VW Golf Hatchback 1997-

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  • Economy

    Value

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Pretty dear initially, but you are buying quality.

    Costs

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Really quite thristy when turbo whistling. I'm a student, so petrol really does cost me!

  • On the road

    Driving

    2 out of 5 2.0

    Don't feel involved. When pushed into a corner, massive understeer, pobably due to weight of car. Ride not very sporty for so called GTi. Wallows. Motorway mile muncher, not GTi.

    Performance

    3 out of 5 3.0

    If really pushed in straight line, it's ok. Gear ratios are not right. If you overload 2nd, then 3rd becomes almost rendundant.

  • Living with it

    Reliability

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Nothing wrong as yet, despite warnings of injection coil failure.

    Image

    4 out of 5 4.0

    I opted for the 17-inch Santa Monica alloys. Changes the image of the car and fills those rather large wheel arches.

    Comfort

    1 out of 5 1.0

    Good driving postion if seat lowered all the way. You need to be as low in the car as possible to feel what it's doing.

  • Security and Service

    Security

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Ok, though I have seen people jam a blunt object in the keyhole, which sems to unlock the car and all the windows come down automatically.

    Service

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Very good. Trying to get a test drive of the R32!

  • Problems and Ownership

    Problems

    Engine

    Fine. Feels indestructable, even when utterly thrashed.

    Other

    Ownership

    Did you buy the car new?

    Used

    Would you buy the same model again?

    No

    Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?

    Yes