2003 Volkswagen Jetta

I don't care who you are: the previous Jetta bodystyle (before it got all curvy) is just a work of art. Not because it looks fast or flashy, but because it looks like a machine. Like a German machine. I grew up loving transformers, and my Jetta was every bit as angular and planar and just plain mechanical as my favorite childhood toys. So what's to like about a Jetta? Sophisitication, for one. For me, an important part of choosing a car is deciding what you want that car to say about you. I think that a Jetta says "I'm smart, responsible, and earth aware" (Jettas get famously good gas mileage). It's also a sporty car, but not in the traditional sense: you, the driver, look sporty, not just the car. No car looks better with a roof rack and a couple of bikes, I've decided. If you can get a V6, do it. I drove a 2003 GLI 6-speed, and I really do miss it. Plenty of pep, great maneuverability, and the pure manly enjoyment of driving a manual. The interior is a thing of beauty: midnight blue gauge clusters and clock face, which make you feel like you're flying a jet. I received many compliments about the interior of my car, especially at night. It's not the roomiest thing in the world, though- the back seats can be pretty tight, and while it has a lot of height, the trunk lacks depth. But that's what roof racks are for! I drove my Jetta in Wisconsin for several winters, and was pleased to find that it handles like a champion in the snow. My car had the computerized traction control, which made it nearly impossible to lose control of the vehicle. I never once got it stuck! Long story short, writing about my old Jetta has gotten me nostalgic... I may be back on the market soon for another of these wonderful cars!