1989 Volkswagen Jetta GL review from Mexico

Before I tell you what has gone wrong with it, It would be nice to advice that the previous owner thought that this vehicle was a 4x4 truck (you'll see why).

If your planning on buying a Jetta get a manual not an automatic, those transmission require VERY special attention.

When I first saw the car, It was all muddy dirty etc, what got wondering is that the engine was also full of mud, the entire housing was full of it (including air filter box), but anyways when the seller test drove it ran excellent, so I bought it, at the time I DID NOT now manual transmission so I learned on this car.

Replaced parts.

*Ball JOINTS (CHEAP 16 DOLLARS BOTH)

*STRUTS (front 25dollars EACH life warranty)

*New battery (30 dollars)

*Strut base support (20 dollars each)

*Timing calibration, sensors etc, (100 dollars).

Last week I thought my Volkswagen was dying, It didn't want to start, It was choking at stop signs and lights, didn't want to take off, first thing I thought was the fuel pump, and by the way if you EVER figure out that it is the pump be ready it has 2 of them and I think those are the most expensive parts of the whole car 450 dollars for both. But anyways luckily It was not the pump or the head gasket, or any other horror story, the mechanic found a faulty mixture sensor (for the gas), and a miss calibrated intake sensor, so main problem was injection. After that my car IS alive again, the torque is amazing, you even have it at 5th gear I can pass cars with ease, and take off from stop and go traffic in a flash.

Again seems normal wear and tear, assuming and including previous owner abused the suspension.

*excellent fuel economy 20 dollars for a week for a 30 mile routine (that's 210 miles a week my friends)

*interiors are OK, but that's my only compliant about the car the ergonomics are terrible, cheap plastics, no cup holders in the front, for someone reason German engineers thought it would be more efficient to have them in the back seat? w/e.

*Paint is still original and holding.

*Clutch original yes original at 124387 miles.

*Transmission oil needs no change since is Hy-poid, red it in the owners manual, so if you don't even see a leak you should be fine.

* That's a another plus, this car has no oil leaks AT ALL.

*Oil consumption is a bit high, but what can you expect with all the Torque that this little 4 cylinder 100hp stroker delivers.

*Handles curves very well.

*Love the feel when the gears engage, doesn't feel like stick knob is going to fall apart, like in newer cars. I drove a friends 98 dodge stratus and the clutch was a joke It didn't feel right, for manual transmission lovers you understand why.

*Seats are very comfortable.

*On long trips its fine, but again oil consumption, and gas mileage drops a bit because your rpm are all the way up, in 3200 or more, (5h gear).

*Went on a 160 mile trip (non stop driving at full 75mph didn't want to force it I knew it could do more), no problems just a little shaky again the rpm.

*For its 8 valve S-O-H-C (that's Single Over Head Cam for those who are not familiar with the term), it has a lot of power. I made a 93 Mazda (16 valve D-O-H-C manual, Dual Over...etc) eat dust with my Jetta.