2002 Volkswagen Golf SE 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A bit boring, but not bad

Faults:

Not much other than maintenance.

General Comments:

A car I had for only a couple of years and got bored with it real quickly. This Golf was pretty basic, and epitomizes hatchback cars from the time period of the early 2000's - getting heavier and a bit dull to look at and drive.

The SE model is one up from basic, but was well equipped with electrics. Seats were comfortable.

Driving this car was a bore, not helped by the 1.6 automatic. Slow performance and rubbish on fuel, I got 34 mpg at best, maybe a manual transmission would have been better.

To conclude the Golf from this time period is not bad, but try a GTi or something, avoid the lesser models. I traded it for a Audi A4 top of range spec car with leather, the lot. Much better.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th August, 2022

14th Sep 2022, 14:06

The 1.4 petrol was much better on fuel with a manual transmission (I got 45 mpg on a good day). Don't know about the 1.6, but 40 mpg with manual should also be possible.

If mpg is a concern however, the 1.9 TDi engine from this time period is one of the best engines in any VW (Golf, Passat, Bora); fast enough, reliable and does 50 + mpg.

2002 Volkswagen Golf GLS 2.0 from North America

Summary:

I think it's a great car

Faults:

Everything that goes bad on these cars with this mileage was bad when I got it; I got ripped by the used car dealership. He had the sales pitch and spreadsheet showing everything he had replaced. Well either he lied to me or the auto shop ripped him off, I don't know; everything on the car was original worn out parts. It broke down and he told me to take it to his shop; yeah right. I see why though every time I take it to any shop it's $1000 plus for any repair. I've now learned this, so I bought a temporary car so I can take my time doing every repair it needed, so now several hours and $500 in parts. I probably saved myself $5000 from a shop.

General Comments:

I kept the car because I love how the car drives. I will not take it to a shop unless I need to; their prices are ridiculous for this car. It's not hard at all to work on and prices on parts eBay are bottom dollar (probably cheaper then a domestic). I plan on keeping it now. Bottom line is it's great cheap fun to drive car; if you plan on buying one, be mechanically inclined or have it checked out by a mechanic before buying one, since it's 20 years old.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th September, 2021

14th Sep 2021, 20:19

Lesson well learned and I went through that myself at one time. Always get a used vehicle checked by your own mechanic. If the dealer won’t let you, walk away.

In reply to 14th Sep 2021, 20:19

15th Sep 2021, 18:44

The dealer may have good reasons for not letting people. Maybe someone took one of their cars to a “mechanic” and vanished in the past. I’d be hesitant too if I were a dealer and someone may steal my car.

In reply to 15th Sep 2021, 18:44

16th Sep 2021, 16:32

If you were a dealer and refused to allow prospective customers to test drive vehicles or take them to a mechanic because someone "may steal" one... you would soon be out of business.

In reply to 16th Sep 2021, 16:32

17th Sep 2021, 18:29

Actually not that rare that dealers won’t allow customers to test drive cars they may take off with and vanish. Ask a dealer to let you test drive a Shelby GT500 or Dodge Hellcat. They won’t let you even if you show them evidence you can buy the car in cash if you wanted. Used cars are even higher risk. Give some teenager the keys to a used hotrod on your lot to “get it checked out”, and you’ll never see the car again.