1996 Volkswagen Jetta GL review from North America

Transmission reverse kept making a grinding noise shortly after I bought the car at 53,000 miles. The dealer said that all Jettas make that whinny noise in reverse so I did not think anything of it at the time. Later it started to happen in other gears also, so I had to have the transmission completely rebuilt due to spun bearings inside costing over $1800.00. Reverse does make a whining noise but no longer a grinding noise.

Driver-side visor broke off (not from abuse) at around 70,000 miles.

Rock flew off of the road and through the condenser on the front of the car costing $350.00 for a new condenser and another $200.00 in labor and recharging of coolant in the air conditioning system.

Both right and left passenger-side protective strips flew off on the freeway at around 80,000 miles costing $59.00 a piece from a dealer.

Left front bearing and hub went bad at around 90,000 miles. The right bearing followed at 94,000 miles costing about $450.00 altogether to repair.

Around 90,000 miles while getting the clutch replaced, the automotive technician noticed the rear engine seal was leaking a lot of oil. That was fixed reasonably for about $45.00 because the transmission was already off. That might have otherwise been costly.

The sunroof is slow to open and close. I am not sure if that is by design or an issue with the electric motor. I still haven't had a chance to get that looked at.

ABS light comes on if I remain at a steady 35 MPH for several minutes (usually happens in traffic), and resets when the car is restarted. It is functional though, because I have had to come to a screeching halt with the light on and could hear the ABS piston-like clicking sound engage.

Even though I have had a lot of problems with the car, I also have done my share of racing the car around and pushing it to its limits.

The electrical system and engine work well and without problems.

Amazingly, the car can take corners like no other car I have owned, (including an old Porsche).

The steering is tight and responsive to every move.

The engine has a substantial amount of pep and torque. I race my friends most of the time at speeds in excess of 125 MPH. People seem baffled on how the car can go so fast with the engine that it has. I test drove a same year make model car with an automatic transmission and was extremely disappointed with the performance. It is a night and day difference with automatic and manual transmissions.

The cloth interior remains in great shape.

Various rocks and several other hard objects (including a lug nut) have hit my factory windshield directly, and amazingly didn't leave a pit or crack.

I was sceptical of VWs before I bought the car. Now, I don't think I could buy another Japanese or American car again.