Faults:

Faulty door lock module - A common problem in these cars due to poor solder. This caused the door sensors not to detect if the doors were open or not, which led to locking and alarm issues. The unit was replaced by a dealer, ~$250. There have been no further issues.

Broken shift actuator arm - A plastic lever arm on top of the transmission that I most likely cracked when adjusting my transmission. Replaced myself, ~$25. There have been no further issues.

Faulty hatch latch - A common problem, in which a plastic piece in the mechanism breaks. This caused randomly functioning engagement and disengagement of the latch and issues with the latch sensor. Replaced myself, ~$30. There have been no further issues.

Faulty crankshaft position sensor (speed sensor) - This happened on two occasions within the last year (~145k miles). The engine would randomly not start and/or stop running. The unit was replaced both times by a shop, ~$200 x2. There have been no further issues since it was most recently changed several months ago.

Cloudy headlight lenses - Replaced myself with upgraded units, ~$100. Not a big deal.

Sunroof motor issues - Sunroof would randomly not open or close. I reset the motor and lubricated the tracks, ~$0. There have been no further issues.

Interior lights issues - The interior lights will randomly not work. I believe this is a ground issue, but have no idea where to look. This issue is unresolved.

General Comments:

This car is fairly quick, and handles well for a base economy trim level.

The 2.0L engine with manual transmission gets great gas mileage.

The hatchback design looks unique in the US, where they are not very common.

Keep up on the recommended maintenance, and this is a reliable car.

I extensively use and recommend vwvortex.com for research and guides.

Faults:

Braking lights keep going off.

General Comments:

Auto gets boring quick.

The car is pretty fast.

Great on gas; 500km to the tank; costs me about $50 to fill the tank at $1.40 per liter.

Faults:

ABS light is continually on. I've been told this is a common problem with this model and year.

The seats are pretty uncomfortable, even though they are Recaro. Feels like I am sitting on a cardboard box.

To get some real go from the car, your foot has to be pushing the accelerator almost into the floor.

My Silvia could blow it out the water for sure.

General Comments:

Shocking purchase; I'm glad I got to off load it onto some poor sucker, and now I'm off to buy me a real car.

Given, the car was bought second-hand; your best bet would be to buy a European car brand new!

Faults:

* Timing calibration

* Check engine light due to catalyst sensor

* Misfire piston 3 (new wires but connected wrong)

* Misfire piston 2 (bad wires)

* Missing water don't know where it's going? No leaks, not in oil, suspecting a bad connector between the engine and coolant compartment

* Faulty door locks (35 bucks to fix short out)

(repaired today)

OVERALL ALMOST 350+ dollars in repairs that were NOT contemplated for this Golf.

General Comments:

My GOD.

I bought this car TRUSTING VW's reputation on my 89 Jetta. Was I wrong.

For people that fall into that concept consider the following first:

1993 and up Models don't have the DIGIFAN injection used on late model 80's cars. This is system is much more efficient and reliable, not to mention powerful than the EFI on most cars on the road nowadays. It is by my terms a little more or a fuel consumer, like 10% or more, but it's worth it.

For a 2.0 you can't really hear or feel those 112 Hp. This solely because the transmission is a lot more comfortable, for a smoother ride, sacrificing acceleration. This is a plus again your MPG's are up.

For performance get the VR6. Again late model 80's Volkswagens came with the A9 transmission love it!

The car is back from the shop today for the 4th time in less than a month for the problems listed above.

The coolant issue has not been solved yet, but hoping to fix it soon.

I still have my 89 Jetta with 127xxx plus miles and drives like hell.

VW's has seriously disappointed me.