Thinking of buying a VW Golf

Ursb

Hey, I am thinking of buying a Volkswagen Golf and I am wondering if people would recommend them or should I stay away from Volkswagens in general??

Thanks in advance!

Ursb

I haven't looked into the model or engine yet as I am looking for recommendations but I was thinking of something 2006 upwards maybe?

NIMAN

They are generally a safe buy.

Had a 2001 Golf, bought in 2004 or 05, drove it until last year and no major bother with it.

They are always very highly reviewed cars, just check out the likes of WhatCar, AutoExpress, Honest John etc. Golfs always are highly thought of.

I'm thinking of buying another one now as well.

There does seem to be a section of people on here who will rip all VWs to bits, so you will get differing views of course. Some people love VW, others hate them. Like all car brands I suppose.

Ursb

Thanks NIMAN. Really appreciate the help. There's seem to be a mixture of good and bad comments from people I've been talking to but I suppose as you said you'll get that with all makes and models of cars. Thanks again

noelf

NIMAN wrote: »

They are generally a safe buy.

Had a 2001 Golf, bought in 2004 or 05, drove it until last year and no major bother with it.

They are always very highly reviewed cars, just check out the likes of WhatCar, AutoExpress, Honest John etc. Golfs always are highly thought of.

I'm thinking of buying another one now as well.

There does seem to be a section of people on here who will rip all VWs to bits, so you will get differing views of course. Some people love VW, others hate them. Like all car brands I suppose.

Just bought my fourth Golf recentely !! Mark 2 two mark 6's and now a mark 7 all 1.6 diesels

String

I drove a 1.4 tsi 140 for a few months and loved it. Reasonable tax, cheap insurance and good fuel economy. The standard golf engines are a bit slow for the weight of the car I think. There is a 120 and 170 as well. If you search carzone they usually fall under the GT label and there should be plenty around.

noelf

T

OSI wrote: »

The 170 would be nice, but is renowned for being very troublesome. Blown turbos, stretched timing chains and gearbox problems abound.

Had a 1.2 tsi golf for a day last week though it was great acceleration in 2nd gear was excellent my 1.6 tdi was getting a dash rattle sorted . When I went to collect my car I said to mechanic I think I bought the wrong car .. no way he replied 1.6 tdi is a much better engine

bazz26

The 1.4 TSi with 122bhp is the best all rounder outside the GTi in the MkV Golf. Twin charger 140bhp and especially 170bhp, can give grief and a lot of insurance companies tend to load them the same as a GTi.

Kimbot

I have a 1.9 2007 non paddy spec and am more than happy with it

Bpmull

I have a mk 5 golf only have it a month 07 1.9tdi. I really like my one, always wanted a golf but never got one up until now as they do tend to make more than the focus astra etc. I had a focus before the golf and I think the golf is 10 times the car and worth the extra it will cost you too buy in my eyes. As said don't get the paddy spec. Mine is comfortline with the sports pack and it's a very nice place to be has all the extras id want anyway.

MuppetCheck

What's the sport pack on a Mark V?

Nice to have extras are the arm rest, leather, multifunction wheel with bigger MFD, air con on pre-07s as it wasn't standard then, cruise and auto lights/wipers/auto dimming mirror on non comfortlines and sometimes xenons. Very rare to find a property specced one here. A post-07 comfortline with leather and a wheel upgrade would be about as high spec as the Irish ones get for the most part.

The 1.4tsi is a great little engine, miles nicer than the other lower powered petrols and diesel.

Moneymaker

Avoid the poverty spec(1.4) and they are a fine car.

My next door neighbor has a 1.6 with leather seats and it looks a lovely place to be.

I'd be buying a GTI if I was ever buying a Golf though :P

Bpmull

MuppetCheck wrote: »

What's the sport pack on a Mark V?

Actually just thinking about it now the sports may have only been available on the vans. On them anyway over the standard comfortline; it has better steering wheel, nicer seats with more lumber support, front fogs and a few other things.
Most of that stuff probably comes a standard on the comfortline car versions but it didn't on the vans most didn't have any of the above. Sorry for the confusion I forgot the comfortline cars were different.

noelf

Moneymaker wrote: »

Avoid the poverty spec(1.4) and they are a fine car.

My next door neighbor has a 1.6 with leather seats and it looks a lovely place to be.

I'd be buying a GTI if I was ever buying a Golf though :P

Make it a mark 7 then road tax only E280 verses E750 for older models one to watch for in a few years

MuppetCheck

Bpmull wrote: »

Actually just thinking about it now the sports may have only been available on the vans. On them anyway over the standard comfortline; it has better steering wheel, nicer seats with more lumber support, front fogs and a few other things.
Most of that stuff probably comes a standard on the comfortline car versions but it didn't on the vans most didn't have any of the above. Sorry for the confusion I forgot the comfortline cars were different.

Specs are as per the car version, there are baseline vans too and even a couple of sportline. The fogs and arm rest would be extras, you could get any extra on them as per the car. Used to be a guy on vagdrivers years ago with practically every option ticked.

Ursb

Thanks so much for all the replies. Ye have been really helpful.

Bpmull

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Specs are as per the car version, there are baseline vans too and even a couple of sportline. The fogs and arm rest would be extras, you could get any extra on them as per the car. Used to be a guy on vagdrivers years ago with practically every option ticked.

Almost all the comfortline vans I went to see didn't come with fogs or the better seats and steering wheel. So they could have been options ticked but I did read somewhere about a sports pack that was an option on the vans. I know they were all cars so it's weird most of the comfortline golf vans didn't have fogs quite a basic feature to have. I went past a paddy spec car version today and it was very basic. Wheelcovers, no cruise control, auto wipers / lights, climatronic heating, cheap looking steering wheel/ seats, no a/c. The few extras really make a car I think.

bazz26

Bpmull wrote: »

Actually just thinking about it now the sports may have only been available on the vans. On them anyway over the standard comfortline; it has better steering wheel, nicer seats with more lumber support, front fogs and a few other things.
Most of that stuff probably comes a standard on the comfortline car versions but it didn't on the vans most didn't have any of the above. Sorry for the confusion I forgot the comfortline cars were different.

Golf vans come into the country as standard 3 door passenger cars and are then converted into vans by the distributer. Same with the Focus, Astra estate van was the only one that came from the factory as a van afaik.

Ontheroxmoe

Lads my VW golf is acting weird with the lights on dash, the dials are going dim when i turn on lights in the evening and making radio screen brighter. When i turn lights off again makes the dials brighter but the radio goes darker! Help .. hoping not a major problem

Dayor Knight

bazz26 wrote: »

The 1.4 TSi with 122bhp is the best all rounder outside the GTi in the MkV Golf. Twin charger 140bhp and especially 170bhp, can give grief and a lot of insurance companies tend to load them the same as a GTi.

I agree. I've driven a 1.4 Tsi 122 hp for the last 6 years since new and it has been a brilliant car to drive. Have rented a few newish diesels recently for long trips, and getting back into my own has been a pleasure each time. Still running beautifully. Planning to sell or trade soon though for new model. Tempted to carry on with it though!