2001 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI review from North America

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.

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.