I drive a 2004 diesel jetta, I have been driving it for about 10 years, I bought it used. I like it, yes an oil change is expensive, but it averages out as you dont do it very often, that synthetic oil lasts a long time. I can bring it to any oil change place locally and have it done, with a discount code usually. We just got done driving thru the western states for a few weeks on vacation in the jetta, all was good, great mileage as always. Wish I had a hatchback ro station wagon version -- I almost forgot, mine is a manual transmission.