 My husband owned an '86 GTI that had electrical probs from day one. He swore he'd never have another VW but I begged. While we have not had any major electrical probs, the car has been to the dealership too many times.  The trim is continuously discoloring or falling off, the wiring harness went bad in the first 10,000 miles, the fuel pump went out at 44,000 miles and we had to replace the brakes AND rotors at 44,000.  When the car was stalling for no apparent reason, the dealership asked me if I had driven through any puddles recently.  Enlighten me, can a VW not go through puddles without stalling?  Now the interior light only occasionally comes on when you open the door. The gas mileage is dissappointing. I've learned my lesson.