2002 Volkswagen Golf GT TDI PD 130 BHP from UK and Ireland - Comments

Nothing so far. Running fine.

When I first drove this car I was amazed at its awesome mid range acceleration and grunt... and yet although I have had this car for almost 3 years, its still puts the same grin on my face.

The figures quoted by VW don't seem that impressive, however, this car has to be drove to be appreciated.

It makes many petrol-heads wished they had chose diesel.

There are very few petrols which can match its awe inspiring mid range torque and no other diesels. (it leaves Peugeot 306/307 for dead)

The handling is also very good. The enhanced suspension on the GT models are are very good improvement.

A message to those thinking about buying one, GET IT!!!

As an ex-Golf GT TDI PD 130 owner, I agree that it is a superb car.

I must take issue with your claim that other diesels can't get near it however. If you would like to do some scientific comparisons, my 175 bhp Alfa 156 JTD 20v is always available. It might do 45 mpg instead of the Golf's 49, but does 0-60 in less than 8 seconds, 140 mph, has almost 50 lb/ft more torque all through the rev range, sounds utterly gorgeous and, touching a large piece of wood, seems 100% reliable to boot, although the 5 year manufacturers warranty is there in case it isn't. I'm smitten.

That's a very fair comment.

However, I really meant for the money, there are few diesels which can match it.

Your Alfa would probably have set you back £20-21K? The golf was £17K.

I know there are other diesels which are faster for money, take the BMW 330d and the Audi 2.5 and 3.0 diesels.

It's a fair comment on list prices (the Alfa lists just over £20k), but "real world" prices make the Alfa a direct competitor price-wise. The following comparison relates to the mk5 Golf 2.0 GT TDI 5dr which was what was available at the time (and which I was considering).

My only stipulations were leather trim which was (a costly option on both cars), and having been bitten before buying imports, it had to be a UK car from a main dealer.

VW dealer.

Golf 2.0 GT TDI 140: £ 18,530

Leather: £1,645

Total: £20,175

Best dealer price: £20,000 on the nose, free metallic paint, and free mats. "More than his job is worth" to drop any more. Got similar results from two other local dealers, and one said "list price or leave it, we can sell them as quick as we can get them"

Alfa dealer:

156 2.4 JTD 20v M-Jet Veloce: £20,240

Leather: £1,280

Total: £21,520

Best dealer price: £19,995 and free metallic.

I will admit the Golf will be worth a lot more at say three years old, but this will be under warranty for 5 years, so I'll keep it until well outside the warranty period. I reckon it will be 7-8 years old and have about 150k on the clock when I change it, so whatever I chose would be worth virtually nothing come resale time.

The alfa's the better car! No question, handles, corners and goes like it shud.

Who cares about reliability? lol.

The Alfa has now done 27,000 miles without a single fault to its name. Reliability and build quality on my example are both superb (although they do vary). My only gripe is that servicing makes VW look like good value.

My friend's 156 2.5 V6 Lusso Sportwagon has just clicked past 100k and is also very reliable.

I still think I made the right choice. Alfas are a lot better than they're made out to be, and you get something only an Italian car is capable of providing - soul!

Its time Volkswagen went common-rail, I also have the 130 Bhp golf

which I find noisy and juddery. I also own a fiat van with JTD

engine which is smoother and more refined. Fuel consumption is just as good without the sound of that Vw engine. Also have doubts about that gearbox its only 23000 but need to get out.

VW only do common rail on the 'prestige cars' such as the Touerag where refinement is key. But the PD unit injector less refined, but it does offer around 30,000 psi - twice the pressure of common rail. VW's PD technology trades refinement for performance.

You buy a Golf as a safe purchase, but the Alfa is not even on the list as a replacement for most Golf drivers. That's the bottom line. The Alfa reputation is so bad most people wouldn't consider it. Comments about initial purchase price are put against the much higher depreciation of the Alfa.

Just as it's taking VW years to lose a reputation for quality that it no longer wholly deserves, so it's taking Alfa years to lose a reputation for unreliability that it no longer wholly deserves either. Yes, a lot of Alfas are unreliable, but a lot aren't. A lot of VW's are pretty shoddy on the reliability and build quality front if this site and the owner surveys are to be believed too, but the difference is you are paying through the nose for a VW because of a reputation. If it doesn't deliver, it's doubly disappointing, and my last two VW's were appalling compared to the older (80's and 90's) models I'd owned.

The fact is, most cars you can buy today are inherently reliable, well rustproofed and well supported by the manufacturers. The choice then comes down to what you pay, what you get and whether the qualities of a model match your priorities. The fact is the Japanese brands are the only ones which still deliver consistent reliability and quality. The Germans have sat back, sold cars on image, and let everyone else catch up.