Before taking a brief detour to document my recently-departed Dad’s stable of vehicles, I shared my experience with a 1976 Mercury Cougar that, to this day, is my one ex-car I would like to still own. I also noted that it was the allure of something truly new that moved me on from the 20+ year-old Cougar. That’s where the Jetta came into my life.
In 2025, it would be very cool, or at least fashionably ironic, for a 20-something to be daily driving a massive, yellow/green 1970s Barcalounger. In 1999, not so much. Anyway, I had just met the woman I would marry, I was working full-time in operations management at a healthcare laundry while also moonlighting at a Lonestar Steakhouse, and was preparing to start pursuing a part-time MBA.
While my new girlfriend actually thought my car was kind of awesome, she was in a class of one. The final straw for me was when I was deep into the interview process for a desirable sales job, and was going to meet my presumptive boss for coffee and what should have been a confirmatory interview. I’m relatively confident that it was the sight of me pulling up in the Cougar that torpedoed that opportunity. So while I didn’t necessarily NEED a newer car, I was at an age and stage when I was ready to not be driving an anachronism.
Jettas and GTIs were at the top of the IT car list for young people in the ‘90s, fueled in part by the Fahrvergnügen ad campaign that crossed over into popular culture (derivations of which can still be seen at Dead and Co. and Phish shows to this day). A high-school friend had owned a ’90 Jetta GLI 16V, and I was smitten with it. Later, two college friends each bought 3rd gens – one a ‘96 Jetta and the other a ‘97 GTI – and I was equally enthralled. They seemed the perfect ‘starter’ car for an aspiring yuppie. They were differentiated from their Japanese counterparts in that they carried an air of German sophistication, while still being spirited and youthful in a way that said you were up-and-coming, but still south of 30.
I particularly loved the Teutonic squareness of the 2nd and 3rd generation models, with their unashamedly right angles, tall greenhouses, and undersized wheels. When the 4th gen model rolled out to significant fanfare in 1999, it was a bit shocking with its sleek, arched roofline and flared fenders. While it did maintain its characteristic VW “chunkiness”, it was enough of a genetic deviation from prior generations that it was a bit off-putting, so much so that when I started shopping for my first new car in late summer of 1999, I had decided to cast a wider net.
I had been carrying a desire for the little BMW 318ti – the near-kammback 3 series coupe that flopped in the US market. While these have become desired cult cars today, they then held the dreaded reputation of being the ‘cheap’ BMW. They left the US market after the 1998 model year, but there were still a few leftovers available in ’99. I had planned to look at one, but bailed out, reasoning that I may be drawn by the snob appeal of the roundel and look beyond its inherent value statement. In retrospect, and considering how ratted out most of these seemed to be after they were a few years old, I think that was a good decision (though I’d take a good one now in a heartbeat).
My next choice, and the only other vehicle I ended up test driving, was much more rational. I deeply liked the Mazda B-series 4x4s of that era, which were badge-engineered versions of the new 3rd– gen Ford Rangers. The Mazda was more attractive to my eyes, with its subtly-flaired bedsides and handsome grille. The extended cab, 4×4 pickup would have been a perfect lifestyle vehicle for me at the time, as I enjoyed the outdoors and, like most 20-somethings, life was a series of frequent moves and bargain furniture shopping. I drove a B3000 and found it pokey, but the B4000 with the five-speed manual was an appealing package. The only downside was the gaudy “Troy Lee Designs” script and flame graphic that were standard on the high-spec model, but I figured a blow dryer and some patience would make short work of them.
I did take a brief peek at a heavily discounted Mazda Millennia that was on the showroom floor. It was a beautiful car and a wicked bargain, but it seemed like an old-man’s car at the time, more Buick than BMW. After chatting some preliminary numbers with the sales rep and telling him I was going to sleep on it, I was rather certain I was coming back the next day to buy the truck.
Fate had it that the local Mazda dealer was also a VW outlet (Young VW Mazda Dodge in Easton, PA). While walking back to the Cougar, I spotted a pretty blue Jetta that I assumed was the top-tier GLX as it was sporting that model’s 16 in alloys, and went back to my sales rep to inquire about it. I turned out it was a 2000 model year GLS, which was the next trim down from the GLX. When optioned with the VR6, as this was, you could get most of the functional niceties of the GLX, such as the larger and more distinctive wheels, auto climate control, Monsoon stereo system with trunk mounted CD changer, heated leather seats, and power moonroof. And, to my delight, it was a five-speed.
A short test drive swayed me back into the VW camp. The Mazda was a beautiful truck, but the VW seemed special. The fit, finish, and materials of the Jetta, with its soft-touch plastics and lush leather, made it look and feel like a car well above its price class. To boot, the salesman had taken as liking (or sympathy) to me, and worked a deal on both the sale price of the VW and the Cougar trade-in that didn’t seem possible. I ran into him a short time later, and he said, without any indication that he was being dramatic, that he almost lost his job over that one.
I brought the Jetta home and surprised my parents. When I took my Dad out for a spin, he was deeply impressed with the car and couldn’t believe it was a VW. He was particularly taken by the materials and general build quality. Mom later told me that Dad was happy for me but disappointed I didn’t include him in the process – it would have meant a lot to him to join me for those test drives and give me counsel through the process.
The 4th gen Jetta was a highly-regarded car in its early years of production. Even Consumer Reports, which has never been a VW fanboy, initially recommended it. Compared to its contemporaries, it was a standout package. The VR6 engine received consistent accolades for its smooth, flexible power delivery, competitive mileage, and spiritedness. Handling was significantly improved over earlier generations, but it was more competent than exceptional. VWs like to understeer, and the heavy VR6 made it even more resistant to inertia. It was generally less tossable than my old 280ZX, but it did have an exceptional ride quality, even over less-than-supple PA roads. My biggest dynamic complaint was that the combination of a somewhat vague clutch and touchy drive-by-wire throttle engagement made rowing the VW less satisfying than I had hoped. I had always prided myself on smooth shifting, such that passengers would forget I was driving a manual, but I could never dial in the catch point on that clutch. On the rare occasion that I wanted to get a hero launch from a stoplight, I would find myself either dropping the clutch a tick too fast and bogging, or riding it a hair too long and losing launch velocity.
The Jetta was my first new car, and I owned it for almost exactly two years. In that time, I put about 35,000 miles on it, thanks to commuting to multiple jobs, school, and frequent road trips. It was the car in which my future-wife and I took our first vacation together – a loop from Pennsylvania up the coast to Maine, and then on into Quebec City, over to Montreal, and back down to PA via Upstate New York. It was a magical trip, with the only hiccup being that we were detained for two hours and separately questioned at the Maine-to-Canada crossing. We were not given an explanation as to why, but I’m sure the large Grateful Dead “Stealie” sticker in my window was a contributing factor. We recreated that trip – sans the detention – in 2024 to commemorate our 20th wedding anniversary and 25 years together.
Beyond that trip, I have few core memories of the Jetta other than three negative incidents. First, I was driving through central PA on Interstate 78 at night when I saw a flash out of my left eye, and then felt something slam into the side of the car, pushing me toward the shoulder. I pulled over to find a long trench of bare metal across my lower right-rear door, starting shallow then growing deeper until culminating in a 2-in diameter hole in the leading edge of the rear quarter. A truck passing in the opposite direction had kicked up a heavy object, launching it over the concrete divider and into the side of my car. Had it hit the windshield or sidelight, I may have been in real trouble.
Shortly after those repairs were completed, I took it to Sears to replace the dreadful OEM Eagle LS tires that barely made 25,000 miles. When I came to pick it up, the first thing I noticed was the massive rash on the wheels I had so carefully protected from curbs. Whomever mounted the tires had stripped the powder-coating down to the aluminum in jagged chunks around the entire perimeter of all four wheels. The Sears auto manager was non-too pleased, and he sent it to a wheel restorer who refinished them to their original glory.
Finally, I let my roommate drive it for a week while I was out of town. When I returned, there was a subtle but noticeable dent on the top of the trunklid, and he had left a bushel of live clams in the trunk, which he said were meant to be a gift for me. They had been there for several days. In August.
The Jetta did provide an important automotive life lesson. It taught me that new cars rapidly become used cars. In my brief and careful ownership, several of the soft-touch coatings that made the interior contact surfaces seem so luscious had worn or peeled completely off, exposing hard, shiny plastic. The dark, Atlantic Blue paint was impossible to keep clean, and the clearcoat became hopelessly swirled after just a few washes (and later began delaminating off the front fascia). Finally, the transmission began to grind and had to be replaced under warranty, which I wouldn’t have expected from a manual.
By that time, I had started working for a firm in New Jersey and found myself making a 140-mile round trip several times a week, competing with heavy truck traffice. It was then that I realized that everyone who wasn’t driving a Kenworth was piloting a tall pickup or SUV, and for the first time in my life, I felt small and vulnerable. The mounting issues with the VW, while largely aesthetic, had taken the bloom off the rose, and I began to consider my next vehicle.
In retrospect, I should have bought the Mazda. I likely would have had that truck for many years, and by all accounts it would have served me incredibly well and would have been a decent commuter for that NJ job.
My other regret is that I didn’t bring my dad on the test drives.
I still daily a MkIV Golf TDI 5-sp. Love old school VW’s, and keep watching the BaT auctions for VR6 Corrados.
Old school? What does that make my daily driven ’71 air cooled VeeDub then?!
Old.
Old school watercooled was implied. I have a ’61 aircooled Beetle too that I have held onto for over 3 decades and need to restore someday before I’m too old!
Mr Halpin: “Aspiring yuppie” gave me a chuckle, as many in those days bought a Jetta as a 3-series wannabe. It was a roomy, good handling car and especially in the case of your VR6 would always push the driver to GO!
I got a kick out of your reference to Young VW/Mazda/Dodge, as my wife and I went to school in the Lehigh Valley and lived there for a dozen years after graduating. You brought back some memories, thanks!
Which school? My wife and I both went to Lehigh, with a lot of other aspiring yuppies.
Well, Brian… not everyone can get into Lafayette!
Congratulations on winning this year’s game. I’m still basking in the afterglow of #150 in Yankee Stadium. Little to brag about since!
My younger brother and my best friend both went to Lehigh, so the give and take never ends here.
Best regards… Jeff
I’ve spent a lot of time in and around these Jettas and VWs in general of this era. The last of them has left as daily drivers of my extended friends and family circle by now. I think these are fundamentally good cars, but stuff like the soft touch plastic really didn’t age well, and they can be a bear to work on. The cooling system on these VR models though, whatever plastic VW used for the flanges and things should stay out of an engine bay. Anyone who has replaced a VR crack pipe knows this well
I came close to buying a Corrado during this VW era. Such a sweet ride it was. Your Jetta experience sounds typical and I probably was better off not buying that Corrado.
You certainly were. My father bought a ’92 Corrado, and it was a great car to drive for a while, but wow, that car had a lot of issues. He kept it for two years, which seemed to be a common theme for VW buyers during this era.
The VR6 Jettas always seemed rare. Many more GTI’s in my experience got the VR6. I have driven a few GTI’s with them and wish I had bought one at some point (I did have a MK3 golf with the 2.0 for a while). My sister in law bought a new Jetta in 2001 but she went for a manual turbo. Thats was a fun car to drive, and was more reliable then you would guess (she drove it until around 2015) but in the end the body and interior were not doing so hot and alot of the electrical was acting up.
I have always had mixed feeling on VW manuals, some feel pretty good but most feel like they have longer throws then need to be and a little vague. Mind you I have driven many worse but I found 80’s and 90’s Hondas and Nissans to be the best feeling of the FWD manuals.
No question. My friend had an ‘87 Prelude and another a ‘92 Altima, and both were a joy to row. Short, precise, slightly notchy.
Would all VR6 Jettas be GLIs with the Recaros? I have never owned (and wouldn’t) a 2-pedal VW. Agree that the throw on the two Mk1 Cabrios (both ’85s) I have owned were too long, but you get used to it and can shift quickly. I really like the shifting on my MkIV Golf TDI. It’s stock, but my previous one had a Dieselgeek short shift kit on it which is a great improvement.
The Jetta Mk4’s “sleek, arched roofline” is because it’s the first Jetta that didn’t have to share Golf rear doors. “Soft Touch” was VW’s name for the grippy stuff applied to several hard plastics around the door pull and armrest to make it look and feel nicer, and yeah it did wear off after a few years. I recall in a VW forum reading about the changes for the 2007 models including “delete soft touch”, which worried several people there into thinking the insides would now feel like cheap hard-plastic Ford or Honda interiors. But no, the armrests, window sills, and dashboard were as squishy as before; it’s just they no longer used the rubbery grippy stuff on the harder pieces that quickly wore off. Anyway it’s a shame you can’t get a VR6 in a Jetta or Golf anymore, or even the sweet 2.5L five my ’07 Rabbit had.
I always liked the 318ti too, but yeah, the “where’s the rest of your BMW?” stigma is real…
I liked the 318ti for being a BMW Gremlin.
I preferred the simpler (cheaper to produce) dashboard of the ti, which differed significantly from the rest of the E36 line. Still kicking myself that I didn’t nab a used one several years ago listed for well under $2k with a “won’t start” condition but otherwise apparently good condition. Worst case, it’d’ve been a good candidate for an I-6 swap.
Ah, that “soft touch” rubbery paint! It felt and looked so nice … until it didn’t. But hey, the magazines always complained about hard plastics, and VW responded in a way that least worked well for the press fleet and in the new car showroom. Our own 2001 New Beetle lost most of the interior plastic finish after about 10 years, but at 25 the optional leather seats look quite nice and the plain white paint is holding up pretty well. Our 2015 Golf (Mk 7) looks like its trim and finish will last MUCH longer. As for clutch and shifting, I thought the 2001 was much better than the Corolla that co-existed with it for the first few years, and our kids thought it was easier to learn on than the Forester that we had when they were starting to drive.
This was another great read. I have several random thoughts, in no particular order.
– I would have thought the Cougar was cool, but to see the expression on the interviewer’s face when you rolled up, just out of curiosity;
– “New cars quickly become used cars.” I wonder what the depreciation was on your two years of ownership. My apologies if you already mentioned it, but I don’t recall having read it;
– I liked the mini-Passat styling of these when they first came out. I did also really like the 3rd generation cars, which seemed a cut above the other import competition in perceived class and sophistication;
– I can only imagine what that detention at the border has felt like, especially given that you and your girlfriend / wife had been separated for that process. How cool that you were able to recreate that trip, thought;
– The Fahrvegnügen (sp?) ad campaign was highly effective. I remember it well;
– It might have been cool to have your dad along for the vetting process, but I like that you had taken your own initiative by yourself. A first new-car purchase is very much a coming-of-age thing.
Great stuff.
Thanks again Joseph. As far as the trade in on the Jetta – it was better than you’d expect. They were highly desired used cars at the time, and the dealer wanted it on his lot.
Our son bought a 2000 Jetter VR-6 with manual transmission. He kept if for a number of years. I remember driving with him on U.S.40 at 90 MPH and more. The vehicle was stable and smooth. Typical of these smaller VW’s, leg room is well provided.
You’re so right about Jettas being at the top of the IT car list for young people in the ‘90s – the calling card of a successful “first decent job” purchase.
The job interview story is amusing… in retrospect. At the time it must’ve been so maddening. I don’t ever recall an interviewer seeing my car, though for one interview, I had car troubles and shared what happened with my interviewers, and I recall them being very nice about it (and I was offered the job).
Being detained at the border crossing sounds terrifying. I’ve only traveled out of the US twice (both to Canada), and the whole border crossing thing really caused me some anxiety. I was glad to come back home and not have to deal with it again.
Another excellent chapter, Brian.
I have to admit to being kind of puzzled about the disdain that the Cougar apparently brought. I mean, I’m not even a Mercury fan, but seriously, that car hardly seemed worthy of your missing out on a job interview and the VW salesguy nearly losing his job over. I hope the Cougar is by some miracle still motoring on somewhere giving the middle finger to all of those people who dumped on it in the past.
I do recall when those Jettas were around everywhere. I knew several folks who had them. Good, basic, VW transport. For the most part, they seemed reliable until they weren’t. The interiors were sort of hard and harsh. The driving position was very upright in that VW way.
Stupendous sound from that VR6, I always thought, but the only Golf of that gen that I drove handled like jelly on no plate – floppy, and quickly all over the place.
Good lord, the deterioration you describe is woeful. Failing paint? An entire manual gearbox? Pretty interior bits (so highly praised when new) becoming sticky date puddings, all of this in just two years? I wonder for the hundredth time, why can not Great Europe ever build a car that lasts? Depressing, especially as so many of their products are so damn nice to pilot.
BMW compacts are now cult cars, you say? I had no idea. I’m old enough to still think them ‘orrible little Manx mutts, but, as I said, I’m old.
What the hell is “funkengrüven” ?
Actually, it’s ‘ze Fukengrüven’, in the best US-English tradition.
I still have an original old Fukengruven t-shirt from back in the day. I wear it sometimes to VW meets and cars & coffees. Has the bubblehead dudeon the back getting his F’ing groove on!
I still have an original old Fukengruven T-shirt. Sometimes I wear it to VW meets and cars & coffees. It has the bubblehead dude on the back getting his “farging” groove on.
I do remember seeing Farfrompukin shirts too, with bubblehead on the ground, clearly in bad shape after partying too hard.
That was my favorite.