Faults:

We have had a constant water pump problem, which the dealers can not seem to fix even though they have replaced the pump 3 times.

We have also had problems with the paintwork, seat lining, interior buttons falling off, suspension squeaks and headlamp being smashed.

General Comments:

The dealers are the most unhelpful people that I have ever met and charge an absolute fortune.

Love the car as it has a high pose value, is nippy, stable and handles well but until VW do something about their build quality and dealers I will never buy another VW.

Faults:

HT lead governer caps.

General Comments:

Continued manufacture of the MkI Golf, known here as CitiGolf, is unique to South Africa. This is my third one, as they are so reliable, robust and cheap to run. My first one ran to 260000km before I traded it in, and went to all corners of this country on some horrendous roads. The now old-fashioned carburettor fed rorty exhaust note and excellent handling feedback maintain the fun driving experience.

Faults:

Rattling inside door frames, deformed boot molding and squeaky foot pedals (all 3).

General Comments:

Great car, plenty of grunt, looks good and moves off the mark like a rocket, even with the air-con running. Good clean braking. Cruises tight at around 115km and generally runs well on the higher octane (unleaded) fuel. Why doesn't this model have a fuel light!

Faults:

Broke down when 1 week old. Nasty wheel tramp, and resultant engine movement, during acceleration in the wet caused the turbo pipe to come off its mount and shut the engine down. Various rattles inside.

General Comments:

VERY disappointing performance for 1.8 5 cylinder 20 valve turbo engine. Only 150 bhp which is very poor for engine of this type. Same basic engine in the Audi TT gives 220 bhp. Poor traction in wet. Wheelspin is poorly controlled by suspension and wheels 'bounce'. Handling too soft. On twisty Scottish country roads the old style GTi would be faster A to B. Too civilised for fast driving and just not up to the job of constant hard use.

Faults:

Head light switch and side airbag (left) replaced and paid by dealer after warranty expired. Otherwise no problems at all.

General Comments:

Very powerful and economical turbo diesel engine. Well build and solid as a rock.

Faults:

Car bought used from main dealer - supplied with crappy temporary fuel cap.

General Comments:

Car is very good all round. Extremely comfortable and excellent economy. Performance is at least comparible with the 1.6 petrol, but with perhaps more torque lower down meaning less changing gear.

My last car was an Impreza Turbo and the Golf is far more comfortable for normal driving with better seats and driving position, if considerably slower. Also costs less than 1/2 the amount to run.

Dark blue isn't the best colour - shows all the smallest scratches.

Safety equipment is very good with 4 airbags and ABS on all models. I do think it is poor that air-con is not standard on any models other than V5 - you get it as standard on many of the Polo models and most Golf rivals.

Faults:

Absolutely nothing at all...

General Comments:

Used to have a Golf Driver. This new model, although it felt more powerful when you gave it 'Wellie'... still doesn't feel like a proper coupe should. It feels a bit grown-up. Nothing wrong with that though. Or VW's at all. They feel like proper cars should do.

Faults:

After 12,000 miles no problems whatsoever apart from the mechanic's greasy footmarks all over the front carpets after the 10,000 mile service.

General Comments:

I do not drive slowly but still have averaged 48mph on mixed road driving, around 50% motorway and the remainder A and B roads. It's as economical as my previous TDi Golf mk3.