First Car - Any Opinions on this 03 Volkswagen Golf?

newportlad

Hi All,

Have arranged a meeting with the seller of this car for tomorrow, offer of 2,200 has been accepted so just pending the viewing.

http://www.adverts.ie/car/volkswagen/golf/vw-golf-1-4-quick-sell/2089473

Just hoping to get some opinions on this, any perticular questions I should ask?

Thanks a mill in advance

coylemj

The registration number (03 D 73939) would indicate that it was first registered in late 2003 yet the NCT expires in Feb, I'd query that for starters. The renewal date is supposed to be the anniversary of when the vehicle was first registered so the disparity may indicate that it's an import.

bazz26

If the owner doesn't know when the timing belt was changed then presume it hasn't been so budget for it asap. I think on those engines its every 60k miles or 5 years. Those engines are known for buring alot of oil and gearboxes are on the soft side but I assume you are bringing a mechanic with you to inspect it? It looks clean enough from the not so great photos.

dgt

Why a 1.4 Golf?

A chap I know (who took over my old job) bought one lovingly as his first car. All the receipts to prove work was done, seemed to be a tidy example. It is an awful dog of a car, it's as miserable as a Corsa. Absolutely drinks oil. One to avoid. 1.6 is a much better engine for that car

Can't maintain it anymore would have me asking the seller what kind of work was done prior, how often it was serviced, anything major etc. Ask the seller to NCT it as part of the deal. If they refuse, walk. There's no excuse when it's that close to the test, unless they know it won't pass

newportlad

Thanks all for your replies,

Apologies for only updating now,

Was an awful car to be fair,

As soon as i sit into the car, notice the driver rear view mirror is held together by masking tape, apparently someone bumped into the side of the car last week.

The clutch felt tike it was in bad shaped, kind of creaked as i would release it and felt very heavy as did the handbrake. Is this a sign that they were damaged or wear and tear? Just so I can look out for future viewings..

Dissapointed by the interior and overall comfort of the golf also, are comfort line models much better?

pred racer

newportlad wrote: »

Thanks all for your replies,

Apologies for only updating now,

Was an awful car to be fair,

As soon as i sit into the car, notice the driver rear view mirror is held together by masking tape, apparently someone bumped into the side of the car last week.

The clutch felt tike it was in bad shaped, kind of creaked as i would release it and felt very heavy as did the handbrake. Is this a sign that they were damaged or wear and tear? Just so I can look out for future viewings..

Dissapointed by the interior and overall comfort of the golf also, are comfort line models much better?

Imo, most cars out there have a better interior than a base spec golf

lomb

Hand brake is normally heavy, clutch should be very light on the 1.4 being hydraulically assisted. If its creaking and heavy possibly slave cylinder gone which a gearbox off job.

flanzer

They're a brutal car. I'd a '00 1.4, and was dull as dishwater. Sold it for a 1.6 with a couple of more extras on it, but it was only marginally better.

There's a couple of tidy examples of Civics out there in your price region and they're generally bullet proof
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4027242
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3915492

bbsrs

newportlad wrote: »

Thanks all for your replies,

Apologies for only updating now,

Was an awful car to be fair,

As soon as i sit into the car, notice the driver rear view mirror is held together by masking tape, apparently someone bumped into the side of the car last week.

The clutch felt tike it was in bad shaped, kind of creaked as i would release it and felt very heavy as did the handbrake. Is this a sign that they were damaged or wear and tear? Just so I can look out for future viewings..

Dissapointed by the interior and overall comfort of the golf also, are comfort line models much better?[/

Buy a Focus.

Nissan doctor

lomb wrote: »

Hand brake is normally heavy, clutch should be very light on the 1.4 being hydraulically assisted. If its creaking and heavy possibly slave cylinder gone which a gearbox off job.

The slave cylinder is external on the Golf.


@OP, have you test driven a Focus or Opel Astra of the same age?

newportlad

Nissan doctor wrote: »

The slave cylinder is external on the Golf.


@OP, have you test driven a Focus or Opel Astra of the same age?

I haven't test drived either yet unfortunately

I've actually been looking at a lot of Ford Focus as well tho, 1.4, 5 door models 03/04, would you recommend?

Not too keen on an an astra tbh

Nissan doctor

newportlad wrote: »

I haven't test drived either yet unfortunately

I've actually been looking at a lot of Ford Focus as well tho, 1.4, 5 door models 03/04, would you recommend?

Not too keen on an an astra tbh

I would recommend a focus. Reliable and much better to drive then the MK4 Golf(generally acknowledged as the worst Golf made).

People harp on about the 1.4 in the Focus being underpowered but its the same power as the Golf but with lower gearing so feels fine. The power wouldn't be an issue for a starter car anyway.

The Astra's are good solid cars once maintained properly(as with the Golf and Focus) but the 1.4 engines have a noticeable amount more power (90bhp plays 75 in the other two).

A Toyota Corolla would be a good choice too IMO.

newportlad

flanzer wrote: »

They're a brutal car. I'd a '00 1.4, and was dull as dishwater. Sold it for a 1.6 with a couple of more extras on it, but it was only marginally better.

There's a couple of tidy examples of Civics out there in your price region and they're generally bullet proof
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4027242
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3915492

Never considered a Civic, always thought they were a bit light, prefer a more solid car like the focus, but might try a test drive.

Have you driven 1.4 model civics by any chance?

newportlad

Nissan doctor wrote: »

I would recommend a focus. Reliable and much better to drive then the MK4 Golf(generally acknowledged as the worst Golf made).

People harp on about the 1.4 in the Focus being underpowered but its the same power as the Golf but with lower gearing so feels fine. The power wouldn't be an issue for a starter car anyway.

The Astra's are good solid cars once maintained properly(as with the Golf and Focus) but the 1.4 engines have a noticeable amount more power (90bhp plays 75 in the other two).

A Toyota Corolla would be a good choice too IMO.

Right, thanks a million for that info, very useful to know.

Gona try and arrange a test drive for a focus and astra so tomorrow.

When you refer to the astra tho, what year/model would you recommend?

The older types such as

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Astra/NJOY-Z14/5413315585825540/advert?channel=CARS

or the newer smaller type,

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Astra/LIFE-1.4/201226208823642/advert?channel=CARS

Sorry, my terminology isn't the best when it comes to cars!!

Bpmull

I have a new model Astra bit different as mine is a diesel van version. But they are a good car. If was you I would try and get the newer model. The Astras don't seem to give any major problems once you maintain them right. My parents bought a brand new Astra old model same as first Astra op posted it was a 2000 reg 1.4 petrol. They sold after 6 months as my dad said it was way to hard on petrol they never bought petrol again. I don't know if the new model petrol is any lighter on petrol but I would assume it is. And as Nissan doctor said they would have a little more power than a focus.

Henry Ford III

Why did you agree on a deal with a car unseen OP?

Never ever haggle blind.