Faults:

First warranty service repair, sun-roof at 30k miles.

Second warranty service replacement, water-pump at 45k miles.

First scheduled-maintenance 45k miles, (no cost).

Back-door replacement due to "minor" mishap, insurance deductible of $150 USD.

Third service under warranty, mass-flow meter at 55k miles.

Right back window electric controls malfunction at 58k miles, repair cost $100 USD.

Second scheduled-maintenance at 65k miles, cost $350 USD.

Water-pump and temperature sensor replacements at 68k, cost $450 USD.

Front pilot seat, leather starts cracking, central electrical controls to open/close doors malfunctions.

Front strut and complete brake replacements at 70k miles, cost $980 USD.

Second v-belt replacement at 75k miles, cost $125.

Oil pan and gasket replacement due to accident at 82k miles, cost $425 USD.

Alternator regulator repair, cooling leakage repair at 86k miles, cost $310 USD.

Front suspension ball-joint replacement at 90k miles, cost $450 USD.

Last v-belt replacement starts with annoying noise again, at 92k miles is due back to the shop!!

General Comments:

After 11 years, this car still handles great at high speeds up to 115 miles/hour.

The original complete exhaust system (ssteel) keeps engine noise at low levels.

Averaging 9k for each oil (synthetic) change + filter, consumption at 92k miles is about 1qtr/2000miles, great!!

ABS braking system has saved me a couple times from a possible fatal accident.

Rear leather seats aren't too comfortable, and leg spacing isn't enough.

This model can act as a sports car and as a family car as well.

Faults:

I bought a 2002 Jetta 1.8 turbo, new from the dealer.

After 2 months, started having problems with sensors. "Check Engine" light, temperature LED, used to go on and off.

Sensors were changed at least 4 times, but problems continued until 2007.

The car spent too many days at the dealer's shop while I owned it, and it was normal that spare parts were not available and had to be brought from the plant in Puebla (Mexico), a process that took at least 7 days each time.

I decided to sell it for what was worth it, almost nothing.

NEVER AGAIN A VW.

Switching to Honda now.

No wonder the Japanese companies are taking the lead in this country.

Faults:

Regular wear and tear, air conditioner hose went out when temperatures hit 100 degrees, hose got cracked, not a big problem, replaced it.

Brake pads are a little weak, but I'm blaming this issue on the previous owner.

I had to replace the struts when I first bought it, in fact the whole front suspension had to be replaced, including ball joints and strut bases. Again blaming it on the last owner.

The plastics inside the car are not that good, but can you expect, it's an economic car.

I had a lot of trouble finding the right mechanic for tuning up the engine, if you need to do maintenance job on this car, you need a good Volkswagen specialist.

General Comments:

I love the acceleration on this baby. At first I doubted the performance and such a small SOCH 1.8L engine, but those Germans engineers made it work.

Clutch works fine, it started to slip a couple of weeks ago, but it went away, now working fine.

Handles very well on corners, (with proper tire size 185 60r13) wide for better handling.

I really like the fact that the car is very stable in idle, the tachometer doesn't even move or stutter!!! Feels as if the engine was off, very quiet.

It has very good gas mileage. I would estimate at least 25mpg or more.

Made a recent trip about 160 miles away. Excellent acceleration when I needed to pass other cars.

Comfy seats. But seat belts aren't that great.