Good, but not that good
Nothing.
Performance not quick enough for a 2.0L. Though large amounts of low down torque help. Mine is a colour concept model, which adds black heated leather seats and 10-stack cd system.
Good motorway car, returning 38mpg + on a run.
Cabin quality is good.
Handling average, brakes good.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 27th September, 2001
Fashion victims beware
Month 1: Clutch replaced.
Month 3: Driver's seat fixed.
Month 3: Judder in steering fixed.
Month 5: Clutch replaced.
Month 6: Bad knocking from the engine (three weeks at the garage).
Month 9: Driver's door not shutting properly.
Month 10: Engine replaced.
Month 12: Clutch replaced.
Month 15: Gearbox fixed as I could not use 3rd or 5th gear.
This has to be the worst car that has seen the light of day.
Slow, noisy, sloppy handling, woolly handling and unable to get upto 30 miles per gallon.
Fact: It spent more time at the garage than in my hands.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 16th August, 2001
Very good all round car
Brake fluid leaking from the rear brake calipers (repaired by the VW Dealer, but only to leak again after 3 months).
Air inlet hose split.
This car is a very good running economical diesel car with good performance.
However, the service I have received from the VW dealer in Aberdeen has been terrible.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 7th June, 2001
Fast, luxurious, hot hatch - handling :-(
No problems at all, inside or out.
Note:
Headlamp guards fracture easily in cold weather when trying to remove them for cleaning. I've bought 3 pairs now at £30! They are difficult to remove!
I've got to say it's very quick in a straight line. It's got so much torque across the RPM range that it is very easy to drive fast.
Handling however is poor for a GTi or that is the impression you get because of the body-roll. You have no feedback as to whether you are near the limit or just "teasing" it. I suspect the latter.
Needs stiffer suspension for the GTi fans of old. My old Celica's would embarrass it around bends.
Inside is awesome, Recaro's all round are superb, dash is excellent and build quality like I've never seen.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 10th February, 2001
A big (over priced) disappointment
Rattly driver's door.
Won't start if left for a week.
Rear wash wipe.
Cup holders.
Alarm.
Alternator.
Various other rattles from the dash.
Discards wheel caps with great regularity.
Engine good, quiet and punchy, if thirsty.
Suspension a cock-up being too soft for decent handling, yet bouncy on the motorway. Steering a bit dead and mushy, lacking in feel.
Build quality did not meet expectations, and reliability has not been good.
Blue dashboard is nice though and the Recaro seats are good.
A Golf GTi was the car I always wanted - beginning to wish I hadn't bothered myself! The illusion is much greater than the reality I'm afraid.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 22nd December, 2000
Further to my original entry on this car, I have more to add.
Rear washer has broken 4 times, soaking the alarm circuits causing constant triggering of the alarm.
Car has covered 40000 miles - now requires 2 new rear wheel bearings apparently.
Drivers mirror on visor disintegrated.
Cup holders disintegrated again.
Door rattles on Right Hand corners.
Not the only car to have these faults. I know of another 4 and all have had one or all of the faults I have listed.
Blinker light failed.
Inside leather trim on the passenger door bubbled and was replaced.
Really quick car, fun to drive. Wondering if the car will last a few more years without serious problems?
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 5th December, 2000
Luxury hot hatch
Only a couple of minor problems:
CD player on delivery had to be replaced.
Passenger electric window stopped going up after 1 year.
Not a raw GTI in the old sense, but still quick, extremly comfortable and very economical for a car of this performance level.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 22nd August, 2000
20th Mar 2001, 15:27
I'm surprised too, I posted the other GTiT review. I have had no such problems. Yes the handling is too soft but this also makes it forgiving on rough roads.