1996 Volkswagen Jetta GL review from North America
"An all around excellent value"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Side molding came loose at about 50,000 miles. The same thing seems to be happening to all similarly aged Jettas around town.
The fit and finish of the interior is a little sub par, even considering it cost only 15,000 dollars. There's just no way to make a half mile of molded plastic look stylish.
I have had no other issues with the vehicle.
General comments?
This is precisely the car I set out to buy and I've never been anything, but satisfied with it. I know people who insisted that to buy a Jetta would be the biggest nightmare of my life, but I'm a former Fiat owner, and I never had trouble with that car, either. I guess just like with people, a car's reputation can also be exaggerated bu a few people who've had bad experiences.
The inside of the car is a little small, but I'm pretty tall, and the Passat to me, really wasn't worth the extra money for what I would have gotten.
I've added several aftermarket modifications to the vehicle, and the car was very forgiving and easy to work with. Not quite fast and furious, but definitely a kick in the pants to drive. I've still spent far less than I would have on an Audi A4 and I can't say I regret it.
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| 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? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1996 |
| First year of ownership | 1998 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.0L Manual |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 6 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 8 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 25000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 71000 miles |
| Previous car | Fiat X1/9 |
| Date of Entry | 10th October, 2003 |