Faults:

I recently purchased a golf Gti 2.0 16v, registered in 1997 and it has done 140,000, motorway mileage. I'm really concerned that the engine will blow any day. I plan to get the engine overhauled - timing belt, head gasket etc...Is this the best thing to do?

General Comments:

Can you advice if this is the best thing to do? I love this car as its in immaculate condition. please help...

Please email me your thoughts - nubian4u@email.com.

Faults:

Both headlamp covers cracked. They cost 119 Euro each to replace...ouch!

Loose spark plug wiring...easy.

Both front and rear shocks had to be replaced.

General Comments:

What can I say about the most reliable car I have ever owned. Sadly I am afraid to buy anything else now as I don't think it can compare.

Purchased this car in 2000 with 63000 miles and now at 128000 miles it has never ever let me down. Scary really.

The car handles well on these Irish roads. Winding around corners is quite fun and I always feel in control of the car.

Reliability is the most important factor with this car and it is second to none in this category.

I have made enough money to get a fancier car, but I am afraid to trade this one in!

Faults:

Clutch failed - but at 94,000 miles!

Rear windscreen heater element broke - free under warranty.

Wobbly steering - so new steering system free under warranty.

New glow plugs.

General Comments:

There are lots of good and bad comments about the Mark 3 Golf. This is a good one.

Okay, so its not as pretty as the Mark 4, the main dealer engineer said it is not as well built as the Mark 2 (I had one of those too). It does not handle as well as my old car - BMW 318i, but it was never bought to do that - it was bought for its 45mpg, its diesel reliability and that was a good start.

I bought the car used (2 years old) from Newbolds Main VW dealer in Mansfield - they were excellent and gave a free years unlimited warranty, and it was a £1,000 cheaper than I could get at any other dealer!

After 97,000 miles, it still feels new, the mechanicals have been superb, the only replacements have been 1 clutch, new glow plugs and servicing, but it has developed an annoying squeak in the front wheels that no one can fix! At the last service it was reported as being in brilliant condition, the mechanics are always surprised that it feels so good, the compression is excellent, and there is apparently no wear on it.

On the whole, it's a great car, reliable, its nippy in town, the turbo is great. I get 45mpg at what ever speed I drive. The alloys added afterwards make it look more balanced - the 13" wheels looked daft - it handles better now too. It's a noisy engine though.

I had thought of changing it and getting something smarter - Saab 93 - Golf Mk4 TDI, but this car is so much better than the £2,000 I might get for it.

If your looking for a great hassle free diesel, get one of these, pay good money and get a loved one.

Faults:

Tyre wear heavy on front.

Rust under door seals.

Front right wheel bearing.

General Comments:

Good little car.

Rust fixed by Honda using a 'smart repair' (cheaper than a full repair).

Dealers let down VW with poor after sales service.

Faults:

It had the original twin tail pipe on it, which snapped, but that was through corrosion.

General Comments:

I don't know about in the states, but when the Golf GTI is brand new (mk3), lots of things are optional extras like the trip computer, air con, CD etc. My one is fully loaded with FSH from the dealer.

I paid £8000.00 for a July 1997 model in black; it had one owner from new and is fantastic.

I don't know how to compare running costs to you in the states, but my insurance is £1,300.00 and petrol is 80 pence a litre here, which is a lot more than the states, so running costs are high. It's about $1.30 or thereabouts !