For 1990, the four-door Volkswagen Jetta was available in three versions. The Jetta Carat was equipped with a 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder engine that generated 104 horsepower, while the higher-end Jetta GLI was equipped with a 134-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder. In addition, a diesel version, called the GL, was available. Its 1.6-liter engine generated 52 horsepower. A five-speed manual transmission was standard across the line, while a three-speed automatic was optional for the Carat and GL.
Standard features for the Carat and the GL diesel version included bucket seats, power brakes, power steering, a tilt steering wheel, and a rear window defroster, while the GLI added a rear spoiler, a power-adjustable driver's seat, power door locks, a sport-tuned suspension, and a trip computer.
The Jetta was alternately described by drivers as flawed, quirky, and reliable, but the car nevertheless gained a loyal following. However, many drivers noted that their cars needed frequent and sometimes expensive repairs.
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Well, just got this one for about 4 months but the transmission dies on me, the doors where in pretty bad shape has the interiors has everything elses, idk why someone would like this car, well it was good in gas mileage, and well we share 1 or 2 moments lol not a total piece of crapt but almost...Jan 06, 2015
by Ryan G
Dec 01, 2011
Great first car for anyone, I picked mine up for only $600 and it worked great until the day it was totaled. These cars are built incredibly well and if you get one you wont have to put a lot of money into it.Dec 01, 2011
by Christer A
Oct 19, 2011
snow/ice - Four Wheel drive Jette
Looks/style - under maintenance
Maintenace cost - very cheap and you find parts every where
Handling - god handling when you drive side ways on the snow and ice
Fuel Economy - very cheap on fuel
Very good carOct 19, 2011
User rating:
by Anonymous
Jan 06, 2015
Well, just got this one for about 4 months but the transmission dies on me, the doors where in pretty bad shape has the interiors has everything elses, idk why someone would like this car, well it was good in gas mileage, and well we share 1 or 2 moments lol not a total piece of crapt but almost...Jan 06, 2015
by Ryan G
Dec 01, 2011
Great first car for anyone, I picked mine up for only $600 and it worked great until the day it was totaled. These cars are built incredibly well and if you get one you wont have to put a lot of money into it.Dec 01, 2011
by Christer A
Oct 19, 2011
snow/ice - Four Wheel drive Jette
Looks/style - under maintenance
Maintenace cost - very cheap and you find parts every where
Handling - god handling when you drive side ways on the snow and ice
Fuel Economy - very cheap on fuel
Very good carOct 19, 2011
by Anonymous
Apr 10, 2011
Needs a motor and some other various items. Really need a engine harness bad so if anyone has one and wants to part with it please let me know. My email is edwardjbrasky. Thats for yahoo mail. Thanks for the help.Apr 10, 2011
by Amine A
Sep 29, 2010
a very good cars de 0 a 100 km/h 11sec de tres bon qualité for les familles tt est bon dans la jetta 1990 turbo diesel mais elle conssome bcp de piece surtout les amortisseur avant mais c pas graveSep 29, 2010
by Carolyn T
Jun 03, 2010
Its good on gas, but ugly. still gets me around. It could be alot better if it was running properly but im too cheap to fix it and i dont really care lol plus theres always room for improvement right?Jun 03, 2010
by Brock L
Nov 02, 2009
* Performance - gutless has no power but it handles well
* Build Quality - German has to be good..
* Appearance - not bad looks good with 17" msr wheels
* Cost of Ownership -good on fuel
* Fun Factor - ya i beat it all the time...
Nov 02, 2009
by Vincent B
May 20, 2009
19 year old silver vw getta gl, 5 speed, blue interior. accleration is good, handles like a dream, power steering belt squeeks in tight turn-arounds. sun roof is fabulous especially at night. looks fine. sound system speakers are factory with jvc cd and tuner and sound great. i'm attempting to keep gas milage down by keeping rpm's around 2000 when upshifting so with that gas milage is good. my jetta is fun, i love vw's would'nt trade my jetta for any american or japanese thing...May 20, 2009
by Cyrille C
Dec 12, 2008
Mon char il a fait la guerre, pi en m'ayant comme proprio il va la refaire. Je l'adore et j'ai hâte de le refaire à grandeur l'été prochain. J'aime volkswagen et rien ne pourra me faire détester cette marque, c'est dans mon sang. Un jetta 1990, ça accélère pas, ça freine correct mais ça tient la route comme le criss. :) C'est faite solide en maudit, ça roule mieux que certain char plus récent, genre hyundai en plastique et co. Le look plait pas à tout le monde, c'est carré et ça l'air d'un rat, mais j'ai toujours trouvé c'est modèle très beau. Avec une drop de fou ça va être de toute beauté. En plus ça coute rien de pièces, une chance parce qu'il y a souvent à faire dessus. Ça coute rien de gaz aussi, genre 35$ pi t'es partit pour 500km ou plus. Pi finalement c'est vraiment très plaisant à conduire, prendre des courbes avec cette boite là c'est fantastique.Dec 12, 2008
by Luigi S
Sep 21, 2008
Performance - swapped a 2001 audi 1.8t, Its chipped and boosting at 18psi, My best 1/4 mile time is 13.8 on winter tires... The car is capable of running 13.2, And by next summer should be running mid to low 11s...
Appearance - The exterior of the car is in ok condition all it needs is a paint job... And its got full leather interior from an audi a4...Sep 21, 2008
by Jacob N
Jul 07, 2008
Acceleration is great, handling is good because of anti-roll bars, and struts,
it needed new power steering pipes but that about it, it also needs a tune up.
it rattles a little.
33 mpgJul 07, 2008
by Thomas S
Jun 26, 2008
Batmans reservbil efter batmobile.....jettMobile the Katseen kääntäjä!:PJun 26, 2008
by Robert S
May 02, 2008
Needs a sixth gear.May 02, 2008
by Nick W
Apr 21, 2008
these cars are remarkably solid and safe, however they do like to break down frequently,
causing high repair bills. unfortunately i can't recommend the jetta because of a repeated
issue i had with cracked pistons in the 1.8 liter 8 valve 4 cylinder engine that came
standard. otherwise these cars are surprisingly sporty to drive and have good acceleration
with the standard 5 speed manual. these also get over 30 mpg, which is very good for
such a fun to drive car.Apr 21, 2008
Starts fine when kept in warm garage. When cold it cranks fine (new battery) and after 30 minutes getting it to start and warms up it runs and drives great like there's nothing wrong with it. Fuel pressure is good according to the shop I brought it too. They also put new plugs and wires on it, but they couldn't figure out what was wrong with it.
I bought a really cool, old gear shift knob for my car, but I have no idea how to take off the old one. I'm thinking that I may need some sort of adapter since the knob I'm putting on is merely threaded... no allen screws, etc. Any info on how to take off the knob and what type of adapter I might need would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I performed rear brake job, e-brake cable, shoes, spring kit, drums & bearings. E-brake works and adjusts shoes with slight drag. When foot brake is applied the adjusting wedge is pulled down as intended to compensate for wear but does not release when foot brake is released causing the brakes to stay applied. Have loosened bleeder on wheel cylinder, no pressure whatsoever and shoes stay on until wedge is moved upward through wheel stud hole. Have removed assemblies and taken to brake shop and VW shop all say it should work as intended, springs are correct, wedge is good. Any ideas on where to go from here?