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VW Golf
1529 messages, Last post on Nov 04, 2012 at 3:48 PM
You are in the Volkswagen Golf Forum.- Your Host is pf_flyer
What is this discussion about? Volkswagen Golf, Hatchback
#1061 of 1529 Re: Used VW Golf Pricing Question [mattjs71] by bpeebles
Jul 29, 2004 (7:31 am)
Replying to: mattjs71 (Jul 27, 2004 8:55 pm)
Very good price... if you are certain that there are no hidden surprizes. Keep in mind that the 2.0L engine has a tendancy to consume some oil if not broken in correctly. This is not a "bad" thing, one just needs to check the oil level once in awhile.
My daughter purchased a gem such as this last fall and she really LOVES her loaded Golf GLS. Who cares if it needs a quart of oil every 2000 miles or so if the price is right? She drives that thing all over new-england.
The 12-year/unlimited mileage warantee against body-corrosion is also a big plus here in Vermont. (most Asian models will show rust after 4-5 years)
I have had many VWs over the years and the all went well over 130K miles. (Some are still on the road today)
#1062 of 1529 Golf Redux by micweb
Jul 29, 2004 (9:17 am)
In an insance display of self-inflicted masochism, I bought another Golf yesterday. My prior ride was a 2001 Golf 2 door GL (made in Germany) with a 5 speed, silver on black.The current ride is a 2004 Golf GLS with 5 speed, silver on gray.
The car has definitelly improved since 2001. The engine drone that used to annoy me between 60 and 75 mph is gone. The car is really silent.
The handling has actually improved; I found the 2001 wallowy, but the current edition is "relatively" well controlled, and what little body lean is left is worth the trade off in the luxo ride. Of the cars I have, this is by far the most comfortable riding.
I had expected to immediately jump in with a tire and suspension upgrade; the Goodyear LS tires on my Scion and PT Cruiser were pretty noisy. Here, on the Golf, they are relatively quiet. I don't know if that is better body isolation (the PT Cruiser is actually very well sound proofed, except for the tire roar) or due to different manufacturer specs (the LS tires on the Scion and PT were both T rated, as opposed to H rated on the VW). But hey, I am happy with the result.
I am still not entirely happy with the seating position. To get the seat in the right place for my right leg on the accelerator pedal (not cramped) I end up having to flex my left foot forward for a complete clutch release. If I were going to rally, I would pull the seat closer and accept the somewhat cramped right leg position in exchange for a more ideal left leg clutch position, but for commuting I am more inclined to keep the right leg comfortable, since the righ foot is always on the gas pedal, while the left foot is only occasionally on the clutch.
I bought this car because I ordered a MINI. No, that's not as odd as it sounds. After my semi-frustrating experience with the 2001 Golf, I decided it was going to be an American or Japanese car from there on out (better reported reliability), and no German cars. Then I fell in love with the MINI. Then, as delivery approached, I began to question why I was willing to accept a MINI with its quirks (teensy size, no luggage space, back space too small for Crash Test Dummies - literally - check the NHTSA site!) and lack of dealerships, but wasn't willing to work more proactively with the quirks of the much larger Golf. Finally I decided the Golf has the features I really want - 4 wheel disc brakes, ABS, stability control program, side curtain air bags, real "boot" (read: trunk), and real back seat; plus 4 doors for my wife and kid (in a pinch, this is supposed to be my "personal" car). I figured I was giving up higher resale value on the MINI and MOST excellent handling, but gaining a 0% interest rate and other incentives. In short, if the MINI "midi" were here, as predicted in a few short years, I would have stuck with the MINI, even as a two door, but in balance I chose VW due to their many years over here and gradual refinement.
Things I like about the new Golf, that weren't there last time: the grocery bag hooks on the back of the rear seat; the ESP (stability control); side curtain airbags; quieter at freeway speeds; soft ride, but well controlled.
I expect to keep this car longer than typical for me, maybe 3-4 years, and trade it in on the next generation; that should give VW a chance to get the bugs out of the next generation, which is due here, depending on what rumors you read, either in the spring of 2005, or late 2005, first as a GTi then as the regular models a few months later. Based on my experience with VW's glacial model changes, and buggy intro's, I decided a well refined Mark IV might be a better bet than an early edition of the Mark V.
My "coping strategy" for dealing with the inevitable VW quirks is as follows: (1) only dealer oil changes, no more independent oil changes (no stripped oil pan - they use new drain bolts at oil changes); (2) run 5-40 if that's what the manual calls for, instead of the fallback 5-30 (thanks for the tip about Rotella synthetic at Wally World, I'll buy a jug and walk it in); (3) no paranoia about adding a quart of oil now and then (its just a 2.0 fact of life, though one salesman told me the oil consumption issue has been "fixed"); (4) 5,000 mile oil changes, instead of 3,000 with conventional oil, will take the sting out of waiting at the dealer (no, I won't follow the 10,000 mile interval recommended after the first two oil changes).
Service on my 2001 was actually quite cheap at the dealer. My dealer doesn't "oversell" non-VW recommended upgrades to the manual's requirements. I intend to do some minor service upgrades myself, however: (1) air filter changes every 10,000 miles (in lieu of a freer flowing, but less well protecting, K&N gauze filter); (2) a bottle of Heet dehydrator every 3,000 miles to keep the fuel system dry (my former problems may have been related to fuel contamination); (3) Premium unleaded (not required, but recommended by the manual - the ECU is adaptive) (also the new Shell and Chevron gasolines are supposed to have higher levels of detergency); (4) spark plugs every 20,000 instead of 40,000 miles (I noticed a significant improvement when the 2001 had its plugs replaced at 40,000 miles, leading me to believe that 40,000 is a tad too far); and (5) spark plug wires every 40,000 miles. Given the relatively inexpensive dealer service I have, this will be no more expensive than similar maintenance on my other cars (which won't get such lavish treatment).
If any one has any suggestions, let me know, otherwise I intend to enjoy my ride in the moutains of Northern California.
And no, the 2.0 isn't too slow, its just has such a smooth and quiet power delivery, it's underappreciated.
#1065 of 1529 micweb by lngtonge18
Aug 03, 2004 (5:42 pm)
Ok, which car did you get rid of to get the Golf? What do you have left? You need to make sure you include those details so I can keep up with you
#1067 of 1529 bought one! by justin
Nov 04, 2004 (6:16 am)
2004 left over brand new Golf GL 2 door. black on black. automatic. a nice commuter car on the cheap with loads of airbags and nice warranty!- tna03 (Dec 06, 2004 1:25 pm)
Replies to this message:
#1068 of 1529 Golf reliability by patr
Nov 04, 2004 (1:46 pm)
I bought a 99 Golf Gls (Manual Transmission) with 110,000 km. I've put on 35 k since then and it still runs perfectly. All I've done is get my oil changes. Also, I'm 6'3 and am very pleased with the leg room (superior to most American designed vehicles I've driven). VW makes an excellent product.#1069 of 1529 VW is offering some big big big incentives by turbotorque
Nov 10, 2004 (11:58 pm)
VW is offering some big big big incentives for the '04 models right now... making it hard to resist.I am currently leasing a Passat, but the lease is about to expire. I have my eyes on the Golf, since I do mostly city driving, and desire something a bit smaller. The Golf is certainly more reasonably priced than the MINIs, which are selling above sticker.
I wish the 4-Door Golf had the 1.8T engine in it. The GTI's "sport seats" basically make it a non-starter for me, as I find them quite uncomfortable.
#1070 of 1529 Golf I and II Headlight Housing by mrugly
Nov 20, 2004 (2:32 pm)
Hello EveryoneNew to the list and really only have one question. Inside the Headlight Housing is a Parking lamp. Does anyone know the type of bulb used and does anyone know where I can get the female harness that plugs into the connector?
Thanks for your time
Mr. Ugly
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