Faults:

The check engine light went on right after I signed for the car.

The air pump had water in it (a lot of water).

CV boot had several holes and tears.

Front axles almost broke apart.

Brakes have funny noises.

Rear door doesn't close properly (driving on the freeway, you can feel the wind blowing into the car).

Driver side chair doesn't rise.

The skid plate won't stay in place.

Oil pan is fragile.

Dealer just won't do a good job.

General Comments:

First, the car runs well.

The ride is amazingly comfort, and the seats will hug you.

The 1.8 turbo is a very good engine.

I like the way it slowly rises at around 1-2K rpm, then rushes forward at around 3-4k rpm, sometimes it gets annoying.

Bad:

The cornering of this car isn't good enough for me. You will get a feeling that you will hit something while you are turning, but I guess that's because this is not a small car.

The prices are expensive to maintain (1200 timing belt + water pump from the dealer), and the reliability of a Volkswagen is unexpectedly very poor, or maybe just this car.

For example, the skid plate ($2xx for the plastic OEM one) decided to fall off and went for a better life when I was on the freeway doing around 60-70. It was quite some fun.

And recently I discovered that my back door doesn't close properly. It will leave a small crack that allows the fresh air to blow in.

The check engine light is more like an in-dash dashboard light. It shines the dashboard with its special yellow.

Oh, and the dealer is horrible. I went there for a replacement of the oil pan (a friend of mine crashed my car into a parking lot block); then after I got my car back, there were several screws untied.

Anyway, this is a good little car if you have the patience and the money to pay for it. But when you are able to afford the Passat, you are sort of rich, then why would you want a Passat anyway...

Second hand car, which a good deal for the young kid in a rich family...

Faults:

The gauge that tells you what your miles per gallon are is messed up. Says random different numbers.

General Comments:

Wonderful car. Very comfortable nice ride.

Faults:

CV boots twice. Second time, changed the whole axle at a local guy.

Engine mounts - Replaced 2 times. Second time I did it myself.

Brakes - caliper broke.

Secondary air pump died - ~$1200.

I listed only the things that are abnormal.

General Comments:

VW, they don't have a quality testing department. If you know how to fix it by yourself, this car is for you. I started doing it and saved a ton of money, and it is easier than you think. Changed engine mounts, fuel filter, belts etc.

Faults:

6/13/2005: Replaced vacuum lines, ECT sensor, 35555.00, $157.95.

2/24/2006: 40 K service and changed CV boots, oil change, 37749.00, $800.54 ($25 boots need $720 labor).

9/19/2006: Replaced secondary air pump, vacuum pump and host at combi valve, replaced wiper inserts, 40985.00, $1153.78.

9/24/2007: Replaced both front engine mounts, 54100.00, $484.43.

3/13/2008: Brake work, $709.13.

4/9/2009: Brake flush + CV boots (both side axle), 73150.00, $450.00.

As you can see from above, how bad is German Engineering. Much worse than American cars. CV boots are designed to fail so that dealer can make money.

General Comments:

Never buy this German junk.