Hey Ann,
I personally am not digging this forum. If you look at how long this topic has been posted, you will see the response level... you are the only response and you are a newbie too!
IMO, VWVORTEX.com has some good forums, a little more newbie friendly and if you take the time to read through the vast level of threads they have going, before you post, you are sure to learn a lot.
As for your question, I am pretty sure that a lot of the problems associated with the A4 (mk4) GTIs: MAF, window regulators and what not have been pretty much addressed for the 2002. I mean, it still is pretty much the luck of the draw but chances of a lemon are much lower with this model year I think. I am still on the fence, but I am leaning toward the dub more and more everyday.
I hope this helped, at least a little. Another option you have is to wait for the 25 anniversary GTI, scheduled for the near future. 6spd, Recaros, 18"BBS, suspension, 180hp 1.8t etc for around 24k. Just my .02 but check out the vortex, they at least responded to my posts!
Moderators lock me if you want, but it is the truth!
-dome