I might by a 2002 TDI Jetta, what do you think?

It's a love / hate thing for me, My 01 Golf (Which is on the same platform as the 02 jetta) gets better fuel ecomony than the 2011 model (Which I love). Can get a little pricey too fix when things do go after long long long time (Thats the I hate Part of it). A couple of Mx issues your mechanic may have missed, that can help you knock some more $$$ off that sticker price. On the ALH engine, vw over the counter dealer parts uses a composite plastic impeller on the water pumps. Those do fail, without warning. VW switch back to the metal impeller water pumps with the newer BEW tdi engine. You have to ask for the water pump with the metal impeller during the timing belt change on the ALH engine. Turbos do fail, especailly if its orginal, usually around 120k - 150k mi.