Jeremy,

Opinions are like armpits, and this list needs lots of
deodorant. :-)

Here's my contribution, based on facts and experience, to the
stench:

I bought my 2001 NB TDI, 5sp, on December 7th with 67K miles on
it for under $12K at the local VW dealer.  It came with all the
options except heated seats, so I have the leather and the
sunroof.  I've put over 20K miles on it since then and I've had
NO PROBLEMS with it.  I did have to change the timing belt at
80K miles, which ain't cheap.

Fact #1:  I get 47MPG with cruise set at 75 mph.
Fact #2:  The car handles better and brakes better than my
girlfriend's 2002 Honda Accord (despite what the guy from New
Zealand will tell you), and it outruns it too.
Fact #3:  I'm saving over $2400 per year in fuel costs over my
Westy.
Fact #4:  It's damned wierd filling up with 12 gallons every 10
to 14 days of driving to work and around town.

There's no way I'd have paid 22K for a new one, but a used NB or
a Golf sure is attractive given that the engine will go over
300K miles.  My previous VWs and Audis all went over or close to
200K miles before they were passed on to other owners.

=====
Chris S.'85 Westy Camel -> http://www.knology.net/~vw/vws/camel/ '84 Westy Hershey -> http://www.knology.net/~vwghost/hershey/ '01 NB TDI -> http://www.knology.net/~vw/Beetle.jpg