VW Golf, what's the attraction?

naughtysmurf

Sat into a Golf the other day, a 07. Was never in one before, didn't drive it, don't know what spec it was, it was a work mates new purchase so was just having a quick look
It's a model we certainly would have considered when the missus is due to change next

Afraid I was really unimpressed just sitting in it

There are a lot of them on the road, what's the attraction? because I don't see it

runs for cover

coylemj

The principal attraction of a Golf (and Polo) is good resale value.

Aln_S

I made the mistake of changing form a '08 Leon FR to a '08 GT Golf, biggest mistake ever!

To be honest the Golf is not half the car, worse handling and worse engine

naughtysmurf

OK but is that it?

Thought it looked cheap & nasty inside

Sky King

They are reliable, safe, popular and (arguably) drive and handle well... and easy to re sell..

naughtysmurf

coylemj wrote: »

The principal attraction of a Golf (and Polo) is good resale value.

Funnily enough this is something that is not so important for me as we have to keep two cars on the road for work so tend to keep our motors for +8 years at least

mattjack

I drove a diesel one for work a few years ago,then bought a petrol one as a family car.It gave me nothing but problems burning oil,cutting out completely,unable to start and problems with brakes.

EPM

VW had a reputation for reliability. They are still living off that image thanks to very good marketing campaigns.

There not poorly built cars these days but they aren't more reliable than most other cars in their class. Also they have a classier image that many aspire to own for some unknown reason. I looked recently at speccing up a one with a few choice extras and it was north of €35k for a 140bhp diesel.

Anan1

naughtysmurf wrote: »

Sat into a Golf the other day, a 07. Was never in one before, didn't drive it, don't know what spec it was, it was a work mates new purchase so was just having a quick look
It's a model we certainly would have considered when the missus is due to change next

Afraid I was really unimpressed just sitting in it

There are a lot of them on the road, what's the attraction? because I don't see it

runs for cover

Spec is everything with German cars, the interior of a base model will be very different to that of a well-specified example. It's also impossible to judge a car without driving it - it's like judging a steak by looking at it.

But yeah, you do pay for a long history of high-end marketing.

naughtysmurf

Anan1 wrote: »

Spec is everything with German cars, the interior of a base model will be very different to that of a well-specified example. It's also impossible to judge a car without driving it - it's like judging a steak by looking at it.

But yeah, you do pay for a long history of high-end marketing.

Could well have been the base model but even if it was a great drive & reliable don't think I could look at the interior for an extended length of time
Just disapointed I suppose, was expecting more

Anan1

naughtysmurf wrote: »

Could well have been the base model but even if it was a great drive & reliable don't think I could look at the interior for an extended length of time
Just disapointed I suppose, was expecting more

You should try sitting in an older Golf, they're positively luxurious these days. I had a Mk2 GTI 16v with no power steering, no central locking and no electric windows. VW built their reputation on being properly built, with no frills.

naughtysmurf

Anan1 wrote: »

You should try sitting in an older Golf, they're positively luxurious these days. I had a Mk2 GTI 16v with no power steering, no central locking and no electric windows. VW built their reputation on being properly built, with no frills.

Must be getting old but do like my comforts but won't be spending 35K to get them :eek:

Not taking the p1ss but in fairness when you close the doors, does sound solid just like that VW ad for the Polo I think so maybe their marketing is as previous poster said impressive

TheZ

good resale value

Dare I say it but they have a "classless" image that maybe other cars don't have - don't look out of place wherever you park it. it isn't a flash car and it isn't a car that the average person will sneer at either

joolsveer

I did my driving test in a mark 1 diesel golf. It belonged to the instructor and was built like a tank. Because I got the test I liked the golf! I never drove another though.

congo_90

Not a big fan of the mark 5+
I have mark 3 and its the 'variant' model. Recent oil leak means its getting through the oil. It has been with me for almost 2 trouble free years. There is something about the no nonsense approach about them.
So easy to maintain and everything (controls) all just where you'd want em. Mine is however the CL (comfort line, paddy spec).

To sum up.
Reliable for a 95
560 miles to a tank (Unleaded 1.4)
Decent leg and head room both back and front.
Burns oil like its goin outta fashion.
Insurance is light enough

naughtysmurf

naughtysmurf wrote: »

..................

There are a lot of them on the road, what's the attraction? because I don't see it

..................

Lots of folk aren't into cars, they know little to sfa about them, most folk care what people think, as folks have mentioned the Golf is an apparently reliable, well built car with good resale value with some element of "prestige" attached to it.

Most of the folk who buy a Golf wouldn't buy a Kia or a Hyundai as they are perceived to be a crap car by many folk.

Aln_S

OSI wrote: »

You went from an FR to a GT and expected a similar car? If you wanted something similar to the FR you should have got the GTI, not the GT.

I didn't want a petrol so GTI not an option.

Why not expect a similar car? They are built on much the same platform.. The biggest problem really was going from the CEGA engine to the BMN engine.

I moved to the UK and the missus wanted a Golf so hence the change.

166man

RoverJames wrote: »

Lots of folk aren't into cars, they know little to sfa about them, most folk care what people think, as folks have mentioned the Golf is an apparently reliable, well built car with good resale value with some element of "prestige" attached to it.

Most of the folk who buy a Golf wouldn't buy a Kia or a Hyundai as they are perceived to be a crap car by many folk.

Say it again?





:pac:

jenizzle

I think a lot of it is down to laziness sometimes. People want a car, but can't be arsed researching what to get so they just go for a Golf as they don't know any better and they think they'll never have to put any effort into owning one.

166man

166man wrote: »

Say it again?





:pac:

folk

Rose35

Recently bought an 08 golf, gorgeous car inside and out, yes the name badge oozes reliability and maybe good marketing but happy with my purchase, upgraded from a ford focus, equally good car. and no would definetly not buy a kia or hyundai or skoda for that matter. Only well known reliable brands.

Rose35

Rose35 wrote: »

Recently bought an 08 golf, gorgeous car inside and out, yes the name badge oozes reliability and maybe good marketing but happy with my purchase, upgraded from a ford focus, equally good car. and no would definetly not buy a kia or hyundai or skoda for that matter. Only well known reliable brands.

There we go, says it all

String

Rose35 wrote: »

Recently bought an 08 golf, gorgeous car inside and out, yes the name badge oozes reliability and maybe good marketing but happy with my purchase, upgraded from a ford focus, equally good car. and no would definetly not buy a kia or hyundai or skoda for that matter. Only well known reliable brands.

skoda = vw

166man

Rose35 wrote: »

Recently bought an 08 golf, gorgeous car inside and out, yes the name badge oozes reliability and maybe good marketing but happy with my purchase, upgraded from a ford focus, equally good car. and no would definetly not buy a kia or hyundai or skoda for that matter. Only well known reliable brands.

I think I already know the asnwer but still, Can I ask why you wouldn't buy a Hyundai, Kia or Skoda instead?

EPM

Rose35 wrote: »

Recently bought an 08 golf, gorgeous car inside and out, yes the name badge oozes reliability and maybe good marketing but happy with my purchase, upgraded from a ford focus, equally good car. and no would definetly not buy a kia or hyundai or skoda for that matter. Only well known reliable brands.

You do realise that the octavia is the same car as a golf with different sheet metal, yeah? Reliability would be equal. Same with a Seat Leon, Audi A3 etc etc.

Good that you're happy with your purchase and hope it goes well but it proves a point with regard the slick advertising campaigns they run.

Fizman

Aln_S wrote: »

I didn't want a petrol so GTI not an option.

Why not expect a similar car? They are built on much the same platform.. The biggest problem really was going from the CEGA engine to the BMN engine.

I moved to the UK and the missus wanted a Golf so hence the change.

I'm with him on this one......even though they are much the same platform, both are very different experiences. I know it's only a matter of opinion, but I find the Golf much more refined in terms of the interior finish and general trim. I sat in an FR before I bought my GTI, my found it lacking in what I was looking for. It is a very nice car in it's own right, don't get me wrong, but it just didn't tick the boxes for me. To even compare the driving experience (re the engine) is like comparing chalk to cheese in your case. Of course the petrol is going to feel more satisfying to you.

The 'GT' idea for me never worked however, and I don't think VW should ever have come up with it.

s_carnage

Rose35 wrote: »

Recently bought an 08 golf, gorgeous car inside and out, yes the name badge oozes reliability and maybe good marketing but happy with my purchase, upgraded from a ford focus, equally good car. and no would definetly not buy a kia or hyundai or skoda for that matter. Only well known reliable brands.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder I suppose.

Like the OP I never understood the fascination with Golfs. Really ordinary looking car and much nicer and better cars in its class for much less.

Rose35

166man wrote: »

I think I already know the asnwer but still, Can I ask why you wouldn't buy a Hyundai, Kia or Skoda instead?

They look cheap

Rose35

EPM wrote: »

You do realise that the octavia is the same car as a golf with different sheet metal, yeah? Reliability would be equal. Same with a Seat Leon, Audi A3 etc etc.

Good that you're happy with your purchase and hope it goes well but it proves a point with regard the slick advertising campaigns they run.

I agree, advertising sells, golf much better looking car anyway.

Rose35

They are cheaper so they reflect that;)

naughtysmurf

From the outside I can appreciate it looks reasonable enough and I suppose can see the attraction for a single person or couple, wouldn't see it as practical if you had kids and was the main family car, didn't think the back was that roomy and I'm not big by any stretch of the imagination, boot was too small

Price & low base spec compared to others in the same class would put me off,

ando

RoverJames wrote: »

There we go, says it all

It’s obvious the poster you are commenting on has not researched what these cars are really like and is only going on what the majority think, mass psychology and thinking based on fantastic marketing. Skoda as everyone knows here... is VW with a different skin.. Exact same parts under the bonnet. I've saved so much money by buying Seat in the past few years, a lot more car for my buck for what is a Golf under the skin. If I was to spend the same amount on a VW badge, I would be getting a lot less

Rose35

Have baby on the way so happy with the safety features of car, boot looks roomy enough for one buggy, first child, so take on board what you are saying, if had 3 or more kids id have to upgrade to a family saloon:( in ref to naughtysmurfs post

Rose35

Rose35 wrote: »

........... if had 3 or more kids id have to upgrade to a family saloon:( in ref to naughtysmurfs post

You might find yourself in a Skoda or Seat than and be quite glad of the value

shawnee

Rose35 wrote: »

Recently bought an 08 golf, gorgeous car inside and out, yes the name badge oozes reliability and maybe good marketing but happy with my purchase, upgraded from a ford focus, equally good car. and no would definetly not buy a kia or hyundai or skoda for that matter. Only well known reliable brands.

Well you're one of those that the Golf marketing targeted and worked on and better still you are happy with it. The Golf since it came out in 1976 has been a remarkable success and a worth follower of the beetle. It really hasn't changed shape that much and while it is not selling as well now with the competition out there ,it's still doing well.
The older Golf like the older mercs were always solid and reliable, rust wasn't an issue and indeed the tinny sound that was in the japs doors wasn't in the Golf.
So basically the attraction is that the Golf is a tried and tested formula and if you are a fan , until you buy one that gives you trouble then you are likely to keep buying them !

Rose35

ando wrote: »

It’s obvious the poster you are commenting on has not researched what these cars are really like and is only going on what the majority think, mass psychology and thinking based on fantastic marketing. Skoda as everyone knows here... is VW with a different skin.. Exact same parts under the bonnet. I've saved so much money by buying Seat in the past few years, a lot more car for my buck for what is a Golf under the skin. If I was to spend the same amount on a VW badge, I would be getting a lot less

My first choice was an audi a3, overpriced for similiar spec on vw, so money won out on the end, was totally not interested in skoda, kia or hyundai so didnt bother researching. So yes will read reviews on cars and golf came out on top, plus didnt really have much research to do, vw or audi, may have gone for a ford focus again but just fancied a change, im a simple creature that just wants reliability, good safety features and a good resale value, which iv got. as i said im happy with my purchase.

Foxhole Norman

Consider this: I went on to both the VW and Skoda car configurators for the Superb and Passat.

Superb, Elegance spec with all the bells and whistles and a 1.6TDi engine costs 30k.

Passat with similar spec and same engine, roughly 40k.

That's roughly 10k more for a smaller car and for the VW badge :eek:

Tea 1000

Rose35 wrote: »

My first choice was an audi a3, overpriced for similiar spec on vw, so money won out on the end, was totally not interested in skoda, kia or hyundai so didnt bother researching. So yes will read reviews on cars and golf came out on top, plus didnt really have much research to do, vw or audi, may have gone for a ford focus again but just fancied a change, im a simple creature that just wants reliability, good safety features and a good resale value, which iv got. as i said im happy with my purchase.

You look at the A3 and see it as a Golf except for more money, and you decide you can't afford it. Many others look at the Skoda Octavia, and see the Golf and ask why would I pay more for a smaller version of the Octavia?
I do find it fascinating though that Irish women almost all aspire to an A3 and will settle for a Golf. They probably love men who drive A4's, and want a TT if they win the lotto!!
I think it's an Irish country thing that harps back to the good old days of a Massey Ferguson in the shed and a VW in the yard... Neither company are the best around anymore, haven't been for 20 years or more, but the notion is embedded!!
All modern cars are very similar in terms of safety.

Personally I don't bother with brand loyalty. I like the Mk5 Golf GTi, it's a good value car these days cause it's not holding it's value any more thanks to the petrol-phobia, and does everything fairly well. But the Mk4 GTi was a joke, and the standard spec Golfs just don't meet my criteria when looking at cars in that class. Maybe some day they will! They look dull though. Dunno how anyone thinks they're class looking!!

TomMc

Autocar once said that the A3 was vanity in it's lowest form, so that must make current Golf's more about common snobbery.

I guess they appeal to people with the herd mentality, who have little interest or knowledge of cars (hold urban myths abound no doubt), a lack of imagination, but perceive a Golf as upmarket compared to say more driver focused Fords (excuse the pun).

I see them as the default car of choice (along with the Polo) for twenty and thirty something females (often persnickety types), but primarily folk who want a car that has middle of the road respectability, with a south Dublin or slightly bourgeois image.

Elessar

Mk6 golf is where it's at. Much improved interior and materials over the mk5. Mk5 was way to cheap and plasticy on the inside. Never liked it. The mk6 is a class above.

Jimmy Bottlehead

I never, ever understood the fascination with VW Golfs. Bland looking, performance never seemed to stand out compared to other cars, interior just screams 'meh'.

Seems the car of choice for someone with little to no motoring knowledge, a wad of cash and a "what'll the neighbours think?" complex.

cojomo2

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

I never, ever understood the fascination with VW Golfs. Bland looking, performance never seemed to stand out compared to other cars, interior just screams 'meh'.

Seems the car of choice for someone with little to no motoring knowledge, a wad of cash and a "what'll the neighbours think?" complex.

unless it's a gti:)

Chris_Heilong

For me the golf havent really evolved and have always been old fashioned looking so have not been attracted to VW myself, they have always had this boxy image and havent change much in my mind. I always thought maybe there was just something wrong with me...

Jimmy Bottlehead

cojomo2 wrote: »

unless it's a gti:)

Still makes me go 'meh'.
There's a few dozen cars I'd put ahead of the Golf if I had to choose.

gerryo777

naughtysmurf wrote: »

Sat into a Golf the other day, a 07. Was never in one before, didn't drive it, don't know what spec it was, it was a work mates new purchase so was just having a quick look
It's a model we certainly would have considered when the missus is due to change next

Afraid I was really unimpressed just sitting in it

There are a lot of them on the road, what's the attraction? because I don't see it

runs for cover

I had one of those 1.4 gt sports 170 bhp from new.
Never again, got to 55k kilometers and the timing chain jumped, that cost me €800 to fix as vw covered the parts cost (complete new head etc)
4 months later the engine completely s**t itself.
The bill this time was going to be over €5 grand, after haggling with vw it was going to cost me €2k.
I cut my losses and traded it in.
A car that cost me almost €35k in 2008 and I got €13k on a trade in.
That was last year so it cost me €7.5k per year to own.:mad:

Fiona

TomMc wrote: »

for twenty and thirty something females (often persnickety types)

I can't wait to see your description for the stereotypical female mini driver :D:D:D

mrs crilly

mrs crilly wrote: »

I can't wait to see your description for the stereotypical female mini driver :D:D:D

Option A - Blond, sunglasses, secretary outfit (estate agent type)
Option B - Blond, glammed up, hairdresser on day off

EPM

I think this has run its course.