Volkswagen Forum - VW Forums for Volkwagen enthusiasts

New to VW's. Coming from a Mazda MX-6 and a P.O.S. Hyundai. My wife and I are finally coming out of debt and are looking for new cars.

I'm interested in getting her a reliable, gas efficient, and "pretty" car that she can fuel an go. I had been thinking about an early 2000 TDI Beetle, but Honda has strongly come to mind for her. I had been looking between a MazdaSpeed3, a GTI, or a CivicSi. Everyone has Honda, and it doesn't move me. I LOVED my Mazda, but I hear the Speed3 is just about speed, and everything else is cheap and the ride is clunky/loud. I am absolutely enamored with the mid 2000 GTI's. It meets all my wants (Leather, Moonroof, Stick, Speed, Space) and aside from the big rear end, the car looks stunning.

Everywhere I go I find this common theme; I love my VW, but the quality is poor and the repairs are expensive. One person had said that unless you were specifically looking for a VW, stay away from the brand.

I wanted to hear firsthand form a VW community. I know you never heard good news about cars, only the bad. I am aware that VW are notorious for electrical problems and water leaks. I can handle the first, the second is more of a pain. I do nearly all my own repairs (save for transmission work) and when I looked up the parts some were especially pricey (Oxygen sensors cost at least double what I am accustomed to). I just want to know is VW quality truly piss poor, only compensated for by the enjoyment of the vehicle? If so, I think my wife will get a reliable Honda, and I will pursue the enjoyment of a GTI. I don't want to have to put a wrench to her car for anything other than regular maintenance.

P.S. - Any specifics regarding a 2002 era Beetle or a 2006-2008 GTI would be very beneficial. From what I read, it seems like I'll be doing repairs every 5k miles no matter what VW I get. I know TDI engines are durable, but what about the rest of the car?