VOLKSWAGEN GOLF Hatchback 1997‑2004

Well deserved reputation for reliability. I have owned larger cars for a while now, Aston DB7, BMW 6, Jaguar XF but wanted a second car to go to the station a couple of miles away. It was brilliant - even at 10 years old, it started 100% of the time even in the freezing, wet and the cold. The engine is smooth and I have to say the 1.6 litres was great fun to drive. Highly economical I rarely had to fill the tank up. The only problem I had with it was that the driver side locking mechanism stopped working. The local garage said it was a pretty common issue with Golf's of this age. It was a simple fix for them. Would highly recommend.

I bought a bog standard SDi diesel 7 years ago for my wife as a run around. It has suffered 7 years of neglect and poor servicing and has never cost us more than a service. Never broken down and still going strong.

Practical and simply the best and most reliable car I have ever owned and I have owned quite a few.

I bought the Golf about 4 months ago, I am a full time student at college and as a full-time student and a full time teenager, I soon have seen the miles rack up (driving to various away fixtures thanks to rugby).

Let me explain why this vehicle is practical, the boot is huge for a hatchback, I can fit two golf bags in the boot and more at the same time (for measurement purposes), when I have the friends in the car although it doesn't look like it, there is plenty of room in the back seats.

Why it's reliable, admittedly I have only had this car 4 months, but I have not had so much as an inkling of a problem from my car (touch wood) and golfs are renowned for their reliability.

Running cost's I don't see enough explanation from other quotes so let me break it down, it's about £160 pounds to tax (my specific car for 12 months), and it ranges around 2000 - 3500 for insurance, really drops though a years no claims. Fuel is no easy area to write about, I was happy with myself when I got 43.2 MPG on an average drive, until my father (also insured on my car) drove the same route and get around 49 MPG. All of the information is easy to see on the Trip Computer which if I am right is standard on all 2002 models (MKIV)

5/5 for How It Drives just does not do this car justice when its on the road, incredibly smooth and amazing to drive, it is smooth for all passengers, and something which surprises me hugely is how quiet it is, with the radio off and cruising it is the tires to road surface and the cars around me tires which make the noise.

Overall this car is a 100/10 for my age, and would encourage anyone else to get it too!

Enjoy

I have owned this car since 2004 and it has never let me down. It is spacious economical and a good looking car. It had new front and rear brake pads and discs in May 2011, Tyres approx 6000 miles, New battery. The car is used daily and starts every time.

Very practical car 5 door, spares are cheep and running costs low, the 1.9 tdi is the engine to have don't bother with the 1.4 or 1.6 petrol. If you want a cheep used car this is it. Insurance is cheaper than Audi's or BMW's. Only buy one that has extensive service history.

I have had my T reg (1999) 1.6 car for 6 years. it has under 70,000 miles on clock and has never let me down.

Although it is getting on a bit it still does the job i bought it for, getting me, the missus and two (young) kids around. It needs a new suspension now but before that it was very smooth and for a 1.6 lt it was perfect in both town and motorway.

it still gets 39mpg on motorways going under 70 and high 20's in town.

I would class it as a medium sized family car. great for two adults and two kids but anything else and it is a bit of a squeeze.

This is a great, practical and fun car - a pleasure to own and to drive. It's a GOOD 150bhp and (believe it or not) isn't far behind our 200bhp Scirocco! All this with a 1.9L diesel engine means you can enjoy great pulling power alongside 50+ mpg.

Being a VW, this is a great reliable car and practical, too. I'd expect that the 5 door is more practical than 3 but this one's totally stunning looking and in better condition than any other 150bhp GT TDI I've seen.

This is a great all-round car for anybody who wants to enjoy power and low running costs in conjunction. It's not the fastest car around or the most economical car around but certainly is a perfect balance between the two if you like/need both. I can't really imagine that this car would be unsuitable for anybody at all.

The car is as expected from a Golf very reliable, and low cost

With careful driving you can get 46 M/Gallon, only needs a service every two years, very quiet engine. Had a new CAT fitted and new Cam Belt last year.

Just had my lovely golf written off by a bus after 2 and a half years of virtually trouble free motoring. I wanted to share with you my experience with her.

Brought it wth 79000 on the clock and a full service history from a local dealer. The car turned out to be a lot better than the dealer! I had a fight with a warranty issue involving a dropped rear window witch was eventually sorted.The only other issues I had were a dropped front window ( Might be a Golf weakness ) and a failed alternator.I covered 18000 miles in that time so v good for a 11 year old car.

The ride was very comfortable if a liitle bouncy but I was comparing it to my Mini Cooper which has low profile run flat tyres and catches all the imperfections on the road.

I have read other reviews which crow about the red/blue dash lighting and I have to concour.It looks the DBs at night.

It did long/motorway journeys with ease and in comfort.The 1.6 petrol engine was ideally powered, not as thirsty as a 2 litre and not underpowered like the 1.4 litre.With an auto box ( which was silky smooth ) it returned 35 + mpg on combined journey.

The spec for this model is v good.You get get all round elec windows, air con, velour trim, rear headrests, elec heated door mirrors, cd player with 6 speakers, 4 airbags, computer giving info on MPG, time of journey etc.

Overall I would say a great buy you will not regret and getting rarer now theres 1 less on the road!

Had writen earlier report. Car still super, Now had the Black v5 for 7months its done everything its been asked to do and more

Can fit massage couch , desk and at least 2 dogs inplus me

Problem is I have high mileage- done 10,000 in it this time

It is thirsty but everything else weights out

Service first at £350 , recent at £150.

Its solid, feel safe in it. Has the power when you need it

and looks beautiful.

Had thought about selling , but then I have had 5 Golfs what was I thinking,