Faults:

Normal wear and tear, nothing catastrophic.

A lot of annoying things happened at 280,000 kms, dash lights, fan motor switch, fuel line corrosion, etc.

Gas tank rusted out at 200,000 kms. This is common to pre-1985 VWs because of steel tanks. This is a big job because the rear suspension has to be removed to get at the tank.

General Comments:

Fun to drive and hugely reliable.

Parts are typically more expensive, but genuine VW parts tend to last longer.

You don't "drive" it, you "wear" this car like clothes.

Could use a few more ponies...

Faults:

The horn stopped operating.

The passenger window came loose from the crank, but was fixed very easily.

General Comments:

This car has good performance considering it has 76 horsepower. Takes on Civics.

Extremely reliable car.

Only spent money on fuel injector cleaner and gas in the last year.

Tune up still to come.

Faults:

A/C pump went out, the cost of a rebuilt pump was $350 for a re-manufactured part, which I installed, and $50 to have the system recharged.

I also replaced the thermo-time switch at a cost of $30.

The idle air bypass valve at a cost of $75.

The catalytic converter for $250.

Cat back exhaust system (I paid less for a performance version) $275.

General Comments:

For a $3000 investment I have found this car to be a formidable performer. Keep in mind that this car was free and I made sure that the motor was in good shape, however with a little research and a little work a novice mechanic can have a wonderfully fun car to drive.

This car is well balanced as far as handling and will throw absolutely no surprises. The engines on these cars "IF PROPERLY CARED FOR" are bullet proof. If you doubt this my car has even compression on all four cylinders and is well within specs, also my oil pressure sits at 15 psi at idle, and 60 psi at 3500 RPM, this indicates the oil pump and bearing condition.