1997 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 4cyc from North America
Summary:
Just eighty thousand miles of FUN
Faults:
Driver's side power window replaced 2x.
Back passenger power window (behind driver) needs replacement -- stopped working right after the warranty ran out.
Passenger side rubber trim melted off in during a regular summer day.
Up until this year (2005), the above was it--regular upkeep kept my Jetta running great.
Now: Timing belt recently changed--car stalls at stoplights during rain; motor lugs up hills when unloaded and used to be powerful enough to go up same hill in third gear.
Finally today the car simply will not start--moreover, the alarm went off after I tried to start is twice--while I was in the car!
General Comments:
Power window regulators cost 250 a pop --not counting labor!
EVERYONE who has owned a Jetta has complained about the shoddy power windows!
Still, VW does NOTHING!
Part costs are not in sync with the simple type of car a Jetta is--a plebe car, not a Beamer, after all.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 26th December, 2005
6th Jul 2006, 21:25
I just bought my first VW yesterday. a 97 Jetta GLS. funny everything I read is the power windows, I have had my less than 24 hours and the pass. side rear window came off track. Hope it is not a regulator, but it does help that work in the auto glass industry and can get parts cheap and labor for free. I love the car so far and am impressed so far. I have loved the way the Jetta looks for years and finally bought one. It already has 130k miles on it, but it runs as if it were brand new. Hopefully will be a long run of myself owner VWs.