Faults:

Engine replaced at 128 000 for an identical engine with 29 000 on the clock (N.B although was still fully functional, was just a little noisy!)

Radiator replaced.

Carburettor replaced.

New engine mounts.

Several wheel bearings replaced.

+ usual consumables.

General Comments:

The Golf is an amazing car and for such an old design handles particularly well. The addition of 15 inch Corrado alloys has further improved the car's road manners.

Despite the carburettor problems, when well tuned the car is seriously quick and has plenty of low down torque as well as top end end power. For example third gear will pull quite happily from 20 mph right up to the red line at 90 mph!

The body work is showing its age with a few spots of corrosion beginning to emerge, but these are only very minor. Overall, it is still a solid and sturdy car to drive that really does not feel 12 years old.

The only times I remember it letting me down have been due to human error (normally mine), and considering the fact I did well over 20 000 miles in the last 9 months, I've been impressed to say the least.

I certainly have no intentions of selling it in the imminent future.

Faults:

Engine cuts out unexpectedly when driving most recently on a motorway. Dealer mechanic unable to give explanation for this. Also as car is 13 years old it is beginning to show its age even though I have been faithfully servicing it over the last 5 years. This has lead to increase in cost of ownership so I now have to part with it or be faced with A high service bill.

General Comments:

Until recently was a very reliable car, if at time sluggish.

Good comfort inside and once it gets going can get to a high enough speed. Also been very economical.

Faults:

Nothing major has gone wrong. It was in an accident (head on). It has never been the same since.

Was re-tuned to pass the MOT which left it flat and lifeless. It was then re-tuned back to its original state and was still dull.

Other than that no major problems. Had to change the middle section of the exhaust, but that was all.

General Comments:

What a car, Looks and drives really well. I added some 15" 5 spoke alloys to it (not boy racer, just subtle enough) It looked really nice and didn't have a mark on it. Well not until the lovely lady drove into me on the wrong side of the road!!

Slightly underpowered for a 1.3 but who cares it was my first car.

Faults:

Engine tends to cut out when idling however once warmed up it's fine.

Window winder cable on driver's side snapped but was easy to replace.

The heaters are unreliable.

General Comments:

For an 11 year old car with 145,000 miles on the clock it drives very well.

With twin headlights it looks like a GTI, but is much cheaper on the insurance.

Seats and rest of interior still very comfortable and look like new however the car has been well looked after.

Faults:

The following items have been reconditioned:

Full engine, due to crankshaft pulley coming lose and then all the valves and pistons became very acquainted.

Gearbox, syncromesh in 2nd, I believe a very common problem, but very labour expensive to replace a €5 part.

Starter.

Alternator.

Fuel pump.

Various water hoses, which can be cheap, but some are ridiculously expensive.

Rear wheel bearing.

And countless other miscellaneous items.

All this on top of the usual servicing at every 3,000 miles has added up to a pretty penny.

General Comments:

A love the car, handles like it is on rails and it has pulled me out of some corners that I am sure if I had been driving other marques I would be dead!

Very economical, now averaging around 60mpg, can I off set this saving against a petrol car to the amount I have spent? wouldn't come close I say.

Will hold onto the car till its end (until I kill it in a ditch).

Have wondered from about the third month when things starter to go wrong, that where is the apparently amazing reliability of the Volkswagen car. have only heard about it, but have never seen the infamous good for 200,000 miles without any problems!