A fully loaded 2020 VW Jetta GLI or this 1989 Jetta Trophy will cost you $32,250

A new Volkswagen Jetta is priced at $32,250. This will give you the GLI Autobahn edition, which includes the seven-speed DSG gearbox and adjustable suspension. This is not a new Jetta. This is the price that someone paid for a 1989 model, which was 30 years old. In fact, it doesn’t appear to have been a GLI. We’ll get to that later.

Let’s start with the basics. First, let’s look at the A2 Jetta. How did it become so expensive? The Bring A Trailer auction ended today. Yes, this Midnight Blue example sold for $32,250. This car is not just any older Jetta, but it’s a true time capsule, with only 21,495 km (13,356 mi) on the odometer. The car is basically brand new inside and out, with its Recaro seats, factory BBS wheels and the 1.8-liter 16 valve engine underneath. Even the shift knob of the 5-speed manual looks brand new.

There’s more to this car that its near-new condition. Although it is listed as a GLI Trophy car, in reality it is a Jetta Trophy. It shouldn’t be regarded as inferior, however. The Trophy was a limited edition trim made exclusively for Canada. Only 500 were produced. The Trophy was a showpiece with its unique Midnight Blue finish and wheels. The 16V engine, which produced 123 horsepower (92kilowatts), was also included. Today, such power is reserved for plebian economy cars. But in 1989, that was a good figure for a small front-wheel-drive sports sedan. It’s not “just a Jetta”, but it’s one that’s extremely rare. Buyers responded.

The final bidding was quite dramatic, according to scrolling through the comments. BaT users serialcollector and fought it out before the final bid was placed at $25,750. This escalated the bidding war. Later, moby242 claimed that he was on a dial up internet connection and inquired about the auction’s progress. The $32,250 winning bid was dropped just a few minutes later. We believe moby242 was aware of the auction’s progress and didn’t intend to stop it.

Although we don’t closely follow the Jetta market, we do not doubt that it is close to a record sale. Motor1.com readers, what do you think? This selling price is it insane or just a fair amount for an exceptional piece of VW performance history?