1988 Volkswagen Jetta GLI review from North America

Transmission went at 95,000 miles. Common occurrance with 020 tranny, a result of VW attempting to save a nickel or as it was in this case... a snap ring. This eventually cause the main shaft to back its way right out of the tranny housing. Purchased a rebuilt unit from Wolfsport, engineered so this will not happen again.

Water pump failed around 105,000. That was a nine hour repair job.

Steering rack started to fail around 160,000. Of course, it was specific to th 16v and VW couldn't locate a new one. So, it was sadly replaced with one from an 8V.

Original exhaust shot at 90,000 so it was replaced with a stainless steel Techtonics Tuning system.

Original shocks shot at 85,000 so they were replaced with Boge ProGas units. These went bad at about 170,000 so they were replaced with new ProGas units.

Springs were replaced at same time as the first ProGas shocks with Neuspeed Sofsport variable rate units.

Sunroof began to leak at 177,000 so replaced all seals and cloth headliner (just for sunroof)

Original rubber brake lines shot at 178,000 so replaced them with Autotech stainless steel braided versions (for less than the cost of factory lines!)

Pedal assembly bracket broke completely at 177,000. This was a 11 hour repair/replacement job. 11 hours of pure hell. I understand that underneath all its sporting pretensions the 16v is still a late '80s economy car, and for the most part the build quality has been exactly as expected, decent, but nothing to write home about. But the pedal assembly bracket is the biggest POS I have ever seen. No wonder the dealer told me they break often! Nothing but thin, thin stamped steel. Apparently, the clutch cable wore through the pedal assembly bracket and began rubbing on the firewall (this probably around 130,000 miles.) So, when I finally get the stupid thing out of the car, I find I have a silver dollar size hole in the firewall surrounded by stress cracks. Anyway, if you haven't ever replaced your pedal assembly, you probably should and unless you are very mechanically inclined get a mechanic to do it.

Other little things have occurred along the way, but nothing that I can recall off the top of my head...tie-rods ends, trunk latch, shift linkage etc.

Love this car! Styling is boxy, but love it just the same. Car has a very european feel to it (good thing) stiff clutch etc...

The 1.8 16v PL engine (123bhp-122 lb/ft torque) is a dream come true. Loves to rev to 7200, although if you're trying to go fast, especially with factory fuel/air ratio, shifting at 6,600 will serve you better. Tends to be very lean above that RPM, although a Autotech fuel enrichment unit took care of that. Truthfully, with the current mileage on the engine, I rarely take her above 6,000 RPM anymore. No torque monster either, but far better than the myriad of Japanese and Korean four cylinders out there, with a few notable exceptions. Have you driven a Honda Civic lately? And the sound of the 16v with the TT exhaust? Wow! Throaty and deep, unlike the wasp in a tin can sound of so many rice burners.

As well, the Recaro Seats are out of this world. My father owns a '94 Porsche 968, and although the seats in that are terrific, they are not as nice as the Recaros.

The handling is terrific as well, the feel is about a good as it gets with front wheel drive. Even with less than 150 bhp, the car needs a Quaife limited slip diff.

Shifting feel is so-so, all VW linkages are this way, don't ask me why. I've heard the R32's six speed is an exception though.

Worst headlight ever designed, the high beams of the Jetta don't compare to the normal lights on the Porsche. And that is with the benefit of the PIAA Bright Whites. I see some European H-4 bulbs horizon.

I enjoy the rarity of the car, it is not something you see everyday, especially because the car is now 17 years old. Even more rare, is a 16v in this fine a condition. Car was repainted Tornado Red 3 years ago after being hit lightly in the sight by some lady looking at her kid in the back seat. She's lucky she wasn't on the cell phone!

Mods:

ITG air filter

Autotech fuel enrichment module

Magnecor 8mm plug wires

Techtonics Tuning sport catalytic conv.

TT stainless exhaust (dual resonaters)

Eurosport stainless DTM tips.

ATE slotted 9.4" discs

G2 red caliper paint

Autotech stainless braided brake lines.

Neuspeed Sofsport springs (1.5" lower)

Boge ProGas shocks

Autotech f/r upper stress bars.

Borbet Type S 15x7 cast alloy wheels

Dunlop SP-5000 Sport tires sized:

195/50ZR-15.

Momo RaceAirleather shift knob

Neuspeed short shift kit

Sparco Aluminum pedals

GLI floormats.

Hella drivings lights

PIAA Bright White Bulbs.

Alpine CDA-9813 CD receiver

Vifa 1" dome tweeters in 3.5" dash spots

Peerless 5.25" woofers in door spots

Infinity Kappa 4" speakers in rear deck

California Profile CA-600 mono amp.

Rockford Fosgate RDF-22028 8" sub in

custom 11" by 11" by 12" MDF box.

4-AWG Scocshe wire.

Near future mods:

Sachs Sport Clutch kit

Eurosport 8.5 lb flywheel.

Far future mods:

180 bhp normally aspirated 16v engine

G-60 Corrado front suspension.