Anyone ever owned a ~2002 VW Golf or Polo?

[fuzzybabybunny]

I'm trying to figure out if the back seats fold down completely flat for sleeping. I'm seeing some ~2002 models with ~75,000 miles for about $3,500 - $4,000 USD but I'd only consider purchasing them if I can use them to sleep in from time to time.

Also, do these cars have any issues that I need to be aware about? I've never owned a VW and I only know them by reputation - I've heard that they develop a lot of small stupid electrical problems.

 

[iamwiz82]

Define sleeping. Are you the cheapest person on the planet, looking for to save $50 a night? It's perfect in that case. For the average person it is a terrible idea.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Define sleeping. Are you the cheapest person on the planet, looking for to save $50 a night? It's perfect in that case. For the average person it is a terrible idea.

So.... Have you ever owned any of these cars?

 

[skyking]

I've got beetles of that era, the MkIV years. The back seats don't get flat nor is the space long enough for me. Depends on your height I suppose.

 

[NutBucket]

I think FBB is a bit of a manlet if he's sleeping in a Crosstrek....

 

[JulesMaximus]

My wife owned a Golf once. It was a pile of crap.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Are you Trident V2.0?

 

[NutBucket]

I'd say sort of except he doesn't whine about life....

 

[michal1980]

What happened to your subaru?

 

[Thump553]

A 2002 VW (any model) is pretty much all "issues." Whether or not you can sleep in it should be near the bottom of factors to consider. "Small, stupid electrical problems" is more like $500-$1000 per year, almost guaranteed. I've owned VWs from decades past, but my 2000 and 2002 Passats cured me of any desire to ever own another. Good luck.

 

[thedarkwolf]

only get a tdi and only with a manual trans if you have to get one of these things. The 4 speed automatics are junk. My 2004 jetta tdi wagon has been fairly good and has 230k miles on it but the trans in it with the much better 5 speed automatic started acting up recently. It needs new solenoids which I've bought but I decided I was sick of driving an automatic and just bought another car. The jetta is just sitting in the driveway till it warms up and I get around to replace the solenoids so I can sell it.

 

[ViviTheMage]

no, they don't fold flat, about a 20 degree tilt if I recall... like this:

so happy I am still in your sig

some year sport wagons go flat, and can be had in TDI:

 

[Spicedaddy]

I've owned 3 Golfs, but never an MK4 (2000-2006) because they're crap. They started being good in 2007 with the MK5 when they changed the name to Rabbit.

So yeah, a 14 year old MK4 will probably only be good to sleep in!

 

[ViviTheMage]

I've owned 3 Golfs, but never an MK4 (2000-2006) because they're crap. They started being good in 2007 with the MK5 when they changed the name to Rabbit.

So yeah, a 14 year old MK4 will probably only be good to sleep in!

06-09 was the years of the rabbit, then they went back to golf:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Golf

Either way, they don't fold flat. The JSW do from what I am seeing. I had a 2000 golf, it was not flat, I have a 2010 golf, also not flat.

 

[Auric]

That photo does not necessarily depict the potential level since the seat bottoms may be capable of first hinging up against the front seat backs (positioned sufficiently forward). However, as said, the length is probably not significantly more than the width except in wagon models.

 

[thedarkwolf]

As the owner of a 2004 jetta wagon those do fold flat and is probably long enough to actually sleep in.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Thanks guys. I went to see a 2002 VW Polo because the dealer said it folded flat. Turned out that it did NOT. I've had a seller tell me that his 2002 Golf folds flat, but I'm inclined to think that he's mistaken, right?

Regardless, I think I'm going to move away from VW. This is Australia, so parts would probably be expensive. VW isnt very reliable to begin with.

On top of all that, there are manual 2004 Honda Fits for ~$4000 AUS.

~2002 CRVs and HRVs also have flat folding seats, right?

 

[Evilviking]

Use a back seat air mattress.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00K8...seat+shelf&dpPl=1&dpID=513BVuYyJqL&ref=plSrch