Volkswagen Bora (1999 - 2005) 1.6 S 4d (1999/V) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Like a classy big car, but some thought it said I had a wife and kids. A family car. I didn't!

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

They thought it a comfortable tank. A bit big and unweildy but comfortable. They rate bora's until the reliability record of ths one is mentioned.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Definitely not, it was just too unreliable and from 3-5 years old should not have been.

What are you likely to buy next?

A focus? seen as I've now sold it and got one.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchise

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£7,995

When did you buy the car?

February 2003

Did you get a good deal and why?

Not bad, a bit expensive for a 3 year old but looked in excellent condition. My replacement focus cost only £500 less and was brand new.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Smart, good safety record, well kitted out, practical

What was the dealer like?

Good for buying, rather useless at fixing faults, helpful but took the gearbox problem to become major before the fault was spotted. Collected from work and bought back at no extra cost but servicing in general was expensive and repair costs high.

What's it like to drive?

Comfortable in town, easy to drive, and pretty refined. Handling safe but not very exciting, understeers. Good motorway cruiser unless its windy, stability not that impressive in side winds, focus way better here. Noise levels acceptable and less road noise than focus.

What's it like to park?

With an optional self fit parking sensor, not that hard, its a saloon so not as easy as a hatch, steering good, tendency to stall less so.

Have you had any problems with the car?

It didn't really live up to VWs reliability record. Passenger window fell into door, gearbox stiff and then jumped out of gear, replaced under warranty, brake hose corroded, drivers side suspension collapsed, engine sometimes started and immediately stalled, engine usually needed accelerator pressing to start when warm, stalled quite easily, replaced 2 rear brake light bulbs, battery failed, all 4 brake discs corroded. Not good at all really. Problems from first day (it took less than an hour for window to break.

What's most practical about your car?

The boot is huge, and leg rooms pretty good. However the middle rear seat is rock hard and uncomfortable on a long run.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Electric sunroof, blue lit dials, and adjustable intermittent speed wipe.