Jettas of almost any model year hold their value well, a strong indication of their continued popularity. Still from a reliability standpoint they weren't bulletproof, with four recalls in 1994, all of which are carryovers from 1993. These recalls affected 1995 and, in one case, 1996 cars as well, while no recalls are shown for 1997 through '98 Jettas. See the recall information section of this website for specific details.
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| An new grill was just one of the updates the Jetta recieved in 1996. (Photo: Volkswagen) |
What should you watch out for? Reports of tie rod wear are common, plus the rear wheel brake cylinders are prone to leaking. Speaking of leaking, transmission oil seeping into the engine oil due to a problem with a seal could also make an ugly mess.
What about price? As I mentioned previously Jetta's hold their resale value high. For instance, a 1994 CL without air-conditioning is worth about $3,000. That's $1,000 more than a base Saab 900 of the same year, which incidentally sold for much more than the VW when new. A low mileage Jetta GL with an automatic transmission and sunroof will cost around $7,200, while opting for a top-of-the-line Saab 900 will only add about $1,500 to the bill. What's more, expect to place close to $8,000 for a good 1994 turbodiesel Jetta.
It gets even more interesting in 1995 when the CL is dropped from the equation. Bottom dollar for a Jetta is about $4,500, while that premium brand Saab 900 can be had for less than half the price, at $2,200. Why the injustice to Saab? It comes right down to supply and demand. More people want pre-owned Jettas than used Saab 900s, and the VW's price reflects that.
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| Fun to drive with a pleasing design and an affordable price. (Photo: Volkswagen) |
But to Volkswagen fans it's worth the premium. While considered more expensive to maintain than Toyota and Honda compacts, a good pre-owned Jetta will often be sold before most even see the classified ad. It seems that sport oriented driving dynamics and higher than average perceived quality appeals strongly to a certain psychographic of the market. Truly, the Jetta offers a unique experience among compact sedans.