1997 Volkswagen Jetta GL review from North America

The front right wheel bearing at 35,000 and 89,000 (both are from pothole hits that blew the tire out and cracked the rim)

The right rear wheel bearing began humming loudly at 50,000.

The manifold gasket began to leak at 55,000.

Car began to hesitate and had lopey idle at around 84,000. I replaced all vacuum hoses which cured it.

Starter motor died at 75,000 which was replaced with a new one. That one died at 95,000, but it was the solenoid which rotted, not the motor. They are integrated as one unit so I had to buy it all again.

The right rear turn-signal lamp lens developed a crack so the bulbs blew everytime it rained. Bought one online for $50 and replaced.

Spark plug cables frazzled out at 60,000 miles. Of course only VW had them and they were $120! For a four cylinder mind you! I could get a set of wires for my 5.0 Liter, 8-cylinder Mustang for $40.

The exhaust system is a joke. The original one rotted away by 40,000 miles. I had an accident at 70,000 which necessitated its replacement from the catalytic converters back. The newer exhaust system has now rotted and the rear muffler dropped off on to the New Jersey Turnpike at 80,000. How appropriate.

The radiator developed a small leak at 85,000. However, it was the the area for the A/C, not coolant so I just lost air conditioning. A little dab of solder on the hole and a recharge of the A/C system fixed that problem.

Check Engine light went on at 35,000. Two fruitless trips to two different VW dealerships yielded only question marks and large holes in my bank account. They are worthless. The car ran great so I just yanked the Check Engine Light bulb in the dash.

The plastic cover for the seat adjustment wheel broke off at 80,000.

The front left strut tower mount needed replacement at 54,000.

The alternator stopped doing its job at 45,000 miles. The original battery held on until 58,000 miles.

Despite the long laundry list of work done on the car I really love it. Aside from when the starter died it just always, always starts.

The engine can best be described as sprightly and in brutal cold or heat it just runs and runs. During which, the radiator temperature gauge stays pegged right in the middle.

The trunk is cavernous! Once I had the car loaded with books totalling around 900 pounds between the trunk and back seat. It still handled very well!

A great driving car, it does everything well, nothing great.

Nice turning radius makes parallel parking simple.

I've driven for 15 hour clips and have no problem with the comfort and support of the seat.

It's a joy to drive, a keeper. I might get another car, but I think I'll keep this one as a daily driver.

I like the looks it's fairly stylish and cleans up very well after a long road trip.