Faults:

Terrible build quality - squeaks and creaks from all over the place.

Drivers seat doesn't always catch properly on the runners.

Gearbox is sloppy.

Intermittent problem with warning lights coming on at random, glowing dimly and going out again.

The passenger side window regulator came off the door the third time the window was used.

Power steering level kept dropping mysteriously until we discovered a hose hadn't been properly tightened at the factory. Back again to dealer for the problem to be fixed, and the system drained, refilled and bled.

Central locking acts up every time it rains.

General Comments:

Goes superbly and is very economical. Everything else is awful and an insult to the Volkswagen badge. Driving experience pleasant enough, but mostly down to that excellent TDI engine. The rest is very ordinary.

This car has build quality and reliability issues that you wouldn't find on most cars costing half this much.

Dealers and VW "customer care" (a misnomer if ever there was one) compound the problem by blatantly not being remotely interested. Good warranty (thankfully).

Don't waste your money.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Turbo lag and sloppy handling mar a well built if terminally dull car.

There is nothing about this car that makes it in any way desirable. As an estate car it lacks any real practicality, as a drivers car it is moribund as a status symbol- well give me a break!

A car only for those who have no interest in driving, but believe that VW's are somehow more reliable.

Faults:

Front speakers were crackling ever since I took delivery of the car.

Lights on the dashboard flicker occasionally and for no apparent reason.

Windscreen wipers always shuddered across the windscreen since I took delivery.

General Comments:

When I mentioned to a friend that I was looking at selling my Impreza WRX STi and getting a diesel Golf, he cracked up laughing. I then took him along to the showroom for a drive, and I never heard another smart comment out of him.

I am very happy the amazing performance provided by the diesel. In total contrast to my Subaru, the turbo comes in almost straight away and pulls strong up to about 4000rpm where the power suddenly drops off.

With my occasionally heavy right foot, the Subaru would happily munch through a tank of Super Premium over a weekend. My Golf can go for two weeks on a tank of diesel. The lower price of diesel also means it costs about half the price to fill than my Subaru.

The only downsides to my Golf ownership have been my experiences with often rude and useless Volkswagen dealerships. I have experienced one particular service dept refusing to fix my faulty audio system under warranty, (despite the car being less than one year old).

The other dealership agreed to fix the fault, however after the car being there for 3 days, I picked up the car to find one speaker replaced and the other still crackling.

I find the suspension wallows a bit like a 1960's Cadillac (compared to my Subaru anyway). I have ordered a handling kit which the manufacturer promises will tighten up the whole package.

All in all however, I have no regrets in purchasing my Golf. The best car I have owned.