Excellent fuel economy - 1000 km per tank - always starts in the winter up to tempetures of 26 below zero celious. Have almost 300,000 kms on the car - always dealer serviced NO non-OEM parts or equipment

Heater should heat up a little sooner - takes an average of 10 miles to warm up.

I am overall very satisfied with this vehicle and it is very reliable it has never let me down - it looks great and the body style is quite appealing even after almost 10 years.

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1986 Jetta Carat, 1986 Porsche 944

Drives like most german roadcars

VW quality, VW customer service

I don't have the time to go into all the problems weve had with this car, let's just say it qualified for a lemon vehicle under nevada law. VW will not recognize that it is a lemon and their own service advisor told us to take legal action. So here we are with a car that is falling apart on a weekly basis, what a pile of CRAP. Besides the main problem of cold starts on this VR6, (vw mechanic says that a lot of the later 99's with the vr6 have a problem running right when they are really cold) we have had to replace the air flow meter twice, the fuel tank purge valve, misc. interior pieces....... and the list goes on and on and on. Do yourself a favor and never buy a VW.

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None

Its a cute car to look at and its fun to drive, when it isn't needing to be fixed!!

Where do I start? It has 80k miles and I have had more repairs done to this car than I think I can remember. I had to get a new transmission after 2 years. I've replaced the radiator and the heads and it STILL overheats! Even the little things are bad! I've had to replace the lighter twice, the power locks have had to be fixed, the side molding is falling off, and that damn check engine light!!! And make sure you get the stereo code in case you have to change the battery. It won't work again until you put that in. When I bought mine, they didn't give it to me. I had no idea I even needed it until my battery died. It sseems my car has to be fixed for something every few months. And it isn't cheap to fix either!! The service at ALL the Volkswagon dealers around here absolutely SUCKS!!!!! Half the time, they don't even fix the problem and when I leave the shop, something else is wrong. I've taken very good care of this car, getting tune-ups and all the maintenance. It just doesn't seem to help. I will never again in my life buy another Volkswagon. And I tell every I know who is looking, not to buy one either!!

I have had horrible service from the dealers when it comes to fixing this car, or even asking a question about what has to be done. You can't drop off your car, you have to make an appointment, and most of the time its for a week or two later. Do Volkswagons have so many problems that they don't have time to fix another one for 2 more weeks???? I'm tired of putting money into this car just to have it break down again, and sometime for the same thing I just had fixed!

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Honda Prelude - had very minimal problems, it had way more miles!!

Solid car, great milage, even with automatic transmission. Good looks, functional interior, cool dash lights. German engineering.

Mexican assembly, poor dealership loyalty

Great car...too bad they did not give Westmoreland Pa a second chance at assembly.
I have 220,000 on the 86 Jetta, and 151,000 on the 90 Jetta. I look forward to going at least that far in the TDI.

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1982 diesel rabbit pickup
1986 Jetta
1990 Wolfsbnurg Edition Jetta

Engine, styling, road feel, ergonomics, space

Expensive replacement parts, avg. build quality

I don't know if I'll say anything here that hasn't already been said, but I thought I'd add my $0.02. I've been with my Jetta for 6 years now, and it has almost 100K. It has such a wonderful engine; great torque and sound. I think it has great handling too; although maybe after so many miles it's gotten a little mushy/bouncy. I've abused it some, though. Offroad / snow / camping Jetta! I think there were some revisions done to the 1996 model that buyers may wish to consider: the 1995 shifter is rather mushy and has a long throw, the 1996 exhaust pipes look different (although I don't know if there's any difference in power), and the 1996 or 97 stereo is much better than the 1995. In my '95 I've replaced the starter motor, plug wires, seat heat element, headlamps, all of which are expensive if acquired through the dealer. Every oil change is about 3x the cost of a domestic car due to the weird filter. It also has some strange electrical gremlins (the alarm goes off at inopportune moments, and the windows occasionally spontaneously roll down). I installed a Neuspeed P-Flo which replaces the factory airbox, giving you a few more hp and a nice growl. Overall I've grown very fond of this car and will probably buy VW again in spite of the less-than-Japanese build quality. So fun to drive.

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1986 VW GTI, my last vehicle - great handler, economical even when driven hard.

Car handles like a dream. Can really move up, down, and through corners. Dash lighting is fantastic. Quality sound system.

Worst warranty in the business!! After only 41000 miles the catalytic converter is shot, due to the oxygen sensor going out. It has been a struggle to get them to fix it. They claim it is not under warranty, but the CC is and I am not willing to pay the $1500 to fix it!! Illumination around the climate control area has a short. Interior upholstery is terrible, shows the smallest signs of wear. I put covers on the front seats to make them look respectable. Small back seats. Uses oil. Check engine light seems like it is one every other day! Did I mention the warranty? Need more standard features (power windows)

Never again Volkswagon!! The claims person made it sound like it was my fault that the O2 sensor went out causing the CC to go out! Only after I threatened to destroy their name in my area, did they cover the cost of the CC only, no labor. VW's have been in my family for years. My first car was a 78 Rabbit Diesel. My father drove his 90 Jetta 265,000 miles and just got rid of it this year! I thought I had purchased a quality vehicle, that would be virtually trouble free! Not! I am glad that my wife decided on a 2001 Camry and not a Passat, I really would lose the rest of my hair! VW really needs to catch up with the times in the warranty area! 2 or 24,000 miles is absurd, maybe my next car will be a Hyndai or a KIA! Is the keyless entry supposed to not work at the same time every year? My keys have been consistent, bad that is!

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Honda Civic. Oh how I miss my Civic! Never a major problem. I can't believe I traded for this piece of @#$$!

The car looks great in every way. The interior can only be discribed as cool, and the exterior always seems to turn heads. It is also somewhat fun to drive. Has lots of little cool gadgets that are probably gonna break.

Just about everything, the build quality is horrific!!
. There is always a new squeak or rattle.
Many parts have broken that were replaced under warranty. The Warranty SUCKS! 40000km , give me a break VW , KIA backs their product better than you! The 2.0L is way underpowerd and eats oil (just as others have discribed).

Where to begin, the car now has 43000km on it and the bumper to bumper warranty is over and I am really scared. I have a stack of work orders at home from repairs. Everything from the sunroof not working to sensors blowing, the service engine soon light is on all the time. The seats are supportive but everthing in them breaks, (heated seats, tracks,EVERYTHING), the alarm has stoped working whenever it wants, sensors in doors prohibit it from working, the rear brakes went at 20000km , I had to pay for that, I was pretty mad! The block heater continues to fall off, The doors squeak and creak. Almost everything on the car besides the engine and transmission has been replaced or repiared by VW service, which also sucks , they never do anything right. They take all day with the car and ususally never fix any of my problems. To top all of this off the car is expenisve and not as big as the competition. I would reccomend this car if you want something that is good looking , but be prepaired to have it in the shop. Others have the same quality control problems as I have had, possibly due to the fact that the cars are built in Mexico. Get the 1994 Camry I had previous to this is much more reliable. When the lease is up AUDIOS Volkswagen , never again!

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1999 Toyota Camry (far better car "but boring")
2000 Nissan Maxima (fun , more power, but more money)

Looks great. Stereo system is the best that I've had although I do have a complaint about the changer (see below). The car has serious pick up in late gears, 70 to 90 in no time what so ever in fifth gear. The engine doesn't work hard at all in fourth, comfortable up to 60 mph and low rev. The interior lights are a cool added bonues. Unlike so many posters before I have no problems with the cup holders in the front seat. One poster before me said that if you "buy a super large drink from a McD's value meal the holders won't hold the drink." Great. The CAR barely holds those 4 gallon cups of death. Cup holders are fine for NORMAL coffee and soft drinks. Comfortable seating, smooth shifting.

The lower portion lights (temp control) has fizzed out twice. Although I rotate the tires EACH oil change (I learned my lesson on my previous car) the tires still wouldn't pass inspection after owning the car for one year. The suspension never seems to be out of wack so no one really knows how the tires wore on a strange basis. The dealer replaced all four at no charge - as they should. From time to time the car will take a two second "nap" while it should accelerate, the only way I can explain it is a quick lapse in power and then it'll kick back in. The car does drink oil, I suggest anyone that has a Jetta keeps an eye on the oil at all times. I was told it was because the car was brand new. I've had the car since 11/99 and have over 30,000 miles on it, still drinks oil. The CD changer will simply not work at times when it's too cold out. I have a forrest green exterior with the tan cloth interior and I have never seen cloth that grabs lint bunnies and refuses to let them go. Get leather seats, cloth grabs everything and keeps it forever.

Overall impression of the car is very positive. Handles very well, gas mileage is not bad. The car looks great and is a decent value for the money. Before I purchased the 2000 Jetta I test drove a Maxima and a few Honda cars as well. I have a friend the bought a Maxima and after driving his car I am grateful for my Jetta.

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Previous car was a Dodge Neon. A Yugo would have been an upgrade.

Love the dashlights, sound system, and all of the gadgets.Pretty sharp looking car. Gets lots of compliments.

Hate the backseat. Need more room. Have problems with backlights around ac/heat controls. Also temp. gauge goes nuts sometimes and bounces from 190 degrees to extreme coldness and back again to 190 in just a matter of seconds. Lights around gear shift flicker. Drivers side window fell and has had to have a new regulator. Very costly!!!!!! Warranty bites!!!! Paints chipping. Car has stalled out and died in the middle of a intersection. Dealership can't figure out what is wrong with it.

Overall, I love the look and feel of this car. It is fun to drive. Handles great. Wish VW would stand behind it better.

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Toyota Camry. Also a lemon. Mazda MX-6. Lemon. Think my next car may be a Honda.

First 18 months was a lot of fun with "minor" difficulties

VR6 has good pick-up.

I liked to styling of the GLX

I don't want to bore you with too much details but having read of other's experiences I sympathize.

1. Check engine light on often
2. ABS light flashes
3. needed new coil pack in 24000 miles
4. Needed new ABS computer 30000 miles
5. have gone through 4 sets of rotors due to ABS computer. dealer just kept guessing at problem.
6. Rear armrest replaced 4 times still falls down when windows are all down.
7.Won't hold an alignment, steering wheel alway coced following alignments.
8. Outer trim moulding falling off.
9. Paint on all door handls chipping and metal is pitted.
10. driver seat rollers broke first year.
11. rubber on antenna dry rotted 2.5 years old
12. Wheel bearings....
13. leather interior delaminating from door panels

Dealerships; I have used two VW dealers...
Maybe Im just picky, but the dealer has given the car back after service with greasy interior.
Following an inspection The next day I was told my brakelights were out.
Following a premium detailing there was wax smears on my windows and wax in trim mouldings.

Dealer charged me for repairs which did not resolve problems and then when the problem was discovered ther charged me for the right replacement parts.

I registered complaints with VW of America's customer service department, no one ever replied to my complaint.

VW are just no good as hardware and the service is lackluster.

The VW Jetta GLX VR6 is a Horrible experience, like a bad dream that won't end, at least financially.

This is such a fun car to drive, it is a shame that the maintenance overshadows the experience.

I will NEVER recommend a VW to anyone!

If you own a new one sell it before its too late!

PS. My friends 98 jetta GLS is just as bad, and my cousins 2000 jetta GLS also.