USED Volkswagen Golf Hatchback (04 - 09)

My car

Just gone through the 60k barrier on a 55 plate '05. Hasn't put a foot wrong! Great engine, if a little 'throaty', good ride and really good mpg - always get 55mpg on home to work 34 mile journey.

Not sure why others use so much oil, I'm only putting in 1 litre midway between services (at 18k, 35k & 54k).

Local dealer has been excellent - although courtesy cars are at a premium. Mind you, have only been there for servicing as no other faults.

Looking to replace it now - looked at A4 (nice), but having seen the mark VI, may hold out for a go in one before deciding!

My car

I have had a Golf SE TDi 105 for 2.7 years now and generally its been fine and has done 24000 miles trouble free except for a bit of internal trim needed replacement and a rear parking sensor broke under guarantee. I had to pad it up at the time though with an armrest, rear electric windows as the spec wasnt generous in 2006 then the match came along with all the bits as standard, typical VW UK

If driven carefully the MPG is excellent for a 1.9 diesel, the ride though can be compared to a reliant robin I once had.

On urban roads its bumpy hard and unrefined despite all the hype.

OK its better on fast bends but I dont drive fast round bends. The build quality isnt bad although I dont like to see "Made in Italy" on the wings? What I do like and that no other car of its type has is standard cruise control, a "proper" armrest that one can use, the adjustable in/out up and down steering wheel and seat so that you can always get the best position for motorway or urban driving,

My car

I had a 54 plate 2.0 GT TDi 140 for two years from new and covered over 70k miles in it during that time. Very rewarding to drive, great handling and acceleration, although I found that the engine was not very flexible and that it would not pull below 1900 rpm. In fact during the first few weeks I often stalled it as the Renault Laguna 1.9 DCi 130 I had before was a much more willing puller from low revs.

The worst aspect of the car was the unacceptable level of road noise at motorway speeds and in addition the high level of vibration from the diesel engine at any speed. Changing the tyres did not cure the car of the road noise problem. The level of vibration is due entirely to the character of the engine as I also drove an Audi A4 with the same engine towards the end of my sojourn with the Golf. The refinement of the engine and even the ride was no better in the A4. I did not look forward to long journeys in the car!

The car was subject to the Longlife oil change regime which made services due at 18k. The engine used approximately 1 litre of oil every 750 miles or so throughout its life - again not very impressive. At the end of the day I was glad to be out of the car and I will not have another VW until they improve the smoothness of their diesel engines. Be warned.

My car

Have had the car for a month and so far so good. Excellent high mileage motorway cruiser helped by cruise control. Seats are really comfortable compared to previous GT Sport 140 I had and ride not as harsh. Extremely easy car to drive and well equipped. Averaging 53mpg and the computer is actually pretty accurate. Built in IPOD station excellent and sound quality from Stereo is really good. Only slight niggle is rattle from the air vent on centre console.