Nothing has gone wrong at all with this car since I have owned, since new. I have the convertible and have been very satisfied with build quality and overall ride quality. It's not the fastest, but not the slowest either. Gas mileage is 25 MPG, with the automotic, combined city and highway. Still on the factory tires and brakes with plenty left to them both.
Although initially hesitant to buy one based on what I've read on the internet, I am now very satisfied with this car. Highway driving is not a problem. It also handles surprisingly just fine in the snowy northest winters. In two years this will go to my daughter. There is no problem with this car being a daily driver.
An update from the original review. I now have 55,000 miles and no problems, just general maintenance. Dealer corrected anything under warranty with no problems. Still running on the original tires and brakes. 25 MPG combined highway and city. Original build quality still holding up, ride is still very comfortable for a daily driver. I am very satisfied so far.
Much has changed in a year. At 64,000 miles and out of drive train guarantee, it now needs a new transmission, which is very, very expensive. It's the cost of a down payment on a new car. Being done in an independent shop, no need to go to VW anymore, they could care less about their products once they are out of the guarantee. I also have a cold start problem that has been 'fixed' three times, of course it's not really fixed. Just terrible. I have driven Chevy, Buick, Ford, Olds, Chrysler and Pontiac over the past 35 years and have never seen anything like this.
What a darn shame VW has here. You would think that after so many years of making this car, it could be done right by now. I can assure you that my problems are not unique.
Just terrible.
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