2000 Volkswagen Jetta review from North America

During the test drive, something broke!

First, the spring in the center console fell out. It cannot close and remain that way. This seemed like a minor thing, so I blew it off and kept the car.

As soon as I had the car back to my home town, I decided to get an extra oil change just in case. The timing belt was almost rotted through and had to be fixed.

Then the glove compartment box hinge broke, so that it falls out whenever you open it.

The car drove beautifully, so I kept it. Then the acceleration began to feel jerky. Shifting between gears is less smooth than before. Decelerating is becoming jerkier as well.

At around 102000 miles. smoke was blowing out of the engine. Apparently the freon decided to blow out.

There is some grinding noise that I no idea where it comes from, somewhere near the left front tire while turning. I don't have a VW dealer until the next large city which is over 60 miles away. And I live in a town of 250,000. You'd think there'd be a dealer.

I went in to have my tires balanced because after 40 mph, the steering wheel jerked back and forth. Then the local shop said they could not balance the tires because VW makes their cars so that you have to return them to the dealership. Something about the counterweights being specific only for VW.

Also, the brake lights are not functioning. Again, I have to return to the dealer for a recall.

When I first bought the car, I could get between 300 and 350 miles on a full tank. Now I only get 250 and I have no idea why.

Although this is a beautiful car in theory, the problems I am having with it are frustrating and expensive. I'm a college student, and although I work, I don't have the time and money to run 60 miles away for every minor problem.