Faults:

The tie rod ends were bad when I bought it, and had to be replaced.

The headliner had to be held up with thumbtacks.

The plug wires had a tendency to come loose at odd times.

The exhaust system from the manifold back rotted away right before I sold it.

Otherwise, it never gave me any trouble at all.

General Comments:

I can see why it was named the Rabbit; it literally leapt off the line. It won more than its share of streetlight-to-streetlight drag races, though the element of surprise may have contributed somewhat to that.

It got spectacular gas mileage; consistently in the low 30s.

It was as surefooted as a little truck in the snow.

It carried a surprising amount of cargo for such a small vehicle. Even carrying passengers in the backseat was a reasonable proposition.

The shift and steering could have been a little tighter, but on the other hand, it wasn't really meant to be a sports car.

It took all the beating that a college junior in a band could inflict on it, and kept running tirelessly on.

It had it all: quick, reliable, fun to drive, plenty of cargo space, and cheap as all get out. Very nearly the perfect car.

Faults:

Every part has worn out at some point or other in the life of this vehicle.

-Timing belts must be changed religiously at 100,000 km.

-The front bearings go every 200,00-250,00 km

-I rebuilt the engine after 550,000 km

(I now have a spare which has already been rebuilt for the next time)

-Still working on the original transmission

-Clutch went at 380,000 km and 900,000 km

-usual wear items: batteries, brakes, exhaust, struts, etc

-I have always bought lifetime parts, so most replacements come free.

General Comments:

-This is the most durable and reliable car I have ever owned.

-I am well over 6 foot, and this is one of the only compacts I can drive.

-It has very few options, but has very nice seats and a very good driving position.

-It is slow, having 50 horsepower, but still gets 55 mpg.

-Older Volkswagen diesels must be plugged in below -10 degrees or they will not start.

-parts are inexpensive, especially tires, brakes, and aftermarket stuff.

-the car is the easiest to service I have ever owned.

Faults:

Rear brakes replaces.

Muffler fell off.

Steering rack (couldn't turn right).

Overheating (due to accident).

No heat (due to poor do-it-ourself repair).

Clutch slipping, then totally shot.

Tune-up (car stalled when foot not on the gas).

Loss of electrical power (car would stall, battery would die caused from a bare battery post shorting on the fan shroud). Fixed with duct tape.

Rear shocks, ball joint, and CV boot.

General Comments:

Surprisingly, it has been reliable and I have only had to fix general repairs that you expect from an old car.

No idea how many km, odometer quit before I bought, typical VW quirk.

Very little rust, unlike most VWs, car looks great when washed.

Lots of power, beats lots of Civics off the line.

Instrumentation is modern. I drive a 2001 Suzuki Swift at work and I have more cargo room, more comfy seats, and better controls in my bunny.

Burns oil, wipers don't work for a few minutes in winter, and it has strange things happen, but it has been a great first car.

I am lucky to have a great mechanic. He is German and he only fixes German cars. He gets his parts from somewhere cheap. Canadian Tires quoted me $60.00 for a part, he got it for $16.00. You can do a fair bit of do-it-yourself repairs. All in all it is a fun car! Look around, but get find a good mechanic!

Faults:

I had to get the brakes fixed, and new struts, but that was just because the car is 18 years old!!

General Comments:

Volkswagens kick ass!!