in a way you can see:
If Jetta is a mango and malibu is an apple, you can't compare them. Find a mango in GM line and compare it to that. Or find an apple in VW line and compare it to that.
What is the mango in GM line? It is cobalt. Is VW's mango equal GM's mango in terms of taste? NO...But they are all mango...If you don't like GM's mango, then go compare your jetta to Mazda's mango (mazda3)...But make sure you are comparing mangos to each other.

"GM sales more because they want volume. Its the only way they make money."
Oh I see!! So VW doesn't want to make more money? Is VW non-profit organization :-))

All you can do is to compare sick GM to healthy VW to prove your point?? This is a temporary situation and GM will come back and everyone knows this. Look at the model line ups, camaro, equinox, Malibu, volt is coming too...Did you sit in Equinox, blows the competition with every aspec...Ford's escape looks and feels dinosaur compare to Equinox + 32 mpg SUV.

"VW actually sales MORE vehicles than GM because they don't produce as much."
You are wrong!
Here is the lates numbers and look at GM's (YTD 19.4%) and VW's (YTD 2.4%) market share.
GM's domestic cars sold( 57246 units) vs VW domestic cars sold (9568 units).
http://online.wsj.com/mdc/public/page/2_3022-autosales.html
You don't built a market share by just sitting there. You have to sell units.

Just because GM does not have a vehicle that directly competes with the Jetta does not mean you cant compare them. Basically all Im saying.


Also, regardless of how sick or healthy GM is, they HAVE to sell in volume to make money. Before they were bankrupt, they were #1 in the world. That STILL didnt keep them from going belly up. Now, only time will tell if General Motors Company will preform the same but if the current CEOs call for more volume selling mean anything its that GM has failed to learn from its past.

Numbers dont mean anything unless you are making money. GM hasnt been profitable in years. They are estimating that they will make a profit in the 3rd Q of this year. Now, depending on how you figure things, its gonna take a LONG time for GM to make a profit.

Also, 2010 Malibu rebates are up to $3k depending on where you are at in the nation.

2010 Jetta has none. Clearly, someone is doing something right. You can decide on that.

BTW, you do see that I still own a GM vehicle after we traded in our Malibu. The short comings of the Malibu started to get too annoying for my wife to handle and she wanted something that didnt annoy the crap out of her. The Terrain is a great vehicle but it doesnt blow away the competition in every aspect. We could certainly have more cargo room and it could not be 300lbs heavier than its next heaviest competitor. However, it was my wife's choice and she liked it the best despite its faults.

Disclaimer: I still own and will probably always own a GM vehicle. Regardless of the parent companies faults they churn out some good cars every now and then.

Let's keep it civil and on topic guys or it will get locked.

Thanks!

Hi!
Honestly, about my 2006 Jetta TDI(almost same as 2010 Jetta's). This is the third DSG transmission I got from the dealership( covered by warranty). First DSG exploded at 15k miles. Second DSG at 29k miles. My Jetta TDI has 50k miles now and would sell it before warranty expires.

VW dealerships here in Chicago area are not good to deal with.
My Jetta cant even reach 35mpg in hiway trips.
Tail lights always fail(you should noticed that on the road on how many Jettas has tail light problem).
Drive along I55 and I355 here in Illinois you will see stalled Jettas mostly TDI's on the shoulder. I can say if its TDI because the tail pipe of TDI points downward and also the badge hehe...
There's no limp mode with DSG.
DSG shrudders under normal driving condition.
VW will not honor warranty if you use biodiesel in your Jetta.
Im sure lots of Jetta owners now, especially TDI's are frustrated unless they will lie with their TDI's durability. Well it's not really durable.

Comparing trim packages and purchase price between the Jetta and Malibu is relevant if that's ultimately the deciding factor for a buyer. Do some research on the dual-mass flywheel used in the A5 ('06.5) Jettas given PD injectors, and you find the hidden story. Owners report catastrophic failure of the clutch as early as 20k and often at 60k, including cases where the flywheel became a grenade punching a hole in the outer casting. VW refuses to use upgraded parts produced by the same vendor who produced the OEM parts, and insists that weak OEM parts be used for repair. Now we're talking real money, and part failure almost certain to happen again. Suddenly the touchscreen and bluetooth are less relevant for every buyer because the car won't run. And the Malibu, with a single-mass flywheel and a transmission developed by Chevy, Ford, the Swedes and Germans in consortium, seems a better long-term buy. At least is seemed so for me.

I can tell.... You will hear a loud noise.... Grinding noise that you would never heared before... The flywheel of the dsg was totally disintigrated and the housing cracked. I wonder why VW can get away with it with no recalls????

If you are getting a TDI version than hands down Jetta. Superior drivetrain especially with the 6 speed manual and of course the TDI.

If you thinking about the gas engines then the Malibu would have to get the edge IMO.

I beg to differ Sir!
MPG is not good.

American made of course. I'll only take GM cars. :)

American made! VW is assembled in Mexico, TDI engine made in Poland.

I find it hard to believe anyone picking a LT malibu over a jetta, for the same price you get real wheels, touch screen radio, bluetooth, leather, heated seats and a sunroof. You would be hard pressed to find a malibu like that outside off a 28k LTZ.

Yes, but wait till you see the problems of Jetta.