The 02 I just fixed:
threw a timing belt at 67K 'fixed' by dealer
lost a piston&head at 87K, got 'VW reman motor' at dealer
blew a tranny, 1st replacement was defective
ate an ECU
got a new IP
has had recurring CEL since 03
At 160K, the 2nd motor chucked a timing belt, and ate some valves.
Taking it apart, I find not only has the TB failed before change interval, but also VW had put in too thick of a head gasket.
So the car that was $12,000 in 05 is now a Further $12000 into mostly dealer, mostly failed repairs, + an additional 2 grand to get it going again this last time.
Maybe it is an exception.