1997 Volkswagen Jetta Reviews, Pricing & Specs

German performance on a great budget!

This car overall is a pretty good car. For only having 115hp it is quite peppy. But that is because it has higher gear ratios in the transmission compared to most other VW's. The motor is running as strong as i could ask it to. Although the motors are really strong in these cars, the transmissions are not that good. Although it shifts smoothly, i feel that the transmission could have been built beefier. The lack of sway-bars on the car is also a problem to me. My car does have a cat-back exhaust from Magnaflow. And if anyone has a MkIII jetta or golf i would recommend getting it because it sounds amazing and it definately makes the car drive more spirited. A list of parts to go on the car: cold-air intake, high-flow cat, header, tuned ECU, KONI Special D struts, Eibach Sportline lowering springs, aftermarket wheels, short-throw shifter, bigger throttle body, and possibly a new, bigger camshaft with adjustable timing sprocket.

solid built car. currently has original transmission, clutch and engine at 190,000 miles. all that needs replaced is transmission. engine still runs beautifully. easy and cheap to maintain if you can do some of the work on your own. mechanics will get you for all you're worth just because it's german, so do your research. made me a vw customer for life.

very quick car, amZing on the corners, and a must for the mountains. plenty of room for passengers and a smooth ride for all. gas mileage was definitely a plus. sporty and easy to accessorize. parts readily available and affordable.

Amazing handling, fun to drive, fuel efficient, BUT THE GREMLINS are endless! US version was made in Mexico, not Wolfsburg, so the electrical demons never give up. Issues are obnoxious to chase down, but make you feel like a man if you win. IF.

This car was probably hands down THE BEST CAR I'VE EVER OWNED. It never gave me any problems...ran like a dream and had all the space i needed when i had to carry stuff.

I loved this car, drove great, very comfortable, I think it looks great too. Not a leader on the power side though. I put euro headlights and a badgless grill and it looks even better. I miss it.

We loved our Jetta GT. It was the last hurra for this body style and had some nice features which gave it just a bit more class. The rear spoiler, standard on the GT looks just right on the car as do the GT only wheels. The GT seats were supportive and comfortable on the longest trips. The car had the great handling VW's are noted for and the power was better than adequate. It had very good mileage, but I couldn't tell you what it was off hand. It was built very well, but the cup holders were rather flimsy, reflective I think of the German's attitude about them. (they don't like them-you are supposed to be driving the car, not eating, drinking, and yacking) Recommended.

My car may be falling apart, but it's fast and handles great, I love my two ton paperweight. Plus, it's a standard, so people who don't suck at life can drive her. Compared to my folks '06 VW Passat, it's a rattletrap, but that's perfect for me, I can feel the speed.

All and all i really love this car. The power that it has is grat and it really handles like a champ. I really dont like the whole wheel bearing thing but hey i can deal with that other than that 5 stars

with the right amount of work this car is great! it has great acceleration, they last forever, this car is fun to drive, the 5spd rocks V-DUBS 4 LIFE!!!

Performance is adequate for around town driving and highway travel, But not entirely impressive, Although has a substantial amount of torque at low revs making for extreme user friendliness during around town driving. Extremely easy car for first timers to learn to drive stick in.

Although my current vehicle is a 2004 MINI Cooper S, the VW Jetta is probably one of the best vehicles I've ever owned. The 2.8L VR6 model is fast as all get out, luxurious, and I've had some of my best moments in that car.

This was my first car my mom bought it for me for my 18th birthday for 6,000 dollars. I had very minimal problems with this car I had to replace the distributor cap and eventually the transmission gave out on the car. But other then that an all around great car.

Handling was great. I miss my stick shift. You were one with the road in that car. It was black (hot in the summer) and had a great stereo system. The car rocked. Handled well in its first, only, and last wreck - kept me safe for sure.

the car is alright if it is well maintained. problems with the tranny are inevidable with this vehicle but anything else is up to the owner

Two of the power windows and died. VW used a air system to power all of the locks and to regulate the cruse control. With that, my cruse control hardly ever works. However this Jetta does get great gas mileage!

used to love it on open roads. funnest car i have ever driven. AWESOME gas mileage. safe and reliable. i learned how to drive a stick in it though, ended up grinding up the clutch. my baad. and then i totalled it..... i will never want any other kind of car. i am in love.

It wasn't a bad first car, aside from the automatic tranny, four spoke baby carriage wheels and the Mexican build quality

I love my car because it's red and a VW. It has an high lift cam and reinforced valve springs. The gas mileage isnt bad , mostly because i dont drive it very far between fills. The interior is in great shape, power windows and doors and A/C.

you would love the handling on the car buttt its not as fast as the 1.8t

For the price that you pay, it was worth the money. It could have had a lot more pick up, but what do you expect for the price? It was actually pretty fun to drive for a base model, entry level car. It was an overall cheap care to own.

this is a fast, corner hugging beast of a car... with some mods it could be incredible. but like all VW when they expirience issues they become a bit of a nightmare to work on. but nonethe less i enjoy bombing around town in it.

Its a little car with a v6, plus I have a 5 speed. It's fun to rip around curvy roads. It is very easy to drive, the shifting is smooth and easy, if your on gravel it has a little oversteer to slide around with, very fun car. I haven't had any major problems with it yet, and I drive the crap out of it. Pretty good gas mileage if you drive it easy.

Its a nice car, has a BIG boot, the new motor definately makes it good, it now makes 82kw stock which isnt bad. not the ideal motor to mod, but options are porting and flowing head, webbers, new cam, exhaust.

This german-engineered, mexican made sport saloon (sedan) has made quit the impact on my life. While being my first (in what will be a long list of) volkswagen(s), it possesses a lasting energy that was bewildered me for some time. It was the first car that I alone owned and had to maintain. It was the first car to truly speak to me in ways no chevy s-10 or cadillac could even imagine. Together this volkswagen and i have travelled safely around minnesota over 80,000 miles and although we've had some hard times, I still love it so. It's taken money from me, it's taken my time. kicks, many oil changes, tires, a few sets of wheels, 3 sets of seats, a couple bumpers and fenders, headlights and grills. I've given it new parts, new valves, new bearings and brakes. Axles, steering wheels when i couldn't make up my mind. It's left me stranded a few times but always lead to the birth of new friendships or the strengthening of old ones through the fixes. It has given me a hobby, a gateway to friendships that will hopefully last a very long time. This volkswagen's given me deeply scraped knuckles, pinched fingers, burned forearms, headaches, sore toes from kicking it so hard, a wet ass from sitting in a seat soaked with rainwater that found it's way in due to the sunroof. It took me to school, work, friend's houses, family events, weddings, funerals, dates, long drives for absolutely no reason other than to go for a drive. thanks for the time jetta. Maybe i should name you. maybe not.

first car. good handling, takes turns like a champ at decent speeds on tiny roads :D. comfortable, room for every passenger space, lots of space whether it was passengers or hauling all my stuff to Kentucky from Maryland.. sound, the acoustics were pretty decent, especially with two 12's in the huge ass trunk.. look, gotta love the old body styles easy to work on!

I like it from looks to performance to milage. I'll take another PLEASE !!!

My first V6, my first leather, my first sports car. Loved it for many years but it had its quirks.

love it............drives nice, handles well, safety features a plus, and it's good on gas......what more can i say. It's an awesome car.

My hubby bought me this car when my diesel Rabbit crapped out on me. I loved this car!! It now lives with my brother