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VW Golf vs Honda Civic

666 messages,  Last post on Jul 31, 2012 at 9:27 AM

You are in the Volkswagen Golf Forum.

What is this discussion about? Volkswagen Golf, Honda Civic, Hatchback

Messages Page 15 of 67

#138 of 666 alex travanti by alext

May 20, 1999 (4:57 pm)

Just wanted to mention, concerning my last post, the mileage figures were both for manual transmission. I do not recommend getting a VW golf with an automatic tranny as it is both sluggish and much less fuel efficient. However, the civic HX auto employs the virtually unknown CVT (continuously variable transmission) which was invented around the turn of the century but wasn't used by a major car company until Honda put it in the civic in 1996. What it does is removes gearshifts entirely and has a series of belts and cones which are smoothly and constantly changing the gear ratio. What good is this CVT technology? Well, for one thing it eliminates the annoying, hard shifts that many automatics make (especially older hondas) where the rpm's climp incessantly higher before the up-shift is made, and it also makes for one of the best gas mileage of any auto that I know of (34/39!). So, if you're not a real driver (and believe me, manual is REAL driving), you regularly use a cellphone, have to deal with bumper-to-bumper traffic or are just lazy, than the civic HX CVT is the best choice. As far as reliabilty of the CVT tranny, I don't really know much about it. I would guess that a rubber belt system, as opposed to a metal gear system, would be prone to more maintenance costs (just as a timing belt must be replaced, but a timing chain does not).

#139 of 666 maureen by maureen

May 24, 1999 (7:05 pm)

Hi, we at just getting into the VW's and thinking of buying a 1997 golf. It look in very good condition and only has 22,000klm on the clock. It is automatic with air, but does not have power doors or mirrors and does not have a radio although the dealer said they will fit one. We have only been able to find American sites to get a suggested value, has anyone any suggestions what we should offer for it.

#140 of 666 carlady by mzn

May 24, 1999 (9:46 pm)

Maureen, am I correct in thinking that you are not selling your car in the USA? You may want to check out our Smart Shopper conference to see what others, particularly Canadians, have done to compare prices.


carlady/host

#141 of 666 tdi/automatic by corvette

May 31, 1999 (3:03 am)

I have read on VWVortex that some VW's with the TDI/automatic combination are indeed trickling into dealers. The mileage figure for the auto is 34/45 compared to 42/49 for the stick. Still very respectable.


Those who have driven the TDI/auto seem to like it better than the stick because the auto does a much better job of keeping the engine at low rpm's than a human could with a stick. (The TDI doesn't have much power high up in the rev band, so it needs to be kept at low rpm for quick takeoffs. This goes against human nature, if you know what I mean.)

#142 of 666 ymos by ymos

Jun 04, 1999 (4:46 am)

My fiance and I just decided to buy her a '99 Golf GL over a Honda DX hatchback. Test drives showed more power and comfort features in the VW vs. the Honda. I'm looking forward to it!

#143 of 666 bbosley by bbosley

Jun 07, 1999 (3:48 pm)

HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK THE 99 GOLFS WILL GO DOWN IN
PRICE WHEN THE 2000 COME OUT?

#144 of 666 sweennyj by sweennyj

Jun 10, 1999 (3:27 am)

I'm thinking about buying a 99 VW Golf GLS..Anyone out there own one..Need some feed back

#145 of 666 weatherdan by weatherdan

Jun 10, 1999 (1:32 pm)

I bought a 99 GLS in April. Great car. Had a few initial probelms (airbag light on dashboard would not go out; VW had to replace the whole drivers-side system) but overall it has been fine.
Also had a vibration/squeak near the sunroof that was driving me nuts until yesterday when, in frustation, I rammed my hand against the sunroof controls. Viola! No more vibration! My only gripes: Engine revs very high at highway speeds and gas mileage is not that good (have an automatic). Perhaps it will get better as the engine breaks in. I like the cargo space a lot. Handles great. Excellent brakes.

#146 of 666 sweennyj by sweennyj

Jun 11, 1999 (2:11 am)

Anyone else out there purchase a new 99 golf recently? Still looking for info.

#147 of 666 vr6fan2 by vr6fan2

Jun 15, 1999 (9:01 am)

more vw's sold in germany than japaness cars so more will break down

Messages Page 15 of 67

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