Rear brake cylinders leaked at 80,000 miles.
Exhaust replaced at 110,000 miles.
Spark plug wires failed at 110,000 miles.
Oil leak (repaired) at 140,000 miles.
Distributor cap cracked at 153,000 miles.
Radiator replaced at 187,000 miles.
I have a 96 GL with manual transmission and I've not had any significant problems. I have performed regular maintenance - timing belt at 105,000 miles, brakes routinely at 50,000 or so. I just replaced the radiator after 187,000 miles. I've gone through four sets of tires and two sets of spark plug wires, one new exhaust system...
It seems that a lot of people on this website feel that a car should last forever - or at least perform as new for the life of the car. This is simply impossible. If you find yourself after five years putting about $1,000 into it per year, you should consider the car a success. A new car payment would be over $3,000 a year!
As for all the little things - holes in the floor mats or carpet, cracks in the dash - this stuff is just a nuisance and has nothing to do with the true value of a car in my opinion. Safety and reliability are most important to me. This car has served me very well.
Finally! A voice of reason! Yes cars do need service and repairs over the years. I'm tired of reading reviews where writer's call their vehicles lemons due to normal wear & tear. Especially the ones who bought their vehicles with high mileage on them to begin with.
I'm very much in agreement with these comments that regular maintenance has nothing to do with car being good or bad. In the past, I have owned Jetta, Passat and Peugeot and these cars required regular maintenance after 5 or 6 years of ownership and I considered that a regular work that every car requires. Also too most car owners including me does not pay attention to regular maintenance schedules thus resulting in major work.
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