2001 Volkswagen Jetta VR6 review from North America

The EPC light and MIL go on every single time it rains or is damp -- and the car either doesn't start or just shuts down while driving.

Had to have brakes changed around 30,000 miles.

Wax spell is nauseating to me and everyone who gets into my car.

I've dealt with dealers on the East Coast and West and customer service has been horrific at every turn.

One day the plastic (I think that's the material) started peeling off the dashboard.

I should be at work right now, but I'm trapped at home because it drizzled out yesterday (I now live in San Diego -- doesn't rain much) and the car will not start. EPC light is on again. It comes on everytime it rains or is damp. I know the drill. Tow the car to VW. They will tell me I'm crazy and has nothing to do with the moisture. They'll replace the MIL for the fifth time. I'll be charged a few hundred dollars. It will rain again and I'll start the process again.

As for the wax smell, I don't blame the person who will never buy again because of it. It's enough to make you literally sick on a hot day and embarrassing when you have people in the car with you. Smells exactly like melting crayons.

I'm a few payments away from being done with this. I've thrown away $30,000 on this lemon plus endless time in the shop and rude VW customer service in all locales. The worst part is, I'm not in the position to buy a new car. So they've got me and I've got to keep playing this game. I traded in an old Ford Probe when I bought this car. VW got the far better deal by getting that Probe -- it ran great and was reliable. Drivers wanted? Suckers found.