Faults:

New Down Pipe for Exhaust due to rattling heat shield - fitted under warranty.

General Comments:

Good, solid and fast enough. Last of the MK3s -- has Aircon as standard.

In my opinion Golf GTIs look very stylish and have a bit of class with one important provision -- they must be 100% standard.

Handling a bit softer than expected, but still very safe and some fun to be had.

Excellent trip computer.

Excellent economy - around 38mpg overall.

Beginning to look a bit dated inside especially when compared to new Mk4 Golf.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Performance not quick enough for a 2.0L. Though large amounts of low down torque help. Mine is a colour concept model, which adds black heated leather seats and 10-stack cd system.

Good motorway car, returning 38mpg + on a run.

Cabin quality is good.

Handling average, brakes good.

Faults:

Month 1: Clutch replaced.

Month 3: Driver's seat fixed.

Month 3: Judder in steering fixed.

Month 5: Clutch replaced.

Month 6: Bad knocking from the engine (three weeks at the garage).

Month 9: Driver's door not shutting properly.

Month 10: Engine replaced.

Month 12: Clutch replaced.

Month 15: Gearbox fixed as I could not use 3rd or 5th gear.

General Comments:

This has to be the worst car that has seen the light of day.

Slow, noisy, sloppy handling, woolly handling and unable to get upto 30 miles per gallon.

Fact: It spent more time at the garage than in my hands.

Faults:

Brake fluid leaking from the rear brake calipers (repaired by the VW Dealer, but only to leak again after 3 months).

Air inlet hose split.

General Comments:

This car is a very good running economical diesel car with good performance.

However, the service I have received from the VW dealer in Aberdeen has been terrible.

Faults:

No problems at all, inside or out.

Note:

Headlamp guards fracture easily in cold weather when trying to remove them for cleaning. I've bought 3 pairs now at £30! They are difficult to remove!

General Comments:

I've got to say it's very quick in a straight line. It's got so much torque across the RPM range that it is very easy to drive fast.

Handling however is poor for a GTi or that is the impression you get because of the body-roll. You have no feedback as to whether you are near the limit or just "teasing" it. I suspect the latter.

Needs stiffer suspension for the GTi fans of old. My old Celica's would embarrass it around bends.

Inside is awesome, Recaro's all round are superb, dash is excellent and build quality like I've never seen.

Faults:

Rattly driver's door.

Won't start if left for a week.

Rear wash wipe.

Cup holders.

Alarm.

Alternator.

Various other rattles from the dash.

Discards wheel caps with great regularity.

General Comments:

Engine good, quiet and punchy, if thirsty.

Suspension a cock-up being too soft for decent handling, yet bouncy on the motorway. Steering a bit dead and mushy, lacking in feel.

Build quality did not meet expectations, and reliability has not been good.

Blue dashboard is nice though and the Recaro seats are good.

A Golf GTi was the car I always wanted - beginning to wish I hadn't bothered myself! The illusion is much greater than the reality I'm afraid.