The axle needed to be replaced at 56000 miles due to CV joint problems.
The emergency brake cable needs to be replaced.
The check engine light comes on and off for no apparent reason.
Rubber on door handles is coming off.
The transmission has a rubbing sound coming from it, but the dealership continues to point to other problems.
My wife thought the car was cute and fought me tooth and nail to get it. Now, less than a year and 10,000 miles later, it's been up on the servicing block more than once.
The front brakes needed to be replaced and due to their poor design, a mechanic had to do it, rather than myself, costing me an extra $100.
The emergency brake cable is locked, so it's currently wearing the rear brakes horribly.
I took the car in due to a whine/rubbing sound coming from the transmission and before they will work on the transmission, they insisted on the clutch first (look up Jettas, as they have the same transmission). Now, out $800, the sound is still there.
Instead of whining and driving the car with a locked parking brake, why don't you have it fixed?
I could go on and on about the problems I've had with my '98 Volkswagen Cabrio...but, as far as the whine/rubbing sound goes... I found out mine was being caused from a bad bearing and hub. It spent two weeks in the shop before they could locate the correct hub. Once they found it and fixed it, the sound is gone. However, still having probs with the ABS and the sound that is causing. Once again, I have had more probs with this car to even list. Can't wait to sell it!
Oh yeah, just hope your motor for the top doesn't go out. I'm being quoted aroung $800. just for that!
I am trying so hard to come to terms with the fact that everyone told me so, I knew better, and that buying my VW 1999 Cabrio was one of the worst decisions that I have ever made. In 2003 I bought this red little car so that I could have the ultimate chick mobile after driving conservative cars for the past decade. Unfortunately it was just that... chick in a sense that it was made for the quintessential dumb blond... since then I have had the following problems:
new clutch at 50k miles
in the shop for 3 weeks because the turn signal made the emergency flashers go on
top will go down, but won't come up- $1,800 in repairs (struts leak?!?!)
the entire seat mechanism broke-- $300
the a/c, door lock, conv top light on dash--- out three times already
things fall off just RANDOMLY- little plastic pieces that look like they were designed for a $10 toddler toy.
Window switches and motors replaced... thank god it was still under its certified warranty
check engine light has been on four times already!
Washer fluid container sprung a leak???
Anyway, I have no one to blame, but myself for not believing all of the research and horrible reviews. I am now stuck with this thing because I JUST finished paying off the ridiculous amount of money that I paid for it originally. I am now KNOWN at Advance Auto Parts on a first name basis.
I bought a used 1999 Cabrio for my wife as an anniversary present. What a mistake. Constant maintenance problems. Check engine light came on numerous times. Had to replace the transmission at 50,000 miles and still problems with the replacement. Engine revs to extremely high rpm's before it shifts. Often will not come out of third gear for long periods of time. Wish she would get rid of it, but she still loves the "cute" styling.
Stuck.
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