1996 Volkswagen Jetta GL 2.0L from North America
Summary:
An all around excellent value
Faults:
Side molding came loose at about 50,000 miles. The same thing seems to be happening to all similarly aged Jettas around town.
The fit and finish of the interior is a little sub par, even considering it cost only 15,000 dollars. There's just no way to make a half mile of molded plastic look stylish.
I have had no other issues with the vehicle.
General Comments:
This is precisely the car I set out to buy and I've never been anything, but satisfied with it. I know people who insisted that to buy a Jetta would be the biggest nightmare of my life, but I'm a former Fiat owner, and I never had trouble with that car, either. I guess just like with people, a car's reputation can also be exaggerated bu a few people who've had bad experiences.
The inside of the car is a little small, but I'm pretty tall, and the Passat to me, really wasn't worth the extra money for what I would have gotten.
I've added several aftermarket modifications to the vehicle, and the car was very forgiving and easy to work with. Not quite fast and furious, but definitely a kick in the pants to drive. I've still spent far less than I would have on an Audi A4 and I can't say I regret it.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 10th October, 2003
4th Sep 2004, 23:35
I too have a 1996 VW Jetta, and have many problems with it.
Lets see... Replaced the starter twice,
The rear left side window regulator,
A/C control module,
Thermostat housing, had the A/C serviced twice, and the vehicle overheats when you let it idle with the A/C on.
I recently did a tune up on the vehicle with aftermarket parts, and about one week later the car would not keep running, took it to the Dealer, they said they found a bad throttle body assembly and needed to replace it for $500.00 plus labor.
So I went to the wrecking yard and installed a used one and the car still would not run. I then called VW, they said it needed an adaption program ran on the part to let it "talk" to the computer properly, so I let them do this for $80.00 and the car still would not run. I asked them why they did not run this program on my old part they told me it "might" not work so they don't even try it. Finally, they could not find anything wrong with it, but gave me a bill for $250.00 and suggested replacing my tune up parts, so I did.
The car ran OK after $300.00 in tune up parts from VW.
Then I had problems with the automatic transmission. I took it to VW and they said the transfer shaft seal needs replacing at the tune of $700.00 so I decided to wait.
About 6 months later, I found the transmission had completely failed. I could not find a used tranny anywhere under $1500.00, and a reconditioned one was $2200.00 plus $200.00 in fluids, and R+R, so I found an expert rebuilder, did it for $1000.00 and I did all the work.
The interesting thing is when we had the tranny apart, a seal that VW said was wrong had no signs of leakage or abnormal wear.
I put the tranny back in the vehicle, added $200.00 worth of tranny fluid and it works for now.
Lastly after all of this, the service manager was bragging about charging $600.00 for an oil change in the "upper" VW vehicles every 3000 miles???
It is safe to say that I will never own another VW again. I am very dissatisfied with this product.