I'm a snowboarder and want to be able to get up to the mountains. I'm an outdoor person and i do many outdoor activitys. i need a car that will work best for these things. I've thought about an SUV and i'm still considering that, it's just it might not be a good "first" car! Plus the gas mileage might not be great either. If i get a 1998 volkswagon jetta, i could put a rack on top for my snowboard, bike etc. Tell me what you think!

I think you need something a little bigget and versatile than a Jetta. Jetta is ok, but no better than any other sedan.

In my opinion. The Honda Element sounds perfect for what you need. I dont ski, but I carry a lot of stuff and it is the most versatile vehicle I have ever seen. The floors are all plastic for easy cleaning, the seats are waterproof (front only on LX and all seats on EX) and the back seats can fold up on the sides or be removed completely.

Mileage is about 22 city and 26 highway.
2003 was the first year Honda made the Element.

good luck.

vw jettas are great cars so i say yes

Jettas are great for the sporty type person because they have hooks built into the top of the car where you can buy and install yakima racks and install it yourself for a good price. The only concern I have is that Jettas are two wheel drive only. If money is not a problem, I'd recommend the all wheel drive. A4's are the same size as the jetta, and if you need more room go for an A6. Saabs have 4 wheel too. If you like sport wagons, go for the Subaru Legacy or Outback. SUV's will require you to put your snowboard in the car, a roof rack will be too high to transfer your equipment on and off.

I have a 97 Jetta, and I love it. Front wheel drive, standard, is the way to go. Just make sure to get yourself some good snow tires, you'll need them to drive up snowy mountains. I've seen tons of people with racks on the top of their Jetta for skis/snowboards.

my hubby drives a 97 and he deliverys with it we are a volkswagen family i drive 2001 pasaat

My cousin is a bmx rider and snow boarder, she has a diesel jetta and says it works good for getting her and her gear where she needs to go.

A Jetta is a really good car. I don't know if they are front wheel drive, but that's what you need for the mountains..