Faults:

- Stabilizer bar bushing at approx 20,000KM

- Driver side window fell into the door around 40,000KM

- Cruise control died around 50,000KM

- A few minor rattles have developped in the dash / centre console area.

General Comments:

This is a very nice car to drive. The exterior and interior are made to a very high standard of quality; everything about the car feels polished. It drives very nicely, the shifter is nice, the brakes are strong, the engine is willing, the steering is communicative, the ride is smooth. There's not a lot to complain about when you are behind the wheel.

The cargo capacity is surprising! If you don't believe me, find an MK4 Golf and open the trunk. I think everyone goes "ooh" the first time they see it. It gets even better, as the rear seat folds flat and splits 40/60.

The engine is a gem; smooth, quiet and very fuel efficient. It makes 177ft-lbs of torque from 1800rpm, and revs to 4500RPM willingly. While the acceleration is not truly impressive, there's enough torque on tap to move the car effortlessly in any normal driving situation.

My main problem with the car was the price. Basically I would not recommend that someone who drives a lot buy a TDI to save money; you won't. The car costs thousands more than it's competitors when new, and the maintenance costs are high. The PD engine will develop problems if the correct oil isn't used, and VW dealerships will take $100~$200 out of your pocket at every service. You will also have to fork out $700~$800 for a timing belt at 100,000KM, when just about every other car out there has a chain by now. In the longer term, the mechanicals are solid but reliability is still below average (by reputation, and also by personal experience with the few issues I've had). It is nothing major, but on most new cars I've gotten closer to 70~80,000KM before little things started to go.

Fuel consumption is good, but not quite as incredible as the myth goes. Driving normally with the flow of traffic, it returned around 7L/100km in the city and around 6L/100KM on the highway.

Consider that diesel is 10% more expensive than gas, and that something like a Cobalt or Corolla will get almost the same mileage with regular gas. Those cars may not have the same ammount of appeal but they are certainly a better value. At the end of the day I sold my TDI because I was sick of $500 a month payments, and $200 oil changes, for what is essentially an economy car.

The Golf is a nice compact car, but not an economy car.

Faults:

The manifold began to leak slightly around 2000 km. Then the car got noisier, and it smelled burnt diesel in the car after motor-braking. The dealer never recognized this problem and flagged it "normal wear".

The ball bearings in front-left wheel began to make noise at 24000 km. The dealer replaced it under warranty.

The front-right coil spring broke at 38000 km.

With time, the alternator makes a kind of "brushing" noise. It becomes louder with time.

General Comments:

I love the handling of this car although the rear suspension is not independent. It behaves very well in difficult conditions such as winter.

Accessories are working fine. Cruise control is nice. The sound system rocks, although a MP3 player would have been appreciated.

The engine seems peppy as the turbo kicks in around 1600 rpm. All the power resides in the middle range of the engine revolution, so it is convenient in city conditions or even to accelerate in last gear. But in reality the performances are somehow bad (100hp for Canadian model) and the turbo feeling is an mere illusion of power. However, the torque rating (177lbs/f) is good and towing is easily attainable.

In very cold conditions (minus 20-30 Celcius), it is recommended to connect the block heater in order to be able to start the engine. The cabin takes way too long to reheat (thanks to fuel efficiency!) but fortunately the seat heaters reacts promptly. Also, the engine is *way* less efficient when cold.

As for fuel consumption, the advertised 64 mpg is reachable only when going constantly around 95 km/h. When going up to 120 km/h, the fuel consumption goes down to 50 mpg. That's still good: 900 to 1000km can be done with a 50L tank.

Faults:

The dual mass flywheel (DMF) requires replacement. I have just over 16,000 miles on this car in less than 6 months and the clutch is showing signs of imminent failure. After researching this issue I have discovered that I am not the only VW owner having problems with the dual mass flywheel clutch. This is an inferior product, which is unable to handle the high torque of the turbo charged engine. This especially applies to the diesel engine, which are noted for their high torque.

Two things I find very odd follow:

1. The VW clutch and flywheel warranty is only 12 months / 12,000 miles.

1. This well-known problem has a readily available fix on the Internet. Replace with the VW VR6 single mass flywheel and clutch, which is capable of handling 300 ft. lbs. of torque.

General Comments:

This is a wonderful car with no other problems except the weak clutch.

VWOA, please resolve this issue.