Faults:

Clutch cable broke - plastic bracket connecting the cable to the pedal gave up the will to live.

Corrosion issue on spark plugs (misfiring and lacking power) - I suspect the "engine clean" at the previous service was the cause of this. New plugs resolved the issue.

External temperature is currently erratic, and clearly wrong. Showing between 4 and -18 degrees when it is 10-20 degrees outside. Annoying but no issue; occurred after a flat battery (left the lights on).

Electrics are sometimes a little annoying. The doors lock when they shouldn't, and the alarm can go off for no reason sometimes.

General Comments:

Very good performance for the size and being 4 wheel drive. It is a little thirsty for the size. Handling is OK, does roll a little in corners, but you would have to be an idiot to lose control - it has plenty of grip.

Comfortable and good cruising car. Excellent lower end torque, perhaps slightly lacking at the top end. 3rd gear starts are not that difficult. Seating position and the steering wheel are very comfortable.

I have found servicing costs quite reasonable, and apart from one service where they stuffed up, the dealer servicing has been very good.

Faults:

The glove box lock broke, and now the glove box doesn't close/lock.

General maintenance with Volkswagen is quite expensive, but that's what you get with European vehicles.

The central locking has the odd problem, but is infrequent.

General Comments:

The performance for the 2L Golf GLS is 85kW max. and reaches its revs quite quickly, even in the automatic model. The Golf wasn't generally manufactured for performance, but it still manages a fantastic output. It is a bit sluggish off-the-mark, due to it being an automatic. My last approximate 0-100km/h (6 or so months ago) was around 11 seconds.

The cabin is spectacular! Comfortable, quite roomy, the model I have has ESP and leather seats with seat warmers and headlight washers (what Volkswagen describe as the "winter package"), which contribute to the great ride comfort. The suspension is characterful, yet composed when it needs to be. Steering and handling is precise, and on the whole, the ride is safe and secure.

Faults:

Break light bulb blew out twice within 12 months of purchase. Glove compartment door opens when the car hits a slight bump. Catalytic converter had to be replaced after 54000kms.

General Comments:

The Golf drive is very solid and is remarkably quiet at high speeds. I haver driven the Golf TDI up to 195km/h in the rain and felt safe. Compared to other similar sized cars, the road noise level from within is very low. the aerodynamics of the car are excellent.

The handling of the Golf is just average. At high speeds around the corner, the car suffers from under-steer. This may be due to the tyre selection though.

I think the Golf is a great looking car with a classy interior.

It is a very roomy and practical car with surprisingly large luggage space. G.

The main complaint I have with the Golf is that VW seem to have saved costs by installing cheap parts in certain areas. There is always something that has to be fixed whenever I bring it in for service. Moreover, the catalytic converter had to be replaced after 54,000km. I drove my Ford Telstar much harder for five years and 97,000km and did not have any problems. I do not see the Golf VW lasting as long as the Ford. Which is a shame, since I bought the car with the impression that since it is a German car, it must be durable.