Does anybody own a VW?

I'm looking to buy a new car and I test drove a GTI with manual transmission and a Jetta Sportwagen. I loved both cars and the main decision between the two is fun vs. practicality. The problem i'm having is reading some reviews about VW having reliability issues. Is this a major issue or just normal car problems?

I'm not familiar with VW having any reliability issues, just Toyota.

they are nice cars but they do have some reliability issues.

have a friend who owned two VW's... both cost him big $$$ in repairs... engine and brakes I think ? you should check out CR before you buy

i bought a 2008 jetta out of the showroom and at 20k miles i had to replace my entire braking system because of heat cracks in the rotors. i dont drive like a mad man but really 20k miles i shouldnt have to be paying over $1100 for brakes , other than that i havent had any other issues yet. plan on trading it in asap cause i have a brother that has had nothing but problems with his 2009 jetta

Consumer Reports has for years consistently rated them with less reliability compared to Japanese or Korean models. I'm sentimental towards VW as it was my first car: a 1981 Rabbit diesel that generated all of 86 HP and topped out at 74MPH.

My BFF had a 1997 Jetta with like 290,000km

It was in pretty bad shape towards the end..but it held up admirably..

But yeah, that's all I really know about them..maybe don't buy one though, because those guys said they're lame.