I just (today) bought a 1995 Jetta III GL...

- I paid $2300
- Auto transmission
- 128,320 miles
- Car seems incredibly clean, and I was happy with the price. Then...I signed in and decided to check the forum. So far I've not seen a lot of good posts (??). I need to know:

1. Why does there seem to be a consistent issue with owners posting about starting/idling/power (torque/hp) problems?

2. Is there genuinely a dependability problem?

3. I'm going to be checking itno the timing belt probably in the next few weeks, but as owners, what other maintenance would you recommend I perform before I make this my daily winter driver?

well i just bought a jetta 96 about a month ago and ive read all 15-16 pages of stuff in here about problems ppl is having so i"ve decided not to keep my jetta...

My speedometer is done messing up..

2.0 dont have near enough power for me...

Im cutting 16-19 Mpg mainly hwy for some reason..Im guessing it needs bad tune up or something..108k miles on it..

Im not really having any problems im just not as satisfied with it as i tought i would be..I like the room i have alot of space for stuff but i"ve seen to many issues with jettas not starting,and quite a few other things...So i dont wanna get stuck with problems like that...

Hope you enjoy it tough there pretty nice cars just not my cup of tea...

Later

I have a 91 Jetta and I love it. I was more impressed in how well it was designed than it's operation. It's a definate workhorse and I expect my will make it well into it's classic years before I give up on it. It seems as though the newer the model to lower the reliablity. The ones built in Germany seem to be best. I can't vouch for anything newer than 92 based on personal experience. The Jetta ratings have dropped over the years, but the passat is still doing well. At least VW can still design a good car if they want to. As far as how the 96's are rated by others:
1. Reliability is below average.
2. The transmission and suspension will most likely be problematic.
3. Watch for corrosion! Check the exhaust for rust as well as under the fenders.
4. Everything else is supposedly good.
5. Providing the transmission holds together, the things that are most likely to cause you problems are things that you can probably fix yourself.
I think most of the fuel problems that you read about are for the 88-92 model years when VW was trying to figure out how to do fuel injection. They seemed to have gotten it right now. I would love to be able to buy a newer turbo diesel. They are about the most fuel efficient vehicles on the road.

As far as maintenence is concerned, when I buy a used car I like to ensure that I can depend on it so I go a bit overboard:

1. Change the break fluid and coolant.
2. Check the dribble hole on the water pump for leaks.
3. Check the break pads. They will most likely be ok.
4. Replace all belts and hoses.
5. Check timing and compression. The timing part probably isn't necessary, it's just an automatic suggestion.
6. Buy a set of firestones and get a lifetime allignment. Rotate, balance and allign every 5000 miles.
7. Test the battery and charging system. You don't want to find out the hard way in January.
8. Replace Spark plugs and wires, I'm not sure if that year has electronic ignition or a distributer. If the latter, change the cap.
9. Valves shouldn't be a problem, but take a look under the cover just to make sure there's nothing weird. Replace the gasket, it's probably leaking by now anyway.
10. Check for leaks from the engine seals.
11. If it's really clean, they probably cleaned it up for a reason; repeat item 10 after a month or two.

I have a 96 and I couldnt be happier. It has 116,000 on it and the only problem I have ever had is coolant which comes with age on any car. My car runs perfectly now and have had no trouble with starting or anything like that.