Overview & Reviews

The TDI has finally arrived. New wheel covers and colors are offered, while remote keyless entry makes it easier to lock and unlock the Jetta. GLX models have new one-touch up power windows with pinch protection.

• Classic good looks. Great road manners. Optional side airbags. Remarkable powertrain warranty. Free scheduled maintenance for two years or 24,000 miles.

• Slightly underpowered. Cramped rear seat.

User Reviews:

Showing 41 through 50 of 104.00

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  Would Do It Again - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JettaDriver - March 7 - 10:00 am

  I love this car even with its problems. For the money the Jetta is fun to drive, has good power and looks great. The car feels solid and well made for just $16K. Once I learned how to drive the car right, I had plenty of power. You just gotta know how to use those 115 horses. The issue I have with the Jetta: expensive to maintain, battery exploded at 24,000 miles, switch for air cond sometimes doesnt work, wheels covers and reflectors fall off, 3 front and rear wheel alignments, parts are expensive, VW service departments suck, options and add-ons are too expensive. Overall, I love this car.

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  No regrets! Great car! - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By kraziman - January 18 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car new in 1998. It has always been very fun to drive. Despite its cramped rear seat, lack of good cup holders (seat adjustment levers hold sport bottles perfectly!), and its little quirks and rattles, I love this car and would do it all over again. It now has 64,000 miles on it and I would drive it cross-country. It still has awesome power with the VR6/5- speed combo. One tip, let VW install the CD changer. That was my only nightmare and it was because I took it to an after market place.

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  Love It! - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Frankie - January 13 - 12:20 pm

  I just bought this car a couple months ago, havent had it too long. My first vw. But i love it! Had to have two of the regulators replaced when i got it but no surprise by all the reviews i keep reading. The back right Bose speaker blew out. The clutch is starting to wear out too, but i think the owner before me drove dirty. So once i get a new clutch ill be running smooth again! Wish my car had the heated leather seats though..

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  Shouldve bought a Honda - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Guni - December 26 - 10:00 am

  After having an 89 Accord for 10 years it was time to try something new since the body design on the Hondas began to look like suppositories. I really liked the style of the VW. This is not enough reason to buy a VW. Within 3 months the transmission acted up and the dealer tried to tell me it wasnt covered under the bumper2bumper warranty. A year later the ignition coil cracked and had to have that replaced which the dealer did do but the cleaning ($200) wasnt covered. Now theres either a bearing, the tension pulley for the timing belt or the AC compressor has gone. Never had these problems with my Accord. Not worth the headache.

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  Im broke - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dontbuyajetta - December 3 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Jetta in 2000, the day I drove it off the lot I knew something was up. Ive had several problems; muffler fell off twice, Mileage sucks, the back seats are two small to fit anyone, transmission went at 33,00, fan belt went at 55,000. The exterior (plastic rubber pieces on the side) flew off into the road as I was driving. Its been a nightmare. I drove through a puddle and the sparkplugs got wet and it took days to get it started. Now the car just overheats. I was very religious in taking proper care of this car so it would last me a long time. Please do yourself a favor and dont buy one. It will do a number to your wallet.

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  Needs more HP - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By KRUZNBY - November 19 - 10:00 am

  I had previously owned a 85 Jetta. I loved that car so I thought I would get another Jetta. The interior layout and style is great as well. The major problem I had with this car is the lack of power. Even with a 5 speed, it seemed to take forever to get it moving. Dont even think of shifting at 3K RPMs, wait it out until 4K and you will be a bit happier. The other problems I had in the 2 years I owned it: 2 window motor controllers failed, factory volume knob does not respond properly, and a desperately needed tune up. When it would rain or just plain humid, the car would miss a lot. I had to replace the cap/rotor, plugs and wires ($400).

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  Great Jetta! - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Silazius - October 25 - 10:00 am

  Very fun to drive. VR6 is a great performer. Fit and finish inside is very good. Exterior fit and finish is excellent. Have had some problems with the fuel oxygen sensor, esp. when there is heavy rain. Also had to have the ignition switch replaced!? This is one of the last old style body types before they "Passatized" the Jetta. Ugh!

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  Been A Great Car over the Years - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By by MLJ VR6 - September 17 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my 1998 Volkswagen Jetta for eight years now with 175,000 miles and have been very pleased. Ive had the ususal Jetta problems with the ignition, water hose, window regulator, minor electrical and body moldings. The parts manager at the dealership gave me a great tip on the moldings. Buy the pop-in plastic moldings from the 95 model. They look fine and you will never have to replace them again. I use the seat adjustment levers for my cupholders which hold big cups. I have changed the oil / filter every 5,000 miles, the air filter every 35,000 miles, and hope to keep the car for 250,000 miles. The V6 engine has been very reliable with no engine repairs whatsoever.

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  98 TDI - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By epshade - July 8 - 10:00 am

  Bought in 2000 when 2 years old. Problems with the turbo, dealer replaced for free even though I am the third owner. Consistently get 50 mpg +/- 1 mpg winter, summer, city or highway. Lots of torque; I do not use first gear. Handling very good, and the car is balanced so that it sometimes tricks me into thinking it is a rear-wheel drive car in the winter, and I slide past a turn when I downshift to slow down. Only negatives are that one door is stuck shut (due to handle?). Cant VW fix this after two decades? Also, stock shocks/struts are junk; KYB improved handling significantly.

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  a big bottomless hole in my wallet - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By okayt - May 21 - 1:47 pm

  I bought this car 2 years ago. The muffler fell off twice in 1 week right after I got it along with the siding (back on w/ double-sided tape) & the spoiler. Had to fix the ignition switch, buy a new radio/cd player. Several sets of new tires. Blinker/brake light problems which only worked for a year & stopped working again. The 2 back windows are being held up with pcs of wood. The power locks dont work from the inside (theyll lock me in). AC adaptor doesnt work & I was told they couldnt fix it. The glove compartment handle snapped off. & now its back in the shop for some unknown reason. If its more than a couple hundred Im buying a new car & never buying a Dub again