1998 Volkswagen Golf Consumer Reviews
Most Helpful Reviews
Positive Review
I bought my Golf GL in March 1998 and still have it as of October 2013. I thought I would buy a Japanese car but test drove the Golf as part of thorough research and was instantly converted. It is very peppy and maneuverable and fun to drive (I have a manual transmission--don't know about the automatic version). It has been very reliable, the clutch has had to be replaced but after 208,000 miles I expect to wear that out. Other than that it did develop an oil leak last year. I have heard VW cars have electrical problems and this one did have the Service Engine light come on twice for no reason when it was fairly new but I took it into the dealership and they figured out nothing was wrong and got it to turn off. I love the handling and it has headroom for my six-foot tall husband and plenty of room for two kids in the backseat. My only wish is that it got better gas mileage (I am able to get about 30 mpg which is not bad, but not as good as some other small cars). I would highly recommend this car and have been very happy with it.
VS
Critical Review
I bought the 1997 VW Golf GI 4-door hatchback used from first owner in 2011. Within 4 months, it began a regular pattern of breaking down. Clutch and fly wheel were biggest repairs. It has never gone more than 6 months without a major repair. Parts are getting expensive, but the unique arrangement of the transmission.motor means mechanics often have to lift transmission out to fix. Parts -- $200. Labor -- $400. I don't recommend buying this car unless you have a good mechanic thoroughly check it out. However, it's probably well known that as VW's age, parts & repair will be more than the average car. Buyer beware.
1998 Golf Reviews
Showing 8 of 131 reviews.
Engine overall, strong body, Polo 5 speed gear box
no wheels
Very powerful engine, body is strong type with a few and the interior is moderate.
Solid, nice looking inside and out, it’s fast too!
That I hadn’t bought one sooner, seriously.
My Golf K2 is awesome! It’s black inside and out, air conditioned, heated seats, dual airbags, and it’s roomy as heck! I swear, it handles like it’s on rail! It has a premium sound system, (someone put Alpine speakers in every speaker hole in the car!) I’m buying another, for my buddy’s kid, she’ll love it like I love mine!
Great value, durable little car
No cup holders, No glove box
Bought the car as a 2nd car for Work transit. Lots of Short trips during week, ran a little longer on weekends to keep battery charged and get engine up to full temp. Had lots of room for a little car. good features and design for its age. Easy to work on and get parts for. Seals started leaking at Transmission and engine, Gas tank straps rusted and broke. Break lines were borderline in need of replacement due to rust. Replaced the ignition switch, Flushed and filled all fluids. Oil Changes were done once a year with Synthetic oil due to low milage (Mobile1 then switched to Royal Purple HPS) Engine ran great even though the Mechanic said the compression not as good at the end of its life. Replaced the Passenger side Door lock cylinder due to it being broken when I bought it. Most repairs with parts were cheap and effective. Had to Seal the Sunroof with Silicone caulk as it would pop up okay, but not slide. The Sunroof cable broke while I tried to slide the sunroof not long before the end. For all of the little problems, This was a Very durable little car and a Great Value for the age and purpose I had it for. It lasted 22.5 years through harsh salted road winters and warm summers,
Very good car mechanically.
Very bad and pre mature body rot.
This car was and is still running great for a car with high mileage. This car rusted out in places I've never had cars rust. The back hatch, floor, radiator mount, rear brake assemblies, etc. rotted out in under 10 years. Absolutely the worst sheet metal and overall metal I've ever seen on a car. The car will have to be junked, because it's body has rusted away. All 4 jacking points on the body are rotted out. The rear brake systems have rusted like I've never seen. The fact that the car was built in Mexico and probably built out of poor sheet metal is why it rotted. I've been a VW owner for many years. After this car, I'm passing on another Mexican built VW.
Great value & Fun to drive
None
Bought the car second hand. There is rust because of the last owner were careless and failed to appreciate the beauty of this car. I think the head gasket is leaking...OH WELL. This car is in pretty good cosmetic shape inside and I have repaired things as needed like the peeling seat backs or the trunk latch that sticks sometimes. No major leaks, Easy to work on and do basic maintenance. Gas mileage sucks because of the short trips I make. I run high octane fuel and use Royal Purple motor oil to offset the age and wear this vehicle has endured. The interior overall gets a 8 for being user friendly and well designed, the Exterior must have spent time in Philly with salt trucks. The Glass is good the Plastic parts are in great shape. Light rust in most places, But overall she starts up, runs and does a great service as a Beater, Paint has seen better days. Cheap to repair and maintain. Worth the money I spent in every aspect. Easy to get parts for. Great second car.
this car is fun and has alot of great room in it. i fit my drums a guitar and an amplifier in the back of mine, but the transmissions in these things are garbage. went wonky at 130. and by 160,000 miles it blew up. over all the engine is strong and its a cool first car. trans=junk. just get the gti vr6.
fast, safe,smooth,tight, handling,great stereo
paint is ionized after 12 years
Loved this car from the start. Always felt safe. Size was deceiving. Moved a ton of items. 2 queen size headboards one time. For many years had another vehicle and husband had a work truck. This just sat. After 2 years thought we'd better do something with it and it just started right up. Never broke down and it just won't die. We just had to keep it.Its been a 3rd vehicle untill now and it just keeps going. Best feature to me is that I love that style has not changed. It does not look like a 20 year old car. I have had no major problems with this car. From consumer reports etc I would not have bought another one from what I have read..until now. I went the other day to kill time and sat in the 2015. Wow. Will research further and just possible be another golf owner.
Ole Reliable, great AC and heater.
Pho cup holders
The ole VW has 250,000 miles on it and is still going strong. No rust, the seats and interior are good and it drives like new. True I have had to periodically replace parts but its a keeper. We never add oil, when its down a quart we change it with Mobil 1 high mileage and we get 7000 miles between changes. !!! Its still our road trip car and gets 33mpg highway.
