O.T Volkswagen R32 GTI Options

[seanery]

Since I've owned a GTI, 88 16v, I'll always have a softspot these cars. I also like the first sciroccos and the 16v sciroccos.

I keep my eyes open for 16vs from this era, great cars.

[Scott S]

My Mom had a 97 Jetta - it was a horrible car. The 02 sensors would go out every 6-8 months and everytime I had to fight with the dealer when he accused my Mom of over reving the car (total BS). My bro bought a new beetle in 2000 that fell apart around him (the third brake light litterally fell out of the car while going down the road). One morning he went out to leave for work, went to put down the window, and it promptly fell into the door and shattered. My ex girlfrind bought a 2000 Jetta that was burning a quart of oil every 1000 miles. The dealer told her that was normal.
My A-1 went at least 170k on the original motor, and my A-2 was sold with 175 on the chasis. The only reason the A-2 got a new motor was for performance gains. Both of these cars spent a ton of time being beat up in solo I and II events. Had to replace clutches once in a while....

I loved my VW's, but I don't think they would be near the top of the food chain for a new car based on what I have seen in the recent past. Even the TT has had some electrical problems - and that car is a 2001 with less than 10k on it.

I wonder what happened? I would drive an 83/84 GTI or any year Scirocco before I would drive a Honda however.....

[anthony]

My '94 Jetta has been practically flawless - knock on wood. It has almost 140K miles now and the car has needed very little other than regular maintenance. The repair list is small:

thermostat
interior fan switch
cam position sensor (replacement of distributor)
sunroof cables

That cost less than $600 in repairs (I did it all myself) over 10 years. It would have probably cost $1200 getting all that done at a shop. I've also done all the regular maintenance myself except the 90k mile service and the timing belt swap.

I think VWs don't hold up as well as Hondas and Toyotas though when faced with deferred maintenance.

[campbellcj]

We had an 84 VW Diesel Jetta that just ran and ran and ran. In fact we gave it away to a family friend as a beater commuter car years ago and just last week it finally bit the dust -- head gasket or something blew causing some overheating and carnage. I am sure it had around 300K on it and still got 40+ mpg and ran fine till the very end.

We now have an 89 Cab sitting here which belonged to my sister-in-law. It has never had any work (except a clutch or two) but at 140K also runs and drives fine although it looks like hell.