2003 Volkswagen Golf TDI from UK and Ireland - Comments

Nothing.

Turbo lag and sloppy handling mar a well built if terminally dull car.

There is nothing about this car that makes it in any way desirable. As an estate car it lacks any real practicality, as a drivers car it is moribund as a status symbol- well give me a break!

A car only for those who have no interest in driving, but believe that VW's are somehow more reliable.

Did you actually test drive this vehicle before buying it? Did you have a look at it, or did someone blindfold your eyes and said:

"Give me money, and I'll pick out a car for you."

If you do not like the way it looks and drives, WHY DID YOU BUY IT? If it's because of reliability, I can assure you there are other reliable cars out there.

I find this comment PATHETIC because many people do not get the opportunity to test drive the cars they buy and even if they do, it is usually a short "around the block" test drive.

The Golf TDi may seem to be responsive on a quick around the block cruise, but its lack of real performance may only become apparent once attempting an overtake manouvre on the open road.

By the way, I did not write the original review, but believe that reviewers should be encouraged to tell it as it is (after an ownership experience) without being berated by narrow minded people.

Finally, I agree that the Volkswagen do not live up to their "Quality" image. They are Overpriced and Unreliable.

Oh and don't bother trying to test drive one of these cars - most Volkswagen dealers won't let you test drive until you leave a deposit!

Try reading the review again. The reviewer just bought the car (or claims to, anyway) and has nothing, but complaints about it. If he/she was stupid enough to buy it WITHOUT test driving it or with just a "spin around the block", then he has no one, but himself to blame for his dissatisfaction with the VW.

It is obvious that the reviewer has a bias against VW and so one wonders why he bought one at all, if in fact he did, and this is not just another fake review!

Who said anything about buying it? I just drove the thing from Hastings to Kidderminster as I was collecting it back from a former employee. Good grief I wouldn't be daft enough to buy one.

I have never owned a VW, but over many years of driving I have sampled 3 examples. The first was the legendary beetle. This was a car more horrible than the Morris 1000. Then I had to evaluate a Vento. This was one of the dullest cars I have driven and I have driven the Marina, Allegro assorted Viva's, Hillman Hunter and heaven help me once owned a moggie traveller!

My latest experience was in said diesel estate golf. I do not like it and I just wish that VW's cars were as good as their adverts.

I agree that its stupid to buy a car without test driving, but this person didn't buy it! I agree with the comments about the blandness. It quite tickles me actually that people (usually the so-called upperclass plus the usual car critics) talk about Japanese cars being dull and bland and cheap inside. Funnily enough I associate VW's as being overrated, dull to drive, dull to look at, overpriced for what they are and in actual fact very poor quality. SO WHY HAVE THEY GOT A GREAT QUALITY REPUTATION AND A HIGH IMAGE AND WHY DO PEOPLE SPEND SO MUCH ON UNRELIABLE BLANDNESS?

After owning a 2000 model Golf 1.9TDI, I had many problems with it. The dash looks good quality I completely agree, but it wasn't all that great with seat material and gearbox gaiter showing wear after 46K. Was not impressed with the low front end scraping on moderate bumps nor the back wiper failing nor the over firm seats nor the heavy and stodgy feel of the drive and why were the tyres so thick (175/80R14)

I loved the little details like the blue dash, illuminated vanity mirrors and puddle lights, trip meter, economy and lack of road and wind noise, but this would not be enough to tempt me from a Japanese car! The sooner VW looses its quality image the better unless things drastically change.