“DOHC” was king in the late 1980s and 1990s, and Volkswagen offered several different flavors of dual-cam goodness. You had practicality and sport in the Scirocco model and GTi, with the Golf carrying the torch into the 1990s after the sports coupe’s production ended. Volkswagen also carried the 16V into the Jetta, but offered some slightly different features and styling to help to separate it from the Golf. Where the Golf was slightly more hard-edged and felt like a racer, the Jetta felt slightly more refined. While 1987-1989 models externally weren’t very different in the front from the GTi, after 1990 single rectangular headlights continued and GLis now came standard with the BBS RA 15×6 wheels in silver. Those wheels had previously been outfitted on the Helios Edition. They also got the Recaro Trophy seats and bigger, aerodynamic bumpers that the GTi now carried. Standard was central locking, twin outlet exhaust, 10.1″ front brakes and a cassette radio with 6 speakers, while options included ABS, power windows, sunroof and metallic paint. Just like their GTi counterparts, these expensive Jettas weren’t sold in great numbers and finding all-original examples can be difficult, especially one with lower miles like today’s end of the run 1992:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1992 Volkswagen GLi 16V on San Francisco Craigslist
Year: 1992
Model: Jetta GLi 16V
Engine: 2.0 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 78,000 mi
Price: $5,500
hi I’m selling My 92 vw Jetta GLI 5 speed.
Manual WHit only 78k original miles
very Rare collectible Car great Conditions.
Nice Recaro Seats Like New Conditions.
power windows. p. locks, p. mirrors, Ac.
all stock. New tires. BBs, Rims ,
clean title second Owner,
2016 tags, Smog check is done.please take a note this is Rare collectible
car hard. to find. whit this miles, and.
Conditions.
call at 408-six79-9594
Capri Green was the Jetta alternate to Montana Green – not quite as showy, mind you, but remember that the Jetta was theoretically more refined. The Jettas carried distinctly less red accents than their GTi counterparts. No sunroof is listed but otherwise this looks like a well-equipped example, and appears to be all original outside of the missing grill badge. Pricing on these Jettas tends to be a bit more subdued then the fan-favorite GTis, though performance is a near match between them. It’s interesting that there’s such a dichotomy between the ownership, yet a gulf (pardon the pun) certainly exists. Truth told, while this is an impressive example, I’d prefer the 90 quattro 20V from the other day for my refined luxury, even if it’s slower – but I fall pretty distinctly into camp GTi. However, for a devote Mk.2 fan who prefers (or doesn’t mind) the Jetta this car sure looks like a good deal.
-Carter
I think the badge is there; some tasteless vandal apparently came along and sprayed it with a $3 can of blaque bbq paint. Surely the owner wouldn’t have.
The mention of the grille badge is the big “GLI 16V” badge that goes on the grille, not the VW emblem. FYI, the black VW emblem is correct and stock on those GLIs.
@Brad @TM, correct, my missing badge reference was to the original GLi/16V badge these carried on the right side of the grill.
@Brad, LOL, all the GTi/GLi Mk2s came stock with blacked out VW badges in front, 1985-1992.
Just went to see/drive the car (it’s 20 minutes from my home and I had a light work day)–I took a few detailed pictures in case anyone who is seriously interested wants to see them.
Mechanically the car feels good and pulls strong–the shifter (albeit vague and in need of refreshening to tighten up) is smooth and there weren’t any grinds that I could tell. there is a hole in the muffler that will need to be repaired…you can see it looking underneath the driver’s side of the car.
This car does have some cosmetic issues: various rust spots on the doors/roof (some broken, some under the paint), a few large creases/dings in the doors, a loose headliner (very common), one of the window switches works intermittently, and a small trim piece or two missing.
The Recaro interior/seats are in nice shape and have held up quite well.
Overall, I would say it’s a solid driver that you can fix while enjoying, but it needs more cosmetic help than what I’m looking for. That said, the owner said he is open to a reasonable offer…and that his phone is ringing off the hook. He is a nice/personable guy that also owns a few other VWs.
@TMH great feedback, thank you for sharing!
No prob!