VOLKSWAGEN GOLF ESTATE READER REVIEWS

My car

My last 5 cars have been Hondas but I was looking for a car with a small diesel engine promising low emissions and good economy so the offer of a 10 plated (March) Golf Estate with 4500 miles on the clock at a bargain price was too good to miss. The car is no looker but it exudes quality. The fit and finish are superb. It rides well with wind and road noise well supressed and it offers excellent ergonomics. The cabin is a pleasing place to be, offering good levels of comfort and plenty of luggage space. I have covered 3000 miles of mixed motoring over the last two months. My only real complaint is that the high gearing and small engine compromise flexibilty. It is too easy to be caught in the wrong gear- in this respect the car is very unforgiving and would benefit from a 6 speed box. Even on the level at 40mph, with the gear indicator indicating 5th, the engine often sounds and feels stressed. At the moment I cannot see where VW's claimed 62 mpg is coming from for at 50mpg it is no more economical than my previous and much more powerful Civic. However, this concern apart, I'm very pleased with my purchase.