 We researched vehicles for 7 months 
before deciding on the Golf!  Hardly 
any car met our critera: good fuel 
economy, reliable, in the low $20's, 
side curtain airbags (this was a biggie 
which most cars don't offer) and fun to 
drive.  The Golf met all these plus we 
got heated seats and a sunroof thrown 
in!  We're VERY happy with our purchase 
and also received a $1000 customer 
loyalty rebate from VW because we 
currently own a 2000 Jetta which we 
love.  The VW rear hatch bike rack is 
great(rather than a roof mounted rack) 
since we do tons of mountain biking.  
Oh by the way, we're planning on buying 
the materials to make our own biodiesel 
fuel soon :)