How reliable are Volkswagen golfs and jettas?

I had a 2006 (yes 2006) MK 4 estate, I still look after it for the guy who bought it from me. The car is now heading for 160k miles and there were no electrical problems at all.

I can't say much about the mk4 but my mk2 diesel Golf has nearly 500,000 miles on it and still runs like new. The clock and upshift indicator are the only things that don't work if that's what you mean by electrical problems. I'm in the process of fixing them. Just got some 5j rims so I can put some 155/80 13 snow tires on it. This thing will go anywhere after that here in Colorado. At 50mpg I'm not trading it in ever. Period!

No real electrical issues. They went more and more to things like power windows, electric door locks, etc., and all cars with those have little problems all the time.

The only real problem is that automatics from 2000 to 2003 were not supposed to be the best.

I hear they are better 2004 and up.

I prefer a manual, and they are always good.

Engines were always good.

The 5 cylinder has a timing chain instead of belt, so requires less maintenance.

Engine and trans are pretty solid. The early manuals were not very good. alot of them start to make bearing noise. And the autos were good. Then about 95 the manuals were good and the autos had a high fail rate. Anything after 2003 3 both trannies are good. The most common problems I have had in my shop are electrical. Particularly the keyless entry/antitheft.

its all in the maintenance of a specific car.

some folks lease or buy new every few years,

drive it like ya stole it, and trade any problem off to

the next guy.

some ppl like and keep a car nice and cared for,

needs, budget, interst, change. diff car.

some ppl like a certain car and plan/allow

for any recon work needed.

happy hunting.

The newer the better. I would never buy a miled-up 10 year or older Jetta or Golf----money pits.

They are AL FAB dArling! The VR^ is about the BEST of both worlds, a V^ with ONE cylinder head! They ALl use BOSCH components whcih are the BEST! And they NEED SPECAIL SYNTHETIC OIL with SPECAIL RATINGS on them ONLY! ONly PENTOSIN fludis can be used! They need ALL FLUIDS changed at 00k mile intervals, and the TIMNIGNB ELT and WATER PUMMP along with it! They can last for 500k miles and MORE with FEW problems! But ALL CARS need TIRES brakes aand eventaully TIE ROD ENDS and FLUDI CHANGES! The EXHAUST SYSTEM<S last FOREVER and ther are NO real ELTICAL PROBLEMS witht hemat ALL! You HAVE to keep the ENGIEN CLEAN with frequent WASHINGS so that ROAD SALT and CORROSION NEVER HAPPEN! GOOD LUCK!