1997 Volkswagen Jetta GL 2.0L 8v from North America

Summary:

Excellent vehicle. Strong engine. Great performance with small modifications. Can't COMPLAINT!!

Faults:

Oxygen sensors needed to be replaced when bought. Check engine light turned off.

Climate Control, position dial had problems. Bought replacement part off ebay for 10 bucks and changed it myself.

Left Rear Corner assembly was broken. Bought brand new replacement part off ebay for 20 bucks and changed it myself.

Changed the stock air intake for Neuspeed P-Flow intake system at 70,000 miles.

Seats backrest controls were broken, bought parts at the dealer for 10 bucks and replaced them myself.

Changed stock shocks for new Bilstein Gas Shocks and Struts, and included Neuspeed Sport Springs at 90,000 miles, serviced it myself.

Injector clean-up service, 70 bucks, at 85,000 miles.

Replaced stock spark-plug wires for Neuspeed low-resistance performance wires.

Replaced stock front brake discs for Slotted Vented Brembo Discs with Performace brake pads, did it myself at 95,000 miles.

Aside from the regular stuff, as shocks, struts, brakes and tune up, everything was minor things, the car is solid as a rock. "Jettas are bulletproof!"

You need to take care of your car, if you want it to last. My car is almost 8 years old, and is still going STRONG.

General Comments:

This car was always an eye-catcher... so after looking around for a GTi, I decided to go for this one.

Replaced the stock alloy wheels for custom 16 inch wheels, looks amazing.

Added a PASSAT-look rear spoiler, only one in the area.

I will only sell my car when it is too small for my family... in a couple of years... unless I decide to keep it as my toy!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th August, 2004

1997 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 2.0 from North America

Summary:

Good car!

Faults:

Not much, Fuel pump ($450.00), went at 78,000 miles, but that's about it. I do regular service my self and the car runs as strong as when I first got it. I drive to work 70 miles a day, at 70 to 80 mph a day, and no problems. Still has first factory battery!

General Comments:

Good car for the price! If you let the problems go, it will seem like a piece of junk, just like any other mechanical device.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th August, 2004

1997 Volkswagen Jetta GT 2.0 from North America

Summary:

Nothing but trouble..

Faults:

Traded in my Accord for a 97 Jetta thinking I was doing a good thing...wrong. I got the car for 5000 dollars, but since then (8 months) have put 3000 into it. All the following have needed to be replaced in the past 8 months:

*Molding

*Transmission

*Rear tail light, the whole assemb.

*fly wheel

*Clutch

*Starter

*Batt.

*Rear cup holder

*Struts.

All in all, I will NEVER buy another car from VW, they are nothing but trouble. I was always told they were crap, but I never wanted to believe it... now I do. Only for the fact that I have no money because I am in school, I would ditch this thing in a second. Buy Honda, at 200,000 miles and three years, I had put only 200 dollars into it. VW IS CRAP!

General Comments:

Looks good and handles good...that's about it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th August, 2004

26th Sep 2004, 00:43

I have owned a VOLKSWAGEN all of my driving career. I have had nothing, but tons of fun with my VW. I have never had a problem with my cars breaking, any car will break if you don't maintain it! I will never buy another car not made by VW.

23rd Oct 2004, 01:10

All of the things that were mentioned are things that go wrong with EVERY car, regardless of make. I have a Jetta GT of the same year (though I paid a bit more) and it has been great. You probably should have researched the car a bit more before you bought it. Carfax might have helped.

31st May 2007, 08:22

You buy a car with more than 90,000 miles on it, then you should expect to replace a starter, maybe a clutch, maybe struts. As to a battery, at that mileage it's probably been changed, if you don't know how old it is, you buy a new one just to be safe. For any make of car! The VW side molding can be put back on with 3M double-sided tape, under $5. If the manual tranny was shot, sounds like your car was abused by previous owner (s), which, since it's a Jetta, is a fair assumption to make. Cup holder? Please. I've bought $800 basket case cars that were "nothing, but trouble", but I didn't write off the car maker as a maker of junk.