Golf V .. advice needed

[Greylandy]

Hi,

I'm in the process of getting a second hand run around for the wife. Not sure why she doesn't want to ride her push bike from Collaroy to the City, it's only 30km!!! ;)

She's got her mind set on a 2003/2004 Generation 4 Golf .. probably the 2.0 but I would consider the 1.6 as well. Now, anybody got experience with these vehicles? Any problems or issues to look out for or any particular model that should be avoided or recommended? The last time I drove a non-Land Rover was back in South-Africa some 6 years ago so I've lost touch with the "car world" :D

Appreciate any advice ... suggestions on other small non-Japanese vehicles welcome.

Cheers
Henry.

[Reads90]

I had a VW Passat
That was the last car i had in the UK (company car)
It was lovley and really nice car. Very well built and lovely build quality If i have to buy a car it would definately a VW. I have loads of mates in the Uk whos wifes have Golfs and they are on the 3rd and 4th ones. They love them as they give them no problems at all.
Go the Diesel they are fast and use a nats **** of fuel.

[MickG]

I owned a 2L Manual Gen IV Golf about 4 years ago and it was a great car - well built, comfortable, economical, feature packed. Owned it from new and sold it with about 50K on it. Only complaint was it was slow as buggery (0-100k in 11.5sec:zzz: ) and very wollowy round corners, but it took me to work and back comfortably and with a bit of refinement. I would suspect the 1.6 would be VERY slow but essentially the same handling.

I was also lucky enough to have a great dealer who looked after me when it came to small issues like repairing a flat tyre for free, replacing globes for free etc etc. They obviously charge more at service time etc so these little extras as I saw them were not really free but the dealer was very accomodating and always did a great job....plus gave me some great loan cars whilst mine was being serviced.

I have always loved golfs and would buy again but this time would be the Gen 4 R32:twisted:

Hope this helps, Mick

[Quiggers]

I've just been looking at golfs as a replacement for the (SWMBO) Falcon - very exey, sadly..... am now leaning towards a new Focus, which for $22000 driveaway seems pretty damn good....

good luck, GQ

[Captain_Rightfoot]

I'm confused. In the subject line you say Golf V but in the text you say Golf IV. I have looked extensively at the Golf V and reckon they are great but I've never owned one. All Golf V (except the R32) are built in SA. No offense but this is a negative for me. Look at the poor quality of the Focus to see why.

[Reads90]

I'm confused. In the subject line you say Golf V but in the text you say Golf IV. I have looked extensively at the Golf V and reckon they are great but I've never owned one. All Golf V (except the R32) are built in SA. No offense but this is a negative for me. Look at the poor quality of the Focus to see why.

In my mind all Build Quality of fords is poor In the UK as well as here
That is why i will never own one, and no i am not a holdern man either i think thay are just as crap too. (never like Vauxhalls in the Uk , can't corner anyway and are wives cars)

[Greylandy]

Thanks for the comments fellas .. the subject line should say Golf IV .. sorry .. missed the I. Captain, I guess that negates the SA build problem. Not that I agree, I was built in SA and I'm very sturdy! ;)

GQ, I haven't looked at the Focus but thought the new body design looks good. Not german but worth a look. Thanks.

Mick, a R32 would be great but for that price I can get her a Defender 90! :cool: I haven't driven the 2.0L but no too concerned if it's a bit sluggish. It will be her car and I doubt if she would notice. How was the fuel economoy on yours Mick?

Reads, the Diesel would be my first choice but out of the budget at the moment.

[MickG]

How was the fuel economoy on yours Mick?

Couldn't tell you exactly but all I remember was driving to Brisbane from the Gold Coast every week day (around 180-200 round trip) and I just remember thinking it was good on fuel for that purpose......sorry I can't be more specific.
As Reads says though, go the diesel if you can stretch.

Can also concur with Ford build quality, I bought a Ghia Teritory for my wife late last year and the panel fit both internally and externally is woeful to say the least. Very plasticy feel to it. Haviong said all that, it's that car my wife wanted and it drives fine and she is not too concerned with the build quality shorcomings........let's just hope it stays together and we get some decent life out of it. I personally would not buy a Ford for myself.

I have an Audi A3 2L at the moment as my daily driver and find the build quality on this and on my Golf (plus the ergonomics) far superior to anything else I have looked at and owned over the years - from holden, nissan, toyota.

Aye, Mick

[Tusker]

My better half loves them, a GTi in this model & also the previous (is that iv & v?)

Interior trim quality was better on the last one. Both had air con compressors fail, in & just our of warranty. Crap hi-beam on both. Electric mirror switch prone to breaking if heavy handed. Stitching in black interiors don't last in our climate.

Full size spare on the last one, spacesaver on this one. Low profile tyres don't save expensive alloy rims from scuffing on kerbs when you-know-who is parking.

Current one is more overt. Last one was more of a luxury car than a hot hatch. Both need PULP.

Really light pedals & steering on both, no different to anything else popular I suppose. Takes me days to get used to again if I have to drive, I hate it first session.

But Carol thinks the same same of the Defender if she has to take that. The suggestion I drive hers, & she takes Tusker every day lasted almost a nanosecond.

Regards
Max P

[PeterM]

What's the budget? The missus & I got a manual Golf V 2.0 Tdi 13 months ago and have not had any problems with it at all. Average consumption has been 5.2L/100km over 43 000km in that time. Excellent built quality & refinement with a very nice ride and lots of lovely touches inside.

We looked at Focus, Astra & Mazda 3 but the Golf was streets ahead.

Just had a look on Carpoint and bloody hell, the prices in NSW are a bit OTT. Another option may be have a look at a Diesel Polo, much cheaper but if it's being used as an economical runaround then it fits the bill.

[noddy]

Henry -- I know somone who has the last model TDi and it is incredible in terms of fuel economy. Really nicely built car.

Also have a look at the Peugeot 307 HDi. There will be a run-out of them in the next couple of months ahead of the new 308.

If you want something for fun, go the Renault Clio Sport. Great, affordable car that are a hoot to drive.