1985 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8 gas from North America
Summary:
Reliable, good driving car, but a pain in the neck to work on
Faults:
Everything started going wrong right around 200,000 miles. It got a new clutch, an engine rebuild, new front struts, needs new injectors, and the exhaust mount broke loose. The roofing is falling out, the driver seat just busted, it's a pain to get into 1st gear. But what do you expect after 200k on the odometer for a $500 car?
General Comments:
We sank about $900 dollars into it at 200,000 miles for maintenance. The head was still smooth as if it were new. All I can say, is that nothing drives like my Jetta, no other car has the same feel. It lived to 200k, before needing a rebuild, and that's not bad. Of course when it broke at that point, everything broke :) The car runs really stout, and doesn't have much trouble getting into traffic, until you turn on the AC which sucks its power. No rust whatsoever. The door handles stop working. Jetta's are a pain in the neck to work on, and parts are expensive. Even changing the oil is a headache. But I love them all the same for the way they drive and their general reliability.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 11th July, 2000
21st Apr 2003, 13:32
I also own an '85 jetta and I must agree, nothing rides like it! however... the work being a pain in the neck really depends on what you're used to. I'm 18 and have very little experience with cars in general, and so mine is the only one I've ever actively worked on so I'm comfortable with it. :) except them darn axles... ARGH! doing that by hand is annoying...