VW Golf experiences?

[MyThirdEye]

I was checking out different cars, and I really like the 2001 VW Golf. I looked at the trade-in value of my car at the moment, and it was around $11,500. The Golf I was looking at had an unlisted amount of miles, and was $8,200.

I have yet to come in counter with one, but i was also looking at the VW Jetta, or GTI. Is the gulf as bulky as the Monte? Are VW parts hard to find if I get in a wreck? I would want it to be manual. Do they have awd? is there a site that I can check out the specs of the golfs?


VW Golf I was looking at

 

[RKS]

Buying a used WV is a brave endeavor. If you don't have electronic gremlins that are impossible to resolve, the cost of the frequent service will definitely make you rue your purchase.

Then again I would check on reliability reports; maybe that year and model is an exeption to my VW experiences.

 

[mwmorph]

Golfs are unreliable, the 1.8T is maintenance sensitive, so make sure it's all been done to the letter, electrical gremlins are a chronic problem on VW Jettas and Golfs.

All Golfs are FWD and the Golf is smaller than the Jetta by a bit and much smaller than the Monte Carlo so it'll be more tossable.

If you want AWD, you'll have to find a R32 which can get very expensive, but they're also pretty quick.

In the mid of 2001, 2001.5 Jetta and Golf 1.8Ts got 30more horsepower (150 to 180) so I'd look for a 2001.5+

Jetta/Golf parts are easy to find, there so many of them.

 

[DeviousTrap]

I'm a big VW fan, who'll often argue against the rep that VWs have, but you don't want that generation of the Golf.

 

[MyThirdEye]

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap
I'm a big VW fan, who'll often argue against the rep that VWs have, but you don't want that generation of the Golf.

What generation of the Golf would be better? I do have a limit, because I'm only 16, and work part-time. I was also looking at the GTI; but i'm pretty confused. A friend of my dad has an '03 Jetta GTI, but I can't for the life of me find a Jetta GTI. I think that I am confusing myself with the different models and upgrades.

 

[mwmorph]

Originally posted by: amjohns5

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap
I'm a big VW fan, who'll often argue against the rep that VWs have, but you don't want that generation of the Golf.

What generation of the Golf would be better? I do have a limit, because I'm only 16, and work part-time. I was also looking at the GTI; but i'm pretty confused. A friend of my dad has an '03 Jetta GTI, but I can't for the life of me find a Jetta GTI. I think that I am confusing myself with the different models and upgrades.

The GenIV Golf GTI was probably the most popular performance model with a 1.8L Turbo 4 putting 150-180hp.

The Gen IV VR6 made 172to 201hp depending on year(in 2002.5, the V6 switched from 12 to 24 valves and gained a lot of power). All GLX models had the VR6

The Jetta variant of the GTi was th GLi and was a bit slowe, but aso bigger and imho better looking.

Just looking at your financial situation, unless you have parents that are willing to take on a good number or repairs, or you have a good paying, very stable job and excellent mechanics skills (as in you're able to at the very least get ASE Certified), dont get a 8 year old used VW. It'll more likely than not rape your wallet in the long run.

VW: German engineering, 4th world quality.

 

[T2urtle]

Originally posted by: amjohns5

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap
I'm a big VW fan, who'll often argue against the rep that VWs have, but you don't want that generation of the Golf.

What generation of the Golf would be better? I do have a limit, because I'm only 16, and work part-time. I was also looking at the GTI; but i'm pretty confused. A friend of my dad has an '03 Jetta GTI, but I can't for the life of me find a Jetta GTI. I think that I am confusing myself with the different models and upgrades.

you buddy has a 03 jetta GLI not GTI, Jetta have GLI = 03 is a VR6 motor.

04+ jetta GLI = 1.8 TURBO motors

a golf comes in GTI form and VR6 form.

you do not want to get a 2.0L normal GOLF, they are the worst engines of a mk4, they are the SLOWEST cars out there. Very low performance parts.

Me personally with 10k give or take on your monte, would TRY TRY very hard to get a 25th or 35th anniversay edition one. But i tihnk those are still near 13-15k. Just cuase i love the racing seats and golf ball shifter. The lip kit i can do with or without.

VW are a great DIY type car. for the most part its the same as working on any other car. Just interior problems might get you mad. I would say get one with a normal HVAC system not the auto climate as those things are PRICEY. Sunroof drains clogs, easy just clean them out. window reg fail, covered under 10 years 100k miles.

 

[DougK62]

You'd be a lot better served by just sticking with the Monte Carlo, and being thankful that you have such a nice car at only 16 years old.

 

[ViviTheMage]

IT is only in the USA that VW gets bad rap imo. Even though my 1.8t Jetta is sweetness, it does need some TLC.

 

[potato28]

Buy it, but be ready to pay when you need to repair it.

 

[MyThirdEye]

I have decided against the VW. Thanks for your help.