2000 Volkswagen Golf review from Trinidad and Tobago

I have been driving the 2000 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 for about 10 months (after driving a 10 year old Nissan Sentra for 3 years) and I think that this has been the worst 10 months of my life.

Within the first month of buying the car (brand new), I had VERY STRANGE problems with the transmission, and I got stuck on the highway quite a few times with the car refusing to budge, even when I go all the way down on the gas pedal. I have never ever seen such strange behaviour coming from a car. This happened no less than 4 times, and my life was in danger each time. I described my problems to Volkswagen, Germany, but they couldn't care less.

Additionally, the car has shut off on me no less than 5 times. This happens when I slow down (at an intersection, say), without coming to a complete stop, and then try to go again. The car either shuts off, or responds very slowly. This is extremely dangerous, as many times I shut off in the middle of the road and nearly got killed. And even when it does not shut off, the response is so slow that my life is in danger from oncoming vehicles. I have driven many different cars before, and this has never happened.

There are many other nagging problems, but the two above are the most dangerous and I would definitely NOT advise anyone to buy a Golf. The problems may not affect all Golfs, but you may be unlucky like me to get the lemon. It is unfortunate in this age of advancing technology that Volkswagen seem to be going backwards! I would advise potential buyers to buy a Honda Civic instead.

The car has a good sound system though.

And a very nice interior.