1996 Volkswagen Jetta GLS review from North America
"Fun to drive!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Recently replaced driver's seat bottom cushion.
Ignition coil died while driving back from Ottawa (110000 km).
Rear left window doesn't work.
Replaced both rear brake cylinders.
Sometimes, the factory car alarm will engage when I turn the engine off.
When I turned on my headlight switch, the interior fan blower would turn on; replaced.
Steering pump had a slow leak, but I replaced it just to be safe, but VW re-designed a bracket for the new pump which I had to buy. Have no use for the old bracket.
Washed the engine and got some water in a couple of the wire harnesses. My lights started to work intermittently and the check engine light turned on. I had to take it to the dealer (cost me $80.00 Canadian).
Trunk lock sticks when the key is used, but I can still gain access.
Currently have air conditioning problems.
Car seems to idle rough especially when it's cold outside.
General comments?
I purchased the car mostly because I could fit in it (I'm 6' 3").
The gas mileage I'm getting keeps improving (especially after a fuel injector service). I'm getting about 520 km per tank and that is city driving.
The interior is pretty roomy, but the seats could be better. The storage compartments are too small and I don't have a glove box (I guess they needed the room to install a driver side airbag).
I really love this car, but the repairs are starting to bother me. I thought these cars were tanks!
The car is very peppy (I drive it really hard) and it does perform. I like the styling; clean and simple.
Recommended reviews
| Comfortable, Cute, Mechanical Money Pit |
|
| Economical for a 6 cylinder, fast and fun, but not cheap, and almost unreliable sometimes |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Year of manufacture | 1996 |
| First year of ownership | 1998 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.0 Manual |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 7 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 7 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 7 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 36000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 115000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Oldsmobile Ciera |
| Date of Entry | 13th June, 2002 |