1997 Volkswagen Golf GL review from North America

In general, I've had mostly minor cosmetic problems:

Power steering pump leaked ~70,000 miles. Replaced by dealer with a rebuilt used part, OK ever since.

Seat crank handles keep breaking off, presumably when kicked by back-seat passengers.

Driver side, then passenger side door locks have both fallen out.

Wires that connect driver's side door lock to rest of doors (for power door system) and alarm system fatigued around 100,000 miles.

Minor unidentified leak into trunk door in heavy rain. Not into trunk, but into the door itself. Weird.

The trim on my Golf (and most 97 VWs, I think) fell off once on each door around 60,000. I glued it back on using 3M weather stripping adhesive. So far so good!

Overall, I've been very very happy with my '97 Golf. I have been conscientious with maintenance; I get synthetic oil changes every 5,000 miles (which I think has been worth it so far).

It's been very reliable, fuel efficient, and most of the wearing parts on the car have lasted longer than I would have expected (e.g. battery, brakes, clutch, exhaust system, belts, coolant system, air conditioning, moon-roof motor).

I have had no problems thus far with the clutch, belts, AC, and moon-roof.

I had the exhaust system (after the catalytic converter) replaced at 120,000 miles. Battery was replaced around the same time.

Performance-wise, the car is fine. It's not meant to be a crazy-fast sports car, but I think it handles very well for a car in it's class. It has a lot of pickup for a 4-cylinder engine.

The trunk holds a lot of stuff, especially with the seats folded down. I can fit bikes, snowboards, even an entire small kayak, easily in the car.

The finish on the car is slightly dull after 7 years, but I haven't taken good care of the outside (it needs to be waxed, badly). I have noticed no rust spots, though.

I have put A LOT of miles on this car and it has been very good to me. I plan to drive this car until it becomes unreliable, but after 135,000 miles that hasn't happened yet.

However, reading reviews of more recent VW cars has made me concerned with the newer models. I think I will wait until the reviews clear up before buying another VW.