1999 Volkswagen Jetta review from North America

Am now experiencing the electronic lock problem with my 1999 Jetta old body type which I bought new in Sept. 1998. Has 147,000 m and I wonder if anyone knows the solution for this before my mechanic wastes his time and my money.

First driver window wouldn't go down; then the

electronic locks failed to work, but the alarm went off when I opened the car door. The locks would not lock, but a motor sound kept humming in the rear or the front; then the car didn't start a few times although battery and lights were fine. Eventually the car started, ran fine except that the car would lock itself while I was driving. A few days ago, I turned the radio off to listen to my companion and it wouldn't come back on and neither front window goes down. Next day the alarm thing again and the car now does not start at all.

I stopped going to dealers years ago and have been happy with 2 very experienced vw repair guys who have save me lots of money. Thx for any advice.

Other problems:

Check engine light came on within first 6 months and was on intermittently and for long periods of time despite many repairs and most often came on in the rain- until about a year ago when I had a new belt installed. Presto! No problem since then.

Had to have entire radio replaced within first year. Just stopped working.

Broken rear cup holder within first six months.

Window never fell down, but driver's window has been stuck closed several times.

Paint is terrible. Within first year, I had all kinds of spotting and dull spots. Rust now on the trunk.

Many other annoying and expensive things, but until now they have been pretty manageable.

Unlikely to purchase another Jetta or vw despite being loyal to them for all my car owning life and at 60 that's a bit.