1985 Volkswagen Jetta GL from North America - Comments

The only things wrong are not important, just the tachometer went out and the muffler.

Drivers' door handle is starting to go, and water leaks in through the rear door panels.

Had to replace the water pump and the alternator drive belt, that is all so far.. (one hopes)

Other than the annoying water leaks that make the interior smell bad, and the way people like to open their doors into the sides of the car (leaving a growing collection of little dings and chips), I find it to be rather nimble and fun to drive, very tight and solid feeling.

Fun to fling around corners and take on the freeway.

Economical and even stylish.

Just a question. I just bought a 1985 jetta which is in excellent condition and only has 79500 original miles on it.

The only thing I can't seem to figure out is, why the radio has constant power. When I shut off the car and take the key out, the radio still plays unless I turn the radio off. Does your jetta do this or does mine just have some sort of mechanical problem?

I think the radio staying on is a weird VW quirk. I had a Rabbit that did that, and my Jetta does too, so I think it's a manufacturing thing. Nothing to worry about, but it is a little odd. Just takes some getting used to, I think.

So run a wire to the key power instead of the constant wire!

I have a 1985 Jetta with 478,000 km on it. Not cheap to maintain but still going.

I spoke too soon about it being reliable. Almost a year ago I had the clutch replaced, because it had started slipping. Well, when this work was finished, I took it on the freeway to feel the difference, when I heard and felt something clang and strike underneath the car. I look in the rearview mirror, and see something long and skinny bouncing along. I take it back and tell these clods what happened, but they insist nothing is wrong, nothing's missing. "Must have been a tool left behind". Months later I take it in for an oil-change, only to find out the motor-mount bolt was gone. That is what clanged on the freeway. They neglected to bolt the motor back to the frame! I take it to Carter VW in Seattle to get that fixed. I was told that the starter was broken and barely connected to the motor because of the missing bolt. Had all that fixed, and they did an inspection saying I needed to replace brakes, shocks, belts, wipers, tires, get a tune-up and new hoses... of course. They managed to lose a piece of body trim and a lug-nut. Since then I got a tune up and new brakes, and the horrid car decides to die in mid drive. Take it to Goodyear where they tell me I need a new motor, that it lost compression in 3 cylinders!! It gave no indication of problem, no smoke, noise, anything. I really hate VW's now, and I will never buy another one. they are truly atrocious cars. Nice build quality, but nasty mechanics. I'm going to stick with American cars... perhaps they are not so stylish or have the greatest body quality standards, but at least they KEEP GOING.

If you're going to buy an older car, then learn something about fixing it yourself. Time and time again, I hear about all of the horror stories people have with their cars. It all comes down to some crappy garage that sucked you in for repairs that weren't necessary or they screwed something up.

Whenever I buy a car, I know I'm the only one that's going to work on it. If I can't do the job, I make sure I take it to a shop that I know isn't trying to screw me over. People say to get 3 quotes. If you really want to be sure, get 6 or 7. It's worth it in the end, rather than complaining about it and blaming it on the car.

I know there are car's out there that are lemons, but there are a lot of owner's that are to blame too.

Perhaps I was a bit hasty in my assessment of VW mechanical quality, however, I am still disappointed because I am not just a "motorist" that never checks anything. I do have used cars inspected before I buy them, and I maintain them regularly without fail. I do some light work myself, tune-ups, oil-changes, belts, flushes, tire-rotations, and all the other "little" things, such as lights. Unfortunately, I do not have the time, space, or equipment for major work, such as clutches or engine rebuilds. I am essentially at the mercy of unscrupulous money-hungry mechanics in those matters. Therefore, maybe I should correct myself and say I don't truly hate VW's (for they are not inherently bad cars) rather, I should say I "hate" those mechanics who try to jerk me around like I am completely unaware of how a car works or what it needs. I take superb care of any car I've owned, so when peculiar "sudden" mechanical catastrophes happen, I am very suspicious, for I know it isn't me to blame, and I will certainly take blame when it's due, but when it comes to these matters, I resent the implication that I'm careless about repairs. Once again, I know it isn't necessarily the car itself, but rather the poor practices of certain garages. I stand corrected.

I just bought a 85 gl with 180,000 miles for $750 dollars

and it runs and look sperfect except for the doornobs falling off. my stereo does that too its just the way I installed it though

you can install a stereo to do this in any car

but it jsut turns out its easy to do in this kind of car

i love my car.

My 1985 volkswagen jetta gl is a great car, has 240,000 and still going strong. I do most of my own work and know what has been done to the car. I took it in once because it was idling rough. Two professional garages told me it was the cars fuel injection system. The shops dealt with imports only and were professionals? They told me cost to work on the system and correct would be 2500 to 3000.00 dollars. Well took the car home and run into a retired VW mechanic who looked at the car and told me it needed spark plugs, the cost for plugs 8.00. That was at 209000 miles, car still going strong at 240,000 miles.

My Volkswagen Jetta is still going strong with 276123 miles. Today I put new rear shocks on it and discovered the rear upper spring seat was cracked. I ordered one online for just $3.66.

The car has been a super great; just love it.

Now my 1985 Jetta has over 285000 miles and running great!

My Volkswagen Jetta is still running strong. The car turned 298000 miles and still does not use any oil. This car has had the oil and filter changed every 3000 miles and believe it has kept this car in great running condition. I love this car.

I bought a 1986 Jetta (gas SOHC) last year. It was registering 378000km on the clock, and was running like a top.

After repairing some of the more commonly found faults, it proved to be a very trustworthy and reliable car.

However, just before Christmas, a fuel line let go at the fuel distribution block. All of the fuel lines in this area are looking pretty rough, and I would like to replace them, unfortunately the dealer has told me they are no longer available.

If anyone out there can put me on a supplier for these parts, I would be very grateful, as would my youngest child, who wants this for her first car!

Thanks in advance.

jusjyd@hotmail.com

My 85 Jetta is still going strong with 313,245 miles on her.

This coming week will be replacing the rack and pinion gear. Shop wanted 1600.00 to do the work. I purchased the rack and pinion gear for 186.00.

When the car had 209,000 miles on it, there was a problem with it not wanting to idle. Two professional garages said it was the fuel injection system and would be around 2500 to 3000 to fix. I replaced the spark plugs, this was all that was wrong with it.

Now over 100,000 miles later never a problem with the fuel injection system, great car!

You have to be careful of the shops, if they cannot check the car with a computer they can't work on them. Seems it's hard to find a shop were they can do the basics.

F.

My 1985 Golf diesel has over 672000 miles on it.

Original front axles still on it.

The first alternator bearing started to go on it at 400,000 miles.

Rear wheel bearings lasted almost 500,000 miles.

Engine valves replaced first time at 535,000 miles.

Last tank 55 miles per gallon. I had a few tanks give me 60 mpg.

Of course I maintain it well to go this far.

Rear springs replaced at 600,000 miles.

I have a replacement car just like it, but this one won't quit. If anyone has a better car than this, let me know what kind. The Germans have all the world's records for longevity, and these cars are cheap to fix, if you have the right people to repair them.

Oakley, Michigan.