Duandcc,
Here's my story w/ VW's. I had a '90 gasser w/ 155k miles & no serious problems. Now I have a '00 auto Jetta TDI & a '01 manual Jetta TDI. There are 13k miles on the auto & 16k miles on the manual--so basically they are still new. I don't have an attitude but my cars are perfect
! I believe that what's made them that way is that I NEVER take them into the dealer. Thank goodness I haven't had to yet but I really don't expect to. I have the Bentley manual and plan to do ALL maintenance myself.
Just read this awesome website for all the maintenance your car needs. The problem people have with cars not lasting long is due to poor up-keep. Use Amsoil or Delvac 1, a good by-pass filter system and OF GREATEST IMPORTANCE IS TO KEEP YOUR TIMING BELT CHANGED (look at your owners manual for time interval).
I sincerely believe this. I bought my '90 VW jetta gasser used w/ 102k miles and everyone told me I would have nothing but headaches. I never did! I only did normal maintenance and the normal wear items like CV joints etc. My wife's Honda was 'sick' until I met her and again I just performed typical maint. and it was fine (until some 16 year old 'girl' totalled it
).
The moral: maintain your car religiously and it will last a lifetime! Change your oil frequently-even the good, expensive oil. If people say you're wasting money, so be it--atleast you'll have a car while they are walking!
'Spend a little now or a lot later'.
The TDIs are great, dependable, and cheap in the long run. If you have a question about TDIs, this is THE PLACE to ask.