Need Opinions - keep the pro?
 

Heres the deal. I have the chance to strait trade for a like new VW jetta (black I woundn't have it any other way)
1999 GL jetta "new jetta (4th gen)" for my 2000 pro lx

The pros not in perfect condition mind you. Its got cracked paint and a nasty scratch on the bumper and a dent on the rear quater pannel. MOst of these I was gonna fix with a widebody kit.

The Jetta only has a scratch on the rear bumper. The problem is that it has had alot of work done on it under warrenty. New water pump, belt, starter, and a slew of other things which the pro has never had any sort of mechanical problems.

The jetta would be the 2.0 N/A while the pro is the 1.6, both auto.

Some one convince me to keep my car.... or take the jetta. I just cant decide.

http://www.edmunds.com/used/2000/maz...1/options.html

http://www.edmunds.com/used/1999/vol...2/options.html

hmm... Jetta is worth more, but you lose on gas mileage and stuff. guess it depends on what you want the jetta for :)

Actually there worth about the same.

http://www.edmunds.com/used/2000/maz...ption.1.Mazda*

http://www.edmunds.com/used/1999/vol...50/prices.html

The jetta was a GL (my bad I just realized were dealing with crank windows) base and the pros got just about everthing in it. The main selling point might be that the jetta has abs while the pro slides to my certin death in the ice, snow, rain, slight dust, normal road. Alright so the pros a death trap, more fun that way. Nothing some new tires wouldnt fix though.

ahh :) no abs makes life more interesting... of course... i dont have to deal with much snow here.

i would keep the pro... never know what else will mess up on the jetta once it's outta warranty

ive heard that the 98-00 jetta had a bunch of transmission problems in high miles cars...if youve never had problems mechanically with the pro, keep it. (I live in PA and with a good set of all season tires its fine in the snow)

Keep the pro. I really don't think you are gonna be happy with the Jetta.
German cars are more expensive to repair and maintain, and the Jetta/Golf/Beetle have serious build quality issues.
There are many better cars to be had than the Jetta, although I am partial to Mazda these days. Why not look for a newer Pro?

Although, if we are not enough to convince you, check out a VW/Jetta forum for some of the problems those owners might be having.

How much do you owe on the pro? That should be your selling point. I owe 8k on mine. The new Pontiac is coming SOON! But I figue keep this pay it off in yr and a half then have a daily drive and get what ever I want. But thats me.

*Why* is the Jetta owner willing to trade?

Will you be trading in to a new set of problems?

That's a good question, too. "Straight up" trades are usually offered at an advantage to the one making the offer.

He wants to get a new bmw x5 and being that the pro and the jetta are worth the same, and hes one of my fathers friends. We wanted to offer me the chance to just take his car, and he would trade in the pro.
Is my car really that big of a pos, where random people pitty me like this.

The pro is mine bought in cash.

Man there is your answer. Keep it. This is a paid off car, the only money you have to put into it is to keep it running. I would keep this one and buy a new one.

Like kargoboy said, this kind of trade will usually only benefit one person. Not knowing anyone involved but based upon the facts you have presented, I would say the guy probably figures he will have an easier time trading the Protege than the Jetta (and maybe get more actual money). As I tell my kids, if both parties in a trade are happy then it is a good trade. However, it seems like you have your doubts. You gotta know asking us on this forum, we are going to tell you to keep the Pro. I have an '03 and my girlfriend has a '99, we both love the cars. Fun to drive, reliable, good on gas, and they look nice. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

Funny thing is I went over to the VW forum (where Im an old member) they basicly said the 2.0 VW's are garbage keep the protege.

I was really looking for something contrary to what you guys were saying but I now know to never buy a VW again. So the guy traded his car for a new X5.

Good decision!