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Used 1997 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan Consumer Reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
105 reviews

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3.88 out of 5 stars

Don't buy this pain in the neck

rockclimber, 03/25/2004
1997 Volkswagen Jetta GLX VR6 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I bought the car new from the dealer w/a keyless remote. It was worthless and I had it replaced several times (thank goodness for lifetime warranties). Finally I had the whole think yanked. Electrically this car is a heap. It can self-alarm after starting w/ the key & 30 secs later it goes off. I have to tow it in for repair. Why the side mirrors are heated to 100F is beyond me. Supposedly, if the driver's door is left ajar for several mins, the car self-alarms. VW engrs figured this means the driver is being attacked, so the car disables itself. I won't buy VW again.

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3 out of 5 stars

REPAIRS-REPAIRS-REPAIRS!!!!

Jill , 04/01/2004
1997 Volkswagen Jetta GLX VR6 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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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4.63 out of 5 stars

Love this Car

Lovemyjetta, 01/28/2010
1997 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I have had a lot of luck with this car. Besides routine maintenance: tires, oil changes, belts, brakes, exhaust and tune ups, I have put nothing into the car. My only problem with German cars in general is their emissions standards are so high that to replace the system when it broke was $1500. Otherwise, I have put in the routine maintenance and he runs like a charm. Still reliable at 186,000 miles.

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4.13 out of 5 stars

decent car, good value

Joeeeeee, 11/07/2002
1997 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I purchased this this 1997 white VW Jetta GLS a month ago and I am pretty pleased with the car. I had to fix some minor problems such as the brakes and the wheel alignment but those are typical repair costs. This car doesn't have good acceleration as an automatic and is frustrating if you want to cut lanes on a freeway. However, once you hit the gas pedal, the pickup speed more than offsets its poor acceleration, as I don't have any problems hitting 90-95 with this car.

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2.13 out of 5 stars

Low-reliability car.

babalooo, 04/03/2004
1997 Volkswagen Jetta GT 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Vehicle has had numerous problems from a blown manual trans, to engine, drive train, emissions, problems, you name it. Pure crap car: poor engineering, poor materials, poor design, just plain poor overall. Everyone else I know that has a VW has the same problem. VW will not fix these know generic problems like trans seal, broken locks, etc. Never again!!!

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