I think the Jetta is a good option. I bought an 02 Golf TDI when it was new, and now have 75k miles, and it's been a great car. A few months ago, I was thinking I wanted something a little bigger, that I could put a rifle case in the trunk without folding down the seats. I wanted to be able to keep it completely out of sight. Anyway, I sat in LOTS of cars at the auto show, big, small, import, domestic, etc., and was continually disappointed. The only cars that seemed decent were a good $10k-15k above a VW. After repeating "what a pos" so many times, and walking out of the show in despair, I sat down in my Golf and grinned like the day I bought the car nearly four years earlier. I already have the perfect car!
VW definitely makes a "driver's car," which I can't say for some other car manufacturers. If you like cars and love driving, the Jetta will be a good choice. If you just want a device to take you from point A to point B, then try something else, because you just won't appreciate VW.
I guess I probably sound like a car snob, but I think anyone who spends a little time in different cars will agree.
I think the reliability issues for VW are over-stated, but it's there. The image of perfect reliability in other cars seems exagerated to me as well. I've had a handful of minor issues with my Golf, but nothing I couldn't handle on my own(and I have no mechanical experience and few tools). It's never failed to start or left me stranded or anything like that. I've spent $50 on repairs at the most. I did however buy a vag-com diagnostic cable/software, which was about $200. That's more of a toy than anything else, but it's very useful for troubleshooting and I recommend getting one or knowing someone who does. If you're going to work on it yourself, you will be fine. Most parts can be found on-line for reasonable cost compared to stealership prices. On the other hand, if you plan on paying a mechanic, you may want to choose something else.