Are volkswagen jettas reliable good cars?

i'm 17 and in need of a car. i really want a scion tc but im gonna have to wait for that lol. i found a 2002 jetta for $5995. it has 112k miles and is silver with black leather interior. its in realy good shape exterior wise from what i get out of the pictures..but are jettas reliable? my sister had one and it went to **** after like a year, so i dont wanna waste my monmey. theyre cute and cheap though lol and i am in desparate need of a car. thanks :)