05 VW Golf owners - opinions please

Colemania

Hi all,

I am heavily considering buying a 1.4 petrol 05 Golf in the next week and was wondering what are people's opinions and experiences with them?

I had a drive in it yesterday and loved it but I was really surprised by the size of it. I expected it to be much bigger but it was a nice tidy size of a car. The dealer said something about it being a newer 05 model so it was not as big as the old 05 model. Is this true? Only 78k miles on it and 2 owners. Reason for selling was the owner emigrated.

So what do ye think? How is it on petrol and so on?

Bpmull

Is it a 1.9/ 2.0 tdi or 1.4 / 1.6 petrol ?

Colemania

Bpmull wrote: »

Is it a 1.9/ 2.0 tdi or 1.4 / 1.6 petrol ?

1.4 petrol, sorry. I'll edit my post now to show that

veetwin

It's a fine car except for the engine which is terrible. Unrefined, slow and not particularly economical. Mrs veetwin had one for 3 years and I found driving it a miserable experience. The 05 golf is fine just with a bigger engine.

Colemania

veetwin wrote: »

It's a fine car except for the engine which is terrible. Unrefined, slow and not particularly economical. Mrs veetwin had one for 3 years and I found driving it a miserable experience. The 05 golf is fine just with a bigger engine.

I should say that I'm upgrading from a 03 Astra which was pretty bad on petrol and a poor car all around so the golf is a fairly good upgrade ya?

I've been told by the odd mechanic to stay away from golfs but then I question, why do you see a Golf absolutely everywhere you go? Be it the nice 98 to 03 model or the 04-07 or 08 model. It's a very popular car and I've always wanted a Golf so that's why I was a bit puzzled by some people's opinions on them

brennarr

A lovely car if with the right engine, I had the 1.4 myself but I have to agree with Veetwin above. I ended up changing car after 14 months, so go for the bigger engine size if you plan to keep the car in the long run.

Zubeneschamali

Colemania wrote: »

I was a bit puzzled by some people's opinions on them

I'm particularly puzzled by the people whose opinions lead them to buy a 1.4

Colemania

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

I'm particularly puzzled by the people whose opinions lead them to buy a 1.4

You've lost me....

Colemania

brennarr wrote: »

A lovely car if with the right engine, I had the 1.4 myself but I have to agree with Veetwin above. I ended up changing car after 14 months, so go for the bigger engine size if you plan to keep the car in the long run.

Ya I see what you mean alright. Like it's a lot of money for me to upgrade as I'm only after starting a new job recently so I want the right car. I would go for the 1.9 diesel but tax and insurance will be crazy on it. Well insurance not so much at this stage as I have 5 years no claims and I'm 25 next year so the over 25 bonus will kick in too but tax will be a nice bit higher

Rose35

I own a golf 1.4 year 2008, lovely car to drive, yes did find it a little slow at take off, but got used to it, nippy and a good overtaker, lovely comfortable car have it 2 years and never had a bit of bother with it, its the comfortline model. Yes they are a very popular car alright, sturdy on the road aswell, feel safe in it, my previous car was a focus, no difference in petrol usage to be honest and it was a 1.4 aswell, if you want a golf buy it, you will always get negatives about them on this forum, but as an owner of one i would recommend it

Old diesel

Colemania wrote: »

I should say that I'm upgrading from a 03 Astra which was pretty bad on petrol and a poor car all around so the golf is a fairly good upgrade ya?

I've been told by the odd mechanic to stay away from golfs but then I question, why do you see a Golf absolutely everywhere you go? Be it the nice 98 to 03 model or the 04-07 or 08 model. It's a very popular car and I've always wanted a Golf so that's why I was a bit puzzled by some people's opinions on them

the 04 onwards model is generally noted as been a big improvement on the mk 4 to drive.

Question for you guys whove driven the 05 era newer model Golf - did ye find the driving position very low.

Ive never sat in one - but the father and brother test drove one and rejected it for having to low a driving position - ie they were sitting too low in the car for their liking

Old diesel

OSI wrote: »

Silly question, but did they try using the seat height adjuster on the side of the seat? If anything I'd say the seating position is quite high. I find that even at it's lowest I would like it a tad lower.

In all honesty it wouldn't surprise me if they didn't try the height adjuster - hence why I asked the question .

I think the issue they had or would have had with the driving position would be more to do with been visability out of the car rather then how high or low the like to sit.

Colemania

Old diesel wrote: »

the 04 onwards model is generally noted as been a big improvement on the mk 4 to drive.

Question for you guys whove driven the 05 era newer model Golf - did ye find the driving position very low.

Ive never sat in one - but the father and brother test drove one and rejected it for having to low a driving position - ie they were sitting too low in the car for their liking

As far as I know it has an adjustable steering wheel axis, if that's what you're referring to

Rose35

it does appear to be a lower car in comparison to my previous car(focus) but definetly no issue with visibility. Depends what your brother and father are used to driving

paddydriver

My Dad has a Mk5 1.4 and any time I drive I have to ask him if something is wrong with his car.. no poke whatsoever.

That said, I am driving a Mk5 GTI for 7 years so I guess that might be part of the cause:D

Rose35

paddydriver wrote: »

My Dad has a Mk5 1.4 and any time I drive I have to ask him if something is wrong with his car.. no poke whatsoever.

That said, I am driving a Mk5 GTI for 7 years so I guess that might be part of the cause:D

Whats the people carrier like in comparison to the GTI Golf?

Old diesel

Rose35 wrote: »

it does appear to be a lower car in comparison to my previous car(focus) but definetly no issue with visibility. Depends what your brother and father are used to driving

lovely thanks - as it happens this was a few years ago - and they bought something else - Nissan Tiida - and yes they are as boring as youd imagine .

Reliable though