Greg,

I've owned two of them - an '88 and a '90.  Both were wagons, and I was
extremely happy with each of them.  FYI, a five speed is nice, as is air.
Otherwise,
they're all pretty much the same.  The ride is surprisingly heavy/firm for
the
cost (and size), which I loved.  Also, the 1.8 is very peppy, and the
handling
is pretty good.  Watch out for the radiators, they tend to be problematic.
Also, I don't
think the timing belts (chains?) last forever, if it's 100k+ and never
changed
you might want to do that.  (Although it's not catastrophic if you don't and
the thing goes, unlike diesels....)  They tend to rust at the bottom of the
doors, and the red paint oxidizes very badly on the earlier models (older
style
front grill - pre '91 or so....)  But otherwise, they're great cars and I'd
pick
up another wagon if the price was right (they do tend to be priced very
nicely).
Other than the radiators, I don't think they were known for many problems.
Built
in S. America, Brazil I believe.  There were Wolfsburg editions, not sure if
they
were built in S.A. or Europe though.

Good luck, John