'05 Golf test drive...

That's what warranty is for to take care of issues like that. Also consider VW owners who don't have problems or mind spending some $$$ will NEVER post negative comments. I bet you can't fine one positive message at "myvwlemon.com" VW does resale cars that were "buy backs" and guess what... the new owners almost never have the issue that the car was bought back for! At least that's what I have seen, but that's my opinion

Manual transmision. Spare AMM(or whatever the part is that routinely fails in the trunk) No sunroof. No power anything.

Lots of happy memories :)

Thanks for the tips! Gotta try to find an ALL manual one...

At least get power locks... having to reach over and pull peoples door handles to unlock them (and having to remind everyone to lock up... and coming back to a car with one rear door still open because someone can't remember to hit the lock) is the biggest annoyance I have with my fathers Golf CL (only thing power is the steering in it... 2003 model)... My GLS is a huge step up in terms of equipment.

We didn't have power anything in our 1991 Golf (probably a CL... tho not sure the exact model) and it didn't seem so bad, but it fit with the age and style of the car... Not having some nice features really detract from the car.