1996 Volkswagen Jetta GLS review from North America
"German engineering gone VERY bad"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
I have had the car, and from day one, had nothing, but problems. In the last 2 1/2 years I have replaced/fixed the follow:
- compressor on A/C blew (apparently 'something' must have punctured it)
-battery.
-shocks and brakes.
-distributor cap (wouldn't start in the rain or even if it was 'slightly' damp out.
-spark plugs.
-driver side door lock.
-some dashboard lights no longer work.
-Alternator.
-starter.
-alarm will go off if you open the trunk and the door are locked!?!?
-new exhaust.
-car was idling so low that it would stall out when you stopped.
-body moulding has been re-glued twice.
And! the biggest kicker! I had my whole transmission replaced a year ago... Guess where my car is RIGHT now... that's right... getting another transmission. It's been in the shop for almost a week 'waiting for the parts'.
I'm not even going to get into the $$$$ costs that all of these repairs have cost me. I think I've spent more in repairs that I initally paid for the car.
General comments?
Car is fun to drive, but I think I got a real lemon. All of the parts are expensive to replace and I will be glad to see the day that I can afford to get something else! Then again, that day should be coming soon cause I can't afford to keep fixing it!
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| Economical for a 6 cylinder, fast and fun, but not cheap, and almost unreliable sometimes |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Model year | 1996 |
| Year of manufacture | 1995 |
| First year of ownership | 2002 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.0 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 5 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 5 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 6 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 0 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 116000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 140000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Pontiac Grand Prix |
| Date of Entry | 26th October, 2005 |