Overview & Reviews

Wolfsburg models are gone, and the Jetta GT arrives sporting the look of the GLX without the VR6 engine. Trek gets alloy wheels. GL, GLS, Trek and GT run more quietly, thanks to a new cylinder head design.

• Excellent road manners, roomy interior, fun-to-drive, heater will roast your face

• Some controls and symbols difficult to decipher, staid styling, underpowered four-cylinder engine

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 107.00

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  Good looks, VERY poor vehicle... - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Lino - November 20 - 10:00 am

  Former G.M. engineer - I have owned Oldsmobile, Saturn, VW & BMW 325Ci. VR6 is marvelous. Fit & finish: initially appears exceptional for price range. HOWEVER, I will NEVER buy another VW. Overall reliability & long-term quality is ABSOLUTELY HORRENDOUS; interior parts are cheap & break FREQUENTLY. Check engine light came on at ~50,000 miles & STAYED ON until I sold it at 70,000 miles. VW could not correct problems and told me, "thats just the way these engines are". I have PERSONAL knowledge of other VWs (GLS & GLXs from 1996 THRU 2001 & 2002 VW Beetle) that have had THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. CHECK JDPowers surveys as well as NHTSA recall/TSB boards before buying ANYTHING from VW.

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  REPAIRS-REPAIRS-REPAIRS!!!! - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jill - May 24 - 2:00 am

  The car is in the shop as I am writing this- Havent had the car 6 months yet! This car is not reliable. Its been in the shop 6 days now and I am up to $4800 in repairs, including new starter and major electric malfunctioning and transmission. If you do not have the extra cash for these pricey repairs BEWARE!! And if you have your heart set on it, then make sure to purchase an extended warranty because you can count on breaking down. Car left me stranded with a horn that would not shut off- had to be towed. Brakes squeaks have a mind of their own. Guzzles gas like crazy. I would never purchase another VW again.

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  If only Id known - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Siera - May 1 - 5:46 am

  I bought the car from a not so reliable dealer unfortunately. The car worked well for about a month. The transmission has been on its way out since I bought it. Ive had to replace the fuel pump and other assorted things because it wouldnt start. Now its not starting again, two months after the last fiasco. This time its believed to be the ignition switch. The only way it stays on is to hold the key all the way over. I have been told by a VW specialist to get rid of it while I still can. Its been nothing but problems and now I have to look for a new car before a start college in a month. My boyfriends sister had one too and they told her it wasnt safe to drive anymore and to get rid of it.

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  Very Delicate - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Steve - April 22 - 9:56 pm

  Our Jetta had many mechanical problems after the 100,000 mile mark. The first was a major auto trans rebuild. Then, the starter, drive axles, power steering hose, all four power window operators (at various times), cruise control and more. Volkswagens parts are expensive. It is a nice driving car when running, but it is very delicate.

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  If you have a VERY big walet - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Sambolton - December 11 - 2:33 am

  I got this car used last year with 90,000 miles on it. Of course it had its share of use before my ownership, but this is just stupid. The cup holders are a joke. they could barley hold a can of soda when i was merging on the highway. and the seats (not power) are very difficult to use. Engine has NO power. 0-60? yeah it could be a while. and panels falling off the outside of my door. that was horrible. Very unreliable but good in snow and if you plan on hitting any cars going about 40 mph you can plan to walk away alive. VERY sturdy front end. saved my life absolutely. Even with that said, I have put way too much money into this car, so plan on having finances ready for the unexpected!

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  Worst Car I Ever Owned - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Haz - September 13 - 2:36 pm

  This car was the never-ending money pit! Engine had to be replaced along with two clutches. Window motors were constantly breaking. Electric side mirrors stopped working. Glove compartment hinges broke. Windshield washer system stopped working. Molding was falling off. Seat recliners never worked. Emergency break broke several times which resulted in the car rolling into the street and finally - a LAKE! The repairs were incredibly expensive compared with US or Japanese made cars.

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  smart/creative enginerin-deficient qual. - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dont buy; get Civic - July 16 - 10:00 am

  bought this car a year ago with radio/speakers stolen. shortly after,exhaust broke loose and paid $450 for new dual-muffler system (excluding catalytic converter, fixed everything from there back. touchy trunk opener latch but fixed. fixed front/rear alignment 1 month ago; needs rear again;no big bumps.brakes glazed over.check engine lit;sensor near fuel tank dealing with economy.replaced pwr steering reservoir & 2 hoses costing an excessive $520.transmission giving out? (jerk during accel).gas not bad, but could be better.gets 29hwy but Civic more power and runs 38hwy

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  Transmission Problems With My 1997 VW - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By vdubbub8403 - June 15 - 7:30 pm

  I bought my car 2-3 years ago and I have had nothing but trouble with the transmission slipping it started out something I can deal with but has just gotten worse threw time I think I have spend more money on this car than I paid at the dealership. I got an estimate on it $3000 to replace the transmission. Forget it I will go buy A Honda are A small truck I have heard that there is issues with this year and other years I wish I would of knew that before wasting my money I have always liked VW but I have lost all respect for them know

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  The Good, Bad and Ugly - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By cgwcolorado - June 30 - 4:26 am

  My car now has 165,000 miles and is slowly hitting the hay. When the car works its an amazing car. Unfortunately, when one thing goes wrong you better expect to be making regular appointments with your mechanic for a little while. I have serious electrical problems, door lock problems, the ABS is out, the cruise control went out, only one windshield spray nozzle works, belts, lights, side molding, clutch, pumps, catalytic converter, hoses and transmissions galore. I love my Jetta to death but she hates the cold and the heat and is the end result of all my money!

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  Good car, but it will cost you in the long run... - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By flint879 - April 28 - 1:22 pm

  This car was great when my wife and I first bought it. Great gas mileage, very reliable when travelling long distances and it wasnt bad to drive. I wouldnt recommend owning this car though. The gas mileage is great, but its a Volkswagen, parts for this car are not easy to find and when you find them, they are hella expensive. Since Ive owned this car (4 years), Ive had to replace the transmission, 3 starters, exhaust system, fuel pump, and other such things. It doesnt do well in terms of going up hills because the engine is so small it can barely make it up most hills. Other than the gas mileage, I dont care much for this car.