Could it be quite possible that the 1999.5 Golf (new body style) is more reliable than any of the later MK4s because it was manufactured in Germany? I have been checking sites (forums/ consumer opinion polls) over the past day and a half ragarding 1999.5 and did not find very many major issues besides regular maintenance, the plastic water pump and recall work. This was quite reassuring since I spent way too much on a used 1999.5 in PERFECT condition w/ maintenance history at $5,300 w/ 70K miles. Opps NEVER TRUST KBB: its a horrible anchor to negotiate on.

Another point I wanted to address: I really wonder if any of the enfuriated VDub owners actually did anything to maintain their vehicles according to the manufactures reccomendations. As an economy major, I began to think that because VW offers so many options nearing that of other more expensive brands (BMW, Jag, Audi, Cadillac, etc...) , consumers at the lower end of the income braket are intrigued, purchase these vehicles and expect that they will withstand the test of time (neglect) because they are "well" engineered. They tend to skip service intervals because they don't have the cash at the time or something else along those lines.

My father, who happens to be well off, has a 2005 Audi S4 which he maintains STRICTLY according to the manufacturer because he can afford to. In fact, our Audi mechanic personally calls him to let him know he has an interval coming up. Guess what - no a problems; not ever. My brother's 1994 Acura (new water pump, tranny, heater core, the list goes on) cost more to maintain than a $35,000 sports car.

In theory, is this vehicle far more sensitive to neglect than the other auto manufacturers? Is this why people get so upset? If VWs are such crappy cars why do I find plenty of them with 200K + miles on craigslist? Just expand on what I was saying earlier, I have a friend who's parents purchased her an '02 Jetta. She drank at the beach and asked if I could drive. As I was driving I looked at her oil change sticker - it was aprox. 2000 miles over due. Should students really be driving these cars... Hondas are boring as hell; they stand up to this crap. And guess what, the last generation Honda Civic is PLAGUED with problems because Honda decided to make the Civic a revolutionary commuter car - like the Golf.

Well, I hope to God my 1999.5 VDub Golf isn't a basket case - its been pretty reliable as of late.

-Regards