Volkswagen Golf Hatchback (1997 - 2004) 1.6 16V SE 5d Owner Review

Expected the car to live up to the Volkswagen image of solidity and reliability, Father had a mark one Polo and mark two Golf, both had been excellent, but this car was a massive let down. Positive points are that it is well put together, the interior, although very dark, is excellent, very comfortable and extremely quiet place to sit even at 70 mph. The model I bought (SE) came with air con, electric windows, mirrors, CD player, multi function display. Nice design touches such as floor lighting when you open the door, eye hooks in the boot for securing loads and the brilliantly engineered cup holders. There is also the badge snobbery or cachet of the Volkswagen badge, particularly on a Golf, if that is important. The negative aspects in two years of ownership, back suspension coil broke (never had this happen before) both had to be replaced at a cost of £300. Two small plastic clips which hold the passenger window onto the regulator broke resulting in the glass dropping into the door (a common problem) Fortunately this happened during the summer, but the whole unit had to be replaced at a cost of £280 (£300 plus if you pop along to a VW dealer). The handling was dire, no direct steering at all, very vague power steering unit, set up more for cruising than enthusiastic driving. Have gone back to both Ford and Vauxhall models subsequently, finding while they don't have the 'right' badge in some circles, they're a heck of a lot more reliable, and cheaper to buy and fix if something does go wrong. I personally don't think the VW badge is worth paying more for as other manufacturers had now caught up, and even surpassed Volkswagen's famous build quality and reliability.