1996 Volkswagen Jetta GL review from North America

Upon Purchase of the car the seats were slightly worn however no other such problems were evident..

Previous owner stated that his 23 year old daughter often used the car to drive back and forth to school (college) however she disliked the car as it was a standard... poor V-Dub.

It moved on to see many a beter day.. with my dad behind the wheel...

To put it on the road it required an e-test... whcih is required on all used vehilce in Ontario within 3months of a E-test under a different owners name... it passed with flying colors.

Aprox 124000k... I broke the beloved cars rear cup holder.. soory..I mended the wound with a simple readjutment..

Aprox 132000k... it wouldn't start... at the cottage however CAA covered all charges and towed the car 150k to get the car serviced... a minor glitch in the ignition wires.. rebuilt for $120... with a needed oil change, oil filter, air filter top ups the whole deal.

Aprox 134000k... dad put on needed winter tires... asked about a rumbling in the rear... slightly loud and rough in the rear end at high speeds... eneded up being a bent rim... weird one bent rims... replaced in the summer (after winter) 60$ from scrap yard... the break job is maintenece... nothing wrong with the car.. don't know howmuch.

Aprox 140000K problem with the electric trunk opener.. it was a srung spring in the motor mechanism... my dad replaced from the scrap yard for $15.

Aprox 145000k minor computer problem... turned out to be an oxysensor...replaced $130 plus $40 for the computer read out... VW test drove the car said the rear wheel bearings would need rplacing also said that the car seemed to be slighlt slugish... mentioned it could be the cat as the oxy wasn't working (the service guy was driving a new 1.8T.. no wonder our 2.0N/A was slow)

Service guys were right...soon after the bearings went 350$ total.

Currently nothing has really come up in the last 25000K... amazing on gas... extrely peepy for it's 115 hp.. wow with the above and other minor fixes the repairs in the last 6 years have been under $1500.

We currently have some minor leakage (combo of oil, trans and coolant) I'll get under the car sometime and tighten everything up... as for the coolant one of the hoses that wraps around the block has some minor wear... (the coolant leak) eventual replacement.

Amazing on gas... extrely peepy for it's 115 hp.. wow with the above and other minor fixes the repairs in the last 6 years have been under $1500.

I occasionally drive the car...when I do I love it.. stick mostly I drive a slow as.. well crysler 3spd auto.

The V-dubs a treat... dad can't think of any other car to buy.. in the next few weeks he's getting a 03 jetta 1.8T... and I may just get the 96.

I donno wether we purchased a good one of the few, but the car is a dream in every aspect.

BUY ONE.