Faults:

- Major Issue with this car in my opinion is the decision from Volkswagen to reduce the size of the clutch plates. The high torque engine doesn't like the smaller diameter clutch and I am getting massive amounts of clutch slippage in colder weather. My TDI is not stock, so I expected some difficulties, but I know of a few people that are stock and complaining about the same thing.

- Other minor issues are with the ride handling (sloppy and very loose in corners) and the fact that there is not option for a block heater. I live in Canada; it gets cold here. Although my car has never left me stranded on cold days, plugging it in would make me feel better starting it on days like today (-35 degrees Celcius).

General Comments:

Overall I thoroughly enjoy this car. I have driven many miles on this vehicle in the time I have owned it. I completed about 80,000 kilometers in its first year, and still going strong. I purchased the car because I was doing a lot of long-distance driving. The fuel economy has paid for itself many times over.

I choose to chipped the TDI after 2000kms. The performance gain is amazing. The 1.9L still gets amazing fuel economy (1100 kilotmeters to a 55L tank - approximately works out to be 40-60 mpg), and performance is just as surprising (moves this 2900 pound car from 0 to 100 kms (60 miles) in less than 10 seconds. If the performance doesn't sound right, take into consideration this vehicle is placed in a class of ULEV (Ultra Low-Emission Vehicles) and of them all, it is the only one you can use the words economy and performance positively in the same sentence, and not lie about it.

I love my car, and if you get beside me at the light... I will show you just how much I like it. I will try everything in its power to make you eat my soot.

Faults:

The car will not start sometimes.

Driver rear tail light has already burnt out.

Very rough starts in any weather below ten degrees Celsius.

My 65 hp Ford compact was faster.

General Comments:

Though I did not buy this car for performance, it does pull very well in and out of traffic between 2100 rpm and 3300rpm.

That being said, I will have to agree with most other Volkswagen owners and say that this car does not only get hybrid like fuel economy, but also has a very high quality interior. Unlike most American automobile interiors, you have to look carefully to find the actual plastic and the fine touches really make me a happy owner. If you have a Mark 5 golf (i believe it's a mark five, 1999-2004) look at the seat belt loops and you will notice actual aluminum trim and real leather where the steering column meets with the dash board.

Other things that I am not only impressed by, but also take for granted is, for one, the art work of the head lamp and the excellent braking system. Not to mention the already very impressive sound system though a good 12 inch sub-woofer and a 400 watt RMS amp as a addition just perfects the car.

Faults:

Not a thing has gone wrong so far, although I live in a rather cold region and for some reason VW still hasn't finished designing the block heater for my car! The dealer says hopefully they will be able to install one soon.

Transmission was very tight at first, still is a bit, but is loosening up nicely.

General Comments:

I'm very satisfied with this car so far. It gets incredible mileage (average of 5.889 L/100km so far; best has been 4.955 L/100km) and has had no trouble in cold weather at all, which I was a little concerned about.

Very nicely optioned, good looks, and lots of zip, even at highway speeds. The 1.9 TDI does a great job of moving the car, doesn't stink or make a lot of noise. And all for a very good price with an outstanding warranty.