Faults:

Front Disk Brakes at 90,000 Mile Service.

New Clutch at 85,000 Miles.

New Wiring, Computer Temperature Sensor (contributed too many problems) at 85,000 Miles.

New Exhaust at 91,000 Miles.

General Comments:

The car was very fun to drive, with responsive handling and quick acceleration.

Amazing on gas.

I learned manual shift on this car and found it very forgiving if I was slow to clutch.

The paint and wheels always looked shiny and new. Even after ten years, the car smelled fresh from the plant.

The stock Clarion speakers were more than enough to satisfy my sound needs.

However, these cars cannot sit for long periods of time. I went through two sets of front disc brakes in eight months because the first set had simply rusted to the wheels (not fun).

In addition, rain water got to some computer components of the car and shorted out the temperature sensor. It took a local garage three attempts and nearly $1700 to finally send for diagnostics and finger this $18 part.

I drove on a cracked tailpipe for almost 4,000 miles before it finally melted on I-40.

A good buy IF you can garage it and you know a reputable mechanic.

Faults:

Electric windows only work when they feel like it, but auto-closure through central locking is fine. No other current faults.

General Comments:

I bought the car 3 months ago and have since covered 6000 miles reliably and very enjoyably. I was dubious of VW reliability before I chose this one, but I am now a TDi convert and my next car will be a TDi too.

Performance is amazing, its very low revving, but has huge punch from just 2000rpm. Steep hills on motorways are a breeze and you can stay in 5th without losing any speed. Over taking is achieved very quickly. Controlling wheel-spin on wet roads requires a very gentle right foot. 54 MPG is a fantastic bonus.

The estates rear load area is well shaped, far more room than a previous Audi A4 I had. Ride comfort is also commendable, its nice and supple.

The only rust on this 10 year old car is from stone chips on the front, that is all.

As a cheap to run, but very fast car I thoroughly recommend this 90bhp Golf TDi. I can see no reason to buy a petrol powered car again.

Faults:

Brake drum blew while I was bringing it home for the first time 114,000km.

Moldings on driver side fell off 117,000km.

Antenna on top of car fell off 118,000km.

Dash lights were not working when I bought the car.

Glove box broke (no abuse) 118,000km.

Button to pop rear hatch snapped 117,000km.

Engine seal blew at 125,000km, the resulting oil contamination meant the timing belt needed replacing. (timing belt was replaced just before purchase at 112,000km)

Power sun roof stopped working 120,000km.

Interior moldings fell off frequently the whole time I owned the car.

Rear wiper switch was not working properly when I purchased the car at 114,000. Wiper would turn on, but took lots of fiddling to turn off.

Exhaust started to leak 130,000km.

General Comments:

This car always started. That is the only good thing I can say about it. I purchased it for $6000 and put over $2000 into it before I sold it.

For a car with only 114000km's on it at purchase, I was significantly disappointed at how easily moldings and other plastic pieces of the car would just break off.

Also, although you can expect to start replacing mechanical parts of a car of its age, the cost of parts in some cases was double that of my Honda. I put the money into it to get it to nearly 100% and sold it. I sincerely hope it treats its new owner better, but for me it was enough to turn me off Volkswagen's forever.