1999 Volkswagen Cabrio Consumer Reviews

I have owned various Rabbit/Cabrios since 1978 and have loved every one! The one and only thing I would improve is to have an automatic top. The only reason I'm trading it in is because I'm in a wheelchair since 1977 and can no longer get my chair in and out with worn out shoulders. Will miss it so much. Miss the easy parking, great gas milage, comfy leather interior sporty feel etc.

I had one of these for about 4 years as a daily driver. It is probably about as fuel efficient as you can get for a convertible. It has adequate power to get around, and is very easy to park. On a cold winter day the convertible top doesn't seem to hold much heat, so I'd recommend having a winter car if you live in a cold climate, or invest in a good pair of driving gloves if it's going to be below about 10 degrees F. However aside from the heat, I've been pleasantly surprised how well it's handled in snow. Any maintenance problems I've had have been routine expected problems with a nearly 20 year old car (ignition coil, new convertible top, tune ups, brakes, etc...) These are well designed solid cars that should be worth more than they are selling for!

I absolutely love this car. my only issue with it is the the seat doesnt go far enough forward so i have to stretch to reach the clutch in all the way but thats mostly because im short.

This is a fantastic car that you can defiantly count on. I bought mine with 200,000 miles on it not thinking it would last much longer, but it lasted me 7,000 miles so far and still going strong. It runs and drives perfectly for its miles as long as you keep up on the maintenance. Parts are easy to get for the car and not very expensive like some cars. It is a car I would definitely recommend for those who love VW's and want a reliable car that looks great.

Car was worth the money.

I love this car, is funny, nice, cheap, and fast!

Ok folks you read don't buy a VW because of reliability issues. Well I' am here to tell you if you learn the cars quirks they are a very reliable cars. Why number one the iron cylinder block on the 2.0 engine can't be beat. Quirk number one and two you must change the water pump & timing belt at the same time, figure that in your budget. If you drive normal the timing belt will need changed around 80k to 100k. Or go with VW recommendation which is sooner, but you must change it, as if it fails your engines pistons will hit the valves, and the resulting engine damage is not cheap. Quirk number three if you get the automatic transmission please change the transmission fluid at least every 50k miles, if not sooner in hot areas. The fluid runs very hot and breaks down. The VW car's automatic transmission needs the auto transmission fluid change done, or you will either be buying a transmission, or at minimum about four flushes and the transmission valve body to make the transmission run again when it starts acting up. This is also a been there done that on the automatic transmission, the 95 VW we own. I recommend changing the automatic transmission fluid and filter every fifty thousand miles. Use only the VW transmission fluid. Quirk number four change the oil filter to oil cooler gasket at the same time you do the timing belt. This oil cooler to filter housing gasket is cheap like four bucks, but if you let it fail your oil is out of the engine in say one minute and all over the ground, been there done that, trust me buy the cheap gasket. Quirks five as the VW's age past ten years approaching fifteen years you will need some of the plastic water system fittings that attach to the cooling hoses. Tell tale signs white water stain marks by the cooling hoses to plastic fitting areas. Change the fitting that has the white water stain marks by it if your water level goes down and it is not the radiator of water pump leaking. The cooling system hose go a long way so you can leave them alone a lot of the time unless you see they are drying out and cracked then replace them. VW has the most cars on the road with over two hundred thousand miles is what I have heard. I believe it. I have a 1995, 1998, and 1999 1/2 VW. These cars all have a lot of miles on them, and they drive like the day they left the dealers lot. Also only put in the VW radiator fluid only do not mix no matter what they the auto parts store says. Quirks six flush the brake fluid also regularly. Learn to get your VW up in the air on some of the plastic ramps you can buy at the auto parts stores. Get under there and do your own oil changes, and brake jobs. Of course read all the safety requirements of getting under your car. Quirk seven the rear brakes if disc must have non rusted parking brake cables. If rusted or end boots torn or loose replace parking brake cables, and make sure the rear disc brakes release after releasing parking brake. Get a floor jack jack up the rear of the car use some safety stands under the car try spinning the rear wheels after applying the parking brake then releasing. If stuck do a rear brake job including a caliper change. Check around there are life time calipers at the auto parts stores. You will have a reliable car if you do some of the preventative maintenance and learn the car mechanically. Well this is only my take on the VW cars so follow the manufactures maintenance recommendations at a minimum, and keep an eye out for my experience with the VW cars.

Great for a drive in the mountains in early evening in summer. You can smell all of the great mountain air.