Coolant flange off the head disintegrated at 190k..cheap fix, $20 part.
Coil required replacement at 150k, $100.
Rad support rotted out; replaced at 200k, $100.
Headlights twice, both sides, $40.
Oil pressure sensors required replacement 170k (known issue... results in oil leaks) $20.
Throttle body gasket came unglued... caused rough idle, would not pass E-Test...replaced $300 (sent in for repair)
Very reliable car that is extremely good on gas...700km per tank!!! Relatively easy to work on. Suspension holding up well... loves the cold!!! Starts within two turns of the engine even at -20C. Does not like wet weather... electrical gremlins...keep a can of dry and go handy. Clutch is fine... tranny acts up once in a while (stiff to go into 1st...likely linkage issue...meh)
I am very impressed with this car...12 yrs old and still humming along... what more can you ask for?
Update to the review above...
Car now has 250,000 km and is still running strong... replaced the exhaust front to back, rear shocks, one caliper, a tune up and a t-belt job... cannot believe how easy it is to work on these cars. VW original parts are brutally expensive... check aftermarket for deals.
Here is Canada there were several days of -30C weather...outdoors, no block heater, and did not even hiccup. Amazing how well this car starts in the cold... as for heat in the car, well, that's another story ;-)
I'm going to keep this car on the road until it rots to pieces... simple machinery that does what it's supposed to do for very low cost... they just don't make 'em like this anymore.
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