Faults:

Electronic temperature sensor was replaced shortly after I bought it at 145,000 miles.

A little water leaks into the interior when it rains a lot. Not bad.. but it smells a little musty sometimes.

The timing has needed adjustment a few times.

General Comments:

I only paid $800 for this car.

I have spent less than that total in repairs and maintenance.

It has been a most incredible value for me.

I cannot believe this car is 15 years old and has over 150K miles.

It has aged miraculously.

There are few other cars, including other VWs, of this vintage still on the road in such good condition.

It may never die.

Faults:

Fuel line leaked between the fuel pump, accumulator, and fuel filter. Some of the doors and windows have problems opening and closing. Front hood locked onto the frame because the battery put in it by the privious owner was too high and it caused the hood to go onto the body at a weird angle. The battery shorted on the hood because it was too high.

General Comments:

This is not a good car to own because this is no aftermarket for parts that one needs. It has little power and once something breaks down one is trapped because no one not even the scrap yards have the parts.

Faults:

Not Much. The usual belt driven accessories had to be replaced after very high mileage.

Alternator at 105,000 miles.

Water pump at 105,000 miles.

Timing belt tensioner at 135,000 miles.

The typical VW recall for leaking heater core on their late 1980's models.

General Comments:

This was our "good" car for 6 years. It lasted so long I bought a house and had two kids while using it for 14 years. A loaded stratos blue beauty with factory alloys, GTI steering wheel and 5 speed hand shaker.

The book rated the engine at only 81 hp, but you would never know it once the car was moving. Plenty of highway roll on power and it cruised at 80 mph all day. Air conditioner was colder than a No'east blizzard.

The Fox does have a fair amount of wind noise at high speed because of its boxy shape and rather large mirrors. Rides smooth with the 70 series tires that came standard with the 4 door GL model.

The interior would play you for a Buick - real nice upolstery on the '88 model. Very firm, supportive seats even after 14 years. Handled like a slot car. Power train was absolutely bulletproof. Never had the head off in 14 years of continuous use. No oil leaks or consumption. Sold it with original drive shafts and transmission. No rust holes after 14 New England winters.

The first foreign car in our family. It buried every Detroiter in the lot. Sometimes two consecutive Detroiters.

Happy ending - The salesman who sold me our new Passat bought it for $550.