USED Volkswagen Golf Estate (97 - 06)

My car

4 years on still my favourite car. Solid state body and engineering. Has given 66.6 mpg on long journey, but averaged 58.1 driving at 70 last weekend on long run. Handling and roadholding excellent, very four-square. Gearbox and engine wonderful. Only a couple of small faults with a switch. I have driven long distances for 36 years and I can't find a car I'd rather have for the spec and price. I have the estate model and it's been spacious as well as having excellent acceleration and performance.

My car

I own my vw golf est on a97 reg it is a 1.9ldeisel and it has done a164000 miles and is still going strong.it is a non turbo but what car does not list my car.

My car

Good performance, good mpg, handles well. But in the last month, I've had the windscreen wiper mechanism break down and then the gearbox go. Repairs around £1000 (£130 + £800). Ouch.

My car

I've been driving this for 3 months and covered 10K miles.

The acceleration is good off the mark (although the turbo makes wheel spins common to the unfamiliar) but where it really shines is in its excellent mid range performance. From A-road to motorway speeds there is always plenty of "oomph" available and the engine noise is well isolated, even giving a surprisingly pleasing growl when revved hard (as an aside this has been completely lost in the Mk. V Golf where the 105PS diesel engine is loud, rattles and makes you feel like you are driving a bus).

Driving position is good and controls are well poistioned, having a quality feel to them both in touch and operation. Cabin materials are high quality and everything is solidly finished- the only sign of wear on this 75K mile old example is to the leather steering wheel.

Where the driving experience falls short is in terms of handling. The steering is on the heavy side, particularly at lower speeds and has a small but annoying dead zone in the steering wheel motion. The car has quite a bit of body roll in the corners and lacks the poise that I found in my previous Astra MK4 and a Focus I've driven.

There is lots of luggage space, dash mounted cup holders and big door pockets but a small glove box and passenger legroom is inadequate with tall occupants in the front compromising comfort.

Overall: excellent engine, performance, refinement, mediocre handling and dynamics with potentially good practicality.