1997 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 2.0 from North America

Summary:

Reliable, pretty ballsy as stock, and comfortable

Faults:

My hose from my PCV valve to my crankcase blew. That's it.

Oh, and my rear right window doesn't roll down since I had it.

General Comments:

I don't know about any tranny problems; maybe on the automatics, but I've got a standard and I have had absolutely no problems with it.

It is a great daily driver, and you can give it a lot of stress from time to time. I highly recommend this car if it's a 5speed. But that's reliability.

Now some parts on the car seem very cheap, and are made of plastic that is very easy to crack and chip, like the front bumper, center console, and the lighting inside the car.

The comfort level is very good; it's got an older style Honda Accord interior that is very soft with the heated seats.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st October, 2009

1997 Volkswagen Jetta GLX 2.8L DOHC VR6 from North America

Summary:

Best engine VW ever made

Faults:

When I bought the car there was a lot wrong. Little stuff, but a lot.

1 out of 4 power windows worked.

Moonroof didn't work.

Control arm bushings were shot.

Tie rods were bad.

Wheel bearings shattered.

Driver side door panel missing.

Rear door panel broke.

Ugly tan leather interior.

No CD player or speakers.

Crank/speed sensor went. Car wouldn't crank over.

Rubber floor plugs rusted out and fell through.

Since then all has been fixed.

I have a 96 Jetta donor car and swapped the whole interior to Black. Dashboard, carpet, the whole nine yards.

Even swapped moonroof tracks.

Car now has manual windows (crank), and I like it a lot more.

Control arms were not fun to replace since on the driver's side you need to lift the motor.

Cars handling isn't so good right now as the shocks are worn out, and so are the strut mounts.

General Comments:

I also owned a '96 Jetta Trek. Same color with a 2.0L 8v. This VR6 blows it out of the water. If I launch it hard, I can get to 60MPH in 6.9 seconds. The power in all gears is just awesome. It will pull from 30 mph in 5th gear. I also removed the resonator and the car sounds awesome. Best sounding motor I have owned.

The car's performance is just great. The car's very comfortable and roomy, but I'm only 5'8 so taller people may not think so.

The only thing I dislike is ordering parts. It's like ordering parts for a sports car. Autozone, Advance and Nappa can hardly order anything for it. And don't think about going to the dealer.

But when they can order something, it takes 3-7 days to get it.

SO! I have been ordering parts online and getting them in 3 days, and it's a lot cheaper and they're real German parts.

"Example" Strut mounts at Auto Zone. $100. Online I ordered German Heavy duty as used on the R32 for $40. Got it in 3 days.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th September, 2009

2nd Aug 2010, 17:18

It's called the owner before you treated the car like garbage, and never did anything when he heard a noise or felt something was wrong with the car.

I've owned several vdubs since I was 17, and I drove one to 176,000, one to 152,000, and my 97 Jetta VR6 has 188,000 and I'm still driving it strong. I feel you on the window thing, because one of mine just went, but the person before you had to have not take care of it at all.

1997 Volkswagen Jetta GT from North America

Summary:

My Jetta GT has been a great car

Faults:

No major problems with this car. However, within the last month, the side moldings have started to come (peel) off.

General Comments:

The seats could be a little more comfortable for long trips.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th May, 2009

1997 Volkswagen Jetta Trek 2.0 from North America

Summary:

Best car I have ever owned

Faults:

I own a 1997 Volkswagen Jetta, and I have to tell you this car is the best car I have ever owned.

The only complaint I have about this car are the darn electric window regulators. I have owned the car three years and have had to replace three of them.

Other than that, I have only changed the battery and starter.

The car runs great and has never left me stranded. Even when the starter went out, I just pushed started the car and made it back home.

If anybody wants a good Jetta, make sure you buy a standard transmission (stick shift). I have heard horrible stories about the automatic transmissions.

The car is beginning to get up there in mileage, so I'm going to sell it and get a newer Jetta.

General Comments:

The car runs perfect, I would definitely own another Volkswagen Jetta.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th May, 2009