1986 Volkswagen Golf CL review from UK and Ireland

When I first got it I was fiddling around with the air vents when one of them just fell in to the dash board. So I can't turn it off now. Whoops. It has a bit of a problem with the automatic choke, it starts first time, every time. However, once it gets warmed up it doesn't idle very well, so I think something needs adjusting (any ideas anyone?) But apart from general maintenance nothing.

For a 16 year old car it's in very good condition. Very little rust and like most VW's still solid as a rock. The interior is immaculate and it even had all 4 original VW speakers, probably because the front one's were virtually impossible to get out. (unless you remove the windscreen). Apart from the choke problem, the engine runs sweet as a nut with no loud tappets, clicking/banging etc.

It's good fun to drive, the steering is responsive and it sticks to the road like glue. (175 tyres and stiff suspension help)

As it's quite old I don't really like to push it, but if you want to over take, slam it into 3rd and it will take off! Obviously it's not GTi standard, but it's certainly not slow.

The only thing that really bothers me are the gears. 1st gear is far to close to reverse, the amount of times I've pulled away from a junction and gone flying backwards.

Insurance is a little high (group 9/10) but as I paid virtually nothing for the car, the premium wasn't that bad.