1996 Volkswagen Golf review from North America

Transmission can't shift well at gear 2 and above recently and this will caused me $4500 at the dealer!

For this car, the transmision is sealed so each time when I come to the service shop, my mechanic can't check the transmission fluid for me. So as a result the check engine light on and I was told there is a big problem.

Dealer keep telling or warning me that the sealed transmission means don't touch and only they can check them otherwise I'll ruine the transmission! And other transmission shop won't even like to look at this type of transmission. Since $4500 is enough to buy another Golf the same year, so I decide to buy transmission fluid from the dealer and ask a mechanic to change it based on their experience. The result is good. Even though the problem is still there, but I can make the transmission shift by changing D/D3.

It's a so so car. I try this car just tired not to be a loyal Japanese car customer. It looks like I'll need to switch back to Toyota after this car finally died. The engine is super strong. It feels like you can pump sand into it!

I think if you are considering this type of car with sealed transmission. You'll need to be aware of the following things before you buy it.

1. Cold start and switch the transmission to each position, if it takes time for the transmission to move then you'll need to be cautions.

2. Running at low speed and give it a complete stop and see if the the transmisison is still on the right gear. If not then you may need to take the risk like me.

3. To make the running cost low, buy parts like transmisison fluid from dealer and ask a mechanic to do it for you. Don't afraid that you'll ruin the car, you can buy a same car if you let the dealer do whatever they think.