• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

How is the VW Golf? UPDATED: saw the car

P

PaNsyBoy8

Golden Member
Hi Guys, I'm looking to buy a used car, and found someone selling a 2000 VW Golf for $9500. Its a 2Dr and it comes with a few aftermarket parts along with the stock parts its also got about 45000 miles on it. Do you think this is a wise decision, I want a car that won't give me any greif. Its seems to have a lot of miles on it for such a young car. There are also a few problems with it, I haven't seen the car yet but the car was involved in a hit and run that did some damage to the front bumper, and the front rim needs to be drilled out, do you guys how much that would cost to repair? Its also registered in NJ and would have to register it in CA, would i run into any problems with that? You guys are always really helpful with this stuff, thanks in advance.

UPDATE:
I saw the car today, it looked to be in great condition, the hit and run, that was nothing more than a scratch on a bumper.
 
I've had two Golfs and a Rabbit. They're great cars, very economical and easy to work on. My current one is an 85 diesel, and if something happened to it, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a new one.

Very good German engineered cars!!

Don't know what you mean by "the front rim needs to be drilled out". Can't help you there. The bumper thing, who knows, if it's minor, it's not worth the cost to repair. Use it to bargain the price down, but I'd say $400-$500 is not unreasonable.
 
The front bumper can be expensive if the cap and core need replacing. Unless you can have it checked by a mechanic you can trust do not buy it. 45,000 is kind of high for a 2 year old car but if it was taken care of it won't matter. They are very reliable and easy to work on. Also I am sure someone will pop in here with stories of how bad the electrical problems are with VW but I have yet to see evidence of these things and I used to be a VW mechanic.
 
VW = 😀

I just picked up my 2002 Golf GLS TDI and love it. My roommate is alao a VW fanatic and has a 1992 Passat, which has been amazingly reliable.
 


<< The front bumper can be expensive if the cap and core need replacing. Unless you can have it checked by a mechanic you can trust do not buy it. 45,000 is kind of high for a 2 year old car but if it was taken care of it won't matter. They are very reliable and easy to work on. Also I am sure someone will pop in here with stories of how bad the electrical problems are with VW but I have yet to see evidence of these things and I used to be a VW mechanic. >>



The only electrical problem i have ever seen with VW's is that the Jetta/Golf/Passat platform seems to eat headlight bulbs. Every 4th or 5th one has at least one burned out. 🙂
 
Another VW Lover here... Im on my 3rd (Jetta, Passat, Passat) and i loved every single one... I highly reccomend...

|
|
|
V
 
My first car was a VW GTI and I loved it but I had electrical problems with it. Plus it never started in the winter or cold weather.

But I think my advice is really dated because it was an 86 GTI 8V and I got it in 89.
 
something says don't buy that car.

too many miles, aftermarket parts, it's been in a car crash, has 'problems' and it's only a 2000?
 
I love VWs too. I have a Scirocco and a Rabbit GTi. You can ask the good folks in the A4 forums at vwvortex.com this question. They will know more, and might even have a better deal for you. The generation before that model (A3) is really nice too. Is it a Gl, GLS, or GTi?
 


<< The front bumper can be expensive if the cap and core need replacing. Unless you can have it checked by a mechanic you can trust do not buy it. 45,000 is kind of high for a 2 year old car but if it was taken care of it won't matter. They are very reliable and easy to work on. Also I am sure someone will pop in here with stories of how bad the electrical problems are with VW but I have yet to see evidence of these things and I used to be a VW mechanic. >>



My grandma's Golf is evidence. They DO have electrical problems. She went to the dealership several times to change the radio cause the electrical system was "frying it". Turns out they were screwing her, and that all you had to do was re-enter some security code. Otherwise the car is fine, but that dealership was downright sleazy.
 
good luck getting a NJ car to pass CA smog.... it may or may not be possible, you definitely want to look into that.

Also, if it's got 45k miles so quickly, I'd say that they're probably highway/long commute miles, and wouldn't worry about that. If the bumper needs to be replaced, it's not a big deal as long as it's just the bumper. Make sure nothing important is damaged.
 
I would stay away from that vehicle. It's a Jersey car, with hit and run history and damage, and it's out of warranty because of the mileage (this is a VW with the crappy 2/24 warranty). $9500 is a fairly big investment for a vehicle that is rather questionable. This is not some 328i...it's a Golf, VW's economy car. $9500 is too much.
 
First thing, if you're pretty seriously considering it, run the VIN on carfax and pay the $20 for the full report. A car from NJ that's been "hit and run"? definitely get the carfax report (www.carfax.com).
Second, what kind of aftermarket parts? If you are just talking wheels and tires, no biggie. But if the person has done exhaust or cam or air box swaps, that is a very good indicator that it has been driven hard. No big deal, just make sure a mechanic checks it. I've got an '00 Golf myself with 48,000m on it and have loved every mile. Not to mention my '87 Westy with 195K, and a jetta with 245K on it. VW's, if maintained decently simply run and run and run.
Things to keep in mind when buying it near 45K miles, you may soon need tires, shock/struts, brakes etc. That really isn't a lot of miles, but that is when parts that wear out like tires and brakes etc. should be looked at closely.
Also, FYI, the NADA Avg. Retail value of that car is $13,000, trade in value is $11,000. So if the car is in decent shape $9,500 may not be a bad deal at all.
As for the smog thing, most new cars like '00 and up have to have the damn CA emissions stuff in them. But you may wanna check with your CA DMV and see if they have anything to say.
j
 


<< First thing, if you're pretty seriously considering it, run the VIN on carfax and pay the $20 for the full report. A car from NJ that's been "hit and run"? definitely get the carfax report (www.carfax.com).
Second, what kind of aftermarket parts? If you are just talking wheels and tires, no biggie. But if the person has done exhaust or cam or air box swaps, that is a very good indicator that it has been driven hard. No big deal, just make sure a mechanic checks it. I've got an '00 Golf myself with 48,000m on it and have loved every mile. Not to mention my '87 Westy with 195K, and a jetta with 245K on it. VW's, if maintained decently simply run and run and run.
Things to keep in mind when buying it near 45K miles, you may soon need tires, shock/struts, brakes etc. That really isn't a lot of miles, but that is when parts that wear out like tires and brakes etc. should be looked at closely.
Also, FYI, the NADA Avg. Retail value of that car is $13,000, trade in value is $11,000. So if the car is in decent shape $9,500 may not be a bad deal at all.
As for the smog thing, most new cars like '00 and up have to have the damn CA emissions stuff in them. But you may wanna check with your CA DMV and see if they have anything to say.
j >>




Most of the parts are for cosmetics, i.e. rims and rear light, springs, and a few others. But she did replace the exhaust, which worries me a little, but no engine mods where done to the car. and te hit and run only caused cosmetic damage (that's what she told me). I did blue book it and it seemed like a good deal, i'm just want to make sure, since its a pretty large investment.
 
My first instinct is to leave this one alone. I'd get it checked by a mechanic and in this case, make sure he checks the wheel alignment. It could reveal suspension damage that will be very costly to fix. Be prepared to move on, it might not be as good a deal as you think.

As fas as VW cars go in general, they seem like they're dependable if you take care of them, but they're no Toyotas.
 
1999 Passat here. LOVE it! In fact, I had thought I'd get a MBW 5 series or a Audi A6 next, but I'm pretty sure I'll get another Passat now. You just can't beat what you get for the money with these cars. And they've made them look even better now. aphexII's Passat looks so sweet. Like a gussied up version of mine 🙂

 
My immediate family (bro's and sis's, parents) have owned about 12 or 13 VW/Audi products over the last 15 years, and I've loved them all. But, they aren't for everyone. Many seem to be plagued by dash rattles and electrical problems, as was mentioned. A car involved in an accident can never be returned to pre-accident condition. And the price seems kind of low to me for a 2 year old car, but maybe that's because of the mileage. Also, check out forums.vwvortex.com instead of the Audi forums since it isn't devoted to Golfs.
 
02' Golf TDI here, (wife's car) Love it.

2nd the vwvortex as a resource & also newbeetle.org

You can scrounge the parts for the repairs used & save some $.

I've heard of the electrical problems, have no firsthand knowledge, but have heard the electrical problems are really minor & limited to 1 or 2 production runs & that they've been resolved.

VW's going to get bigger in the US, they're due to introduce an upscale model that retails for >$30K & revamp their dealerships to sell further upscale than they currently do.
 
Yep, have the car checked out by a mechanic. Have the alignment checked too, because messed up wheels can mean the undercarriage has taken a beating.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top