1998 Volkswagen Cabrio GL review from North America
"A Costly Mistake"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Starter needed to be replaced at 50,000 miles.
Car died on major highway and needed to be towed 60 miles back to dealership at 60,000 miles. Ignition caps and ignition cords needed to be replaced.
Driver's side door does not engage alarm. Car needs to be locked from passenger's side door at all times.
Cruise control does not work at all times and turns on automatically at other times.
Tan vinyl top turned orange and sticky after 3 1/2 years for no reason. It previously had been maintained properly. No cleaner recommended by VW and no cleaner will get off stain completed. Top starting to rip on driver's side. Group of ten other owners with 1998 Cabrios manufactured at VW de Mexico experiencing same problems. VW states the top needs to be replaced at owner's cost and refuses to consider it a defect in the composition of the top/vinyl.
General comments?
I have thoroughly enjoyed this car, even with its unreliability, until the top deteriorated. Now, I am embarrassed to drive it.
I will never by another car manufactured by VW again. I had better customer service and reliability from the manufacturer of my previous car, a 1993 Ford Probe.
Recommended reviews
| 1998 - Cabrio GLS really crappy one HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE workmanship |
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| This car is a moneypit |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Year of manufacture | 1998 |
| First year of ownership | 1998 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.0 Manual |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 1 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 6 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 1 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 20 miles |
| Most recent distance | 73000 miles |
| Previous car | Ford Probe |
| Date of Entry | 13th June, 2002 |