Opinions on VW Bora ?

pontovic

Hi

Im thinking of getting a VW bora soon enough as the new year comes in. I have a few questions though:

I drive a 1.0L now and Ill sell that, but will a 1.4 or 1.6 Bora use much more petrol than it ?
Does/Has anyone ever owned one or currently own one ? What are your opinions ?
Is getting a 1.6 better than getting a 1.4

I have a full licence so the engine capacity doesnt really matter anymore.

Thanks

rondeco

the bora should fall in value a bit now that the jetta is re-released. A jump to 1.4 wont make much of a difference on your petrol costs. best of luck with it..

Litcagral

pontovic wrote:

Hi

Im thinking of getting a VW bora soon enough as the new year comes in. I have a few questions though:

I drive a 1.0L now and Ill sell that, but will a 1.4 or 1.6 Bora use much more petrol than it ?
Does/Has anyone ever owned one or currently own one ? What are your opinions ?
Is getting a 1.6 better than getting a 1.4

I have a full licence so the engine capacity doesnt really matter anymore.

Thanks

A slightly larger engine does not always mean increased fuel consumption as the 1.6 would require less exertion than the 1.4. I'd go for the 1.6. (Obviously the road tax will be slightly higher).

bazz26

The Bora is just a MkIV Golf with a boot. The 1.4 VW petrol engine has only 75bhp which is not great by any means and is known to be underpowered (especially for overtaking) in the Golf so expect similar performance in the Bora. The 1.6 would be more suited to the heavy body but the 1.4 would probably be easier to sell on due to lower running costs. Avoid the base model as up to about 2002 this didn't even have electric front windows or cd player. The one to go for is the Comfortline model which can be identified by full colour coded bumpers/side moldings and door handles, electric windows all round, velour seats with a front arm rest and wood inserts on the dashboard.

Now that the Jetta is launched the Bora second hand prices will fall even further, VW saloons such as the Bora, Vento and Jetta never seem to hold their value like the Golf even thought they are basically the same car just with a boot instead of a hatch.

junkyard

They definitely don't hold their value and they're not a great car to be honest. You should consider a Ford Focus, I've handled a few of them over the years and they don't give much trouble, are nice to drive and have a good resale when the time comes to sell.

colm_mcm

try a skoda octavia, cheaper

Spitfire666

colm_mcm wrote:

try a skoda octavia, cheaper

I was just going to say that.
We have had three off them in my house and my uncle has had a few too. there great cars.
Practicaly a passat but cheeper and i like the squarer look better then the VW version.

bazz26

Spitfire666 wrote:

Practicaly a passat but cheeper and i like the squarer look better then the VW version.

Actually the Skoda Octavia is based on the VW Golf/Bora. The same goes for the Seat Leon/Toledo and Audi A3.

The Passat uses a different platform.

Squirrel

If you want a Golf with a boot, it's perfect, if you don't, well then it's not. It doesn't hold its value well, is pretty ugly, why couldn't they use the face of the Golf on it? With the Jetta coming out prices should slump

Squirrel

http://www.cbg.ie/Car_detail.asp?CBGID=335175&ID=569660&NumPics=1&Make=VW&Model=Bora%20Comfortline&frmFilter=

http://www.cbg.ie/car.asp?Make=VW&Model=Bora&mkID=m72&Colour=&modID=319&Body=&Submit=Search+Used+Cars&VTypeID=1&frmFilter=&isPostBack=

bazz26

Squirrel wrote:

http://www.cbg.ie/Car_detail.asp?CBGID=335175&ID=569660&NumPics=1&Make=VW&Model=Bora%20Comfortline&frmFilter=

Yeah that 2001 red Bora is way overpriced at €12,950 for what is a 5 year old car next week. Also it isn't the Comfortline as advertised, looks like the base model. The Comfortline has fully colour coded bumpers, side moldings and door handles.

You could have this 2004 version for €15,950.

http://www.cbg.ie/Car_detail.asp?CBGID=380957&ID=638748&NumPics=3&Make=VW&Model=Bora&frmFilter=

€3k more expensive than the 2001 model yet three years younger.

junkyard

A 01 Bora is worth no more than 7 grand.. no matter how good it is.

colm_mcm

bazz26 wrote:

Actually the Skoda Octavia is based on the VW Golf/Bora. The same goes for the Seat Leon/Toledo and Audi A3.

The Passat uses a different platform.

Yeah you'll notice the Octavia is a bit tighter in the back, but no more so than an A4 or Bora

pontovic

thanks for the replies guys, very helpful, but one more thing, I have been keeping my eye on a bora comfortline but im torn between that and a skoda octavia. is it possible to get an equivalent comfortline model in the skoda octavia range ? what keywords should i look for on car buyers guide ?

lomb

junkyard wrote:

A 01 Bora is worth no more than 7 grand.. no matter how good it is.

how much would u value a 99 1.4 5dr golf comfortline with 60000 miles? want to trade mothers car to a 06 golf 1.6 automatic, wondering whether to sell private or just trade it. cant get quotes cause all the garages are closed till the 3rd(crazy when u think about this being the busiest time for car sales)

neacy69

lomb wrote:

how much would u value a 99 1.4 5dr golf comfortline with 60000 miles? want to trade mothers car to a 06 golf 1.6 automatic, wondering whether to sell private or just trade it. cant get quotes cause all the garages are closed till the 3rd(crazy when u think about this being the busiest time for car sales)

I Would value a 1999 golf CL 60,000 around 7-7.5k based on carzone.ie and cbg.ie

I would sell privately as i think you never get a decent price from a dealer

neacy69

i Have to say i REALLY like the bora. Its not as common as the golf but still has the relaiability and the looks of one. The 1.4 model is suppposedly way underpowered whereas the 1.6 does the job in my case i've been looking for a 1.9TDI. They should def falll in value in the next 2 months (new year launch of the new jetta) so i'm gonna hold out for a while cos i really am considering buying one also

TempestSabre

I like the bora aswell. Better interior than the cordoba and octavia other than pretty much the same car. I don't agree they don't hold their value. The only cheap ones seem to have high mileage and scruffy interiors, iffy history. A scruffy interior says huggggeee miles on a VW. Though they are not as reliable as a jap car. I was looking for one, but now I reckon they are overpriced.

unkel

neacy69 wrote:

I Would value a 1999 golf CL 60,000 around 7-7.5k based on carzone.ie and cbg.ie

Anybody who spends €7.5k on a 7 year old (1999) Golf 1.4 needs their head examined. A 2002 Octavia 1.4 would be worth about that

As others said, it's nearly identical to the Golf Mark IV but has a much bigger boot

junkyard

A 99 Golf 1.4 with 60k miles is worth 4.0 to 4.5k regardless of what cbg.ie or carzone are telling you. You will probably sell it for more privately but don't be surprised at that price. If your trading in the dealer will only bump up your trade-in price to close the deal.

TempestSabre

junkyard wrote:

A 99 Golf 1.4 with 60k miles is worth 4.0 to 4.5k regardless of what cbg.ie or carzone are telling you. You will probably sell it for more privately but don't be surprised at that price. If your trading in the dealer will only bump up your trade-in price to close the deal.

Well I'd appreciate if you could point me (PM) in the direction of such cars. I'm not seeing anything like that price. Being in the trade you probably have sources that punters don't have.

colm_mcm

bear in mind that if a dealer is asking 7500 for a golf, he has to buy it in at about 5500, warranty it, do any repairs, and service it. he also has to advertise it and pay someone to valet it. there's 6250
easily spent. he then has to allow for the fact that people never pay the price in the window. so allowing for a discount of about 750, he's bought it for 6250, and sold it for 6750, made 500 quid which he has to pay vat on. Yipee!

stevenmu

TempestSabre wrote:

I like the bora aswell. Better interior than the cordoba and octavia other than pretty much the same car.

Isn't the Cordoba actually based on the Polo ? If so it's not really fair to compare them.

colm_mcm

Yeah the Cordoba's based on the Polo, While we're on the subject, The Seat Leon has the nicest Interior, robbed from the Audi

TempestSabre

stevenmu wrote:

Isn't the Cordoba actually based on the Polo ? If so it's not really fair to compare them.

Your right I meant the toledo. I keep getting the names mixed up.

TempestSabre

colm_mcm wrote:

Yeah the Cordoba's based on the Polo, While we're on the subject, The Seat Leon has the nicest Interior, robbed from the Audi

So does the toledo. That A3 dash. But seems to be a much cheaper plastic/materials than the audi.

lomb

junkyard wrote:

A 99 Golf 1.4 with 60k miles is worth 4.0 to 4.5k regardless of what cbg.ie or carzone are telling you. You will probably sell it for more privately but don't be surprised at that price.

indeed i am surprised by the price. no way il sell for that, 7 is rock bottom private sale ,as it the desirable non windy windows version comfortline. also has a full history. il let u know how i get on with quotes in jan garage wise.

unkel

lomb wrote:

no way il sell for that, 7 is rock bottom private sale

And you might very well get it. Lots of eejits about that would be willing to pay that price

lomb

well if u take it that a golf lasts 10 years and is desirable, that 2000 euro a year depreciation, now 7 years use at 2 grand is 14k, and since the equivelent new car is 21k cash, i dont think 7k is an excessive amount of money. remember this is a desirable car...
now take luxury cars, i think roughly the same calculation applies accept u depreciate it between 10 and 15% a year depending on desirability. like a brand new sl350 is and will be desirable in 7 years, and u cannot expect to pay the same pro rata for it than say an 'undesirable' s350.
i very much doubt the trade buys 60k miler 99 golfs in for 4 grand, if they did theyd be turning 3 grand profit on every one, even after a valet and warranty. maybe im wrong but if any one is willing to enlighten me as to where a good golf can be got for 4k then ill be enlightened:D

bazz26

You think €7k for a 7 year old Golf is excessive.

This guy must have fell out of his tree: :eek:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=330731

colm_mcm

lomb wrote:

i very much doubt the trade buys 60k miler 99 golfs in for 4 grand, if they did theyd be turning 3 grand profit on every one, even after a valet and warranty. maybe im wrong but if any one is willing to enlighten me as to where a good golf can be got for 4k then ill be enlightened:D

er.. no. If you are to actually put a Golf on a main dealer forecourt, you might well ask 7 grand for it. but the reality is that most 99 Golfs won't make it onto main dealer forecourts due to age and mileage. Those that make it to the main dealer's forecourt will have a major service including timing belt, which if you've ever done this is quite expensive. they will be guarunteed, cleaned, advertised etc. And as i said, even if you ask €7,000, you will never get it (especially for a 7 year old Golf).
Most will be bought from the garage by independant traders who will buy the car from the garage as a member of the motor trade, therefore will get mo warranty and no real comeback. For the garage, this is a way of quickly selling the car without the hassle of servicing, cleaning and sorting out any potential problems the car may have in the next 12 months.

Lets say you buy a new Golf for €22,000,
(there's a cash discount of €1500 available if you don't trade a car in.)
He offers you a trade in of €6,000. You take €6,000 from €22,000. you get €16,000 cost to change.
or €20,500-€4,500 giving you €16,000.
He has now bought your car from you for €4,500

He sells the car to a trader for €4,500. the trader then sells it on with a few hundred euro profit to a small garage who deal mainly in older cars, they fix whatever needs to be fixed and sell it.

You have to allow for the fact that motor dealers and the motor trade are in business, and do have to make money. And just because some one on carzone reckons their car is worth 8 grand, it doesn't make it true!

TempestSabre

Seem to be about 7-9k from what I've seen. Whats interesting is where most of the cars of that age and price have 60-100k you see a few with much lower mileage, but yet scruffier, from some dealers. Ummmmm.

lomb

if its 4500 then as far im concerned its clocked $hit(although i stand to be corrected), 90% of 7 year old cars on irish roads are rubbish.
mine has just hads its timing belt/tensioner/water pump 60000 mile service done with receipts, new brake discs/pads with receipts, new boot lock, rear wiper motor...run on fully synthetic oil from day one, even the original rear michelins are on it still virtually unworn, fronts replaced with new michelin enegys only

not the usual tat me thinks... il let u guys know how i get on, might flog it on boards and carzone if no good dealer offers are forthcoming.

colm_mcm

Of course you must get as much as you can for it! and there are people out there who will pay over the odds

Silvera

I was considering buying a Bora back in August but after a lot of research I decided against it!
e.g. gearbox failure happens much too often for my liking !!

See www.honestjohn.co.uk (look up 'Bora' in the 'Used Car reviews' section).


I went for a '03 Astra in the end - only €11,500 for a one owner, 29k, FOSH car !

Silvera
(Ex-Panel Beater)

TempestSabre

Have to say I like those Astra. Driven a few and they drive very nicely. The TD is pokey enough.

Benny-c

Drove a Bora (1.4L) for 3 years (company). I was very disappointed and was glad I wasn't paying for it. It's way underpowered, extremely dangerous for overtaking:eek:

I was doing 50kmls.pa and it wasnt able for the high mileage, it had a succession of oil leaks & suspension problems.

Not a happy customer:(

TempestSabre

Of course theres always the choice of NOT overtaking...:D Its only dangerous if the driver makes it dangerous. The car doesn't decide to overtake on it own...:D

pontovic

Benny-c wrote:

Drove a Bora (1.4L) for 3 years (company). I was very disappointed and was glad I wasn't paying for it. It's way underpowered, extremely dangerous for overtaking:eek:

I was doing 50kmls.pa and it wasnt able for the high mileage, it had a succession of oil leaks & suspension problems.

Not a happy customer:(

I heard the 1.4l engines in them were crap, especially the early 1999 models. The 1.6 I've been told is alot better though and newer bora's have better engines in them. ive also been told that they are boring to drive, is this true ?

TempestSabre

pontovic wrote:

I heard the 1.4l engines in them were crap, especially the early 1999 models. The 1.6 I've been told is alot better though and newer bora's have better engines in them. ive also been told that they are boring to drive, is this true ?

The engines ok. Its just that the cars are very heavy. An engine with more torque is better suited to a heavier car.

colm_mcm

the 1.4 in the Bora is no worse or better than the equivelant in the Focus or Astra, although it gets shown up by a Corolla with 20bhp more. However the VW unit is very refined,this makes up for its lack of pace

TempestSabre

colm_mcm wrote:

t...VW unit is very refined...

...Needs posh petrol...:D

I'd say the jap ones are better especially the Hondas.

colm_mcm

TempestSabre wrote:

...Needs posh petrol...:D

I'd say the jap ones are better especially the Hondas.

the honda one isn't great, a bit dead by their standards. In that class, the only lively 1.4's are the corolla and the now defunct Rover 25 / MG ZR, I've driven pretty much all of them at some point and I'd say the slowest would be the Golf/Bora/Leon/Octavia, Megane, and Lanos/Kalos

on the posh petrol, the VW 1.4 often sounds like it's "pinking"
can't justify spending even more on petrol!

TempestSabre

Refined or lively. I've never heard any say the VW was lively. The VW 1.4 100BHP is ok, but they're rare enough. Any Honda 1.4 I ever drove was smooth and revy.

Try to find a VW engine in this list...

http://www.ukintpress.com/engineoftheyear/previous04.html

lomb

vw 1.6 102 bhp engine is pure rubbish. the 1.4 is a better engine as its 16 valve double overhead cam, versus the old eighties type single overhead cam 8valve in the 1.6. in fact i test drove a new audi a3 with the 8valve 1.6 yesterday and found it to be the worst car id EVER driven. pile of rubbish..
looks like the 1.6 fsi engine then for mum, and this only comes in comfortline
@ 27500 euros. even if i got 7 grand for the 99 golf (which some here think excessive) its still going to cost 20 grand to upgrade.

vw are jokers, just shows u the brand image they have that they can sell a mid eighties engine in a 2006 car at a price thats not cheap, and if u want a half way modern engine(the 1.6 fsi) ur up to 27 grand, just a few grand short of the GTI, which is an awesome car by any standard. crazy vw...

BrianD3

colm_mcm wrote:

the 1.4 in the Bora is no worse or better than the equivelant in the Focus or Astra, although it gets shown up by a Corolla with 20bhp more. However the VW unit is very refined,this makes up for its lack of pace

The Astra 1.4 has around 15 bhp more than the VAG 1.4 IIRC. The Ford Focus and VAG units develop about the the same power and both are pathetically slow. Yet VAG and Ford are still fitting these engines to their latest models which are heavier than their predecessors. These engines lag well behind similar sized units from Rover, Renault and Toyota.

colm_mcm

TempestSabre wrote:

Refined or lively. I've never heard any say the VW was lively. The VW 1.4 100BHP is ok, but they're rare enough. Any Honda 1.4 I ever drove was smooth and revy.

I never said the VW was lively, at 75bhp it's far from it! as for the Renault, it's a lot slower in real life than figures would suggest. a lot of emphasis is put on peak bhp,

It's crazy alright that they still use these rubbish engines

TempestSabre

An 8V engine is going to have more low down torque than a 1.4 16v. If you used to revy engines you won't like a 8v. You have to remember that these cars are heavy. Put that 102bhp, 1.6 in a old mrk 1 and it would fly.

colm_mcm wrote:

I never said the VW was lively, at 75bhp it's far from it!

You don't expect a heavy car with a small engine to be lively. The Jap cars are generally lighter and have more powerful motors. What do you expect. Personally I don't find VW engines "refined".

The 1.4 astras nippy enough alright.

colm_mcm

absolutely, it's really disappointing to see new cars like the Citroen C4 and Focus. then drive them and they're pathetic. Remember the days when an Alfa 145 1.4 T.Spark or FIat Bravo GT could really fly

lomb

TempestSabre wrote:

If you used to revy engines you won't like a 8v. You have to remember that these cars are heavy.

correct, the engine was a lump of metal made from the heaviest iron vw could find. pure rubbish, i dont know how they get away with it. i floored the a3, and i dont know if it was the fact that it was very refined or what , but absolutely nothing happened! it gently moved forward!
so much for innovation, vw are going backwards. they shouldnt be selling the 1.6 in non 16v twin cam guise.

BrianD3

If you want to talk about rubbish engines, just think back to the Golf Mk3. 60 bhp 1.4, 75 bhp 1.8 (not sold in ireland AFAIK)

And it's not as if VW concentrated on making the rest of the car good, it was generally a poor effort with terrible equipment levels eg no anti roll bars on the lower models. The only good points were safety and a solid feel.

This was at a time when Rover were producing the K series which put out 103 bhp from a 1.4. Although it did eat head gaskets.

As for Renaults, my brother has the old model Megane 1.4 16v and it trounces the Golf IV and Focus Mk1 and also beats the Astra. It's about on a par with the Corolla. The new model Megane is slower due to increased weight but the same is true of all the newer cars.