A lifelong VW fan, especially the MK4 generation, I finally found the daily driver I’d been looking for: a clean, low-mileage 2004 Jetta 1.8T with a manual transmission.

What sold me was a very clean Carfax, the relatively low price ($5K), and how it drove on the test drive. It felt solid right away, so I pulled the trigger.

Since buying it, I’ve started noticing more and more signs that the car has some tasteful, low-key mods that make it feel a bit more special than a typical stock MK4. It has a Magnaflow rear muffler (not a full cat-back), a Neuspeed cold air intake, upgraded audio with an Alpine iLX-W650 head unit, Rockford Fosgate R2-750x5 amp, and aftermarket speakers and tweeters in all four doors. Though it was sitting on 17” Konig Ampliform wheels, one of the first things I did was swap them out for a set of OEM VW Long Beach 17s, as I’ve always preferred the factory look over the more aggressive street-style look. It also has slotted and drilled brake discs, new Continental tires on all 4 wheels and Bilstein Sport suspension.

It also feels quicker than stock, especially when shifting into second, the thing really pulls, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it has some kind of tune, though I haven’t confirmed that yet.

Interior is heated beige leather and in great shape for the age of the car. Power everything, sunroof, cold A/C, and overall very clean inside and out. The car has about \~120k miles, the engine pulls strong, turbo sounds healthy, and it feels tighter than other MK4s I’ve driven.

I paid $5K for it. Curious what you guys think—fair deal, good deal, or did I overpay?

New (to me) 2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T (Good buy?)