1998 Volkswagen Jetta GL review from North America

Bought the Jetta used at 180k and within 6 months the engine had blown up. Had to spend $4000 to put in a rebuilt engine. Good news is that I now only have 60k on a '99 Jetta. Bad news is that this car has had one mechanical problem after another.

I've heard that the '99 Jetta was the first year that VW had their cars built in Mexico and the growing pains are very evident.

Other less important problems/repairs:

-exhaust leaks

-heated seats don't work

-cup holder fell out

-front bumper fell off

-heater control jammed and now doesn't work (so no A/C pumping out in the summer)

-power locks/alarm are finicky and sometimes don't work

-clutch is starting to go (feels loose and grinds trying to get it into first gear)

-alternator.

I previously owned a '79 Rabbit (my first car) and a '96 Golf. Both were fantastic cars and very reliable. The Rabbit had over 300k on it and was still chuggin away! I thought I was making a smart purchase in buying another VW. BUT NEVER AGAIN!!

This car has been a nightmare money pit of one repair after another! I've probably easily spent over $10K in repairs in the one year that I've had the car.

It looks really sharp and is comfortable to drive, but it is just too darn expensive to keep fixing it. I will never buy another VW and am going back to a Japanese manufacturer (Honda, Acura, Toyota or Nissan).