1985 Volkswagen Jetta GLI review from North America

Valve cover gasket needs to be replaced to stop an oil leak.

Exhaust manifold gasket leaks exhaust, causing poor performance and skewed readings for the Oxygen sensor, making the car run rich.

Outer CV joints have failed, causing clicking noise in turns.

Driver's seat has worn badly down to metal understructure.

Prior to reading the above problems with the car and assuming that it's problematic, two things should be considered:

1) The car over 18 years old.

2) When I bought the car from the original owner, it had been sitting outside as a spare car for two years. In fact, between October 2001 and December 2003, less than 250 miles were put on the car!

I bought this car as a project car because I love VWs and I like restoring cars. I didn't expect a car without problems, and it's not my daily driver. It's quite easy to work on. I don't regret the mere $800 I spent on this car, it's a genuine blast to drive.

For only having 100 hp, it sure is peppy. I have no trouble getting on to freeways at all.

The cabin is very roomy, and the trunk is very large.

If you treat these VWs right, they will last for a long time, and give you years of driving enjoyment. It puts a smile on my face every time that I drive it.