1995-2002 Volkswagen Cabrio: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
2002 Volkswagen Cabrio
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1995-2002 Volkswagen Cabrio ▼
- Price Range: $1,500 - $6,100
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1995-2002 Volkswagen Cabrio and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Antilock brakes
- Ride
- Steering/handling
- Fuel economy
Cons
- Cargo room
- Visibility
Vehicle Highlights
Volkswagen's Cabrio is based on the mid 1990s front-drive Golf hatchback and Jetta sedan. It replaced the old Rabbit-based Cabriolet. Dual airbags and antilock brakes were standard, and the soft top opened manually. The glass rear window incorporated a defogger. A fixed roll bar added structural rigidity and provided mounting points for height-adjustable manual front seatbelts. Sole engine was a 115-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. A 5-speed manual transmission was standard; electronic 4-speed automatic optional.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Volkswagen Cabrio auto Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 7 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 5 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 1 | |
| Value within Class | 3 | |
| Total Score: | 41 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1995-2002 Volkswagen Cabrio. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1995-2002 Volkswagen Cabrio.
Year to Year Changes
1996 Volkswagen Cabrio:
Daytime running lights became standard for 1996, and a new dashboard switch for the standard central locking system could lock or unlock both doors and the trunk.
1997 Volkswagen Cabrio:
For '97, two versions went on sale: a "value-leader" base model and a posh, lavishly equipped Highline.
1998 Volkswagen Cabrio:
Volkswagen replaces the Highline with the GLS model and adds a standard power convertible top. Also, optional on all models are seat-mounted front side airbags.
1999 Volkswagen Cabrio:
Cabrio got mildly revised front and rear fascias to go with redesigned dashboards, featuring new radio and climate controls. Instrumentation backlighting changed from white to blue.
2000 Volkswagen Cabrio:
Cabrios stuck with the platform of the 1994-98 Golf, which has been redesigned for '99. An in-dash CD player became optional, alarm systems were revised, and a dashboard light now illuminated when brakes needed servicing.
2001 Volkswagen Cabrio:
Cabrio added a plush GLX model for 2001. The new GLX included a power top, along with leather seats and alloy wheels.
2002 Volkswagen Cabrio:
For '02, heated front seats were standard on the GLS and GLX, the self-dimming rearview mirror gained an on/off switch, and silver Cabrios are available with a gray instead of a white top. VW's bumper-to-bumper warranty was now 4 years/50,000 mi. instead of 2/24,000, and the powertrain warranty was 5/60,000 instead of 10/100,000. No '03 models were produced as Cabrio was effectively replaced by the New Beetle Convertible.
Our road test for the 1995-2002 Volkswagen Cabrio includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1995-2002 Volkswagen Cabrio and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1995-2002 Volkswagen Cabrio is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
With either transmission, get-up-and-go is adequate from a stop, and passing power is decent on the highway. The engine produces a hearty growl under acceleration and cruises quietly. Gas mileage is a definite plus: Expect to average about 25 mpg. Road noise is moderate and top-up wind noise surprisingly low. The body feels more solid than most convertibles, and those Cabrios that we've driven when nearly new have been devoid of squeaks. A Cabrio is stable at highway speeds and its ride is firm, but absorbent enough to soak up most bumps. You enjoy sprightly handling and firm, precise steering, as well as good grip on wet roads. Front power-window switches are on armrests, while rear-window switches are mounted oddly at the dashboard center. Otherwise, the dashboard is conveniently laid out, with the climate controls and stereo mounted high enough to make them easy to see and operate. Space is ample for adults in front, and the rear seat holds two adequately. Front seats are firm and supportive, but not wide enough to be comfortable for stout people. A Cabrio's top folds flatter than the old Cabriolet's, so it interferes less with rear visibility. With the top raised, rear side glass and a large rear window provide generally good visibility for a convertible. No glovebox is included, and trunk capacity is meager--a mere 7.8 cubic feet.
Value for the Money
If a sharp-looking, crisp-handling, solidly built convertible is on your shopping list, Volkswagen might be the place to look. Prices aren't so cheap, however, and because sales never reached high levels, not too many are on the market.
If a sharp-looking, crisp-handling, solidly built convertible is on your shopping list, Volkswagen might be the place to look. Prices aren't so cheap, however, and because sales never reached high levels, not too many are on the market.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Volkswagen Cabrio auto Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 7 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 5 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 1 | |
| Value within Class | 3 | |
| Total Score: | 41 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Volkswagen Cabrio includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Volkswagen Cabrio .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Airbags:
Installing an aftermarket glovebox could cause serious injury in the case of a deployment. (1995-96)
Automatic transmission:
The transmission may shift late, may not upshift, or may downshift unnecessarily due to a bad transmission-fluid-temperature sensor. (1997)
Dashboard lights:
The low coolant level light may come on due to a bad coolant sensor or improper antifreeze mixture. (1995-96)
Doors:
The door locks tend to freeze in cold weather. New locks with drain holes are available. (1995-96)
Hard starting:
Intermittent no-start or stalling condition is often due to the #3 relay. No trouble codes are stored in computer. (1993-96)
Transmission noise:
The final drive ring-and-pinion gears get damaged from a chipped reverse gear in transmissions built before 01/04/97, when a strainer was added during production. (1995-97)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $520 |
| Alternator | $375 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $675 |
| Brakes | $270 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $370 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $1,430 |
| Exhaust System | $380 |
| Radiator | $380 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $760 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $110 |
Our price chart for this generation Volkswagen Cabrio details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 2002 | |||
| Cabrio | $5,200-7,200 | $4,400-6,100 | $2,100-2,900 |
| 2001 | |||
| Cabrio | $4,300-5,900 | $3,600-4,900 | $1,500-2,000 |
| 2000 | |||
| Cabrio | $3,800-5,000 | $3,100-4,100 | $1,200-1,600 |
| 1999 | |||
| Cabrio | $3,300-4,400 | $2,600-3,500 | $800-1,100 |
| 1998 | |||
| Cabrio | $2,900-3,600 | $2,200-2,700 | $700-800 |
| 1997 | |||
| Cabrio | $2,600-3,300 | $1,900-2,400 | $500-700 |
| 1996 | |||
| Cabrio | $2,300-3,000 | $1,700-2,200 | $400-600 |
| 1995 | |||
| Cabrio | $2,100-2,600 | $1,500-1,800 | $400-500 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Volkswagen Cabrio include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door convertible | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 97.2 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 160.4 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 66.7 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 56.0 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2701 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 7.8 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 14.5 | |
| Seating Capacity | 4 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.7 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.3 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 36.6 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 31.1 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
All Cabrios used the same engine: a 115-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, borrowed from the Golf/Jetta. Either a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic might be installed.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohc I4 | 2.0 / 121 | 115 | 122 | 5-speed manual: 23/30 4-speed automatic: 22/28 |
5-speed manual: 27.5 4-speed automatic: 25.1 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Germany, Mexico
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Volkswagen Cabrio include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
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