Building A Budget Daily Driver Mk5 Jetta

So, just how far does our $425 go with getting a hopefully soon to be reliable vehicle?
My camera person / video editor needs a new daily since his truck is falling apart & isn’t the greatest vehicle for getting to work... So I put out a story post on my Instagram asking if anyone had a cheap Mk5 2.5 Rabbit or Jetta.
To our luck, someone answered with the reply of “Hey, my in-laws have a broken mk5 jetta”. After some gentle negotiations we were able to get the Mk5 Jetta for only $425 including the duct tape holding on the front bumper.
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This video is presented by Solo-Werks Suspension, who are based in Fresno, California, and part of the KW Suspension family. You can find out more details and purchase their coilover kits here:
► www.thesuspensionsource.com
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Hosted by Jamie Orr, this series of videos will have a new car featured every Monday, and new car culture video when we have them on Thursdays. You can subscribe here:
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You can find more on Jamie here :
► xjamiexoe
► Facebook.com/xjamiexoe
► www.xjamiex.com
Videos filmed and edited by Ralph - you can follow him here :
► livingwithralph
Thanks!

[@autovagauto6329]

I want to see this project finished please

[@JamieOrr]

We will be doing a few updates on getting the Mk5 Jetta running :) Stay tuned ! ♥️

[@stefanv9660]

I wish we had the 2.5 engine in Europe. I got a VW Golf V 1.6 MPI :). Greetings from Romania

[@DJJumpdancer]

5 cylinders are awesome and with a straight pipe it sounds really good

[@FragrantVagrant69]

That car would cost R80, 000 ($5000 USD) in South Africa at a minimum, no joke...

[@matthewshambler2644]

Hahaha, was thinking the exact same thing man.. you can’t even get a rusty Citi for R6k here🙈

[@shauncarelse7993]

yep, heh heh

[@JamieOrr]

That’s what the cost of this car would be here in the US if it was in good running driving conditions 😅

[@FragrantVagrant69]

@@JamieOrr you guys scored, even if the engine is no good. Looking forward to seeing what you guys do with this project! 😎

[@dre4011]

Yessir just about 5k here on the eastern seaboard

[@TopGear759]

Friend of mine still has his 2.5 2008 with 200,000 miles on it. It’s still kicking. Those 2.5 engines are bullet proof.

[@golfguy25]

I just bought a ‘10 Golf with the 2.5 and a 5 speed. It has 145k miles and runs like a brand new car.

[@sleazyeezy9452]

255k miles on my 08 Jetta and she still runs smooth

[@SynchroSk8]

My mom absolutely loved her 2010 2.5L Jetta. She just got a 2019 Tiguan and privately sold her Jetta, she was sad to let go of that Jetta, it was a great daily driver and super reliable. She loved that 2.5 stock engine and sold it with almost 200,000 miles on it. It was entry level paid 15k for it in 2010 and it came with heated seats and great features.

[@ebrahimdindar7189]

I appreciate how they included South African rands when mentioning the price. 👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻

[@maliphathwemgidlana6089]

My first as well on KZbin where our currency gets included... Well again with the Citi Golf he got a lot of friends this side

[@Wissan101]

I love videos like this. Taking a car that would have been junked or parted and given a new life. Great job!

[@tylerseibert5762]

I have a mk 6 and they are great cars. Super cheap and cheap cheap to maintain. Great for a daily driver. My getting got totalled and i was looking at civics but they are so overpriced. I got another 2013 jetta for $4600 at 60k miles. Its been running great ever since and im at about 135k now

[@JamieOrr]

Mk5s & Mk6s are both great ! Reliable with proper maintenance :)

[@pebjr6621]

Enjoyed the video. i'm looking forward to see the progress of getting this running... Keep the videos coming!

[@dogbone6315]

I like Ralph’s truck. I need a no brainer truck like that. I just found your channel and subscribed. I have a ‘03 Jetta mk 4 and thought that 2.0 engine was bulletproof. I have a ‘12 2.5 wagon and like that too. After watching this you got me all jacked up for another 2.5 but got distracted by tdi’s when I went to search. Thanks Jamie. You sent me down the VW rabbit hole. Can’t wait to see more.

[@matthewshambler2644]

Awesome new project! Good luck guys.. looking forward to more updates

[@JamieOrr]

Thank you ! Excited to save this one & get it going 🤍🖤

[@MajesticMalice]

I saw some awesome dubs in the background there. Excited for your next big project!

[@JamieOrr]

Haha yes there are some fun cars in my collection 😅 Thank you ! I’m excited as well ! ❤️❤️

[@maurobry]

Love the MK5 content Jamie 👊 It’s funny because I’ve got a Touareg a 2010 MK5 TDI as my daily and my 1994 MK3 Jetta as my garage queen 👸 Keep the content coming Jamie 👊

[@griffincorey3305]

really excited for this series ngl

[@knitaesthetic2549]

Yay good luck Ralph! It will all come together. You can always lower it in the summer! 🤷‍♀️

[@JamieOrr]

❤️ Thank you :) I’m sure we will have some proper fun with it at some point haha 😅🖤

[@allenhaus6124]

Just spent my weekend changing an alternator, belts, battery, coils & plugs in one of these, also updated to LED lights in headlightss, tails, and interior. Great sounding car, awful to work on.

[@JamieOrr]

Sounds like you know these cars very well then 😅

[@allenhaus6124]

@@JamieOrr I absolutely don't but my girlfriend will not get rid of it. I need to convince her to get a CC like myself or an Audi TT with the 5 cylinder. Please put on a new alternator in the new engine you throw in as you will not want to change it once it is in the vehicle. The frame rails give less than two inches of clearance for a ratchet to get to the bottom bolt, you have to also remove the AC compressor to get it out from underneath and you will have to remove two idler pulleys, one is rather easy to get to, the other will require you to have a very slim M10 triple square to loosen the idler pulley to get out the bottom bolt. Please save your camera guy time and have a fresh one on there.

[@Tony-375]

That is true they’re a pain to work on but these are some of the most reliable engines Volkswagen has ever made (especially any 2008.5 and up). Humble mechanic and DAP have noted they are very reliable and I really love my 5 cylinder as parts aren’t much more expensive as well . Mine has 155k miles and can last 300-400k miles if maintained. Honestly driving 10+ cars it’s the best all around car I’ve had. Your gf picked right cause the motors in the cc (2.0T) are awful.

[@TOPWEWOK]

158k miles on my 2008 2.5l Jetta, well maintained and no codes so far.

[@SonyFoLife]

I too drive a silver mk5 Jetta! Can't wait to see this!!

[@glenmessinger4875]

Great Video guys! And great score for Ralph!!!

[@JamieOrr]

Thank you ! We are both excited to get this thing going ! ♥️

[@IceMaverick1986]

So I clicked on this video, thinking "How bad of shape is the little car in?" I own a 2006 VW Jetta and I LOVE Volkswagens with all my heart. But upon seeing your lot, what you drove in with (A VW), and the tires on the trailer.. I TRUST YOU! LOL

[@markymarc136]

I don't have a grey MK5 Jetta, but i do have a black MK5(2008) Jetta with the original 2.5L engine with 250K Kilometers on it and it is my daily driver, and I just love it. And I'm trying to buy another one if I can get it in time. Great job on trying to save this car Jamie, Keep it up!

[@stealthoverlord]

I need some Twingo content, Jamie! This is a really neat series; if a car can be fixed, it should be! :)

[@JamieOrr]

The Twingo is definitely on the list for this year ! Thank you :) I agree !

[@HambertHM]

I´ve already lost count on the amount of projects I´m interested in this channel, this is going up!! :D

[@childrenslivesmatter3073]

Wonderful budget car!!

[@Derbyade]

Nice intro, can't wait to see the next episodes with the new engine swap 👍

[@Max_Thunder]

Great job Ralph.

[@JamieOrr]

“Thank you ! 💕” - Ralph

[@gregpallett1839]

Touareg sounds fantastic! For the smoke odor - cut an apple or two in half and leave them in the car - it’ll absorb the odor and your car will smell of apples. 👍👍

[@wanderwagen3373]

I have a MK5 Jetta that needs a little attention sitting here just waiting to be turned into a project. Looking forward to seeing what you do with this one

[@JamieOrr]

Nice ! I hope you are able to do something with your MK5 as well ❤️

[@victorcavalcante9715]

Hey Man. These Jettas in Brazil still expensive. But If possible, take a look in Brazilian Jettas MK5, cause they have some different cool parts. The radio, 17' wheels, rear headlights and steering wheels are cooler. I hope you can find these parts.

[@drakeorion94]

The last of the well equipped jettas. The gremlins are real though! AWE used to make an exhaust that sounded amazing on the 2.5.

[@davidm.1934]

Seeesh makes me happy I’m currently fixing my wrecked Mark 5 that’s red. Not a common color

[@LaytonKnightt]

I can’t believe this generation came out fifteen years ago

[@ogalief]

And the Touareg / Phaeton came out 18 years ago. VW styling from that era has aged incredibly well

[@JamieOrr]

Exactly ! They still look great even after so long !

[@PeetB_]

I paid €1900,- for a 2007 Polo 9N3 1.2 in Germany last year. Mind you it's in very good condition, but is a base model trendline with only the winter package (heated seats, foglights and heated windscreen washers). $425,- for this Jetta with an amazing 5-cilinder is absolutely nuts. For that money here you buy a used Nissan Micra from 1990 with 300.000km's on the clock... Cant wait to see the future episodes!

[@Hyfoxdro]

My car is a 2007 2.5 Jetta, such a great and rather fun little car. Little to no issues and the interior quality is surprisingly nice (better than Mk6s) and has under 130,000 miles. Never had any problems with it. Has seen some modifications overtime. Engine stuff includes AWE Track catbacks, P-Flo intake, stage 1 IE tune for both engine and 09g transmission and a vacuum delete. Also has RCD330 radio, some retrofits (like auto-headlights, MFSW and GTI gauges), some vcds tweaks and GLI front grille and rear valance+spoiler. Still looking for LED tail lights and side skirts.

[@oskidocolor3065]

Shout out to the price conventions there!🇿🇦 Watching this from South Africa ...probably getting a mk5 Jetta soon.

[@JamieOrr]

❤️❤️ You should ! They are fun! Ralph loves his Mk5 now :)

[@travspumplife]

Bought a budget daily MK4 4 Door Golf for 600 absolutely no mechanical issues with 190k and usual maintenance now and stills runs everyday amazingly

[@kiwiblue1606]

I have an MK5 almost identical to yours. Has a 5 speed manual, no sunroof and 135k miles with seemingly no issues. At this point I hope to keep it for life.

[@JamieOrr]

Heck yeah ! That’s awesome ! Keep up with the maintenance and it’ll last you a long time ❤️❤️

[@bigdane87]

Damn, huck some basic mantiance at it, and some body bits. And enjoy! Oh, and the 5 pot sounds, ralph. They sound good. (I got a buddy who has that same motor, but built and hucked into a coupe quattro, was in a 4k before and running 14.5 pounds of boost... Pulls hard. I believe I got a vid posted on here 🤔)

[@JamieOrr]

Agreed ! These 2.5 Motors are great with proper maintenance and a nice exhaust setup ! ❤️

[@camilogarcia3678]

as a Mk5 2008 silver owner this project excite me.

[@Bamhama125]

Love my Mk5 (same silver but a 2008.5). Can't wait to see how the lack of maintenance ran through the rest of the car. Looks like the VW you'd see running conventional 5w-20 oil and green coolant in the tank with no DSG work whatsoever lol Buy the most overbuilt alternator and water pump you can before the engine goes in.. you do NOT want to change those again.

[@samuelgarneau176]

First dead 2.5 5cyl I see haha! Keep this build simple if you like, but PLEASE do an exhaust job, you won't regret! (coming from a fellow 2.5 owner with full bolt ons) Also i just subbed, channel looks very interesting and passionate.

[@stefanv9660]

Bullet proof engines .....Right brotha?

[@SirAJentz]

Jamie great job, new subscriber to your channel. I recently bought myself a 2020 Jetta SEL, getting ideas.

[@JamieOrr]

Thank you for subscribing !! Congratulations on your new purchase & good luck with it ! Remember to have fun along the way ♥️

[@SirAJentz]

Thanks Jamie cant wait to see what projects you have lined up!

[@Kampfmesser89]

‘Bout time you do a 2.5. I have a two door mk6 Golf with a 2.5 it’s a great car! Get him an RCD330 head unit.

[@h.s.b]

No frickin wayy 2.5?!! U guys are so lucky😭

[@vwphaetonfan]

Love it! I have one Down Under 🇦🇺

[@FeighneyR]

I have a 2006 in grey. Love my car. Less then150,000 KM. I've update the head lights to LED and change the head unit for a backup camera

[@maxnaidoo2152]

For the price, that's a dream in South Africa LMAO!

[@lesedimotsemme]

True

[@graflohner839]

I've worked on volkswagens my whole life and, man, I will pray for you.

[@JamieOrr]

😅 Thank you ! ❤️

[@omalilo1]

I didn’t realize how close you are from me.. cheers from DELAWARE!

[@tunanocrust5089]

You should do the integrated engineering stage 2 on it. Those 5 cylinders are awesome

[@JamieOrr]

That might eventually happen down the road but that will be up to Ralph and what he wants to do after we get the car running & reliable as a daily :)

[@tunanocrust5089]

@@JamieOrr that would be nice, best of luck to the both of you

[@skylar1112]

I bought a 2010 Jetta with 2.5L for $750 from a friend. Added tires, brakes, radiator, alternator, and battery. Two and a half years and 25k miles later I still drive it, and I even do Uber with it at times.

[@-redtango]

I have a MK6 2.5 JSW 2014 manual which is technically the last "mk5 Jetta" that came with a 2.5

[@mikealicious3848]

I have a ‘09 Jetta, 134k miles. Needs a used automatic trans. The engine has been solid.

[@sjors9110]

So sad that the 2,5 is not really dilivered in Europe! I had that same engine in a rental car in the states and I loved it! The only thing what I hated was the automatic gearbox! 🤣

[@eggbirdtherooster]

I love your channel bro. Your channel gonna grow big-time. I know for sure 🙃 but maybe a silly question but why dont ya gonna live in Europe? 😜

[@JamieOrr]

Thank you I appreciate the support ! ❤️❤️❤️

[@stefanbaumgardt9549]

Great project... You can put a Mk6 Wagon front on it. It look great, I had it built last jear...

[@aldinmehinovic9678]

I'm actually going to look at one jetta 2.5 these days hahah

[@MellowAintYello]

Look at my channel for 2.5 content

[@angelopetraglia8326]

@jamieorr Love your content, too bad you couldn’t get the first one running. Great machines! Do you still have that first jetta? I could use some doors and fenders

[@kovacspis]

I wish I could get a MK5 Jetta for 425$ in Hungary to use as a daily. Cheapest one at the moment of writing this comment is a 105HP 1.9 PD TDI with 422k kms (262k miles) on the clock and it costs 2887 bucks. We didn't even get the 2.5 na 5cyl beautiful sounding models in Europe. Such differences man.

[@JamieOrr]

The difference in price is really something wild. We are definitely lucky to be able to purchase used cars from private sellers for prices like that here in the U.S. 🖤

[@bigdane87]

Force 5 auto in concord new hampshire, should have some mk5 silver bits if ya can't find any near by

[@JamieOrr]

Hopefully we can source some locally :) Thanks for the info though !!

[@nicu7014]

That 2.5 engine is very cool, we didnt't had those here in europe because of the stupid taxes...

[@FALCORTON]

Wait, Ive seen that Green VW truck before. and that tourag, I actually live rather close to you and see the Silver GTI parked out front with the Flyers license plate. Small world. I drive past your house like every day when i lived in pottstown.

[@ggabixx99]

I love 2.5’s my first car was a rabbit with 270k on it now I got a Jetta 2.5 super reliable cars, I use my car for delivery in the city, and I’ve only done basic maintenance, no check engine on! These cars weakest point is the 09G transmission’s valve body. My rabbit started doing that after I put 25k on it now my Jetta started shifting weird after I’ve put 40k mikes on it

[@JamieOrr]

The transmissions in these can be a bit troublesome but as long as the proper maintenance is done and Ralph doesn’t try to race it around, it should hold up :) ❤️🏁

[@ggabixx99]

Jamie Orr your right, I’m 100% sure that I messed up the transmission by acting like it’s a race car🤣🤣 I don’t mind it tho I payed $550 for the car and it’s really clean SEL model, I’ll swap the valve body myself

[@pastedtomato]

Apparently ozone generators do wonders removing odors. Also, I know this is supposed to be a budget daily driver, but man, I would love to see a Sportwagen front end and "Skyline" tail lights.

[@touchyuncle1245]

Please buy a awe catback for it! They sound amazing

[@benoitpeloquin1910]

I'm existed ! Mk5 Jetta 2.5 is a very good project. Wonder why its note the most popular car right now 🤔

[@JamieOrr]

Agreed ! It’s a great platform for a possible cool project ❤️❤️

[@dubpassatvr6]

Planning on doing a detail to get rid of the smell and get that interior minty after replacing the bad parts?

[@rimc8783]

I got my 09 Jetta for $800 put $350 in it and it runs great!

[@dan-xtremgaming3170]

I bought a 2008 Jetta for $500 with new tires and a new battery with the leather seats and moon roof all working but the transmission seems to be acting up, took the cat out for my working 2009 mk5 jetta so now I just have a project car :)

[@hexc0nn392]

I think that I have an MK4. 2006. Your interior looks extremely similar to my cars interior.

[@kevinr4913]

Hey can you make a video about how to modify or if it’s possible to make a 2.5 faster?

[@MrZimmaframe]

Would be interesting to just see you reset the correct timing and see how the engine runs lol, sometimes you get lucky haha 😄.

[@Dripgodbaby]

Change the transmission fluid I have the same car trust me it’s in ur best interest with that dsg transmission

[@tdmtam]

Is the 2.5 V5 a VR type block? Our Beetle has the 2.3 V5 AQN engine witch is effectively a VR6 engine with 1cylinder lobed off. The exhaust note is brilliant.

[@Kampfmesser89]

No. It’s an inline 5. The wild thing about this engine is that it was derived from the Lamborghini Gallardo V10.

[@dogbone6315]

My ‘03 2.0 mk4 had similar readings on a misfire. I ended up replacing the camshaft position sensor which proved to be the culprit. A cheap $10 part on amazon and a 30 minute job including changing the oil. PS: i know little about engines but I do know how to google. I’ve been keeping this ‘03 going. So I may Be way off on this analysis. I almost forgot. On another occasion I was getting misfires and replaced the ignition coil pack. Another cheap $30 amazon fix.

[@vwkris]

VCDS Hack. Just click gateway install list and it'll bring all your faults up in literally like 1 second instead of waiting 5 minutes to scan each module. Then you click on each highlighted red fault and it'll show you the faults :)

[@raphietaylor5984]

That price is such a giveaway here in South Africa

[@jaredroman3810]

Watching this while my Jetta has been sitting for about a year with a stuck gear selector, no brakes, and transmission slipping.

[@granderondeproductions3286]

I like it. However, it is missing a clutch. But its the same that I drive only mine is a 5 speed and 2009 and I have a CAI on it. And, it is SUPER reliable. I mean this when I say it. I beat the hell outta my car and she still purrs. And oil changes are a must. Every 5000 miles.

[@markovasilic3365]

Hey Jamie whats with the LT in the background?

[@klubstompers]

Was the mouse, and mouse house, before or after the filter? If it was after i know what toasted that engine.

[@JamieOrr]

It was before the filter :-)

[@upperlusatiacustoms1574]

Greetings from Germany. I am very curious what you will make of it. By the way, we have a lot of silver bumpers, but only the europe version. Take the bumper from the GTI or R32. For a US-Jetta you pay in Germany minimum 5000€.

[@AbaiGTAPlus]

My Golf 4 came with a 12 year warranty against corrosion. So I guess this one would be the same.

[@workingmanaudio2754]

If it jumped timing and still runs means a tensioner broke. How did you verify this?

[@arielmoyano3376]

I took a look at OLX, the equivalent to craigslist in Brazil, and for around R$ 2200 you can barely get a Bug or a Brasilia rusted to hell and with pending documentation to do.

[@250rRida]

You would love my 05 phaeton and mk4 BORA R

[@JamieOrr]

I’m sure I would ! Both are great cars ! 🖤

[@thami031]

we neve got the 2.5l mk5 here in SA

[@jamtv99]

I know I’m late to the game, but I have a silver front bumper cover with grilles that will fit this car, though you may have found one already.

[@JamieOrr]

We still need one..! Where are you located? :-)

[@jamtv99]

@@JamieOrr South Eastern WI. Milwaukee area.

[@imran4811]

2000$ down the road they realized it doesn’t have a turbo 😂 😂 😂

[@imcarlosjr4898]

Is that a V10 vw Touareg that is towing the trailer?

[@nicholasbabeaux2052]

The trunk should pop, it does pop from factory it needs new springs

[@vincentgallapo576]

New coil packs and spark plugs

[@Peter-tg1oo]

I have a 2012 Passat with the 2.5, bought it new, oil change every 5000 miles since new...still purring along like a kitten with 175k on it. Is this the same 2.5 engine as on that MK5 Jetta?

[@JamieOrr]

Basically yes it is the same motor :)

[@Peter-tg1oo]

@@JamieOrr Awesome! Looking forward to the next video.... Much success!

[@joshlismore]

Base model in the US is the 2.5L? I think in Ireland we got a 1.4 or 1.6....

[@nicu7014]

Yep you're right, 1.4 on the wagon, and 1.6 on the sedan version were the base engines here in europe

[@Kampfmesser89]

Yeah, that’s the base engine we got. Power wise it’s on par with the 1,4 and 1,8 TSI engines that Europe got. It does that without the need for forced induction.

[@tcollins106]

Ralphs Beater may not be the best thing to call it. Just saying.... :)

[@JamieOrr]

🤣🤣🤣 You’re right !

[@SubsurfacePodcast]

Its a 2.5L of course it will run.

[@stevemichaels7038]

Dowwers 😂

[@smidtyautosports7158]

Bring this poor jetta back to live! Beste Grüße aus Deutschland!

[@jaydencupido9703]

What happened to the mk1 golf project?🙁

[@Bapalapa30]

Any plans of getting a VW lupo? Would love to see it on the channel

[@JamieOrr]

I actually owned one / built one before my time with KZbin. Fun littler cars & maybe I’ll build another one day ! ♥️

[@chrischokoe6485]

wow wait that 6.5k south african rands now thats amazing. in SA that car the would have sold it for 30k 4x expensive