2001 Volkswagen Golf GT TDI PD 130 1.9 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Good overall

Faults:

Since new the car has pulled to the left. It has been to the dealer three times, but still pulls to the left. After the last visit the mechanic took me to one side and showed me a confidential memo highlighting this fault. Poor design means that the car will always pull to the left!!!

General Comments:

The car generally runs very well, and does about 50 mpg.

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

Review Date: 31st October, 2002

4th Sep 2003, 08:43

I test drove an 18 month old one of these for about 10 miles, never noticed the slightest bit of pull in any direction, except when accelerating hard which is a triat of powerful front wheel drive cars.

My other car is a 6-cylinder BMW and if there was anything "pully" about the golf I'm sure I would have noticed, as anyone who drives a BMW would agree.

I'm buying the golf due to the amazing combination of power and economy. Double the MPG of my BMW and slightly quicker, although it doesn't compare from a pure driving point of view.

2001 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI 1.9 turbo diesel from North America

Summary:

Dude, get one. They rock!

Faults:

Driver's seat had a snapping noise when you pushed back into the seat. I had the dealer replace it under warranty a month or so after I bought it. It turned out to be a bad seat frame.

Both rear window motors were also replaced under warranty, due to a pinch sensor failure. The rear windows, when raised, sometimes would go up, pause, then go back down. The dealer said this is a common problem with both the Jetta and Golf four-doors.

General Comments:

This car is awesome! I love it. Bought it brand new. All the options I wanted, and the dealership ordered it from another dealer, got it within 48 hours.

It gets great mileage. Latest trip was 1700 miles, and with the air conditioning running, 80 MPH on cruise control, I got about 47 MPG. That's comfortably over 600 miles between fill-ups when highway driving.

Performance is surprisingly good with the TDI. Yes, it's a diesel, but it's turbo-ed, so it drives like a normal car. Handling is a little soft, I hear the GTI isn't much firmer.

Inside, it's pretty comfortable. I've driven 13 hour trips with this non-stop, with no complaints. Cargo room is excellent with the seats folded down. I moved recently, and hauled over 600 pounds of stuff without a problem. (Still got 45-46 MPG with air blasting)

Can't praise this car enough! Would definitely recommend to anyone. My wife even has the 2001 Jetta GLS TDI with similar accolades.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th August, 2002

21st Feb 2005, 20:16

Dear Sir, I am thinking of buying a 2001 Golf T.D.I. and it sounds like a good car according to your review, I have been researching them for about a week and I have heard a lot more good points than bad, so obviously you would recommend this vehicle, would you not? Thanks for your time.

2001 Volkswagen Golf GTi Turbo 1.8 turbo from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

The VW Golf GTi is GREAT

Faults:

CD player was jumping - some packing missing from the gap between the stereo and storage container. Has been replaced with cardboard filler while packing comes from Germany.

General Comments:

So many WRX's around here in AUS. The GTi is a welcome and individual car and the only way to explain it is to hand a buddy the keys. It has not yet once failed to impress the driver.

The seats are Recaro (not hard, all sports seats are firm) and the dash lights are wild. I have owned many different cars and the GTi is by far the best balance of comfort and kick out there. The boffins at VW should get a pat on the back. Can't wait to see if they drop in a twin turbo like in the TT - it's the only reason I would upgrade right now. Bravo!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th January, 2002

2nd Nov 2002, 13:22

Just like to say that VW don't do a twin turbo for the TT, and they never will. The twin turbo used by VAG would never fit in a TT.