Volkswagen Golf (Mk4)
- Thread starter Mackass
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Mr.T said:8 1/2 grand. Year was 2003, and mileage was 25k I think. So over your 5k unfortunately.
Hehe. I've found a couple of decent 1.6S models for around £4500. Which is not bad as I could probably haggle the price down a bit.
Soldato
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The 1.4 golf is very slow, as mentioned - 13.5 seconds to 60! This is 2 seconds slower than the 1.4 Astra and it's really noticable. In fact, there's only just over a second between the 1.6 16V Astra and the 1.4 Astra and this makes a fair difference
This is a lot slower than the 1.4 Astra I had - in fact the 1.4 Astra is less than 1 second slower to 60 than the 1.6 Golf - the Golf is a heavy car
The standard models are a very dull drive too. Not a drivers car
£5k will get you a 2003 Astra or 2002 Focus. I'd personally go for one of these but it's your choice
This is a lot slower than the 1.4 Astra I had - in fact the 1.4 Astra is less than 1 second slower to 60 than the 1.6 Golf - the Golf is a heavy car
The standard models are a very dull drive too. Not a drivers car
£5k will get you a 2003 Astra or 2002 Focus. I'd personally go for one of these but it's your choice
Soldato
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I'd personally recommend you go with the 1.9-litre turbodiesel.
MNuTz said:
Thanks for the article, the last paragraph on your quote I believe will definitely help me in getting a good price.
Yep, I know the Golf may not be the fastest, but I'm more than happy to go for it. A Focus doesn't really turn me on at all to be honest. Same can be said for the Astra.
Soldato
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Yes.
Soldato
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Spending that much on your first car is a lot and unfortunately, sorry to say, there's a high chance of you crashing if you just recently passed.
1.6 Golf
1.6 Golf
triggerthat - That Golf you posted was in mint condition, I may have considered that if it hadn't have ended.
The TDI is tempting, but both my parents (especially my mum) are limiting me to a 1.4 engined car - don't ask why, but they've said either that or no car. I'm sure I can push them to a 1.6, but a 1.9 is out of the question. My mind is fairly well set on a 1.6S, and I'll be looking around for a good model for around £4500.
The TDI is tempting, but both my parents (especially my mum) are limiting me to a 1.4 engined car - don't ask why, but they've said either that or no car
. I'm sure I can push them to a 1.6, but a 1.9 is out of the question. My mind is fairly well set on a 1.6S, and I'll be looking around for a good model for around £4500.
Get a Corolla if you want something reliable. An 02 1.4 T2 should be somewhere in the region of 5K. Its a much better car to drive and has a wee bit more power. Only downside is the cabin isn't quite as nice as the Golf's and the looks are a bit anonymous.
I've owned both by the way.
I've owned both by the way.
well as he has just passed his test it will be fine, I had Mk4 1.4S before i moved up to the 1.8t GTI both fantastic cars and you will be happy with either, was great first car very easy to drive and didnt make me want to go race people.
1.6 should be a nice halfway for you, stick with it although the anti VW golf crowd on here is ridiculous
1.6 should be a nice halfway for you, stick with it although the anti VW golf crowd on here is ridiculous
My advice in a nutshell :
1.4 is tedious. The 1.6 is only one insurance group highter and is a much nicer drive especially the 8v as it has good low end pull. Ignore the E - poverty spec with wind your own windows. The S doesn't have standard aircon unless you get a late car, probably 2002 onwards. Non aircon S spec cars will come with electric sunroof. The Match is a runout model which replaced the S - it's basically an S with 15" Avus alloys.
Problem points - gearbox/diff on pre MY2001 1.4/1.6 cars - check to see if replaced under warranty. Check electric front windows and central locking. Coolant temp sensors, sticky starter motors. Back axle can clunk at over 70k - requres bush replacement.
The Bora is a better looking, better handling cheaper Golf with a boot. I owned a '99 1.6S for over 4 years/50k. It had a few problems within warranty (gearbox, coolant temp sensor, central locking) but after they were sorted it was an excellent car. My Mum has had an '00 1.6SE from new and it's never given a jot of trouble. The 1.6 does 0-60 in about 10s (only .2s slower than the 2.0) and I saw over 125mph on the clock. It would cruise comfortably and quietly at 80mph all day.
1.4 is tedious. The 1.6 is only one insurance group highter and is a much nicer drive especially the 8v as it has good low end pull. Ignore the E - poverty spec with wind your own windows. The S doesn't have standard aircon unless you get a late car, probably 2002 onwards. Non aircon S spec cars will come with electric sunroof. The Match is a runout model which replaced the S - it's basically an S with 15" Avus alloys.
Problem points - gearbox/diff on pre MY2001 1.4/1.6 cars - check to see if replaced under warranty. Check electric front windows and central locking. Coolant temp sensors, sticky starter motors. Back axle can clunk at over 70k - requres bush replacement.
The Bora is a better looking, better handling cheaper Golf with a boot. I owned a '99 1.6S for over 4 years/50k. It had a few problems within warranty (gearbox, coolant temp sensor, central locking) but after they were sorted it was an excellent car. My Mum has had an '00 1.6SE from new and it's never given a jot of trouble. The 1.6 does 0-60 in about 10s (only .2s slower than the 2.0) and I saw over 125mph on the clock. It would cruise comfortably and quietly at 80mph all day.
Thanks for the information guys, and for MagicBoy for the list of problems.
I wouldn't really go near a Corolla to be honest, and I think a Bora is too big whilst at the same time, boot space isn't really important as I don't do the shopping run or anything.
I think I've more than made up my mind, and I probably am going for the Golf 1.6S. The factors which made me decide where its image, build quality, good interior and its reliability (majority of Golf owners here agree). A Golf 1.6 for a first car, I'm going to be more than happy. I personally believe it's a step up in class from say a Corsa, Clio, Saxo, 306, or other common (I'll use this term loosely) first cars, so despite what you all think about the performance, I'll be happy and that's all that matters.
Thanks everybody for your input.
I wouldn't really go near a Corolla to be honest, and I think a Bora is too big whilst at the same time, boot space isn't really important as I don't do the shopping run or anything.
I think I've more than made up my mind, and I probably am going for the Golf 1.6S. The factors which made me decide where its image, build quality, good interior and its reliability (majority of Golf owners here agree). A Golf 1.6 for a first car, I'm going to be more than happy. I personally believe it's a step up in class from say a Corsa, Clio, Saxo, 306, or other common (I'll use this term loosely) first cars, so despite what you all think about the performance, I'll be happy and that's all that matters.
Thanks everybody for your input.
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Mackass said:
Nice one - enjoy it. You're right - its definately in a different league from the normal Corsas and Saxos.
And at the end of the day there's not that much between any of the modern hatches in terms of driving experience and reliability these days so style and image are as valid criteria for making a decision as any other.
I'm also v. jealous. My first car was a 1.0 Fiat Uno (with all of 45hp
) I'd of killed for a Golf then - 1.3 (as it was then), 1.6 or whatever.![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}