Used 1999 Volkswagen GTI Consumer Reviews
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no probs
m j, 01/21/2009
1999 Volkswagen GTI GLS 2dr Hatchback (midyear)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This car is a beast, I never had any problems like these other reviewers, the only problems I have ever had with this car is the with the catalytic converter, and the sunroof always gets stuck, but the sun roof has gotten stuck in every car I have ever scene with a sunroof. So that's not to go against the car. Back to the cat/converter, I had to replace that twice thus far to pass emissions inspections, its in a bad spot (very low to the ground) I find rust takes its toll faster then most other cars, and it is about 700 each time to fix /after labour (usd) other then that I love this, and will be getting another VW in the future.
BAD RELIABILITY AND SERVICE
TOMYUBU, 06/19/2002
1999 Volkswagen GTI VR6 2dr Hatchback
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
I brought 1999 GTI VR6 back in Jan 2002. It had 35,800 miles. After 1 day, the cruise control stop working. The dealer fixed it for free. Then about 2 months later, driver side power window stop working. I fixed it and cost me close to $400. Then about a month after that Check engine came on. The oxygen sensor went bad. Three weeks later, while my brother was driving it, I believe the timing belt went bad, and he had to tow the car. Other than these numerous problems, its an ok car. The VW dealer ship was not helpful at all, and when my brother made a compliant about it to the VW customer care, the operator was very rude.
Your windows WILL stop working.
fiebke, 05/09/2002
1999 Volkswagen GTI GLX VR6 2dr Hatchback (midyear)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've had this car for a year, and would love it if the power windows haven't ceased working THREE times and if I hadn't found someone waiting with me at the dealership while getting it fixed who had the same problem. It would bother me if VW would admit to the problem with the design and fix it. VW dealerships are the most arrogant I've ever dealt with.
fun but unreliable
vp, 08/14/2002
1999 Volkswagen GTI GLS 2dr Hatchback (midyear)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
It's fun to drive and is thoughtfully designed. You can feel the quality build compared to other cars in it's class. However, my GTI has had numerous problems over the past three years. odometer replaced. A/C leaked into passenger side. replaced air intake/oxygen sensor(very expensive), which is related to it's problem with emission standard. windshield washers frequently clogged.
The Golf III version is very reliable!
Alec Flett, 08/27/2002
1999 Volkswagen GTI VR6 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
1999 was the year that VW made two GTI's: 1) the last of the long-running Golf III series with the rear license plate on the hatchback 2) the brand new "New GTI" with the more rounded headlights and the license plate on the bumper. These are VERY different cars. the "New GTI" is appearently terrible.. or at least was in 1999/2000, according to two coworkers who have them. The "old" GTI was the final model in a series that just kept getting better.. I've got the "old" model and have had it for about 3 1/2 years. It has never, ever given me any trouble. I've kept good care of it (regular service, regular oil changes) but other than that I've done nothing special.
really bad reliablity
mikeinny, 09/19/2002
1999 Volkswagen GTI VR6 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Since I bought this vehicle, at least every 2 months or so, something breaks. Power windows had to be fixed twice (right and left). Screwed up motor, etc. On top of these problems, the dealerships were rude. When I called VW to complain, they were rude. I can see who trained those dealers. I would not get another VW ever again!!!
MUFFLER DEFECT
Metro, 02/06/2002
1999 Volkswagen GTI GLS 2dr Hatchback (midyear)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
MY EXPERIENCE WITH MY GTI HAS BEEN DISAPPOINTING ONLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT I KEEP HAVING TO TAKE THE CAR IN FOR MUFFLER REPAIRS. TO DATE, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 (FIVE) TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, WHICH IS THE MUFFLER NOT HOLDING IT'S MOUNT THUS CAUSING BAD NOISES WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. IT WAS EVEN REPLACED ON THE SECOND OCCASION. FOR THE MOST PART I HAVE NO OTHER COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE VEHICLE.
Great Ride / Poor Electrical
Rob Schaap, 10/27/2002
1999 Volkswagen GTI GLX VR6 2dr Hatchback (midyear)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Replacing every month / windows fall off track twice / poor tires on the car - highway tires, 16" Rims
Lemon in cool car clothing
Ed Boncich, 10/28/2002
1999 Volkswagen GTI GLX VR6 2dr Hatchback (midyear)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Although i like the layout and performance of my 99 GTI, I have had reliability issues from liquid dripping from my interior rear view mirror to my fuel system leaking to my air conditioner requiring replacement. I have had the "check engine" light on my dah go on and off on a regular basis, and it seems every time I schedule a time to have it checked it goes off! I have contacted VW of America, and have gone back and forth to have them do something over the usual waranty and finally they will check out the car, but as soon as they do I'm sellin it!!!
9 years and counting
1999 VW, 02/17/2008
1999 Volkswagen GTI GLS 2dr Hatchback (midyear)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I had the window problems as well. Basically the regulators on the power windows were plastic. They put metal after market regulators in my car at 6 months and I have never had a problem since. Interior quality is very good. I have this car 9 years and seats look almost new. Dash still looks very good. Cup holders were a bad design and they broke on my car. I have had little issues through the years. Seems like a lot of plastic on this car. Water pump went after 3 years. The impellar on the water pump was plastic. Replaced with after market pump with metal impellar...and no problems. I have a manual transmission and still have original clutch with 121k miles. No engine issues.
Happy original owner
jaycjay, 06/11/2003
1999 Volkswagen GTI GLX VR6 2dr Hatchback (midyear)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've only had two problems with this car since buying it new. First on a routine maintenance visit to the dealer, they found that the shift linkage was loose and needed to be repaired before it failed. Second, like many others, the power window regulator failed on the passenger side (which is what causes the windows to drop into the doors). Owners and potential owners should know that VW has now acknowledged the problem with these and extended the warranty coverage on that item to seven years -- and have redesigned the regulator to correct the issue.
1999.5 VW GTI
wolfhouse, 10/13/2003
1999 Volkswagen GTI GLS 2dr Hatchback (midyear)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought that car in July 1999. It has the 2.0L engine. I have had numerous problems with it (including starter, catalytic converter, gas pump, window regulators). Lately the car has been in the shop for a little more than 4 weeks. Not sure when (if?) it is going to come out of there. Fun to drive, but reliability is really disappointing.
GREAT CAR
AX, 12/18/2003
1999 Volkswagen GTI GLX VR6 2dr Hatchback (midyear)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This has been a great car no problems other than 1 window regulator. Problem w/ window regulator is a plastic piece (only one in the thing) that holds the piece together breaks. Easy fix, get it replaced w/ one that is all metal. Other than that it is a very fun car.
Sorry VW....never again
disappointed, 04/20/2006
1999 Volkswagen GTI GLS 2dr Hatchback (midyear)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The car was great for the first 60,000 miles. At 80,000 the entire engine had to be replaced due to a valve malfunctioning. It was probally just a freak accident, nonetheless it shouldn't have happened to an 80,000 mile car. VW has numerous electrical and reliablity issues. And after reading the other reviews from past years, it seems we all had the same problems (window, cup holders, plastics in interior falling apart, and emmission problems). It's been to the shop more times then I can remember. I guess this was a bad year for GTI's.
Excellent Car
Cory Saranchak, 03/31/2004
1999 Volkswagen GTI GLX VR6 2dr Hatchback (midyear)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
A very mean engine with enough tourque to sit you back in your seat. It has had a few quarks but cars always will so why fight it. It has been a stylish reliable car that I would reccomend to anyone looking to turn some heads and light up the streets.
Beware the 60,000 mark
mermigkas, 11/17/2004
1999 Volkswagen GTI GLS 2dr Hatchback (midyear)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have had the GTI 99 model for almost three years. THe worst part of owning this model is that after 60,000 miles the parts start falling apart...Broken cup holder,broken plastic parts from the seats, anythig plastic inside is slowly getting off position.......I estimated the cost of fixing all these problems and it is more than 1,000USD... Performance is great and fuel efficiency is there the cost of gas is good for the performance...Get it but know for good: After 60,000 miles it all falls apart......
Sporty Junk
Tim Cnnn, 03/27/2003
1999 Volkswagen GTI GLS 2dr Hatchback (midyear)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I am the original owner of this GTI, and have had loads of problems with it. All windows (driver, passenger, sunroof) have broken at least once. The side windows have had to be repaired 14 times since I bought it. 14 times! I could tell there was going to be a problem when the car went into the shop on the 15th day I had it. It was in there for the next 53. I would advise anyone looking into buying this car to steer clear.
Not too good
Usman Anis, 03/28/2003
1999 Volkswagen GTI GLS 2dr Hatchback (midyear)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Not even close to what i expected reliability and build quality wise. check engine lignt has come on several times and now the ABs light as come on, both the front windows fell in and cost an arm and a leg to fix (over $600). not at all happy with VW, will likely never buy another VW or Audi.
never again....
marebear, 03/28/2003
1999 Volkswagen GTI GLS 2dr Hatchback (midyear)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
HATRED doesn't scratch the surface. I loved this car so much in the beginning, the handling-amazing, seats comfortable, car was stylish. I would leave it running in the hopes someone would steal the god forsaken thing. My window fell down into the door 3 times (once on the driver's side, twice on the passenger's), heavy transmission work done, passenger seat wouldn't latch down and I after I got it fixed, the driver's seat wouldn't latch down. Things inside the car just started falling off. Luckily someone T-boned it while it was parked and the car is a total loss.This car was nothing but a LEMON.
darn windows
stu from nj, 05/04/2003
1999 Volkswagen GTI GLS 2dr Hatchback (midyear)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
i get this car 4 weeks ago and 2 weeks after i got it the check engine light went on. a week after that, the passenger side window feel in the door. and judging by these other reviews, this happens quite a bit. i love the style and interior, nice and roomy, but i'm afraid it's going to expensive to maintain. i plan on getting a repair manual and doing most of the work myself.
MUFFLER DEFECT
METRO, 02/06/2002
1999 Volkswagen GTI GLS 2dr Hatchback (midyear)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
MY EXPERIENCE WITH MY GTI HAS BEEN DISAPPOINTING ONLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT I KEEP HAVING TO TAKE THE CAR IN FOR MUFFLER REPAIRS. TO DATE, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 (FIVE) TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, WHICH IS THE MUFFLER NOT HOLDING IT'S MOUNT THUS CAUSING BAD NOISES WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. IT WAS EVEN REPLACED ON THE SECOND OCCASION. FOR THE MOST PART I HAVE NO OTHER COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE VEHICLE.
nightmare on every street
turningjapanese, 04/05/2008
1999 Volkswagen GTI GLX VR6 2dr Hatchback (midyear)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The prefect lemon--I even got it in yellow! Over 7 years of ownership I have averaged about $1000 per year in electrical repairs alone. It has broken down on the road six (yes, six) times. I'm counting the first flat time, because VW makes it impossible to remove the spare. The retaining nut for the spare is fused to its bolt with paint! Speaking of paint, mine is almost gone. The clearcoat began dissolving in patches at about 3 years old. The wheel wells fell off. At 83,000 miles it cannot pass NY inspection with two weeks of work done on it. This is the worst car there is.