1997 Volkswagen Jetta GLX V6 from North America

Summary:

I might drive this car to the moon, but it'll look like a dune buggy when it gets there

Faults:

The door latches stick, so frequently the doors will not open (especially the front passenger door). We're tired of pretending my boyfriend's being chivalrous when he has to come around to let me out!

Four window regulators have gone out, one for every year we've owned the car! These cost between $300-450 EACH.

One winter we were trapped in a car with four doors that wouldn't open and had to crawl through one of the three working windows to get out. We are NOT the Dukes of Hazzard, and this piece of crap Jetta is NOT the General Lee.

As a kid, I remember playing "Slug Bug"- now we get a kick out of seeing how many Jettas on the road are missing their door trim. Ours is, of course.

We find plastic parts all the time, things that just randomly fall off: seat back adjustment knobs, parts of seat track, you name it.

The electrical/ alarm system is whacked.

Dash lights have a mind of their own.

General Comments:

I like the way this car handles for the most part, but that is paled by the absolutely inferior body of the car. I still think Jettas are some of the nicer looking cars on the road, but I'm shocked at VW's lack of response to what are obviously COMMON problems with their vehicles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 11th September, 2005

11th Oct 2005, 20:26

I have had similar experience with my Jetta.. None of the windows work, the plasic falls off all over the place and it just kind of bites. It drives good..

14th Nov 2005, 15:33

I have had similar minor problems with mine, however, all my door still function properly. My windows seem to do whatever they want, but the windows aren't just a Jetta thing. I had a 98 Audi A6 and it did the same thing, my friend has a golf and his does it too, maybe Audi/VW should look into that, I would suggest it. Even with the little quirks that it has, I would never get rid of it. The car drives so nice, tons of power and still gets around 28 MPG, great handling, very comfortable, the speakers are amazing, I love the stick shift, no major problems yet and we're at 145,000 miles. I would definitely buy another one, however I hope I don't have to, I really like this one.

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1997 Volkswagen Jetta trek 2.0 from North America

Summary:

A great car for someone who needs a good reliable car

Faults:

Ignition switch at 100,000 miles. Starter at about 75,000 miles. Coolant sensor on radiator at 130,000 miles. Throttle body sensors at 95,000 miles. A/C recharged at 95,000 miles.

General Comments:

This car is a very reliable car. I have taken this car on long and short trips. I have been as far as Houston TX from Baltimore MD round trip. I was never worried about the reliability or performance of this car. The car handled like it was made for long distance driving. In town, getting around is as easy as can be. The car is small. Has great gas mileage, and has a very powerful take off. I have put over 70,000 miles on this car in the last two years I have had it, and have NO major complaints.

The car has had some problems as I mentioned. But as with any car, you will have to keep up with the maintenance and other problems that may come up. As a machanic, I can say that there is no other car that I have seen that has the longevity as a VW does. MY first vw had over 400,000 miles on it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th August, 2005

30th Mar 2009, 19:02

Hello there Mr. North America, I also have a Jetta Trek, they are good cars.

I got this car on a trade for a 1990 blue BMW 325i rebuilt title 6 cylinder. Dude didn't know, he thought he was getting a M3. Man it ran like poop, but the point I'm trying to get to was that my water pump went out and so did my thermostat, so now it overheats. When I turn the car on the light already come on without the needle being over. So my question is how would I take the water pump out, I already took it apart from the top, is that good or not?