[BillC]

Our youngest son will get his learner's permit soon. So, we're starting to think about getting him his own car. He has requested a VW Golf with manual trans, but I really don't know much about them, especially the older ones. Can y'all provide any info on pricing, durability, safety, reliability and/or repairability? I took a quick look on cars.com, and what I saw wasn't encouraging -- either really high miles, or priced more than we want to spend.

Thanks!

P.S., at this point, there's a reasonable chance he'll just end up driving his brother's Saturn, since it's not being driven (much) while he's at college.

[dsan]

I've owned a few throughout the years. Currently have a 2009 rabbit (golf was renamed rabbit from 06-09 ) for my everyday car. I bought it used a year or two ago for 5k. Nice, solid car with imo much better build quality the their competitors (civic and the such) I'd strongly recommend if you're looking at this model (MKV) to go with a rabbit over a gti. Cheaper insurance, marginal performance difference and a pretty much bullet proof engine (2.5 5 cylinder vs the gti's 2.0t). My wife had a jetta sportwagen with the same engine until someone ran a light and totaled it. We put 150k miles on it without an issue besides regular up keep. The only issue in those years were valvebody problems in the auto trans but since he'd prefer manual that won't be an issue.

Older models 1999.5 to 2005 (MKIV) have their electronic gremlins that show up every once and a while. The VR6 (gti vr6) engine is a great piece. Replace the timing chains around 150k and they're good to go. The 1.8T engine (gti) have sludge issues with higher miles. The 2.0l (golf) engines are basically good engines, just underpowered. Build quality doesn't seem as good as the MKV models but still decent. I'd look for prices to be around $1500-5000 depending on model and mileage.

MKIII (1993-1999) I've never personally owned but have had a few friends that had or still have. Basically the same as the MKIV models as far a build quality. They didn't have the 1.8t engine option but the other engines were available with the same characteristics (chain and guides for the vr6, underpowered 2.0)

MKI and MKII (1974ish to 1992) I'd steer clear from. GREAT fun little project cars but any you find now are going to be completed projects ($$) or beat to death.

My personal experiences are they are great cars. They all have issues but so does any used car. For ease of use, I'd lean towards the newer rabbit (06-09) or newer (MKVI or MKVII). Any of the older ones are great but will require him to purchase more tools the older they get

Dan

[racer]

I drive the Golf/Rabbit sister car- a Mark V Jetta (2005.5-2010 era, mine is a 2005.5) 200,000 miles currently. manual transmission. Regular maintenance. Remarkably reliable. 2.5l 5cyl.

Basic litany of safety - ABS, Traction control, Front and side airbags but not a full alphabet like modern MB/BMW/Pcar stuff.

I'd expect the same from the Golf/Rabbit. 2.5motor seems pretty reliable since it is In no way overstressed. Rated 150-170hp depending on year, but some speculate its just "brochure" hp.. that they all had 170hp.

not sure how much older.. Mark IV (1999-2005?) imho, garbage, with the exception of the R32. Lots of non VW components as they had just lost a lawsuit to GM and had to buy $$$$$ of gm sourced parts as part of the settlement...

Had a 1996 GTI VR6 (172hp narrow angle V6) with manual. (Mark III series) Ran fine till 130K miles when things started to require frequent servicing.

Had an '88 Golf GT before that (Mark II) . Another fun car, but developed some infrequent electrical issues at about 130K miles.. replaced with the GTI mentioned above.

[old worker]

TheSamba.com may help with info

[racer]

Originally Posted by old worker

TheSamba.com may help with info

vwvortex.com is another vw site. All models. Most of the Mark 3-7 boards are all about air bag suspensions and aftermarket turbos

[zygomatic]

Had a Mk6 GTI and girlfriend had a Mk6 Golf. Both good cars with better-than-average build quality. Good reliability - across 6 years total I replaced only a battery after leaving the lights on.

As Dave said, vwvortex can help you with any questions you have about maintenance.

Personally I thought they were great capable little cars that didn't feel or drive like small(ish) cars.

Not sure how older/higher-mile ones are holding up: I've owned an out-of-warranty high mileage VW (MKIV) and repairs got rather expensive, but, generally they are good cars

[Der ABT]

First car was a 97 vr6 golf gti....sequia green........loved that car.....then I turbo'd and rill caged it and ruined it....guy still has it running in Lexington va at 600whp street legal

Mk3 vr6 was a grest car, I never had any major issues tI'll about 160k when a valve was sticking a bit. Think I did the water pump once and a thermastat

I put it through alot of DE miles, driven to track and back.

Snow it was great with the right tires
Add a differential and the car was amazing.

Moved myself to and from aND around college with ease

I love the mkiii........mkiv wasn't bad, the 24v vr6 was a good motor.....R32 was even better
Friend had a beautiful R32 but I'm guessing they aren't cheap
Friend has a mkV rabbit that has done him well, recently had an abs module die

Golf's interiors are just a step above alot of similar cars, if he cares for it and services it....should be good

[scott]

https://youtu.be/YlYTvjUR1jg