1989 Volkswagen Golf GTi 16v 1.8 16v petrol

Faults:

Rear brake calipers seized, alternator is getting tired (though tightening the belt has helped a bit), electric windows tend to stick (still searching for a solution to that!), had to change rear bump-stops.

General Comments:

Beautiful engine that revs like a racer, even at 120,000 miles. The 16v benefits from 10mm lower suspension and bigger brakes (256mm) than the 8v GTI. Uprating the rear bushes at the same time as the bump-stops has tied down the tail, which is ideal for track days.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th October, 1999

1989 Volkswagen Golf CL 1.6 diesel

Faults:

The car had 120,000 on the clock and I've put it up to 180,000 in two years.

In that time it gave very little trouble, the accelerator cable broke and the fan belt. I've installed new springs and gas shocks but with the mileage I think that's OK..

General Comments:

These were great cars, they are reliable,e conomic and if you take ANY care of them at all they go on for ever !!!

I reckon to go well above the 200,000 miles in the year to come....

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd December, 1998

13th Feb 2005, 16:13

I entirely agree. The durability and simplicity means that diligent maintenance is richly rewarded. MK2 Golfs are great!

6th Apr 2009, 16:06

Had the pleasure of owning this car for two years of exemplary service. Got it at only 80,000 km and used it up to 105,000 - Had to sell owing to financial distress. Still mourning up to now. Nothing out of the ordinary other than worn suspension bushes, engine mounting and starter motor. I concur with observation of leak into rear door - simply plugged the outflow point. Truly amazing reliability and fuel economy - at constant speed of 80 kph was doing 19 km to the liter. Currently about to purchase a 1997 GLI model, but still have hang-ups about my beloved MK2.

1989 Volkswagen Golf Driver 1.6 petrol

Faults:

1) Carburettor problems: wax stat,

2) Permanent slow coolant leak

3) Intermittent misfiring when wet - eventually found to be LT leads shorting onto coil. VW dealer failed to find problem.

4) Radiator fan switch packed in, leading to intermittent overheating.

5) Accelerator cable snapped - 2 hours waiting for AA next to cabbage field in Norfolk!

6) Handbrake cable snapped.

General Comments:

1) This car eats front tyres.

2) 110,000 miles and it doesn't use any oil at all.

3) Built like a tank, if bodywork looked after, should last a few years yet

4) Feels very solid at speed.

5) Heavy steering without PAS.

6) Interior trim getting a bit rattly.

7) Some sod nicked the VW badge from the rear of the car - £12 to replace!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th June, 1998

3rd Apr 2001, 16:06

Will last forever...

21st Feb 2005, 08:58

Owned since September 2004

Great runner, good acceleration, solid at speeds, you have to know how to drive it, but adds to enjoyment.

Only problems have been fan switch at 107000 miles, and exhaust beginning to wear. engine still doesn't use oil and starts extremely well. good for a run around and also used for long journys with some music to drown out some shakes when traveling at speeds for a long period of time.

1989 Volkswagen Golf Driver 1.6 petrol

Faults:

Carburettor problems include

1) Choke Pull Down Unit

2) Cold Start Valve

3) Waxstat

Slow Leak in cooling system.

General Comments:

Although all problems were due to the carburettor, none of these stopped the car running - if difficult at times, it always started.

Feels very safe and secure on road. Bodywork holding up well.

Parts easy to get hold off.

Dealers quite expensive for parts and servicing.

Overall - a good car.

Current Mileage 81,000.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st May, 1998

1989 Volkswagen Golf GTi 1.8 8V petrol

Faults:

Door lock problems, exhaust manifold gaskets - complete fuel injection and inlet manifold removal to replace!

Squeaky rear brakes - still work OK.

Wierd earthing problem on tailgate wiper - had to frig!

Tailgate repainted during 6 year rust warrantee.

Front seat backrest release wires break, so rear passenger can't get in/out (3 door).

General Comments:

Fairly fast when using 98 octane fuel, average on 95 octane.

Reliable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th January, 1998

1989 Volkswagen Golf C 1.3 petrol

Faults:

Indicators failed (new relay), radiator leaked, gearbox failed, rear door handles seized.

General Comments:

All the above faults (except the rear door handles seizing) occurred in the first 30,000 miles and since then the car has performed faultlessly (it has now done 88,000 miles) and still drives like new. I think long-term reliability should be very good.

Paintwork not up so standard and has faded badly and there is some cosmetic rusting, although structurally the car is in brilliant condition.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd October, 1997