2000 Volkswagen Golf GLS review from North America

Oxygen sensor, twice.

Engine controller.

Rear ashtray (dealer has fixed this several times, it is perpetually broken)

Brakes.

Lights on ventilation system (at night, you can't see how to turn on the heat, etc.)

Oil leaks. Dealer has replaced oil pan and gasket. Car still consumes 1 quart of oil in less than 3000 miles.

Mileage (miles per gallon) performance is no where near VW estimate. On a 300 mile all-highway, high speed road trip, we only got 24 miles per gallon. Dealer claims the standard "well, it depends on how you drive". The way I drive my other car, I get excellent mileage, exactly what Toyota estimates.

Temperature sensor.

My wife loves this car because it is nicer than anything she has previously owned (all were unreliable American rust buckets), has seat warmers, and the hatchback makes for lots of capacity. I like some of the amenities, but I am extremely disappointed overall.

First, there is the mileage (see above). I am sure that the automatic transmission is not as smart as VW thinks it is. I believe it is shifting too late (revs high), and thus, wastes gas. My VW dealer is sure everything is fine, and that we just drive too aggressively.

My power-train warranty didn't cover the temperature sensor. How far will your car go in 90F weather with no cooling system? When I called VW of America, they just called the dealership. They did not seem to realize (or care) that I was complaining about their policy, not the dealership.

Also, the dealership treats you like a second-class citizen if you didn't buy the car from them. I got this treatment from several VW dealers I called. I realize this may be the way all car dealers are, but I still think it is wrong. When they are trying to sell you a car, you are told that VW, VW of America, and every VW dealer will be at your beck and call. But once you actually buy a car, nobody wants to hear from you.

For a car that was only about 16 months old with less than 6000 miles, it has been an expensive disappointment. Call me crazy, but I think a car that new should just work.