My son has one with a 5-speed.  We've had a number of electrical  problems
with it and a lot of problems with the plastic trim bits breaking, the
headliner coming down, etc..  These cars are not very plentiful in the  junkyards so
the dealer is about the only place to go for these parts.  It  has been
reliable from a mechanical standpoint.  It is comfortable and  economical to drive.
Its just that something is always broken.  This  week it is the heater fan
switch.

I found one in a junk yard in California once and cleaned it out.  We  had
everything fixed for a while.

I have a Jetta from the same vintage that I love.  No problems, always
starts and runs, except for the lousy red paint

Tom
Illinois