Front suspension loud knocks are common apparently Driver's seat doesn't go back enough & is too tight, for someone who is 6 ft tall. Paint clear coat issues. Central locking, working only on 2 doors. Don't buy an Automatic Air cond cool, but not cold, common apparently Too much Audi in these cars

If you love small cars the VW Golf made in the first 1/2 of the 2000's are by far the best. Love my 2006. Have had 5, and ending up selling 4 of them to friends, as they loved riding in them that much. Normal maintenance with no major problems on any I have owned. Can easily go to 200,000; probably 300,000. Have seen 2 running great at that milage. Space in back just about right for normal household chores, with rear seat folded down. Fun to drive, and they just seem to have more power than a lot of other 4 cylinders I have driven. Plus I love the body style, the oil filters are easier to change and they don't have turbo issues like later model VW's.

I bought this when my 1989 Isuzu kicked the can from a used lot. I believe this car was a lemon since it broke down the day I drove off the lot. But since then, it is fairly dependable other than tiny things breaking. My biggest complaint is how most mechanics freak out when they have to work on it and typically drastically over charge ($300 for a catalytic converter, $900 for clutch, $700 for brakes,etc). If you know how to work on it, or have a good mechanic, this car is great because it's really fun to drive and gets great mpg