Whats the real deal
 

Ok, so my new wife is expecting my first kid and I decide its time for a family car. First one we test drive is the 2007 Passat 2.0T with a manual 6 speed. Both me and my wife are REALLY impressed with the car. Good room, very comfortable, handled nicely, and an excellent saftey rating(what we were really looking for in a car). We both think we found the car we want on our first test drive so we go home and I start doing some research looking at auto reviews from a number of companys as well as owner reviews and one thing that just about half the company and owner reviews mention is VW's reputation for below average to poor reliability mainly concerning the electrial system or the wheels(brakes,bearing,ect) and their failure early(somtimes very early) on in the cars life. I'm a firm beliver in the best maintance are routine and preventive types but was just courious if this reputation for VW was earned or not.
Thanks for and help.