VOLKSWAGEN BORA Saloon 1999‑2005

Over the last five years ive have owned 3 boras, starting off with the bora 1.9 tdi s, great first vw experience but bum basic. Second bora which my parents now own was a 130 sport tdi nippy, but quicker with getting a ecu remap done at local garage bumping up the torques.Just on the off chance there was a 150 sport tdi for sale in local paper so i bought it, this is now my 3rd & is my best one ive owned having the 150 engine plus rare half leather seats for this model. All of my vw"s ran perfect, having regular services cambelt changes etc when needed my suggestion go out & buy one

Had the Bora nearly 8yrs got it at a year old, was going for a Golf but took Bora for test drive and was inpressed straight away by tight gear box and space like boot. At the end of the day it is a golf with a boot. 8yrs on and 205,568 miles later she is still going strong with no major hic ups along the way. Still original clutch and only one back box exhaust wise,other than wear and tear components like discs,brakes,tyres and of course 3 cam belt changes later it still runs like a dream you look after your bora with regular services and oil changes it will run and run. Just wish if anything headlights was of glass consruction only gripe but hey.

This car is fun to drive. Well built, very strong, I know as it has been in allot of accidents and still drives. The fuel economy is great even if you drive it harsh around town and on motorways. It has a nice little pull to it. The room rear passengers is the same as a golf so not allot.

There are a few little common faults like the Mass Air Flow sensor failing. But its still worth every penny.

I will point out only positive features:

*sporty image. Mine has a metallic silver look

*good value for money

*even tyre wear (my is a 4motion, TDI, 115bhp)

*six-speed gearbox,

* being fuel-efficient makes it economical to run with

*12yrs anti rust warranty,

*lower levels of CO2

Very practical and reliable family car, perfect blend of luxury and practicality, unbelievably economical, capable of doing 60+ mpg on a run, very smooth and easy to drive, boasts extras which you would expect to find on a large high spec car, such as, heated leather seats, cruise control, rear park distance control, auto dimming rear view mirror and the list goes on, all in all a very nice package and excellent value for money as they are very reliable and cheap to maintain, in my opinion the 130 bhp PD Engine is one of the best VW made. The Bora TDi is a good choice for any person looking for a reliable and safe family car around the 4K mark or even as a second car.

We are a family of 5 with three children still needed strap in car seats and there is plenty of room on the back bench to cater for this. The middle belt is only a lap belt so took some time to find a car seat that worked in one but now we have it make a great family car.

The boot is a good size fitting in a double buggy and travel cots with room for enough luggage for a weekend away. I have also managed to fit in three full size mountain bikes bikes with three passengers.

With regards to the reliability it all depends on the owners responsibility to look after it. In the 2 years I have had mine it has gone through 2 MOTs only needing a tire or 2 and a wishbone. It also needed a MAF sensor but they can be sourced cheap and only take minutes to change.

MPG is great, road tax is cheap for a car with this size engine with the power it puts out compared to similar sized/powered engines. Comparing it to the VW Golf with the same engine insurance is not as expensive with it being classed at a family car rather than the 'boy racers favorite' hatchback.

Driving it is also more comfortable than the Golf although this does mean stability might not be as good but this is not something I have ever noticed as it corners great and always feels like it holds the road well. 6 gears make it a great motorway cruiser keeping engine noise down but it also has the power to make it quite quick too. It is a car that is quite happy to be trundled around town, cruise on the motorways or enjoy the country roads. The best car by far I have ever driven.

I bought this car as a sop to my wife. Previously owned a Passat which gave good service then died! A budget excluded another larger car so decided, as only 2 now in family, for something economical, and sporty. The Bora TDI 1.9 Sport almost achieves this. It is definitely economical returning over 40 mpg. This includes a mix of driving. A 7 mile journey to work, which can take up to 50 minutes! (yes, it would be almost quicker to walk!) and trips up and down the M4.

I am over 6 ft. tall and find the driving position reasonably comfortable.. My 5'2" wife also is easily accommodated behind the wheel. It is a good 4 seater, but the lack of a full middle seat belt in the rear is restricting.

The boot is cavernous and can be increased by dropping the rear seats.

For what I want it is more practical than a Golf, and cheaper to buy! (not such a cachet name) and yes, I would probably buy another, but not yet as this one only has 100k on the clock so I think I will be keeping a while longer.

I Love my Bora simply because it does what it says on the 'Tin' She always starts first time and runs in all weathers. She isn't an exciting car to look at but then no-one tries to break in and steal things. *Bonus!! The Boot is really large, *lots of room for storing the all important car maintenance kit. Power Charger Trolley Jack a large box with all the bits and pieces I need for winter etc.

It is also a four door car which is ideal for passengers like mum who is 86yrs. I can get a comfortable cruising speed on my fortnightly trip away. Also as an added bonus I have controls for my radio on the steering wheel, which is simply great.

The most practical car I have ever had, it rides so quiet and smooth, very economical on fuel and road tax, huge boot space, plenty of room for many suit cases, the only draw back if this is a draw back is that it is difficult to transport bulky items, other than that it is a briliant motor car.

Had this car for over 5 yrs now and can honestly say it has been one of the best cars I have had.

It is a nice, smooth, comfortable drive. Extremely practical for my family life. Plenty of boot space for my childs pram and bike. Roomy in the back of the car.

Very economical if driven sensibly! Around 500miles out of a full tank of fuel.