1984 Volkswagen Jetta

Summary:

Once fixed, my car will continue to make long trips on various highways

Faults:

My odometer is not working.

Problem starting the car since it has just been sitting for a few years.

Front seats are worn.

General Comments:

My first car, and despite a few mechanical problems, my Jetta can take me anywhere I want it to go.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th March, 2009

1984 Volkswagen Jetta base 1.6 D

Summary:

Will go forever on very little fuel if you take care of it..

Faults:

Water leaking onto the fuse box from the windshield which caused interesting electrical problems. One that was cured it's been fine.

Normal stuff like brakes, bearings and rusty lines...

Other than that it is pretty much bullet proof.

General Comments:

Not exactly roomy, fairly slow to the extent that I'm sometimes afraid while entering the hwy. The little power it's got is only available at low rpm so prepare to shift a lot in city. The mileage is just outstanding. No matter what I do, it will not drink more than 5.0-5.2 liters per 100 kms. In nice weather went as low as 4.6l / 100 which is round 60mpg.

The acceleration reminds me of a big tractor, but once you get used to it its loads of fun, plus it allows you to handle tailgaters really well by just flooring the pedal and you'll see they'll back up instantly :)

Cold starts have not been a problem so far even in -10C degrees.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th December, 2007

1984 Volkswagen Jetta Base 1.7L inline 4

Summary:

Once you go Volkswagen you'll never go back

Faults:

I bought the car for $900 and was expecting to pay at least 7-900 in parts, luckily I only ended up paying $200 in parts including $400 worth of tires. The $200 worth of parts included; Both front rotors, Front pads, CV boots, Axle seals, and a Valve cover gasket kit.

General Comments:

This car has virtually NO blind spots!

You don't even need to use the little tiny side view mirrors that come on the car, because with a small turn off the head you can see everything around you.

For a car with only 74hp, let me tell you this car picks up like it was a Hemi.. A Hemi of small cars of course.

This car has all OEM suspension and it handles as though it were on rails, no joke you can take a corner at pretty much any speed and all fours stay firmly planted to the ground.

This little tiny car could fit in the back of my buddies pickup, but when your inside its very spacious. I am 6'2" and weigh close to 250 lbs, and I have no trouble whatsoever fitting in this little car and being comfortable to all the controls.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th November, 2007

1984 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 1.8L SOHC 8v 90hp

Summary:

You'll pry the keys to this car from my dead hands!

Faults:

Fuel pump at 225,000km, Fuel pump at 315,000km, that's pretty much it!

General Comments:

WOW, this car makes vehicle ownership a real pleasure. I listed the only things that have gone "wrong" with the car as fuel pumps, and that's partly true. The fuel pumps have been the only thing that has left me stranded, once in the driveway, and twice in the parking lot at work. Other than that, I've been pretty steadfast in preventative maintenance on this car. If something was noisy, or acting up, it is replaced without hesitation. As a result, I've ended up with the perfect car.

On the downside, this car is rudimentary by today's standards. It's now underpowered, rides a little harsher, and creature comforts are absent. But the Jetta (GLI in particular) handles like it's on rails! The 1.8 8 valve is bulletproof and still hauls this little rocket up to highway speeds with little strain. I did replace the original GTI 'pocket rocket' transmission with one from a diesel to get better cruising speeds and range, but it has hurt the pull-out-and-pass ability.

No other car I have ever owned has given me as much pleasure as the 1984 GLI, and it's doubtful one ever will...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd November, 2006

2nd Jan 2017, 04:47

So it's reliable as long as you exclude most of the repairs you've had to perform?