1996 Volkswagen Jetta GL review from North America

The whole wheel and brake system had to be replaced at 60,000. This included: axles, struts, strut mounts, and a bunch of other things that I can't remember. Repairs were somewhere around $700.

At 65,000 miles, the car would not start if it was raining or even damp outside. Total repairs were $1,100.

My driver's side lock came out and the alarm wouldn't turn off.

My horn starting going off one day for no reason while I was driving on the highway. The horn wouldn't stop so I had to pull the fuse out until I got it fixed. Faulty wiring somewhere behind the wheel was the cause.

Dash lights (for stereo and air controls) stopped working. Not a fuse problem.

Tail pipe fell off and I was told I had to replace the whole exhaust, catalytic converter system. Repair nearly $700.

Beautiful car and it handles wonderfully.

Excellent sound system.

This car is incredibly roomy and comfortable.

As much fun to drive as a BMW.

Basically, this car is fabulous on a superficial level. It's gorgeous, fun to drive, and handles like a dream. However, if you don't have serious amounts of money to spend fixing it, I wouldn't recommend purchasing one. For only a few thousand dollars more, you can get a BMW 3 series which is 100 times more reliable than a Volkswagen. VWs, after all, are just as expensive as BMWs and Mercedes are to repair.