Faults:

Frozen key cylinder at 2k.

Driver's power window at 32k.

CV joint at 35k.

Windshield pump at 37k.

Various fittings and surfaces loosening and/or blistering, 10k to present.

Rubber fittings disintegrating, beginning at 25k.

Headliner collapsed weeks after warranty expired (naturally). Disgusting yellow adhesive (resembling pollen) filled the cabin. To their credit, VW USA agreed to fund half the repair price. I paid 300.

Doorliner upholstery started to loosen, 45k. Yet another adhesive debacle. 500 US to repair.

Dimmer switch collapsed into dashboard, 48k. No big deal, but after years of other fittings, I'm starting to lose faith.

General Comments:

It's so idiosyncratic. The engine,body, and most electronics seem immortal. VW has an uncanny knack for making fit and finish seem initially sturdy, then pathetic a few thousand miles later. A collapsed headliner is no longer merely cosmetic when it impedes your vision, rearview and otherwise.

In all fairness, the engine, chassis, and (heavily used) CD player have been flawless. I drove off after being rear ended at 40 MPH. The glass didn't even crack.

However, I drive comparatively little. In fact I pamper cars - they hardly leave the garage. I don't think they should be prone to such "premature aging" at less than 50k.

Maybe that's why VW did that "umpimp my ride" commercial; tacky jewelry (fittings) and cheap nylon stockings(upholstery) that fall off. Improved adhesives might make a huge difference in future models.

Faults:

Very little has gone wrong, as should be expected for a new car!

A few electrical gremlins that the dealer has not been super responsive about fixing, but nothing truly annoying.

General Comments:

I have piled up the miles on this car in two years, and have largely thought that I got the best value for a new car that I could have gotten...

It is definitely very quick in a straight line, and using the sport mode on the auto transmission gives it a whole different character; in normal drive mode, the engine can feel a bit tractor like as it lugs along in high gear... get the revs up in sport mode, however, and it feels taut and powerful.

Handling is good if you don't push it too hard; it is, after all, NOT a GTI. I did discover, however, that by pushing the button that disables the automatic stability control, the car gets way less loose and squishy feeling... turning off the stability control and using the sport mode on the transmission is a must for mountainous twisty roads.

The car is gorgeous inside for an economy car. The seats are firm, the controls no nonsense and beautiful, and all have a quality feeling. These cars were made in Wolfsburg Germany, and they ooze quality. The seats are not cushy by any means, but they leave my back feeling great for short trips or long.

Gas mileage is so so for a small car. 29 on long trips, but only 20 or so around town.

Overall I do love my Rabbit. I do miss my 1990 Saab 900 Turbo, however, which despite having 130,000 miles when I bought it, still handled ever-so-much-more sportily than this car. But the SAAB was a performance car; I think of my Rabbit as a VERY well appointed and thought out, stylish and reliable car for every person, which is what it is.

Faults:

Nothing yet.

General Comments:

I know it's early, since I've only owned the car for 3 months and there are only 10,000+ miles, but some might find this helpful:

I test drove the Mazda 3 and 6, the Honda Civic and Accord, as well as the Nissan Altima. I fell in love with this from the moment I sat in it.

It is so plush for what is essentially an economy car. It has, by far, the sharpest interior of any car in its class or (I dare say) any class of car for that matter. In my opinion, the 4-door is nicer looking than the 2-door.

It is surprisingly quiet, but for this minor baby squeak that comes and goes from somewhere in my dash. I'll figure it out sooner or later.

It has lovely pickup from a stop, with 150 horses. At higher gears/speeds, it's not quite as peppy, but is fine nonetheless.

Handling is brilliant, better than the vaunted Mazda 3 believe it or not.

The only occasion I have had to use that overrated and largely useless auto-stick feature is when I'm in city traffic and want to take it easy on the transmission.

It's also surprisingly roomy. 4 adults sit without a hint of constraint. The hatch, with the fold down front seat, is so big that I actually was able to move my entire household (with the exception of my bed and couch) in merely 4 or 5 trips!

In summary, I love this thing and I hope that my VW quality fears aren't realized.

Faults:

Had no problems whatsoever with this car, on a daily drive of around 50 - 75 miles.

At first oil change the dealer cracked the filter housing and had to wait 4 days for a replacement.

I did the next oil changes myself and everything is OK.

General Comments:

Great commuter car with lots of torque and excellent maneuverability.

MPG is about 25MPG mixed driving.

The car handles very good in snow and difficult (slippery) conditions.

Occasional rattles from the dashboard if the road is rough.

I installed a K&N air filter and noticed better response.

All in all this car will not disappoint, solidly built and lots of trunk space (hatchback).

Faults:

I have not had the car long enough for anything bad to happen so far.

General Comments:

Great value for standard features and performance. Quick, handles great.