Faults:

Air conditioning failed at 66,000 miles.

Ignition failed at 72,000 miles.

Exterior trim was very breakable.

General Comments:

Had one or two electrical faults and wasn't as well built as you might expect.

But the Golf had superb performance and its engine was as refined and reliable as could be.

It was a bit on the expensive side, as it was five years old when I bought it and set me back £6,500.

Fuel bills and dealer charges were on the high side, but the Golf proved to be worth every penny I paid for it.

By the time I finished with it, I sold it for £4,000 and the buyer still owns it now. I once asked them what they thought of it, and they remarked that it was the best car they had ever owned.

Faults:

I have really had nothing major go wrong on my car. It is a great car and other than new tires, spark plugs, and a new timing and drive belt, I have had no other maintenance needed.

General Comments:

I love my car. It is fast, reliable, great on gas and fun to drive. It is easy to see out of and very responsive. The amenities that the car has stock are great such as the lowest model equipped with AC and power sunroof. I love that it has a security system too! Golfs look great and they are more uncommon than the Civics everyone drives.

Faults:

Electric windows only work when they feel like it, but auto-closure through central locking is fine. No other current faults.

General Comments:

I bought the car 3 months ago and have since covered 6000 miles reliably and very enjoyably. I was dubious of VW reliability before I chose this one, but I am now a TDi convert and my next car will be a TDi too.

Performance is amazing, its very low revving, but has huge punch from just 2000rpm. Steep hills on motorways are a breeze and you can stay in 5th without losing any speed. Over taking is achieved very quickly. Controlling wheel-spin on wet roads requires a very gentle right foot. 54 MPG is a fantastic bonus.

The estates rear load area is well shaped, far more room than a previous Audi A4 I had. Ride comfort is also commendable, its nice and supple.

The only rust on this 10 year old car is from stone chips on the front, that is all.

As a cheap to run, but very fast car I thoroughly recommend this 90bhp Golf TDi. I can see no reason to buy a petrol powered car again.

Faults:

Absolutely nothing, but I haven't had it for very long.

General Comments:

I only bought it this year, but nothing has gone wrong with it yet. It has done a lot of miles, but my mechanic had a look over it and said it looked sound.

The previous owner really looked after it and the modifications make it worth far more than the £1500 I paid for it.

It has a new turbo engine in it, but the previous owner put it in because he was a boy racer, not because the previous one had packed up.

Despite its age it has very little rust and if you do a few modifications on it and look after it, it will look terrific.

Prefers motorway driving and really opens up above 50mph. Makes a good growling sound when driving around the town - great for scaring small children and oldies!

The only down sides are the higher road tax and insurance, the upholstery could be a bit more sporty and electric windows might be nice. It took me a while to get used to getting it into 2nd gear because of the gear ratio.