2000 Volkswagen Jetta GLS review from North America

Starter went with no warning, $500 to replace.

Burns oil like it's free.

Check Engine light pops on way too often.

Broken glove box hinge.

Slight, periodic, grind when I put it in first.

Coolant leak.

Broken cup holder.

I bought this Jetta with high mileage so my expectations were not terribly high. But I wanted a VW because they are usually more reliable than any domestic car I've ever owned. This one had a good carfax and warranty so I took it. All in all, considering it's age and odometer reading, it hasn't been that much of headache. But in reading other reviews it seems the chronic problems with this car, while minor, have nothing to do with age. I bought it with a broken glove box latch and later discovered it wasn't just this car, it was defective. It also had a broken cup holder and I insisted the dealer replace it before I bought it, which they did. But the design of the cup holder is horrible, cheaply made and blocks the stereo. Also, it burns oil like it's going out of style. But perhaps the most frustrating thing is the check engine light which I can count on popping up at least twice a week. I brought it back to the dealer right away and they simply said "VW check engine lights go on for anything, it's really nothing you can fix." So I've been living with it since.

Based on all the other issues I see with other owners this car frankly makes me nervous. Now when I drive it I wonder if the windows are going to fall out or if the sunroof will get stuck. I don't want to trash it because I love the Jetta styling, handling, pick-up, and overall character of the car. But to me, it just looks like the 2000 Jetta was very bad year, no one should have as many problems as this car gives out. I also don't care for how cheaply it was constructed with flimsy plastic interior parts. And finally, this is one very expensive car to repair. VW does not make their cars user friendly at all, as if it is purposely designed to render even the smallest repair a job for the dealership.

Overall, good reliability, comfortable, good handling, great sound system. But has too many defects built into it that make this car a very cautious purchase.