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1998 Volkswagen Jetta Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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For 1998, Volkswagen made some changes to its lineup of special-edition Jettas. The Jazz and Trek, available the previous year, were gone. New to the lineup was the Jetta K2, designed to appeal to winter sports enthusiasts. It came with either skis or a snowboard, special upholstery and gauges, and an upgraded stereo system, among other special features. In addition, the Wolfsburg Edition returned to the lineup.
The Jetta K2, as well as the Wolfsburg Edition, the base-model Jetta GL, the sporty Jetta GT, and the higher-end Jetta GLS, came with a 115-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that had been the workhorse of the Jetta fleet for a number of years. It was linked to a five-speed manual transmission, which was standard. A four-speed automatic was optional.
Also in the lineup was the Jetta GLX, which was equipped with a 172-hp, 2.8-liter V6 engine and came with a full range of standard features, including a power sunroof, air conditioning, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, antilock brakes, a Bose audio system, and a sport-tuned suspension.
Drivers had mixed opinions of the 1998 Jetta. Some offered high praise for the car, citing its roominess, reliability, handling, and performance as positive points. Others were less than enthusiastic about their cars, noting a lack of quality and the need for numerous repairs.
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
Write a reviewUser rating:
by David S
Dec 13, 2021
decent condition,if looking for a daily driver it would be a nice carDec 13, 2021
by Anonymous
Mar 26, 2015
Awesome gas mileage, long range. Not the quickest but not terrible. The turbo isn't the greatest when converting to waste veggie oil. Very tiny car, riders over 6 foot tall hate it. Seats are uncomfortable, never could get used to them.Mar 26, 2015
by Anonymous
Sep 20, 2014
every thing that this car has in it has almost hit what i paid for it. and its been a great car until its time to put parts into it. then the costs start to rise extremely quickly and i dont have the funds to keep putting into it.Sep 20, 2014
User rating:
by David S
Dec 13, 2021
decent condition,if looking for a daily driver it would be a nice carDec 13, 2021
by Anonymous
Mar 26, 2015
Awesome gas mileage, long range. Not the quickest but not terrible. The turbo isn't the greatest when converting to waste veggie oil. Very tiny car, riders over 6 foot tall hate it. Seats are uncomfortable, never could get used to them.Mar 26, 2015
by Anonymous
Sep 20, 2014
every thing that this car has in it has almost hit what i paid for it. and its been a great car until its time to put parts into it. then the costs start to rise extremely quickly and i dont have the funds to keep putting into it.Sep 20, 2014
by Rachel W
Oct 15, 2012
After buying it with around 70,000 miles I then had to get it fixed immediately ($600) because check engine light came on, really hard to pass emissions bc check engine light was hard to keep off, trans would pop out of reverse (stick shift) and would grind gears really bad, over the course of a few years all the power windows motors went out except for the sunroof, electricity was horrible! My car alarm would go off out of nowhere WHILE DRIVING, if you pressed one of the interior automatic door lock buttons; all locks would go down and when you opened the door: car alarm went off again! Windows kept falling off the track and falling into the doorframe........the list could go on and on! This was the coolest but WORST car I have ever had. Would never buy it again. Don't recommend this year at all. I've broken down in it MANY TIMES on busy roads. Don't buy it.Oct 15, 2012
by Matt W
Apr 13, 2012
Decent car, but nothing special. Can be fun to drive as it handles well overall. That being said there is very little pick-up from the 2.0L engine, either a VR6 or a turbo on this car would be a nice touch.
I am seriously considering turboing this car even though it is my winter beater.Apr 13, 2012
by Jacob S
Feb 17, 2012
Performance wasn't an issue, but also not a selling point. It wasn't necessarily slow, but you weren't going to impress anybody. The one I had came with fairly high miles, some rust, and a lot of issues that were kind of half-assed fixed so that they could sell the car. I bought it in the middle of the winter, snow and ice clinging to it, at night. Stupid, costly mistake. It's a really conservative looking car, but mk3 vws are cool by me. You can buy them pretty cheaply but spend more if you are going to get a lower-mile car or a car with less problems. Feb 17, 2012
by Ben H
Jun 13, 2011
Just got this car 2 weeks ago, used obviously. It handles great with 123k on it, there are some electrical issues, ac issues (haven't looked into it yet) theres a dent on side. The alignment is off.That being said, I knew all that before I bought the car and I still feel like it was a steal. The car handles amazing, the engine is fantastic, 172 hp amazing, sound system is fantatastic with Bose speakers. Has a very nice look to it. Very sporty, very spacious inside and trunk. Jun 13, 2011
by Luke R
Jan 23, 2011
Well, being a BMW man myself, I wondered if it was wrong for me to
purchase a VW, but after some long hard thought, I have come to a
conclusion...... ITS NOT! Now if I bought a Benz, it would be a different
story.
The car looks alright, I do love the half "smoked" tail lights that came
with it, and its not the ugliest thing out there at all. It was not built to
look like a super car, so its not to bad for what it is.
The Build Quality seems good for now, but i did buy this off a friend
who treated it like his 4th child, so I will see how the car lasts in the
future.
Its only pumping 115hp, but it was not built to be fast. It takes corners
pretty well for a family car, and with the 5speed, its still fun to drive. Jan 23, 2011
by Anonymous
Jan 11, 2011
This has been a good car for me except for the cruise control quit working within a year of purchasing the car from the dealership. I also have had problems with the electric windows (the regulators break) I never roll down the rear windows and both of them have broke and the window just fall down. I have also had intermittent problems with the ignition. Sometimes while driving at night the headlights go out and windshield wipers quit working due to the ignition, if I wiggle the key they come back on.Jan 11, 2011
by Amy B
Dec 04, 2010
I love my car! It's in the best condition I have seen. That's because I take really
good care of it and always have. It pays for itself that way. Have done alot of
upgrades to it. Enough to make it the VR6 and more.Dec 04, 2010
by Anonymous
Nov 26, 2010
Drives well. Brakes and corners well. Solid built like all volkswagens. Starting to lose a little with age, but still can pick up and move when it needs to. Total young people car! spoiler, etc. Also has cd changer in trunk.Nov 26, 2010
by Charles R
Nov 01, 2010
Very good, reliable small city car. very high fuel economy. Peppi performance up to 30 MPH, excellent handling and braking. not to good on trips over 100 mi., it would beat you up. Timing belts are expensive to replace. Maintenance cost are low, but finding the proper oil was some times hard, as are fuel filters if a dealer is not close, and not all dealers stock them. Needs to be driver over 50 mi. regularly to keep the turbo operating at peak efficiency.Nov 01, 2010
by Alexander M
Apr 22, 2010
VR6 is all i got to say, got to go low and slow but mean and fast when Civics mess
with you, looks good simple and clean done right with the right rims and exterior
work. My car is in very good condition for being 12 years old paint is in good
condition, if you just keep up with the car it will love you back. Apr 22, 2010
by Aaron R
Mar 26, 2010
i like everything about the car just needs my own touch to it to make itlook even better than it looks right now, needs a new steering wheel, new shift knob and boot, black rims, neon dash, momo racing seats, an amp, and a nice tune up from old pops.Mar 26, 2010
by Jesse B
Feb 21, 2010
this car kicks ass i love it to death. i mean c-mon it's a dub people!!!! and it has the rarest color v-dub ever made it's porcellain blue paint code LG5U. it's too loud for the wifey too but the kids and i love so oh-well.Feb 21, 2010
by Joe M
Nov 24, 2009
One of the best car I have ever owned , I sold it with 287000 kms on it. Talked to the owners friend and it now has over 400000 kms. The car only needed regular maintenance and the heater core was replaced at 275000 kms. Nov 24, 2009
by Nick S
Nov 13, 2009
I love this car, hands down. real nice smooth acceleration, shifts beautifully. Nice top end of 130mph. really easy to work on for the most part. some awkward bolt choices sometimes but plenty of room to work. haven't had too much maintenance problems although window motors are definitely a problem. other then your basics (oil change, brakes, belts, etc.) I haven't really had to fix anything other then the windows and thermostat housing and a fuse in my AC system. Hella fun to drive, definitely a very underestimated beast. nothing better then smoking some fool while getting 28 mpgs. not to mention it's just sexy, straight out.Nov 13, 2009
by Eric D
Nov 03, 2009
Overall a great car. Had a great get up and go with the turbocharged Diesel engine in it.
Interior build quality though, left a lot to be desired, being mostly plastic. I had a number of things just come off in daily use.Nov 03, 2009
by Jake R
Oct 01, 2009
My VW Jetta GLX was an amazing car!. The 2.8L VR6 is one of the best V6 engines today. Its 172hp engine is pretty quick off the line. The 5spd manual makes it even more fun to drive. Although it has a sporty suspension, it feels soft which in normal driving situations its fantastic. The only thing that is wrong with the car is that it doesnt get that good of gas mileage. 19 city/26 highway. But overall it is a fantastic car and one of the best looking cars on the road today.Oct 01, 2009
by Ross M
Sep 18, 2009
you pay a large price for parts and fuel bills. but really its all worth it once you put your foot down and you hear that v6 shout and see the horizon show up in a rapid motion,plus its nice having all the extras you get from having the executive modelSep 18, 2009
by Delano H
Sep 16, 2009
Performance- Okay. Not Too Fast And Not To Slow.
Build Quality- Needs Engine Repair And Body Repairs.
Apperance- Bad At The Moment. Paint Peeling Off. Bad Bumpers. Needs New Head Lights.
Fun Factor- It Was Fun When It Was Working.Sep 16, 2009
by Seldon L
Jun 30, 2009
The gas mileage is amazing. i live in an area where there are a
lot of 50-65 mph roads and drive in 5th most everywhere and
get around 35-40 mpg. If it had more power it would be nice,
but the handling is superb.Jun 30, 2009
by Claude N
Jun 23, 2009
acceleration stunna....top speed-hmmmmm
brakes walai one tym..de jetta is one o vw's greatest investments...wit de 98's body weight n style makes acceleration jus great n balances with handlin at wild speed limits jus perfect...sway from lane to lane n u gon feel de heaviness n accelerate n u gon feel it lightnessJun 23, 2009
by Roman R
Jun 17, 2009
Very reliable car and has great gas mileage. I've since replaced the sway bay bushings, the suspension, brake calipers, rotors, coolant hoses, timing belt, and the window regulator for the passenger door. For a car that is almost 11 years old it's very reliable and everything works perfectly since the day I bought it. Has a good amount of torque from a small 2.0L engine and acceleration is descent for a an engine this small. The handling is alright but I wouldn't recommend it as a track car because of it's poor suspension geometry. Overall it's a very fun car to drive and would recommend this car to anyone looking for a cheap German engineered sedan. Jun 17, 2009
by Tina D
Dec 23, 2008
Slow as heck!!! Buttttt I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE my car!!! And I will scare the CRAP out of you when I'm going around curves!!!! And sorry if I come in your neighborhood around midnight.... Cause I WILL wake you up.... hahaha sorry guys its just a tad bit LOUD!!! Dec 23, 2008
by Stephen F
Dec 19, 2008
I love this car it has power and good traction. It goes around a corner better then most cars. It's pretty cheap to maintain if nothing breaks. So if you are looking for a good car Volkswagen is the way to go.Dec 19, 2008
by Amelia W
Dec 03, 2008
Bought the car right out of college with 108K on it. I loved the manual transmission, gas mileage, handling, and virtually everything about the car. The trouble came with all the repairs it required:
clutch, radiator, muffler, defrost button (weird, I know), 2 window regulators, stereo (stupid lock code!), windshield wiper blade motor, and the idler pulley.
The timing belt was starting to go when I got rid of it. So much fun to drive, but not worth the headache of repairs.Dec 03, 2008
by Ali B
Nov 25, 2008
Bought with 112k miles on it (now has 120k) and clearly has many more to go. Mint, clean, well taken care for, no rust, and no real problems that couldn't be an easy fix. If you take care of one of these Jettas, they'll take care of you for a looong time. I fill my take for under 20$ and get 33+ mpg. Has a little 2.0 L engine, but plenty of room to add on. Clutch needs replaced, but heck; it's the original.
By far one of the funnest cars I've ever driven and I'm proud to own one. (:
Nov 25, 2008
by Lalo G
Nov 23, 2008
My mom owns one of these, aside from the fact that the previous owners never realy cared for its maintenance, I believe it's a good car, it still has pretty good acceleration. The only bad thing, just like all older VWs, the materials used for the inside, ugly. It is fun to drive, this one my mom has, has wider tires than the average Jetta I believe, but I don't know if it's that, but the handling is not that good. When it comes to gas, it's definately a saver, 4 cyl.Nov 23, 2008
by Sébastien K
Sep 05, 2008
The '98 Jetta GT is a sturdy car good acceleration (it revs high), brakes might take some time to get used to as it's not as sensitive as the jap makes, great handling (it's a heavy car, so it won't get pushed around if there's a lot of wind while driving), comfort is better than the japanese makes. Downside is the maintenance and parts when it breaks down which are pretty expensive. I suggest this car to anyone who has knowledge in fixing cars or else it could cost you an arm and a leg. But apart for the repairs it's a great car, I personnally love it I've done lots of trips with it and the trunk is amazingly huge, I just wish it wouldn't be so costly on the repairs...Sep 05, 2008
by Jose D
Aug 22, 2008
The best car ive ever seen
mine was moded so it was a beast ive taken the control of several cars like AUDI TT, S3 SPORT, Porsche Caiman, Mercedez Benz 230 kompressor, BMW 318, 325, and some more beatiful machines, but that JETTA...
-Accel wasnt good, but over 3th gear it was a mad beast, handling=balance, breaking good enough to stay alive
-no repairs needed
-i was in love
-it does not consume gas it fluhes
-pretty funny.... beautiful sound by the wayAug 22, 2008
by Kent S
Aug 04, 2008
If you want a good VW, this is it. The Wolfsburg models are usually a little cheaper than the VR6 models, but come with all the best upgrades--better stereo, cloth racing seats, spolier, moonroof.
Powertrain-2.0L 4-cyl suited with a 5spd. Runs strong with plenty of highend torque.
Body-4-dr Red with Black cloth interior. I love driving with the sunroof open.
Costs- Great on gas (avg.30-35mpg) Mostly cheap to repair. Easy to work on.Aug 04, 2008
by Dan M
Jul 10, 2008
Overall this is an amazing car. I've only had it a few months but i'm in love with it already. Lots of power, compact yet spacious, great handling, and amazing build quality.Jul 10, 2008
by Shawn K
Jun 17, 2008
It's a mini go-kart and it goes like stink. :)
What isn't great is the various problems it's starting to have. I have 130k+ miles on it, so things are starting to fail. Just didn't expect the bits that hold the windows in place to fail, allowing the windows to slowly sink into the doors.Jun 17, 2008
by Ron G
Jun 16, 2008
Very good commuting car, gets above average mileage. Easy to change the oil.Jun 16, 2008
by Joe S
Apr 01, 2008
the vr6 provided plenty of power, and it handled like a dream. it had every power option except heated seats. it was black with black leather seats, a very sharp looking car. the only problem was when it blew a head gasket (the old vr6 enginges are known for that). it was a real pain to fix because of the lack of room. later i found out that it's only a hand full of bolts to take the whole front end off.(oh well)Apr 01, 2008
by Javier I
Mar 07, 2008
Besides the fact that you never forget your first car (or was about girlfried?)... anyway, this is the best Jetta ever made, great performance, has owned for 135,000 Km and has never had a single failure and compared with the A4 versions, this one has a great space in the cabin and an awesome trunk space.Mar 07, 2008
by Nora G
Feb 26, 2008
I purchased this car from a Buy Here Pay Here and it seemingly ran fine. Everything in it worked properly and the motor ran like a dream. However everything electronic in it seemed to zap out. Once out it was way too complicated to fix & parts/labor was ridiculous. Although it was fast and I could rely on it motor wise...the offtrack window falling down in 20 degree weather was miserable. Feb 26, 2008
by Blake K
Feb 01, 2008
the one i have dosent have reverse, and the driver window dosent roll up but a very dependable car, when i bought it, it had a whole bunch of MSD Ignition stuff all over the engine compartment, not letting it run right so i took it all off and overhauled the engine and now it runs like a champFeb 01, 2008
by tom j
Sep 19, 2007
The 1998 Jetta, built in Mexico, handles exceptionally well for the cost. New, it was priced under $20,000 with a fairly loaded package. The car has retained its residual value, and is still worth anywhere from $4-$7K depending on condition.
The car has a good track record mechanically, and the manual transmission is fun to drive. The sound system is also solid.
Good gas mileage -- 30+ miles on the highway.Sep 19, 2007
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Top Comparisons
Have you driven a 1998 Volkswagen Jetta?Compare this car
1998 Volkswagen Jetta Pricing
Original MSRP
$15,095 to $21,455Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front side airbags
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Roof
Moonroof: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheels: alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front side airbags
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Roof
Moonroof: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front side airbags
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Roof
Moonroof: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheels: alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front side airbags
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Roof
Moonroof: power · Roof rack color: black
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front side airbags
Audio System
CD changer: 6 · AM/FM radio · Remote CD changer location: in cargo area
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Roof
Moonroof: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front side airbags
Audio System
Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Roof
Moonroof: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front side airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Roof
Moonroof: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Upholstery: leather
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent