1996 Volkswagen GTI Standard 2.0L gas

Summary:

Good overall solidly built car

Faults:

Seat side bolsters wear through too easily.

Door lock vacuum pump works intermittently.

General Comments:

These cars can go on for a while. I do all the scheduled maintenance, change timing belts every 100k, and it's been great overall, and I hope to get more!!.. Let's try for 400K!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th December, 2009

1996 Volkswagen GTI Golf 2.0

Summary:

If you take care of it, it will take care of you

Faults:

I bought my GTI for $1500. It would not start after raining or in very cold temperature, plus it needed brakes, suspension, and some bodywork. I got it running perfectly and it hasn't given me a problem. All of you people saying that the car won't start after being in the rain, replace the coil. They get beat after awhile, and when water gets in them, they will not allow the car to start.

OK, now to my strange problem. I just bought a 1995 Jetta GL 2.0 Automatic with 181k miles on it. I bought it for $750 as a parts car for my GTI (pole jumped out in front of me and now the GTI needs a new front end). Anyway, I went out to start the Jetta this morning, so I hooked up the battery (doors don't lock, so I unhook the battery when I'm not driving it for awhile), got in the car and tried to start it. The key clicked over to accessory, and when I tried to crank it, absolutely nothing happened. All the lights worked on the car, everything worked. Then, suddenly, the emergency flashers automatically came on and I could not get them to turn off. I tried several more times to start the car, checked wiring in the lights, unplugged the battery and rehooked it up. Still nothing. Does anyone know what the hell is wrong with this car?

General Comments:

The GTI is an amazing car.

For someone who wants a fast, cheap, and reliable car, it is perfect.

It makes a perfect starter car.

Just make sure that you have the time to properly service it (yourself) and take care of it. No beating a 10 year old car.

Plus, I can attest to the safety of the car. I got into an accident in the GTI two weeks ago. I hit a concrete support for a light pole and a bulldozer. The airbags deployed and the car took the hit surprisingly well. Mechanically, it needs a tie rod, control arm, and an axle. Body work is why I bought the Jetta.

Definately recommend this car to everyone that has time to put into it!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th February, 2007

24th Jul 2008, 22:43

Then, suddenly, the emergency flashers automatically came on and I could not get them to turn off. I tried several more times to start the car, checked wiring in the lights, unplugged the battery and rehooked it up. Still nothing. Does anyone know what the hell is wrong with this car?

It is the alarm disabling the starter; to reset it put the key into the door and unlock. the flashing hazard lights will go off.