Overall quality - especially the engine.

Warranty still shorter than most.
Overall I think reliability better than N.A. cars, & cheaper Asian but not quite as reliable as some of the better Japanese.

This is an old model, so I'll keep it short.
I bought this new in 1987 and had it since!! Now at 320,000km (>200,000mi) and still going strong.
It did seem to be more expensive than average for repairs between 100,000-150,000mi (was about U$1,000 a year when the major parts went-clutch, CV Joints, Front shocks...).
But has settled down last few years-in fact only a $30 oil change this yr.
Overall quality has been very good - much is still original parts (switches, knobs, seat covers, most steering parts, rear shocks,...). Obviously replaced most mechanical parts (clutch, C-V joints & last year replaced wheel bearings). Trunk space is amazing. I haven't the often mentioned electrical problems.

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None

Overall quality - especially the engine.

Warranty still shorter than most.

This is an old model, so I'll keep it short.
I bought this new in 1987 and had it since!! Now at 320,000km (>200,000mi) and still going strong.
It did seem to be more expensive than average for repairs between 100,000-150,000mi, but has settled down again. (Only a $30 oil change this year).
Overall quality has been very good - much is still original parts (switches, knobs, seat covers, most steering parts...). Obviously replaced most mechanical parts (clutch, C-V joints & last year replaced wheel bearings). Trunk space is amazing.

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None

Overall quality - especially the engine.

Warranty still shorter than most.

This is an old model, so I'll keep it short.
I bought this new in 1987 and had it since!! Now at 320,000km (>200,000mi) and still going strong.
It did seem to be more expensive than average for repairs between 100,000-150,000mi, but has settled down again. (Only a $30 oil change this year).
Overall quality has been very good - much is still original parts (switches, knobs, seat covers, most steering parts...). Obviously replaced most mechanical parts (clutch, C-V joints & last year replaced wheel bearings). Trunk space is amazing.

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None

Handling and options for the price.

The engine and overall product quality.

Car sucks. I love the handling, the pick-up, the features, however, my 2.0l 4cyl has been a piece of crap. I am on my second engine and still burned over 3 qts of oil in 3500 miles. I was told by the dealer that it isn't an engine problem now, it is the rings. Joy another oil consumption test over 3k before i get that fixed. I have goo leaking out my doors and tires that suck. they were severely cupped after 19k with vw rec pressure in them. I am still waiting for the dealer to replace them under warranty after 6k miles. they are "backordered". I have been a vw customer all my life and am seriously considering never buying another one. The Mexican made cars have severe quality issues associated with them. I have basically had to get an oil change every month for the past year because of the way the engine burns oil. My 1996 Jetta GL was a much better car. I wish I still had it to this day. I love the styling and creature comforts, but to have to take your car in once a month is too much. Bad outweighs the good.

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1996 Jetta, 2.0l 4cyl, German built. Only warrenty issue was a failed waterpump after 3 years.

* Handling
* Engine performance
* Styling
* Interior layout
* Stereo

#1 weakness = VW service
* Weak warranty, no other auto manufacturer offers such a short-term warranty.
* Horrible electrical system (instrumentation cluster fails to illuminate when the lights are turned on)
* Interior squeaking and rattling noises

Could be an exceptionally fun and economical vehicle to own, but taking it in for service 4 times for the same condition within 4 months of purchasing the automobile tarnishes anything good I can say about the car. Maybe VW should close the Mexican plants down, I have heard nothing but complaints from VW owners who's cars were built in Mexico (check your VIN, if the first character is a "3" your car was built in Mexico). I am currently in the process of filing a Lemon Law claim against VW for the instrumentation cluster illumination problem. Overall, it's been an extremely disappointing experience. My advice for new car shoppers, buy a Honda...

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Honda Prelude - Excellent car, I put over 150,000 miles on my Prelude and never ran into any problems, just the regular routine maintenance issues. I highly recommend Honda products and will be going back to Honda when I unload this piece of crap Jetta.

Good looking car, smooth almost noiseless ride, good gas mileage for highway driving.

CUP HOLDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!! The warranty--I put 25,000 miles on this car in the first year. With people commuting longer distances to work, the warranty is basically a joke. VW service--they're not very flexible with their appointments. The goo that runs from the doors in hot weather. It's pretty gross!

Overall, I've been pleased with my Jetta. With 25,000 miles, the only real problem that I've had was with an O2 sensor that needed to be replaced.

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Mercury Sable, Olds Alero, Ford Probe.

Gas mileage, looks

Bumper to bumper warranty too short, cup holders are useless, needed new exhaust system and wheel bearings at 30K miles!!! Just replaced the starter at 60K. Aluminum wheels are absolutely impossible to clean.

I would not recommend purchasing a Jetta. They need to be repaired a lot and forget trying to schedule an appointment at any dealer. Everytime I call I get the same story from every dealer "we can't look at your car for 2 weeks min" Well of course because so many VW's need fixing. That is unnacceptable. Nevermind how pricey dealer repairs are.

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None

Great MPG(55mpg highway best)
great handling
Interior quality at it's best
Engine very responsive
Great shifter
Seats very comfy on long rides
Big trunk

Back seat, not enought legroom
Stock good-year tire
Suspension a tad to soft

Overall, after 15 months and 30 000 Miles of ownership, my TDI has been very good to me. Excellent MPG, reliable, and very fun to drive. Only the driver heated seat needed to be replaced under warranty. If you buy a Jetta, just make sure NOT to get the Good-Year tire with it, they are very bad tires. The dealer is great with me, and always had top notch customer service. The interior material is top quality, and fit and finish too, just like a german car should be.

Dont let the small 90HP number fool you on the TDI, look at the Torque figure, 155 lbs-ft @ 1900rpm. They are very quiet engine too, quieter then the 2.0L from VW on the Highway. Dont forget the old saying, people buy HP, but drives torque, which what the TDI is all about, Torque.

I highly recommend the Jetta TDI, bit more expensive, but not comparable with another car from the same segment.

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1990 VW Jetta TD, just as reliable as my TDI, VW makes great products.

- Good looks.
- Very smooth motor it does not let you know it is working hard.
- Good power at low RPM. Nice Highway car. 2nd Gear at real close to 70 MPH. In fact you can just keep it in 2nd all the time.
- Love the automatic lowering and raising of the windows.
- Decent sound (not the monsoon)
- Car is nice smooth and snug on the straight roads.

- I feel lucky I got one that is not a lemon yet...I think had I known of these problems, I would not have bought it (too risky)
- This is not a high performance car. Need to put some money on brakes and suspension...Don't drive your friend's boxter before getting into the Jetta. Suspension sucks, way too much understeer. Lot's of body roll for a car that deems itself sporty.
- Does not like hi speed turns, epecially esses (as in left then right...). Suspension to soft, center of gravity to high.
- The pedals on the car are not for me. They are far apart, clotch grabs real high (makes it hard turning). Impossible to toe-heel the car (forget that part of driving)
- Engine does not respond Real-time. There is a half second delay between the time you blip the engine and when it actually responds. Asked dealer to change that...no can do. This makes it hard to down shift elegantly...
- Had 4 season's tires on it. Bought it in Tampa, asked for summer tires. No can do...
- Asked the dealer to adjust the position of the cluctch pedal, my knees would hit the steering wheel...no can do.
- Front end had to be replaced, it is low and likes to take hold those cement parking dividers. This will eventually rip the plastic front end out of the screws while backing away/out of the block. Very fragile, had to replace it for a new one!!!
- Seats feel...high. They do no "wrap" you like the good old VWs...

This car is great to drive on a straight line. Definitely something special there. So..if you want good value for such driving go ahead.

If you are even a little bit aggressive, you could look elsewhere...it drives like a boat unless you change the brakes, stiffen the suspension, get better tires and change the pedal positions. I think VWs philosophy is no longer to provide cars that are meant to be driven. They simply provide smooth cars now.

In the next few years, a new market segment will emerge where you will see Ford, Mazda, Subaru WRX etc...come up with fun powerfull small cars. The Jetta VR6 will never measure up to those. Look elsewhere.

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Pretty, fast, big trunk.

Every thing since I drove it off the lot. I am trying to sell my passat

When I firt bought the car I was elated. It was my first new car and I was soo excited. Then it started to fall apart. First my drivers seat broke, the dealer accused me of being overweight on the phone ( I weigh 135), then the passenger seat broke, then the doors came missaligned (about every six weeks), the it would periodically go on short strikes. Each time something went wrong, the dealer took atleast two weeks to get me in and refused a loaner car. Finnaly they agreed to refund my money IF I bought another car from them. I decided to try the passat, we will see how that goes.

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Mercedes 300E, had 100,000 miles and still ran like new. It was a sad day when a big ugly suburban ended it's life prematurely.