1985 Volkswagen Jetta from North America - Comments

I replaced the engine at 470000 km, but discovered upon tear down that the problem was only a stuck ring because it had been sitting for a couple years before I bought it.

I replaced the transmission at 590000km, but was well impressed that it had lasted that long.

I've replaced every steering and suspension part over the last 8 years, but they are holding out well.

I replaced the interior because it was trashed when I bought the car.

The only thing I have had to replace repeatedly has been the rear brakes (about every 2 years).

The body has never been painted and still has very little rust.

It has only left me stranded once in the last 8 years (due to a frozen fuel filter).

My only complaint is that is a 2 door.

I plan on getting at least a million kilometres out of it.

I have a 2 door '85 with 354,000 miles. I love the fact that it's a 2-door! The rear seat doesn't fold down, but the doors are big enough to fit bigger cargo in the back seat. The 2 door handles better than the 4 door by the virtue of having a stiffer structure. I change the fuel filter once a year and just replaced the main pump for the first time in the 20 years I've had it!! It's only been on a tow truck once. Right outer cv joint 2 years ago. I had the head rebuilt last year only because it was off to change the gasket! Bottom end is all original except for the oil pump. Uses NO oil. Original clutch lasted 234,000 miles!!!

Update: Just rolled over 710,000 kms. Still working great. It gave me 48 mpg on a recent 600 mile road trip at approximately 140 km/h all the way. I think it's going to make it to the 1,000,000 km mark!