1998 Volkswagen Golf review from North America

I had the Golf inspected by Betten Imports a certified VW dealer. They gave it high marks. I then purchased the car. The first time on the highway it would not restart and had to be towed (60 miles from home). Dealer said it need a new ignition. Got one. My daughter drove it a few weeks later and it stopped at a traffic light and had to be towed. We learned the dealer had not only misdiagnosed the problem (needed a starter and a 2nd ignition because the bad starter fried the new ignition which we learned was actually the wrong model for the car anyway $over 600 now in the car) Next the muffler falls off within a month of dealer certification. Over $400 to replace because a Golf has 2 mufflers.

Now it won't shift between gears and I have taken it back 5 times to the dealer. First time it was diagnosed as a computer problem - $40 should fix that. Drove away and the problem returned. Brought it back and left it for couple of days and now it is $368 ignition coil. Drove away and shifting still not correct. Brought it back and dealer wants to drive it with my teen daughter to show him what it is doing. He proceeds to tell her she is driving it wrong, that it won't shift between gears unless she lets up on the accelerator (this was actually said!.

I called the service manager and he said he now wants to drive it with us and oh by the way the check engine light is on and the car is shaking violently.

I forgot to add that we've had the car in 3 other times for the check engine light and paid a couple hundred to have miscellaneous computer hooks ups/repair and I forgot to say that I had to buy 4 new tires because the other ones wouldn't make it through a Michigan winter.

The car is unreliable. It gets 21 miles to the gallon the same as my SUV - absolutely unheard of for a small car.

It drives terrible in snow and is very uncomfortable.

This is absolutely hands down the worst car I have ever purchased and I've had many other makes. The service is terrible and VW doesn't stand behind anything.