1999 Volkswagen Cabrio SE review from UK and Ireland

Currently Radiator Leak

(possibly fault of service dept)

I'm very sorry to hear all the bad reviews for this car/model. I do see a trend with the Euro reviews tending to be very good while the americna ones are very poor.

Anyways we bought this for a family car in 2001 - and it was great fun and very practical for my folks. the split seat in the back allowed large storage space and there were no problems picking ppl up from the airport with lots of baggage.

(The car was given to me in 2004)

Secondly I have had next to nothing regarding water leaks, on very very rare occasions I might get a drop inside - i.e. having it washed with a pressure hose etc.

Seats are comfy standard late mk3 seats and 4 can sit comfortably on a short journey.

1.6 se engine its on the weak side, but as described nippy about town will do my motorway miles no problem. I'm usually in the fastest lane going faster than cars 3x the price, or crawling along the same congested lanes. Bottom line cheap to run and to insure. Older mk3 engines are still running well - so this should last the time.

The interior looks good, I personally think the rounded lines of the mk3 interior look better than mk4/mk5 because they are too square.

I love the blue dash- none of my dash lights have gone wrong.

I agree - when the top is down on a summers day its very very cool. there is no need to go 100mph, you can just cruise at 60 or so.

Bad points.

-Older tech engine compared to Mkiv

-lots of "scuttle and shake"

-lots of wind noise with the top up

-weak stereo

-fairamount of body roll

-unisnpiring brakes

-almost no aftermarket styling parts.

Modifications

if like me you like things done your way I have a quick mod list here - I have dragged this car into 2006.

It has:

High intensity xenon lights

Full leather re trim in maroon nappa leather (like on the new VW EOS)

Interior light changed for bright LED festoon (huge amount of difference- you must do this Mod)

Lowered Suspension with 17" alloys - very sporty looking now/handling much much improved (couldn't actually believe the diff sports springs make.)

painted the plastic side skirts the body colour (again a very simple mod, but makes the car look so much better) (why do vw not colour code their cars?? - look at the back of the new mk5!)

Red brake calipers

other bits and bobs.

I think the simple tasteful mods done - make it look very OEM - like it rolled of the factory floor. in my opinion looks much better than mk4 and mk5 GTI.

I think I will keep this for a couple more years because it has been so care free and reliable and it looks fantastic.