A well-deserved reputation (VW Golf Mk II (1984-92))

Member Name: Alternum

Product:	VW Golf Mk II (1984-92)
Date:	17/08/00 (359 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very reliable, *fairly* cheap to run, good all-round medium-sized car

Disadvantages: Insurance has been expensive

My mum bought her Golf 1.6 CL in 1989 and it has recently passed on to me - and I can honestly say from first-hand experience that this is a very very good little car.

The car has to date done about 50,000 miles. Now, I realise that that's not as many as it could be (one careful lady owner, and all that) but the car has only broken down twice in this entire 11-year period: once when rain got into the engine due to a blocked vent and killed the battery, and once when the accelerator jammed open, which was eventually traced to a manufacturing fault. Not bad considering the problems that some people have with cars that are seven or eight years younger. It starts first time, every time (without wishing to sound like a salesman) and this particular model is powerful enough to feel fairly comfortable overtaking in. Ours has also passed its MOT every time.

I can get at least 35 mpg from this engine, which is just as well with current petrol prices, but be warned that insurance may be higher because this is a desirable car. I make no comment on the servicing charges, because everyone seems to have their own ideas on what is a good price for servicing..

All in all, if you can find one reasonably cheap, then this is a well-built, solid, reliable car, which will go on and on for ever (or so I'm told). Let's hope new generation Golfs are as good in ten years' time.

Summary: