Faults:

Since new the car has pulled to the left. It has been to the dealer three times, but still pulls to the left. After the last visit the mechanic took me to one side and showed me a confidential memo highlighting this fault. Poor design means that the car will always pull to the left!!!

General Comments:

The car generally runs very well, and does about 50 mpg.

Faults:

Driver's seat had a snapping noise when you pushed back into the seat. I had the dealer replace it under warranty a month or so after I bought it. It turned out to be a bad seat frame.

Both rear window motors were also replaced under warranty, due to a pinch sensor failure. The rear windows, when raised, sometimes would go up, pause, then go back down. The dealer said this is a common problem with both the Jetta and Golf four-doors.

General Comments:

This car is awesome! I love it. Bought it brand new. All the options I wanted, and the dealership ordered it from another dealer, got it within 48 hours.

It gets great mileage. Latest trip was 1700 miles, and with the air conditioning running, 80 MPH on cruise control, I got about 47 MPG. That's comfortably over 600 miles between fill-ups when highway driving.

Performance is surprisingly good with the TDI. Yes, it's a diesel, but it's turbo-ed, so it drives like a normal car. Handling is a little soft, I hear the GTI isn't much firmer.

Inside, it's pretty comfortable. I've driven 13 hour trips with this non-stop, with no complaints. Cargo room is excellent with the seats folded down. I moved recently, and hauled over 600 pounds of stuff without a problem. (Still got 45-46 MPG with air blasting)

Can't praise this car enough! Would definitely recommend to anyone. My wife even has the 2001 Jetta GLS TDI with similar accolades.

Faults:

CD player was jumping - some packing missing from the gap between the stereo and storage container. Has been replaced with cardboard filler while packing comes from Germany.

General Comments:

So many WRX's around here in AUS. The GTi is a welcome and individual car and the only way to explain it is to hand a buddy the keys. It has not yet once failed to impress the driver.

The seats are Recaro (not hard, all sports seats are firm) and the dash lights are wild. I have owned many different cars and the GTi is by far the best balance of comfort and kick out there. The boffins at VW should get a pat on the back. Can't wait to see if they drop in a twin turbo like in the TT - it's the only reason I would upgrade right now. Bravo!