Pressure test the car for leaks.

Inspect the fluid

Fluid is always cheaper than a transmission.

No, get an alternator even if you have to source a junkyard one.

Make sure the alternator/battery cables are in good shape.

The tire came off because the lower ball joint failed, you need to do suspension work on this car sadly.

You have a bad alternator or an issue with the ground.

Replace the pcv valve and use 5w-30 oil. The vcm system is usually what causes issues on this car. Also be sure to service the transmission and make sure you keep up on the timing belt service as well, otherwise it’s a good car.

Pay the bill, also you literally fixed everything that would make it reliable, everything replaced is common failure points do to age, any old car is going to need work, it’s unavoidable. I don’t care what 90s car you buy.

If they don’t have much play, just clean them off and regrease both of them.

It could be an issue with the idle control valve, Fords love have issues with that, it can cause stalling when idling if it’s going bad.

Definitely do that, inspect the motor mount and dog bone mount as well.

Go take this to someone that specializes in VW and get their opinion on it. Otherwise you might be throwing money for something that might not even be the issue here. It could be carbon build up etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKqsKxQWlaE I would check this out

It sounds to me like this might be an Idle Air Control Valve issue.