So what have you lot got against golfs?!

[Stupot_]

There seems to be a universal hared of them on these forums! Was just wondering why. Apparently they're sluggish and a bit dull, but surely that's just a poor choice of engine? I'm sure they're no more sluggish than any other car in their class.

I've only driven a few cars in my life, so haven't got much experience to draw on! But my dad picked up a 2008 1.4 TSI a while ago. I drove it recently and it was comfortable, felt pretty quick, solid interior and comfortable (noise wise) cruising along a motorway. I thought that was pretty impressive considering I drive a '99 1.4 polo which is alright around town but gives me a headache above 60! Whilst I appreciate my dads golf is apparently the better choice to make in the range, I wouldn't be unhappy with a lesser powered model if it still means you get to cruise around in that level of comfort, because that's what most people want in a car, no?

DISCUSS!

 

[antijoke]

People hold them in such high regard for quality when in fact they are not that well built. It's just a perception of quality vs actual quality. they aren't bad cars just over priced due to the 'image'.

 

[Housey]

Nowt wrong with Golfs, just pricey.

 

[Matt82]

not a lot.

my old golf is totally bullet proof. 1995 with 217k miles. ive done a fair few mods, mine is hella fun to drive. i love the fact that its pocket money fun and totally utterly bullet proof

 

[iaind]

There's nothing wrong with them, there are just better options which normally cost less

You say how impressed you were with one - but you say yourself you're comparing it to a 99 Polo and not an equivalent car in it's class

 

[antijoke]

I think the thing with the R32 is that its the VW Scenes Halo car, and we all know that particular scene can be. So it soon becomes some sort of legendary amazing fantastic car with super easy tuning options (You know, just bolt a turbo on, done, super easy) rather than simply a reasonably quick Golf.

I think that post sums up the 'golf nut' scene quiet well. They think the Golf is the be all and end all of small hatchback motoring. Anything else lacks the Heritage of the Golf.

 

[Mucky_Pup]

For what they are, they are overpriced, looking for a new car at the moment so wandered into the local VW garage for a look, and all of them seemed to me to cost more than what they really should. Other than that I think they're a decent enough car.

 

[The Darkness]

They used to be overpriced for sure. Not so sure anymore - was looking a few months back and a focus appeared more expensive than the equivalent Golf. Times-a-changing.

Cheers

 

[Matt82]

I think that post sums up the 'golf nut' scene quiet well. They think the Golf is the be all and end all of small hatchback motoring. Anything else lacks the Heritage of the Golf.

the advert that goes "like a golf" is a bit daft too. i think the scene only really applies to the older ones. the newer ones have a premium attached to them because of the perceived image which lots of people want to buy into

 

[jellybeard999]

I think the majority of the golf hatred is against the Mk4, which is slugish in most guises and handles fairly poorly. The 2.0 GTI is especially hateful.

 

[Firestar_3x]

But then again most of the Mk1 Focus range is slugish in most guises, the Golf actually has a better engine lineup than the Focus, 1.8T, V5, V6 and to a lesser extent the PD are all good engines.

 

[jellybeard999]

But then again most of the Mk1 Focus range is slugish in most guises, the Golf actually has a better engine lineup than the Focus, 1.8T, V5, V6 and to a lesser extent the PD are all good engines.

I've no first hand experience, but those are reasons I most often see cited

 

[[TW]Fox]

In isolation there is nothing wrong with a Golf. A decent choice of hatchback.

The problem is that many people perceive them to be some sort of 'just under an Audi' level car in terms of brand prestige, therefore they cost rather much than they really ought to on the used market - you dont get much for your money. They are also not particularly exciting in anything less than GTI form - the Focus for example rewards the keen driver, the Golf is just... some well built, reasonably solid practical hatchback. Whilst this is just the job for a middle class Mum, most people on here have more than a passing interest in driving itself.

The 'slow' image comes from the Mk4 Golf, where the Golf GTI was available with a range of dire engines producing as little as 114bhp.

 

[Wicksta]

Whilst this is just the job for a middle class Mum, most people on here have more than a passing interest in driving itself.

Oh boy, that's going to upset you know who.

 

[Rybo89]

Oh boy, that's going to upset you know who.

haha was just thinking that when reading fox's post...

lets see if he can resist temptation

 

[sorn21]

My dad picked up a 2008 1.4 TSI a while ago. I drove it recently and it was comfortable, felt pretty quick

well, for starters, a 1.4 Golf is anything but quick..

 

[matt_fsr]

The 'slow' image comes from the Mk4 Golf, where the Golf GTI was available with a range of dire engines producing as little as 114bhp.

I didnt realise they did that!

Hope the marketing manager got the boot shortly after that.... no wonder every Golf I ever see has GTi on the back of it, and I'm forced to overtake it in a very short space of time....

 

[Firestar_3x]

well, for starters, a 1.4 Golf is anything but quick..

8 Seconds to 60 irrc, its quicker than the average car.

 

[Stupot_]

Stupot_
My dad picked up a 2008 1.4 TSI a while ago. I drove it recently and it was comfortable, felt pretty quick

well, for starters, a 1.4 Golf is anything but quick..

Well I thought so! I'm not sure if he's got the 'GT sport TSI' or the 'GT TSI'. Going by parkers they're 0-60 in 8.5s and 7.6s respectively.... Which doesn't seem so bad.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Are we supposed to be shocked and amazed that a 170bhp hatchback can do 0-60 in 8 seconds? Thats the thing with Golfs. It's like the iphone of the car world.