Not a bad car, but there are better deals (VW Golf SE Hatchback 1.9SE TDI 5-door 90bhp)

Member Name: ahenry

Product:	VW Golf SE Hatchback 1.9SE TDI 5-door 90bhp
Date:	08/02/01 (1296 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: brand, residual values, economy

Disadvantages: value

The VW Golf isn't a bad car. Its reasonably roomy, comfortable and pretty economical. However, it only beats its competitors on the residual value and the tactile feel of the interior.

I hired a MkIV Golf TDI (90bhp) for a weekend and whilst it was competent and frugal, I still wasn't taken with it. The engine has a lot of torque, and is fine for accelerating on a dual carriageway and was economical. However it still sounds like a tractor when you start it up, it lacks outright power for overtaking and you have to sit wait for a 10 seconds between turning on the ignition and starting the car.

The interior of the car was OK. However, for all that the magazines go on about the quality of the dashboard plastics, and the damped door grab handles, I found it lacking a bit of rear legroom, the seats felt hard and the boot was a bit small. The ride quality wasn't great, and the handling and steering feel was merely adequate.

The long term reliability of a VW should be one of its strong points. However, Golfs have been appearing in the problems pages of What Car more regularly than they used to. VW is also planning to switch production of right hand drive Golfs to South Africa, which might affect the built quality.

If the badge on a car matters to you or if you want to sell the car on in 2-3 years time, then the Golf is a good deal. However, you will still lose more money than if you bought another brand and owned the car for longer. If you like the Golf, then you can get a bigger bodyshell for less money in the Skoda Octavia, or more power for the same money from the Seat Leon. The VW has better residual values and brand image than either of these, but you have to pay for it as they are based on the same engines and chassis.

The Golf is the sort of car that is bought by people who measure the value of a car from the badge on the bonnet, the milage on the odometer and the letter on the registration number. Th
ats fine, but you can get more for less.

A Ford Focus doesn't have as good a diesel engine, but the 1.6 petrol engine is top notch. The Focus is cheaper to buy, with better handling, steering feel and ride comfort. The Focus has nice features like a heated front windscreen (just great on a frosty morning), and remote controls for the stereo on a little stalk near the steering wheel.

The new Honda Civic has more interior space and better ride and handling than the Golf as well as being likely to have equivalent residual values and better reliability.

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