1995 Volkswagen Golf GL 1.8 petrol

Summary:

German quality (sarcasm)

Faults:

Front shock absorbers.

Rear muffler replaced.

Coolant leak around water pump, replaced.

Fan had shorted and was stuck in max speed.

Various suspension work including tie rods.

Front brakes.

One drive shaft.

Leaking servo pump.

Both wheel rear wheel bearings.

A lot of stone chips, poor paint quality and beginning rust. Resprayed sills and lower parts of doors

General Comments:

Flip car I owned for a couple of months. OK to drive, but surprisingly poor quality. Not a car I could recommend even if VW is/was(?) seen as "German Quality".

Bought as project car from local VW dealer. Quite easy to work on and parts prices not too bad.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 19th April, 2026

21st Apr 2026, 15:56

The MK3 generation of Golf and Jetta (Vento in Europe) had this bizarre problem of failing to start on rainy days.

No, really, it was caused by moisture causing a short circuit in the ignition system, particularly through a cracked ignition coil or distributor cap.

Crazy isn't it? It would have you wondering if you had purchased some Soviet piece of crap disguised as a Volkswagen.

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2009 Volkswagen Golf 1.9 TDI

Summary:

Rust galore

Faults:

Nothing major really. But general build quality is pretty shoddy. But has never left me stranded. And has next to nothing in the rust protection department.

Replaced:

Brakes.

Complete front end suspension - expensive!

Rear bushes and shocks.

General Comments:

Complete rust bucket. Shoddy quality, although reliable. Bad paint qality. Rust spot on the middle of the door. How is that possible? Never had a car that rusted that much.

No dealer support!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 19th February, 2023

20th Feb 2023, 21:44

Sounds like the 1970 Torino my parents had. That car rusted terribly. Trunk lid, doors fenders… after six years it was done. Engine was good however :)

22nd Feb 2023, 15:37

It is/was more than 10 years old. But you are right, no modern car should rust this bad. It depends also on climate, and how often (or not) the car was washed.

In reply to 22nd Feb 2023, 15:37

23rd Feb 2023, 18:21

I took really good care of this car, that's the irony. But VWs from these years rust badly. I got the chassis wax oiled after an independent mechanic pointed out it has bad rust forming underneath. That probably saved it from structural rust. He said 2-3 more years and the car would have been scrap. The paint was given ceramic coating by a professional detailer when 1 year old. Nothing helped. The car was partially resprayed by the dealer. 2 years later it started to rust again. Rust proofing on this car was a joke!

2014 Volkswagen Golf e-Golf electric

Summary:

Buy it and try the enviromentally friendly future!

Faults:

Some minor problems with one door. VW changed a part in it.

General Comments:

Almost a flawless car after almost two years! What a great electric car! It drives me 400-500 km on some days using superchargers. In Norway we have many superchargers and even free charging stations (private and government).

This car save me a lot of money each year compared to a fossil fuel car.

So far I can only give a high recommendation.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st July, 2016

1986 Volkswagen Golf GL 1.8 petrol

Summary:

Reliable, uncomfortable and cheap to own

Faults:

The old Golf 2's have a rust problem.

I had to change two doors, and weld together a hole in the floor to get it approved for another two years.

Other than that nothing broke down. Straight through a solid car.

General Comments:

The Golf 2 is a really cheap car. Both to buy (used) and to own.

Even though consumable items, wear and tear items that is, needs changing from time to time, these parts are so cheap that you almost won't notice the cost at all.

When it comes to comfort the car is a total nightmare. I have never owned nothing so close to a piece of metal with 4 wheels and a motor attached to it. There was NOTHING on it. I mean, that's wrong to say, because it had a heater. And windshield wipers!

Sorry, I started out a bit harsh here. It actually has got 2 things on it, heater and windshield wipers.

Other than that, nothing. Not even a power steering (servo).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 31st July, 2010