1990 Volkswagen Golf GTD 1.6 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Wish I had never sold it

Faults:

Not much other than routine service items.

Heater fan bearings.

Battery at 7 years.

Exhaust at 95,000 miles.

Glow plugs at 120,000 miles.

Two shock absorbers at 125,000 miles.

A couple of wheel bearings.

General Comments:

A stonking motor! Virtually a GTi turbo diesel. GTD was the top spec diesel with sunroof and big wheels.

Exceptional performance in the mid- range and 52 mpg overall average. Glued to the road round bends, but ride a bit harsh.

Reliable except when taken to dealers who made a complete mess of the fuel injection. Major rows with dealers in South Manchester area about their poor quality of service. Eventually took the car to a non-franchised dealer who are much cheaper and better.

Great car terrible dealers. VW need to sort their franchised dealers out quickly.

Finally sold it with 140,000 on the clock because I needed a bigger car for the kids. My favourite car in the last 20 years.

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

Review Date: 1st November, 2002

1990 Volkswagen Golf GTi 1.8 8v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Comfortable, capable and a testament to VW

Faults:

Window winder snapped, a couple of bits of trim were missing when purchased, but other than that it's been faultless.

General Comments:

For a 11 year old car that has covered virtually 200,000 miles the car's condition is amazing. The interior is nearly mint. I had to change the gear lever gaiter as it was manky, but the rest is near perfect. Even the driver's seat is unmarked and intact.

It's had one previous female owner and came with a full service history. Even with the mileage it uses no water, nor oil, starts on the button and runs really sweetly, with no clattering, rattling or general nasty noises.

It could do with new suspension (so I might as well lower it) but still corners really nicely... miles better than my previous 325i. Quick, if not exactly fast.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th May, 2001

20th Feb 2003, 10:34

I still own the car, and it has now clocked up 217,000 hard driven miles with no major problems. it's not let me down once and has been great fun to drive for the time I've owned it. I'll be very sad to see it go when the time comes to upgrade.. Whatever I swap it for it'll definitely be German!

16th Jun 2003, 08:48

Now over 220K and still going strong!!!

1990 Volkswagen Golf Driver 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Get a GTi instead

Faults:

Carburettor faults.

'Wax Stat'.

Dodgy stalling carb: On long motorway hauls, the carb lasts about 40 miles, and then stutters for the rest. I always have to pull it over and let it clear up, before I start driving again.

Poor cold starting performance: Carb needs a bit of heat before it runs right.

Sticky power steering: Bit scary on the motorway, cos there is there isn't much feeling through the PAS.

Rusty doors (on a VW?)

2nd gear crunch.

General Comments:

It doesn't really inspire you to drive it all the time, like an 8v GTi does, but it handles well... I suppose!

It isn't the quickest of cars, and it is far better than the 1.3, but if you can afford one, the post '88 8v GTi is a much better bet.

I've been told that a Weber Carburettor on it makes a world of difference, but would you spend £200 on a car worth about £900?

I wish I never sold my GTi in the first place!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th March, 2001

3rd Apr 2001, 04:33

Stalling after 40 miles?, I have had the exact same problem on my Driver. Check out the warm air hose into the air cleaner, and also the little pipes that control the summer/winter setting on the air cleaner. Your carby is icing up, and pulling the car over for a few minutes causes it to thaw back out again.

27th Jul 2001, 18:08

Well I've had a 1989 Golf Driver since 110,000 and now it's up to 170,000. The engine opens up at about 160,000 and feels like a GTI, but the suspension isn't lowered so you can't corner at the same speeds, but you can almost match them and it's more fun doing it.

The best thing is when the engine opens up, don't worry about the carbs too much, you're right, they just need to be warm. I can get 80mph in third and it's still pulling, but you feel you should change up 'cause you've hit the rev limiter (if there was one) and you're hurting it, but it still seems to survive...

4th Nov 2002, 18:30

I have had a weber fitted my my 90 golf driver and what a differace it makes.