Sorry to resurrect an old thread here, but I'd like to add my two or three cents on this subject.
I've oned only 2 Volkswagens so far. One is a '68, which wasn't in good shape when I bought it. It had a charm that I have never felt from even looking at any other car. I currently drive a '98 NB. This car has been nothing less than superb for me. It's had some minor problems here and there, but nothing even close to major. It's been reliable, pretty efficient (not as much as my Geo Metro!) and over all the funnest car I've owned so far. I know for a fact that I'm not the only person out there that has had a pleasant experience with a VW.
The break switch recall deal is the only thing that nipped me in the butt so far, but I got to spend the night at 2 hot chicks' apartment because my battery drained.
! Thank you VW!
Would Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Mitsubishi, or Nissan do that for me? I think not.