A guide wire, and a method for the manufacture thereof, having a core and a plastic jacket enclosing at least a portion of the core. In some embodiments, the plastic jacket comprises a proximal portion formed of a first plastic material and a distal jacket portion formed of a second plastic material. In some embodiments, the core member has a proximal portion and a distal portion, and a first plastic jacket is disposed about the proximal portion and a second jacket formed of a fluoroelastomer is disposed about the distal portion.