1997 Volkswagen Cabrio 2.0 from North America

Summary:

Sporty exterior-Poorly designed interior

Faults:

First off, I enjoy this car. I agree with comments about the top being hard to clean. Some advice I can give to get a beige or white top clean- use Softscrub surface cleaner with bleach & allow a lot of time. The interior is the biggest disappointment with my VW. Its faded, stained, worn and generally makes the car look older than it is. I've tried cleaning it with everything up to and including a portable carpet cleaning machine, but they still looks old & worn. Custom seat covers don't exist for this vehicle and the commercial generic ones look dumb. If I wanted to get rid off this car, the interior would be a turnoff to any new buyer. Finally, anything larger than a can sized drink will have to be jambed in the passenger seat adjuster lever ( on the floor) to be held as it won't fit in the drink holder slots.

General Comments:

A good overall buy.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st June, 2003

1997 Volkswagen Cabrio Highline from North America

Summary:

Poorly made

Faults:

Door moldings fell off repeatedly. Tried to re-glue repeatedly. Finally lost and can't find replacements.

Power windows won't work.

Convertible top leaks.

Engine light stays on, but no one can find out why.

Interior door liner pulling away from the window.

Muffler buzzes when accelerating.

Trunk lock is difficult to work.

General Comments:

I wish I had found this website and all of these reviews before buying this car. No wonder I got a good price. The guy was probably thrilled to unload this piece of @#$!

Almost every problem I have read about has happened to my car. Volkswagen should be ashamed for putting this car on the road.

Nice body style, but not worth the trouble I've had. I used to think of quality and durability when I thought of VW. Many family members and friends had them and drove them for years. Not any more!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 31st May, 2003

24th Nov 2003, 17:16

Your power windows might not work because of a faulty design in the regulator. ($$$) If your roof is leaking from the seams, you need a new top. ($$$$$) If not it may have been cleaned with detergent at some point, which wears off the coating they put on it to keep water out. You'll probably never find out why the check engine light is on- could be the airbag. ($$$$) If you want your truck to be easier to open then try leaving it unlocked and then just unlocking all the doors to unlock it. Sorry you're having so many problems, good luck.

1997 Volkswagen Cabrio Highline from North America

Faults:

I had to have the top replaced because it was so worn and discolored.

The distributor cap had to be replaced 2 times. Blew out all wires and a spark plug.

A gasket blew in my engine and oil was sprayed all over my cars engine.

My transmission had problems where I could not go over 45mph on the highway.

Had to go back 3 times before they could fix that.

I would never own another Cabrio.

General Comments:

I like VW and would purchase a new car from them in the future only if it was covered by a good mfg warranty.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th May, 2003

1997 Volkswagen Cabrio from North America

Summary:

Expensive not reliable

Faults:

Cabrio top is the biggest problem. It is not easy to clean, has become sticky and there is a pungent rubber/plastic smell coming out of it. That smell makes the driver sick.

General Comments:

It was fun to drive, but.. now it is noisy, smelly and is not at all good for commuting. Door handles have chipped too.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 3rd December, 2002

1997 Volkswagen Cabrio Highline 2.0 from North America

Summary:

Fun to drive

Faults:

I got the car from Americar-Superstore in Tewksbury, MA. Do not go there! They charged me about $1000 too much for the car, and so far the service has sucked.

The car has a bad passenger side seat because it won't stay in the up position.

The alternator is a little loud, it needs an alignment, and it is filthy inside and out. They were supposed to have taken care of this before I picked up the car, but they jerked me around.

All of these things should have been taken care of by the dealer, but so far they are giving me the run around, and I am about to file a case with the BBB.

Other than that, I think I will have fun with this car. It isn't as peppy as my 1989 Mazda MX-6, but it is more fun to chill out in.

General Comments:

I will probably post another message after I have had the car for a while. The point of this message was to say that if you are in the Boston / New Hampshire area, don't buy a car from Americar-Superstore. They get you by talking monthly payments instead of the car's value.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 30th May, 2001

1997 Volkswagen Cabrio 2.0 from North America

Summary:

Treat yourself to a fun lovable car!

Faults:

Just after warranty expired, I had to change a brake disk because the car was shaking when braking at higher speed. I was told it was due to braking after hitting a puddle of water! After complaining to Volkswagen (the car barely has 15,000 KMs), they paid for the parts. I was satisfied with this service.

Recently, door's chime seems to begin playing its little music while I am driving. Garage has not been able to find the problem! Mystery!

General Comments:

The cabrio has always been my dream car and still is! After driving it for 4 years, I still enjoy it just as much as when I first got it.

Handles the road very well because of its weight.

Surprisingly excellent winter car even in Canadian weather!!!

Very stable even when the roof is off. Relatively no wind in the front. In the back, bring a hat or cap if you have longer hair!!!

Roomy seats, trunk a little small but still practical. Larger items can be put in the car with the rooftop off.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th February, 2001