Used Cars: doors dont lock using the keys, engine leaks, wheel alignment

Question
Hi Mr.Jay
My name is Gabi im looking for a good used car to buy and yesterday i found this car its 96 VW cabrio with only 98000 miles on it and asking $2000 but as you know with this price car must have some problems this car needs a new battery ,wheel alignment and the engine leaks some oil and all these are solvable and cost around $500 but what confuse me is that the doors don't want to lock from the outside using the keys even when they are closed but on the other hand they lock when you go inside the car , close the doors and press the lock button under the radio
and the same happens when you close the doors and lock them using your hands while you stand outside the vehicle -as you know cabrios are convertible so you can push your hand to the inside of the car and reach the locker located on the doors while you are out the car- so will ordering new keys from VW dealer solve the problem because the remote control is lost
and do you think it is a good deal
thanks and regards
sincerely
G.Koussa

Answer
Gabi,
I would move on to the next car.  It is not necessary just the fact that I find it hard to believe that everything wrong on that car, including oil leak, can be fixed for $500.  I would have to know exactly what the oil leak is, but by in large, VW's are some of the most expensive cars to work on.  The reason I would be a little leary on this car, is because at 98k miles, it does not appear to have been taken care of like it should have.  Which means you will find things now, and on down the road, this car will probably never quit having something needing to be fixed.  You would be better advised to consult a VW Dealer about that key issue.  I have had one do the same thing, and it is a nightmare.  All in All, I think you could better spend your $2k on a high mileage Honda or Toyota.  Lower maintenance, better fuel mileage, cheaper to work on.
That is of course just one mans opinion.