 I bought my Jetta GLS new in November, 1997 and now have approximately 145,000 miles on it.  Over that time it has needed a few repairs, but nothing hideous.  The car is still an absolute blast to drive.  The acceleration with the manual 5- speed is excellent and the handling is still tight.  I haven't experienced the "stiff shifting" quality cited in some reviews.  The car definately encourages "spirited" driving, giving the driver the same sense of connectedness with the road as the BMW 3-Series and the Audi A4 for thousands of dollars less.  Its interior and exterior design are really attractive and have stood up over time, the car still looks great.  Overall, a durable, and stylish ride.