Faults:

Window regulator broke up at 22,000 miles.

Three glovebox catch failures.

Leaking heater matrix at 34,000 miles.

Leaking rear wash/wipe hose ruined headlining at 39,000 miles.

Computer display at 42,000 miles.

Front CV joints at 46,000 miles.

General Comments:

The fastest four cylinder diesel of its generation and still lovely to drive.

Effortless torque available from idle and a very "petrol-like" throttle response. Goes like the wind if you open it up. Excellent economy (usually over 50 mpg average per tankful unless really booting it). More pleasant to drive than the 150PS version in my opinion, that car being noticeably more coarse and much more "on/off" in its power delivery.

Competent enough handling, but not enough feel to really enjoy it. Rolls a bit, despite "sports suspension". Steering vague, brakes not progressive enough. Struggles for front end grip and traction with the ASR turned off. None of this is a problem in day to day driving, but disappointing for a "GT".

Interior looks expensive, and the ice blue and red dial illumination is hypnotic. Seats are a bit firm and "wooden" feeling, but seem okay for several hours at a time. Build quality no better than average however. Squeaks and creaks at 47,000 miles.

Frankly, the car doesn't make the grade in terms of reliability. Engine is good, but far too many niggling faults for a supposed "quality" product. I've had the contents of the heater matrix pouring into the front footwells, the contents of the washer bottle dribbling through (and staining) the headlining, a broken fuel computer, knocking CV joints and the flimsy plastic glovebox catches seem to last only 6 months. What happened to VW's legendary solidity?

If they built this car properly and didn't penny pinch so badly on some of the components it would be a fabulous car, instead of just a reasonably good one. Recommended, but with reservations.

Faults:

An engine coil needed to be replaced on the day I purchased it!

The stick and exhaust valve went in it the next day.

General Comments:

The comfort-line golf has a very spacious and comfortable interior yet the exterior is rather too angular, resulting in a less attractive looking car than the earlier models.

My main reason for writing this review is to warn others of the engine problems that exist in the 2001 and 2002 VW golfs. VW may have offered to replace these coils for free yet since purchasing this new golf, I have lost confidence in the VW brand. A three year old car with low mileage should not be causing such numerous problems.

Faults:

The service at the dealer was poor. They did not put back the screws of the under-protector after the 2nd oil change.

This caused damage to the under-protector and they wanted to charge me for it. I had to battle with them and make a case to Volkswagen Canada.

The car just seems to have no power. It just idles between 1500 and 2500 Rpm as if I had no acceleration. And then it just kicks in and the car goes on normally, but the check engine lights comes on and stays on.

It is as if the car has no gas pedal. I went to an independent mechanic; he plugged the car to the computer and found out that the Mass Airflow was defective and he let me know that recently Volkswagen was recalling a lot of them.

So be advised that Mass Airflow is a recall problem.

General Comments:

I love the economy.

I enjoy the road handling.

However it's always a pain to try and make sure the car is properly taken care of at the dealer's...