Faults:

Clutch had to be replaced at 228,000km because of someone who didn't know how to drive!

Transmission seal broke at 240,000 and drained all fluid causing the transmission to nearly seize. A new seal was installed and fluid replaced and the transmission was as good as new.

Stock Recaro interior is starting to wear (noticeably on the drivers side)

Headliner is starting to fall down.

General Comments:

Very practical and fun to drive car. It goes surprisingly quick for an 8v. Handles like no other front wheel drive car I've driven before.

Fuel economy is very good. Average about 7.0-7.5L/100km according to the in-dash computer.

The car is also very easy to work on. Tons of room in the engine bay and basic adjustments are very easy.

As an upgrade from my Ford LTD Wagon, this car is a huge, and very welcomed, difference.

Faults:

Coolant hoses replaced

Fuel pump

Trip computer not working

Control arm bushings

Exhaust replaced (bought it with a bad one though)

Worn seats

Pedal assembly worn out

Rear windshield wiper motor worn out

(basically, all these problems are from the car remaining undriven for about 4 years)

General Comments:

Love to drive it, hates low revs, but flies above 3000 RPM. Pretty good for fuel economy. Handles alright (I need racing suspension though). Repairs are cheap enough, I think its pretty solid.

Faults:

Rust everywhere. It began with the floorboards rotting out, then spread underneath the hatch, later claiming the fenders underneath the flares (none visible, though).

Could not take "farm boy" abuse - the rear axle was bent, wearing the tires funny. The front strut towers had stress cracks all the way around.

Fuel pump went out at 150,000 miles.

General Comments:

This car had very little bottom end torque. It was my first DOHC engine, and I missed the grunt of large American V8s. The GTI was the best vehicle in the "twisties", better even, in my opinion, than even some Corvettes and Porsches I have driven. There are very few curves on the American Great Plains, though, and the car is very tiring on long, straight interstates. Very tight engine, though, considering the amount of time spent at high RPMs, and excellent gas mileage.