1998 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8L from North America

Summary:

A great price for performance of the car

Faults:

There is oil in the air filter. One of the PCB valves has gone bad. The cost to fix this is around 400.00.

The brakes squeak continuously, but I have been told there is nothing wrong with them.

The rear suspension is completely out of the car. The bearings in the rear left wheel are completely gone.

General Comments:

The car, even though it has the smaller motor, has great pick up.

The seats are very comfortable.

I love the trunk space that the Jetta has to offer.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th May, 2003

1998 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 2.0L from North America

Summary:

A good car ruined by awful service and support

Faults:

Wiper Stalk/Switch needed to be replaced at around 70,000. $200.

Oxygen Sensor replaced around 70,000. $200.

Clock Spring for Airbag system went around 80,000. $300.

Exhaust System died at 85,000. $610.

Continuous minor problems with the transmission (hard and/or delayed shifts) since I purchased it.

Intermittent problems with the Check Engine light coming on without any suitable reason.

Color fading from door handles at 60,000.

General Comments:

The car's handling and feel are excellent. It has a stiff, solid feel that is hard to find on anything else in it's class. Fit and finish inside and out is very good.

However...

Volkswagen dealer service is terrible. At each dealership I have been to, the service personnel are uninformative and make no real effort to be helpful. They don't seem to care whether they have your business or not and they won't spend any extra time to answer questions or explain anything.

There seems to be a lot of things on VW's that will perplex anyone besides a VW dealership. So, even though the dealer service is terrible, you will have trouble finding another mechanic who can take care of the car.

Anything that goes wrong with this car will be expensive. I have never spent less than $200 when I have had it in for something.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 14th May, 2003

15th May 2003, 09:59

Try finding an independent shop that specializes in Volkswagens or German cars. I've avoided the dealership like the plague... I've done that with my 1997 Jetta and it gets fixed right on the rare occasions it's needed a repair beyond preventative maintenance.

1998 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg 1.8 from North America

Summary:

A high priced maintainance disaster

Faults:

What hasn't gone wrong! The check engine light is constantly on. Replaced two oxygen sensors at 55,000 miles costing more that a few hundred dollars.

Air conditioning leaks from the inside of the car when making a left turn, very cold air though and fast heat, have to give it that.

The driver seat is loose.

Radio volume knob does not work.

Replaced belts at 55,000 miles

At 25,000 miles, replaced transmission.

Window motor on driver side failed, cost was $700.00. Passenger side starting to go.

Throttle body needs to be replaced resulting from faulty sensor, Volkswagen does not make it easy to replace one sensor, you have to replace the whole throttle body.

Outside body trim coming off.

Makes terrible nose when backing up, noise coming from somewhere in the rear.

General Comments:

I will never buy another Volkswagen again and certainly caution anyone willing to buy one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 9th May, 2003

3rd Jun 2005, 22:19

I agree completely about never buying another volkswagen!! My 1997 Jetta had a new throttle body installed in 2003, because the sensor was diagnosed to be bad, even though the car ran great!!, but I couldn't get the car inspected until that fault cleared. Unlike a "normal car" where you just replace the sensor for $35.00 bucks, this sensor is built into the throttle body, so I had to replace the whole throttle body which was $375.00. Plus, they had already charged me $105.00 for cleaning the old throttle body, saying "this may cure your problem", which it did not. Now, it is May 2005 and I cannot get my car inspected again, because of the same exact problem!!! Oh, and by the way, the car is still running great! Other problems with this car are the cruise control doesn't work (they said that would cost $300.00, plus) and the key locks on the driver and passenger sides have been replaced. I would not recommend a volkswagen to anyone wanting to keep his or her sanity. Sincerely, David D. PS. I was at the hospital today and the new door lock on the drivers side locked my key in the tumbler and would not let me get it out! I felt and looked very stupid.