Overview & Reviews

Wolfsburg models are gone, and the Jetta GT arrives sporting the look of the GLX without the VR6 engine. Trek gets alloy wheels. GL, GLS, Trek and GT run more quietly, thanks to a new cylinder head design.

• Excellent road manners, roomy interior, fun-to-drive, heater will roast your face

• Some controls and symbols difficult to decipher, staid styling, underpowered four-cylinder engine

User Reviews:

Showing 91 through 100 of 107.00

• 

  Great automtive investment - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By QuantumSyncro - June 18 - 10:00 am

  This used car has been fantastic. It gets near 50 mpg and the ride is great. Sound build and rattle free even at this mileage. Would definitely recommend a used VW TDI to anyone who was considering a diesel. These late 90s TDIs are very reliable, even moreso then the 99.5s and priced very reasonably.

• 

  Fantastic car..when its not in the shop - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Still in Texas - June 18 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Jetta new in the summer of 1997. The engine, transmission, brakes and handling have never let me down. I am absolutely amazed at how well the major components work and how poorly the other components function. Since, Ive owned it, Ive replaced the side molding (twice), the rear tail light, and an interior light. The A/C recirc button malfunctioned, the passenger side locks freeze every winter. Once the passenger side lock actually came out as I pulled the key out of it! Several other little problems as well. This can be a very enjoyable car to drive, just be prepared for all the little repairs that neeed to get done every 6 months..

• 

  Fun,fast,zippy 4 banger - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By wvmechanic88 - April 28 - 1:02 pm

  Good little car. plenty of power and torque for a 2.0 gas engine. great gas econmy 30+ mpg. sporty handling.plenty of room for a small car. now for the cons. not that good in bad weather. cheap plastic parts. power windows have lots of problems. expensive repairs if you have a shop do them. traded in with 170K miles due to bad rust on body but she still run great.

• 

  Cant stop driving it - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Live2skifast - March 30 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car for one reason. It was a Trek, which means it has roofracks. Then two of my buddies and I hope in it in PA and ended up in Colorado. Talk about a test drive. It as an amazing trip and the car kicked @$$ even at 12,000 ft. when we went over Loveland Pass. Its still kicking hard 3 months later, with only a new pair of tires on it.

• 

  A great, reliable car. - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Dragos - March 12 - 2:00 am

  We bought our GLS new in 1997. It has a manual transmission and a 4cyl 2L engine. My wife and I have put 158k miles on it and it still runs great. We maintained our VW well and had ONLY ONE technical problem: all 4 power windows started to fail in 01. We were always impressed by the steering of the car in wet/snowy/icy conditions. We have driven it numerous times across the mountain passes in the winter and it has behaved admirably! The manual transmission has proven to be extremely reliable and it has always helped us in controlling the vehicle and having more fun driving it. This Jetta model has by far the largest trunk in its class.

• 

  VRsechs - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By vrsechs - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car since January, and being a VW enthuiast, I am very pleased with the GLX. The engine has plenty of torque and horsepower, and with the addition of my chip, suspension, rims and tires, and exhaust, the performance has only been enhanced. I did have my turn signal cluster go out, which cost $150, and my coilpack went bad, buth this can easily be avoided with $5. Great car

• 

  Excellent Engine POOR Everything else - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By wss6 - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Drove this car with clean highway miles and easy on the clutch; Was fun to drive for first 6 months. Since purchase I have replaced 3 ignition modules, 2 wheel bearings, body molding, door locks, and a myriad of other mechanical and body components. When the dashboard lights failed and the check engine light came on for the 2nd time I got rid of the car. LEARN FROM MY MISTAKE - DONT BUY THIS CAR. I will never buy another Volkswagon.

• 

  Love it - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Ohio - January 24 - 12:46 am

  I have owned my Jetta GLX for thirteen years. It is fun to drive, goes like a soldier through snow, and has minimal rust for its age. I had a head gasket problem which necessitated an engine replacement (or so my mechanic said), but that is the ONLY repair I have had other than scheduled maintenance. Interior is top quality, still looking fine today, the trunk space is great, and I have had no problems with exterior body trim. I am still running the original muffler, though the fore intake pipe on the first unit is broken and the car is a bit noisy. Thank goodness for cage straps which make it able to delay the replacement a bit longer. Overall, I am very satisfied.

• 

  fundriver - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By DamienL - December 11 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Jetta. The first one was a 1989 GL. I just retired it at 210,000 miles. I wasnt the original owner either, but it has the original clutch, engine, and transmission.

• 

  Great Drive - Fairly Reliable - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jimmycricket - August 23 - 10:00 am

  Ive put 35K on this since buying it and they have been a great 35K. Driven long distances, cities, twisty coastal roads are the best! Most fun Ive had in a car. Just started having some electrical problems, but until this not one single issue (other than molding coming off and having to be glued back). I am debating selling at 65K miles because of what could come. Want another VW - been a pleasure.