I've got a 98 Jetta older body style. It is a tank...not many problems. Needs shox but I just added a sirius radio and I can concur on the not much room for wiring comment. My hands are all cut up.
It's a great car though, the 2.0l has good pep, but it really needs a manual. I've got a garret chip in it and an aftermarket exhaust. So it has more pep than when I bought it.