My wife had 5 of the Scirocco's on the trot over a couple of years never had a probelm at all, I bought one about 10 years back and remembered how bad the brakes were.
Both of mine had head gasket problems. The suspension was really soft too. I was young and stupid and bought a pair of dogs. I can't remember the brakes to be honest. My brother has an N reg Mk1 Golf 1100, that didn't have a servo I think, the brakes were a joke.
I'n hindsight I'd probably rather have a 90's early 00's jap car as a classic car, DC2 Integra Type R, S13, S14a 200SX, RX7 FD, S2000, be way better than a crappy old Ford or VW. 90's jap sport cars, were totally awesome for the regular working man, but also very well built and engineered. Everybody to their own with classic cars though..