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Used 1998 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan Consumer Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
86 reviews

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Pros
Cons
5 out of 5 stars

Mk3 jetta / alot Of miles Per gallón

John Gianni, 10/12/2015
1998 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4dr Sedan
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

I got this Car for 800$ and put On it Around 2300$ But is a great invesment. Paint , socks,breaks, radiator,hoses ,housing hose, Water pump,timing belt,custom rims & tires michelline/ rims and tires same size like original recomend , front windshield,interior small parts , and clips, Many i got On eBay , junk yards ,México, vw parts - this Car is very economical To use San Diego To los Ángeles Around Trip 25$ On gas I fix it With my friends Looks Good - restored was The best desicion 1998 jetta manual Gl No words To describe is a old car But give me All i Need We have 5 cars and VW jetta MK3 family We love it !!

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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* Starting MSRP of $21,995 for a 2025 Jetta S 1.5L TSI® with 8-speed automatic transmission. Prices exclude destination, taxes, title, other options, and dealer charges. Dealer sets actual price.

4.88 out of 5 stars

I love my Jetta!

amnotafish, 03/09/2002
1998 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 4dr Sedan
6 of 8 people found this review helpful

After two years in this car I'm still in love with it. I drive this car hard and fast and it keeps up with everyone. It hugs the road and feels much safer than other cars I've driven. I get a lot of complments as well- especially from Jetta owners '99-'02. If something (god forbid) were to happen to this car I would have to find another. The '98's are far superior to the newer VW models and kicks my friend's Civic to the curb!

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4.5 out of 5 stars

I love this car

Midori Alexandros, 03/27/2008
1998 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

It has been a great- car. We have had to do a lot of mechanical repairs to the car, who ever sold it did not do them and that was probably why they sold it in the first place. We have done timing belt/tensioner, both drive axles, breaks, struts, engine mounts, and turn signal switch, spark plugs, plug wires, and had the engine detailed. The car has been excellent with no mishaps.

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At a Glance:
  • 5 Colors
  • 4 Trims
  • 1 Package
  • $21,995*starting MSRP
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* Starting MSRP of $21,995 for a 2025 Jetta S 1.5L TSI® with 8-speed automatic transmission. Prices exclude destination, taxes, title, other options, and dealer charges. Dealer sets actual price.

3.13 out of 5 stars

a big bottomless hole in my wallet

okayt, 01/25/2012
1998 Volkswagen Jetta K2 4dr Sedan
6 of 10 people found this review helpful

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 don't work from the inside (they'll lock me in). AC adaptor doesn't work & I was told they couldn't fix it. The glove compartment handle snapped off. & now it's back in the shop for some unknown reason. If it's more than a couple hundred I'm buying a new car & never buying a Dub again

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3.88 out of 5 stars

Great little car - GT should do more...

oregongirl225, 01/13/2004
1998 Volkswagen Jetta GT 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I really like my 1998 Jetta GT, there are a few things that I think VW could have made better, like the shifting is a little harsh. Sometimes takes a while for it to shift. Other than that its a great car... once it shifts normal its fast.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Good car

German, 01/12/2010
1998 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Good car, great on gas will buy an other vw again.

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4 out of 5 stars

Could have been a contender.

Bing, 10/06/2009
1998 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I like the way she drives.. I bought the car with 106k miles on it. Salvaged the ailing (automatic)transmission with transmission conditioner. The window regulators are garbage. They break often and run you over $350 a pop to put in. Don't let a substandard shop work on the car. They will cause you more problems. The car has broken motor mounts, they cause a shimmy when accelerating and cause the CV joints to wear quickly. The engine and Transmission still run really strong with 170,000 miles. Just don't think the rest of the car will last. With TLC early in the life of the car I think it would be running and looking great in every facet.

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3 out of 5 stars

Not again!

JLS, 07/17/2006
1998 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Although my 1998 Volkswagen Jetta was two years old when I purchased, it had low mileage (it still has low mileage) so I was enthusiastic. I loved the style, the way it handled, and the way it drove. BUT it is a piece of junk. I have had to replace every window control on it, the axels, side trim, throttle body, it quit on the interstate when the coil went out, and on and on. And it is expensive! To have the transmission serviced was $500! I will never purchase another VW of any kind. I still have it because I have too much in it to be able to recoup any expenses but I am going to have to do something with it.. I can't afford to "drive" it!

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4.25 out of 5 stars

Another great VW

trav87, 01/27/2010
1998 Volkswagen Jetta GT 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I bought mine used from a local VW dealer, and abuse the snot out of it. I autocross and do hill climbs with this car, as well as daily drive it. Normal wear and tear items get replaced, and regular maintenance keep things going strong. As with any used car, parts tend to wear out faster than new, so be prepared to spend money keeping them going. Do your homework and never buy a used car without having it checked out!

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3 out of 5 stars

Too Young To Die

Vector, 06/05/2008
1998 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I purchased my Jetta in 2001, with only 17k. In the 7 years that Ive owned it, the rubber on the sides fell off, the cruise control went out, the keyless entry stopped working, the airbag light goes on and off, and worst of all the transmission is dying at 86,000 miles. The repair shop (a costly VW only shop) could not fix the cruise, the key or the airbag light. They said that I will have to get a new tranny, which would cost more than the car is worth. It takes a lot of effort for it (automatic transmission) to get up to 20 mph (gets up to 50 rpms), and it jerks into second gear. Once it gets to 60 mph, it's ok but it takes a lot of work to get there. Not so much fun to drive now.

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