1989 Volkswagen Jetta Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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An ideal commuter car, family sedan, or first-time car due to its affordability, dependability, and good gas mileage (37/44 mpg), the 1989 Volkswagen Jetta is a racer at heart. Its never-say-die engine is energetic and responsive, and drivers say they're surprised how easily it leaves other much faster cars behind.
A 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder, 100-hp engine powered the 2-door sedan and base four-door in the 1989 Jetta. The four-door GL and luxury model Carat upped the output to 105-hp. Cruise control, air conditioning, cassette player, and power windows and locks were all standard on the Carat. The real racer was the GLI, with the 16-valve 1.8 engine at 123-hp. Wolfsburg editions, named after the VW Germany factory, were available with both the GL and GLI trims.
The GLI seems to be a favorite among 1989 Jetta owners because it is much faster than its boxy exterior implies. Tight handling and sturdy engineering leaves drivers feeling safe and many report how well the Jetta holds up even after an accident. Durability seems to be its hallmark. The large, practical trunk is always a big selling point, particularly with families and college students. Recaro racing-style seats in the GLI are very supportive. Owners do complain about poor acceleration and engine power, lack of headroom for people over 6' tall, and problems with water leaking through faulty door linings.
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1989 Volkswagen Jetta
Write a reviewUser rating:
by Anonymous
Mar 02, 2014
Fine daily driver, reliable but parts need replacing over time and record keeping essential to good maintenance. Rust had held off gamely but now showing at windshield wiper base, bottom of side glass, and just below the plastic body side guards.
Typical Jetta weakness of front height ride and bouncy ride totally changed with HP bits. All polyurethane bushings, lowered progressive springs, Bilsteins HD shocks, front and rear sway bars, body brace, 205-50 15" wheels and Toyo Proxes 4 tires. Slotted discs, Hawk pads, K&N, Carat manifold and Corrado exhaust, FlowMaster, TT tuning chip, VW Motorsports steering wheel, Pioneer stereo, Alarm systemMar 02, 2014
by Anonymous
Nov 06, 2011
Yes, I enjoyed the car. I needed a large car which I just bought. So I am keeping my other 11 year old car and getting rid of this one, which is an easy choice since my wife can't drive a stick. It is still a fun car to drive when you aren't stuck in traffic. Zips along pretty well. Nov 06, 2011
by Anonymous
Feb 06, 2010
The quality of the Volkswagen jetta is outstanding. As far as performance goes the are pretty good for a four cylinder car. The cost of having a second generation jetta is alot better than a newer model. I give the mk2 jetta a 5 Star reviewFeb 06, 2010
User rating:
by Anonymous
Mar 02, 2014
Fine daily driver, reliable but parts need replacing over time and record keeping essential to good maintenance. Rust had held off gamely but now showing at windshield wiper base, bottom of side glass, and just below the plastic body side guards.
Typical Jetta weakness of front height ride and bouncy ride totally changed with HP bits. All polyurethane bushings, lowered progressive springs, Bilsteins HD shocks, front and rear sway bars, body brace, 205-50 15" wheels and Toyo Proxes 4 tires. Slotted discs, Hawk pads, K&N, Carat manifold and Corrado exhaust, FlowMaster, TT tuning chip, VW Motorsports steering wheel, Pioneer stereo, Alarm systemMar 02, 2014
by Anonymous
Nov 06, 2011
Yes, I enjoyed the car. I needed a large car which I just bought. So I am keeping my other 11 year old car and getting rid of this one, which is an easy choice since my wife can't drive a stick. It is still a fun car to drive when you aren't stuck in traffic. Zips along pretty well. Nov 06, 2011
by Anonymous
Feb 06, 2010
The quality of the Volkswagen jetta is outstanding. As far as performance goes the are pretty good for a four cylinder car. The cost of having a second generation jetta is alot better than a newer model. I give the mk2 jetta a 5 Star reviewFeb 06, 2010
by Bram D
Sep 11, 2009
Hele mooie auto als je er voor bent. zero comfort als je hem zou vergelijken met een wagen van 2009, maar voor zijn tijd zeker niet slecht. Geen servo = extra rijgevoel :-P.
Veel leuke tijden mee beleeft. 3 dagen na de Jetta perd-total te rijden, naar spanje gegaan (1280km) in 17h en voor 60€ aan diesel (1 tank, 40L / 1280km dus)
En waar nu nog geen belletje gaat rinkelen, dat is een goede prestatie vind ikzelfSep 11, 2009
by Linden D
Jul 31, 2009
SHES BEUATIFUL SHES GORGEOUS SHES FAST SHE WAS 800$$$ has 380 000 and still runs soooooo well and fast and strong!! cheap on gas. RED ;) sexy car. SOO FUN TO DRIVE> 5 speed ;) fast. better than stupiud new cars. werd. Jul 31, 2009
by Christian M
May 13, 2009
This car was all about handling. It was tightly suspended and cornered like nothing else in its class (at the time). A practical family car that still put a smile on your face.
Acceleration was brisk, but not truly quick, and you had to flog it to get quick. But get on a twisty secondary road, where cornering mattered more than speed, and it was a blast.
The biggest drawback was the reliability, as the car always seemed delicate. From small niggly things to major mechanical failures, keeping it running was costly. Note that mine was the GLI Wolfsburg edition, so parts were different in many cases from the regular Jetta parts, which just added to the costs. May 13, 2009
by Andrew G
Aug 02, 2008
i loved this car with all my heart. It gave me the best of both worlds. It looked good and performed just as well. i ended up selling the care cause of having no license. I may have been workin on the car a lot but that just gave me the incentive to love the car even more.Aug 02, 2008
by Ricco A
Jul 06, 2008
best car ive had by farJul 06, 2008
by Laurent B
Jun 11, 2008
Teh rust!!!Jun 11, 2008
by Vince F
Apr 03, 2008
1.8turbo 225 block, Big 12inch brakes, intercooler, cold air intakeApr 03, 2008
by Anonymous
Apr 02, 2008
the car was from up north where they salt the roads so the corrosion is horrible. but a friend gave me his 95 golf which body is prime but the nlock is cracked. it would be bad ass to drop the racaro seats in the golf, tooApr 02, 2008
by Brandon M
Mar 28, 2008
it was moms old car then she got a differnt one so when she when to town one day we all decided it was gona become a field carMar 28, 2008
by Jon K
Mar 05, 2008
Head gasket was gone on this vdub when I bought if for $400 and 550,000kms on it. Replaced gasket and it ran very well not using a drop of oil between changes. Sold it for $1000 10 months later.Mar 05, 2008
by Brendan G
Feb 15, 2008
Coming soon, coming soon, coming soonFeb 15, 2008
by Joe S
Jan 30, 2008
Best first car - got me into the vw seen,Jan 30, 2008
by Michael D
Jan 14, 2008
decent, reliable car.
not too great on looks.Jan 14, 2008
by George T
Jan 10, 2008
the car consist of 28 different carsJan 10, 2008
by Vincent P
Jan 02, 2008
Nice winter beater with heated seats, power windows, jacked suspension. Jan 02, 2008
by Aquiles P
Jan 01, 2008
This was my second car. I bought it new right off the show room floor. It was white with a black pinstrip down the side. It was a GLI so it came with the Recaro seats, a little spoiler on the rear deck, and 120 hp. I kept it for seven years, till I traded it in on my 1996 Audi. It was always very reliable and a fun, fast drive. It was pretty roomy and the cloth/velour seats kept their shape till I traded it in. My only complaint was that it did have a nagging starting problem which I later found out was due to an incompetent mechanic at the dealer's (didn't connect the 4th cylinder spark plug wire). I let it go with 114,000 miles, but it had plenty of life left. I kept it stock but the body style did lend itself to after market modifications. I always enjoyed it and probably would have kept it longer had I not seen the A4 at the showroom. Jan 01, 2008
by Michael D
Dec 25, 2007
it was an 1.6td with 70bhp. Not much, but in those years it was pretty much for an 1600cc diesel engine.
One of the best cars in the 80' ies
It keeps going and going.....Dec 25, 2007
by John H
Dec 09, 2007
It was the first time i drove a carDec 09, 2007
by Ian M
Nov 13, 2007
had a short shift kit and an intake...had to spend to much to get them and
the ext. paneling was coming off.Nov 13, 2007
What users have asked
electrical problem
just bought the car. Previous owner had problems keeping battery charged. Alternator seems to charge slowly. Also, left turn signals flash faster than right sides, all bulbs seem ok. Read sereral reviews where electrical issues were common. Any suggestions what to watch for?
2178 views
where are the timing marks, for 89 vw jetta 1.8 gas fuel engine?
i have the firing order together,but need the timing marks specs. to get my jetta running
680 views
My car feels wobbly
My car jerks side to sid when I go around right turns. The rear end moves back and forth not a whole lot but enough for the passanger to notice could this be a bad wheel bearing or what? my other theory is that I need new tires pleas help 6 points are available
676 views
My car feels like it's wobbling
When I go around right turns my car feels like its jerking side to side. At first I thought this could be the struts but it doesn't really bounce at all just wobbles kinda like a flat but not the case and not as jerky. what might this be?
736 views
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1989 Volkswagen Jetta Pricing
Original MSRP
$10,010 to $15,460Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent