Faults:

Starter at 329k km.

Alternator at 355k km.

Oil pan gasket at 360k km.

Front struts, wheel bearings at 370k km.

Rear wheel bearings at 380k km.

Front brakes at 420k km.

Little things along the way, and many electrical problems, not found in my german built VW's.

General Comments:

Good car.

All that went wrong were maintenance items, less the electrical problems; my german 85 Jetta had no electrical problems.

Car had a run of 40,000KM without issue, of any sort.

Proper glow plug operation a must, and synthetic 0/30 oil will start car to -30, on one try, always.. if not you have engine or glow plug problem. Don't have to plug it in, with proper oil/glow plugs, ever.

Use 15/40 oil in summer!!!

Faults:

Interior trim started popping off the week it was purchased.

Bumpers shoddy, missing bits.

Had to rebuild the transmission in 1996 due to slippage in the differential.

Seat covers have ripped.

Heater broke.

Dash light wonky.

Doors leaks water, fixed repeatedly.

General Comments:

Despite my problems with this car, I like it - primarily because it's a diesel. Just did a mileage check this weekend and got 44 miles per gallon in the city.

Burns no oil. Starts every time. Has never stalled, not once, in 10 years. Never gives that gasoline motor hesitation in wet weather. I love the noise - sounds like a British Black Cab.

There's plenty of reason to be annoyed about the shoddy trim from the Mexican plant - Volkswagen shut it down I believe, and reopened it after improving workmanship.

Fun to drive, and that's saying something for an engine with 52 horses.

Faults:

Engine rebuild - 1994 - fan problem causes engine to overheat, manifold gasket to fail, oil leaks into coolant preventing coolant guage to show a problem before it's too late.

1999 - lost manifold gasket again, oil in coolant, must be flushed many times.

Many repairs, may just be a lemon.

Replace glow plugs often, causes battery damage in colder climates.

Tooth broke off third gear and lodged in reverse gear causing major repair.

According to consumer reports this car has already exceeded normal repair costs.

General Comments:

Great for city driving, gutless, don't take it on the highway or you'll get run over by a transport truck, loaded with passengers you can actually feel the extra weight, it greatly affects already poor performance.

Engine noise unbearable.

After a few years it hates the cold weather and refuses to start (common with diesel engines), new battery every few years, block heater necessary but doesn't help when you are at work and can't plug it in, carry cables.

Fuel economy pays for car in the long run.

Dealership is arrogant and expensive.

Warranty at the time was not long enough to protect against major repairs after only 3 years.

Standard 5 speed, caution if you plan to keep a car for a long period of time, a standard can be very tiring

Air conditioning is not a luxury, it greatly reduces traffic noise especially on the highway (I don't have it).