2001 Volkswagen Golf GLS -- Comments Anyone?

[Poontos]

I am seriously considering the Golf GLS with the turbo engine in it. I took the GLS out tonight, and I really like it! This particular one didn`t have a turbo in, but if they go to 60MPH in 8 seconds, that will probably be a lot more noticable!

I have NEVER driven a Volkswagen before, yet I was pleasantly surprised with this car. The brakes were felt really solid, the interior was very nice and German (which will take awhile to get use to), but I the clutch felt pretty long, compared to the other cars -- especially the new 2001 Honda Civics, boy those are REALLY nice cars, Honda really did an awesome job, too bad I don`t like sedans at this age.

Anyway, any horror stories with Volkswagen's? Anyone have a Golf? How do you like them? Any complaints? I am looking to lease for 4 years, so I cannot afford any hassels (car breaking down).

Thanks...

 

[yakko]

VDubs are great cars and will last as long as you do your regular maintinence. I have only owned VDubs and I was a VDub mecanic for almost 4 years.

 

[Poontos]

Should I lease or buy. I can only afford $300-350 per month Canadian, and I don`t want a term longer than 4 years.

 

[vi edit]

I was very, very, very close to buying one. The reason that I didn't was because I found an SUV for just a tad bit more, with a lot better financing options.

The 1.8t is the best engine for the vehicle. It will really surprise you how much "pep" that little car has. Be sure to check on your insurance, for me, the insurance on the VW's was outrageous.

Also, keep in mind that they take premium fuel as well.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the "bumper to bumper" warranty is only good for 2yrs/24,000 miles. The drivetrain is 10/100,000 though, so that's nice. But, if you go 4 years, you'll have two years without a B-to-B warranty.

Personally, I don't know if I would consider leasing for 4 years. That's a lot of time more or less throwing your money away. I was considering leasing, but that's because I make about 200 a month in travel money for work, so it would have paid a healthy portion of my monthly payment. If its all your money, you may want to check into financing. You'll come out way ahead. And, for another $800 you can pick up an extended warranty to cover the car for 10yrs/100,000 miles to go along with the drivetrain warranty.

Just my $.02

 

[SilentBoB]

Could you post a link to pics and specs?

 

[Poontos]

Thanks for all the info VI, that was great.

What did you get?

 

[Poontos]

Here's a link:

VW Golf

I am looking at the VW GLS 1.8T (Turbo, 150HP).

 

[Triumph]

horror stories? well, i've got one concerning me taking our Golf before i had a license and wrecking it. that's a horror story. as for volkswagens, they are great cars. we've had a long string of volkswagens and audi's (owned by VW) in my family, and we've loved them all. welll, except for my current Passat. that one is just a lemon, every mfg makes those once in a while. so statistically speaking, it's an outlier so we won't consider it. but they are great cars. better than most american junk, as far as longevity is concerned.

as for leasing, i think that it's generally a bad idea. you pay that money, and what do you have at the end? nothing, you have to give the car back. if you get a loan, you pay that money every month, and after the same amount of time, you $ell your car. although leasing can be appropriate in some situations.

 

[vi edit]

Poontos, look at my "SUV evaluation" thread

Also, try and look for some 2000's. They were the first year that VW put the 1.8t in it. I've seen a couple 2000 1.8t's going for around 19k USD. I don't know if you'll be able to find any 2000's laying around for much longer though.

The whole leasing thing is sort of messy. I could lease a $21,000 car for around $300 a month for 48 months. At the end of the 48 months I could buy the vehicle for about $13,000.

I could finance that same vehicle for about $399 a month for 60 months and own it.
If I financed the car, I'd pay about $23,940 for the car, and it's mine after 5 years.

If I leased it, it'd pay about 14,400 in lease payments, + the buy back of $12,000 for a grand total of about $26,400.

It's really just how bad you want a new car. There are a lot of nice used cars out there. I know that VW carries a 5 year/50,000 mile warranty on VW certified used cars. Maybe you can find a nice year or two old used car.

Here in the states, buying used wasn't much of an option. The interest rates are so high here, I actually save money buying a new one. Interest rates for a new vehicle are as low as 0% if you get the right manufacturer and incentive. It's hard to find a used car rate lower than 10%. 10% difference in interest rate can save you a hundred bucks a month, or almost $6,000 in interest payments.

Just have to do your research

 

[Poontos]

Where should I start researching?

 

[Poontos]

And what about Turbo, any thoughts?

 

[LAUST]

LEASE or BUY


BUY!!!!!!!

Edit: TURBO.... They NEVER hurt

 

[Poontos]

Any really good websites with reviews on cars, that anyone can recommend?

Or any other place I could start with this research.

 

[vi edit]

Edmunds

Should be able to find all kinds of info.

As far as financing/leasing information, it'll be hard to say since you are in a different country. I have not the faintest idea how loans/leases work for our neighbors to the north

Check in with your local bank/financial institution and see what the current interest rates are on a new vehicle, and a 1-2 year old used vehicle.

Also, check with the various automanufactures

www.gmc.com
www.honda.com
www.vw.com
www.toyota.com
www.ford.com
www.nissan.com

Head to their worldwide websites and then head to the canandian sites. Once you get to the canadian sites, look for something on the page along the lines of "offers" or "current incentives". These "offer" pages will tell you what the manufacturers are offering in the way of rebates in interest incentives.

Your best bet is to get "pre approved" by a bank/lender before you go in to the dealer. THe only really exception is if the manf. is offering the really low financing.

Browse through Edmunds, it's a wealth of information.

 

[3615buck]

I have one, not the 1.8 unfortunately , but it is a great car and the brakes are indeed wonderful !
Furthermore, VW resell very good in Europe, even after 10 years. Buy a VW Golf and a Honda Civic, use them for 5 years and try to resell them, you'll sell the Golf at a 50% higher price than the Civic.

 

[Farbio]

i would reccomend a vw to anyone, only one horror story from them:

a good friend had a brand new golf when this model came out and got in a wreck, had to have the whole front end and drivers side front door replaced, and as they were doing the repair, vw issued a recall on the drivers side seat belts for some reason...well it took 3 months for that seatbelt to get to the dealer, and since the dealer had the car when the recall went out and the recall affected a safety device, they couldn't let my friend have the car back until the part arrived. not really the dealer's fault but very frustrating as she was 20, so could not get a rental car and had to use the bus or friends to drive her all over. anyways, i'd still reccomend the vw!

 

[ultravox]

I'll give you the same advice I give everyone....buy used! A year or two and save about 30% depreciation on a virtually new car.
You'll love a German car..even after years and many miles they feel nice and tight..something that American cars have not yet mastered for some reason.