Golf on Auto Trader
Discussion
I'd say it makes for a good first car to be honest. Touch bigger than the usual corsa/ fiesta. The mk4 is generally a reliable old thing, when it breaks parts will be more expensive than the equivalent focus.
A mk1 1.6 focus will be newer for the money and from my experience just as reliable. The great thing about a ford is anyone can fix them and parts are cheap.
As other have suggested a polo of similar vintage could work.
Or get a 1.4 mk1 skoda fabia. My mum has one and its solid as they come. Never broken down to speak of and, just routine stuff, tough as old boots. No street cred for a young first driver but then that's what it's all about in my eyes!
A mk1 1.6 focus will be newer for the money and from my experience just as reliable. The great thing about a ford is anyone can fix them and parts are cheap.
As other have suggested a polo of similar vintage could work.
Or get a 1.4 mk1 skoda fabia. My mum has one and its solid as they come. Never broken down to speak of and, just routine stuff, tough as old boots. No street cred for a young first driver but then that's what it's all about in my eyes!
Looks like its been looked after from the photos.
You can normally get a feel for the car from talking to the seller and when looking at it.
Yes things may go wrong but its not a new car so its to be expected.
Its had the major things done recently which is a good sign that its not been neglected.
If the service history is correct and done on time thats another positive.
Good luck
You can normally get a feel for the car from talking to the seller and when looking at it.
Yes things may go wrong but its not a new car so its to be expected.
Its had the major things done recently which is a good sign that its not been neglected.
If the service history is correct and done on time thats another positive.
Good luck
Edited by GreatGranny on Friday 27th March 07:56
Looks like a nice clean car. All the shut lines look right. Wheels look in good condition. Still has supplying dealer plates and rear window sticker. Nice looking house in the background. I reckon its got all the makings of a little gem. The 1.6 16v engine is great and has enough power.
About the only thing I don't like on these Golfs is the lazy accelerator response. Press the gas and it seems ages for the computer to actually spool up the engine.
Doesn't worry some people, but worth knowing in case you think it's a "fault" when it's actually a "feature".
Makes down-change "blips" impossible.
Doesn't worry some people, but worth knowing in case you think it's a "fault" when it's actually a "feature".
Makes down-change "blips" impossible.
Baskey said:
Looks like a great first car
Enough power to get you around but not into trouble and a step above a similar age fiesta / corsa that most new drivers are driving
I can't see how any PHer can disagree with this choice
Enjoy!
Agreed. It's a great first car. As for "underpowered' - probably wise in a first car (cough, hindsight). Teaches valuable skills to plan moves. A low power to weight is good thing sometimes. Enough power to keep with the flow, not enough to get you massively in trouble.Enough power to get you around but not into trouble and a step above a similar age fiesta / corsa that most new drivers are driving
I can't see how any PHer can disagree with this choice
Enjoy!
Trailhead said:
Personally I would avoid it.
It won't be very reliable, repairs will be expensive, especially electrical related ie ESP or ECU. And they're a heavy car, the 1.6 struggles and is underpowered. You really have to thrash that engine just to keep up with traffic flow.
Better off with a Fiesta for a first car IMO. It should have less issues and will be quicker than a 1.6 Golf.
What a crock of sIt won't be very reliable, repairs will be expensive, especially electrical related ie ESP or ECU. And they're a heavy car, the 1.6 struggles and is underpowered. You really have to thrash that engine just to keep up with traffic flow.
Better off with a Fiesta for a first car IMO. It should have less issues and will be quicker than a 1.6 Golf.
t. How the hell do you know if it'll be unreliable? And repairs are no more expensive than any other brand, at that age its going be to scrapyard and back street garage rather than main dealer and brand new bits. Okay, its not going to be fantastic on fuel, but hes not doing massive milages, so it doesnt really matter.
IMO both the Golf and Focus will be great first cars. Pick whichever takes your fancy. The Focus drives better, and was my first car, but friends have/had Golf's and they were no better/worse than anything else overall. For a first car insurance costs are likely to sway you one way or another, rather than the brand of car.
Unfortunately it would appear that the golf has sold (I can only assume) because I've tried ringing them 4 times and left 2 messages over the last 2 days and left my email and number but still have had nothing back. I might try one last time tomorrow but seems to be ruled out at the moment. I couldn't spot any focus's or golfs that looked to be anywhere near as good value which is frustrating.
M4cruiser said:
About the only thing I don't like on these Golfs is the lazy accelerator response. Press the gas and it seems ages for the computer to actually spool up the engine.
Doesn't worry some people, but worth knowing in case you think it's a "fault" when it's actually a "feature".
Makes down-change "blips" impossible.
This is the same with the Focus really. Although I haven't driven a golf, maybe it's even worse there.Doesn't worry some people, but worth knowing in case you think it's a "fault" when it's actually a "feature".
Makes down-change "blips" impossible.
Condi said:
Trailhead said:
Personally I would avoid it.
It won't be very reliable, repairs will be expensive, especially electrical related ie ESP or ECU. And they're a heavy car, the 1.6 struggles and is underpowered. You really have to thrash that engine just to keep up with traffic flow.
Better off with a Fiesta for a first car IMO. It should have less issues and will be quicker than a 1.6 Golf.
What a crock of sIt won't be very reliable, repairs will be expensive, especially electrical related ie ESP or ECU. And they're a heavy car, the 1.6 struggles and is underpowered. You really have to thrash that engine just to keep up with traffic flow.
Better off with a Fiesta for a first car IMO. It should have less issues and will be quicker than a 1.6 Golf.
t. How the hell do you know if it'll be unreliable? And repairs are no more expensive than any other brand, at that age its going be to scrapyard and back street garage rather than main dealer and brand new bits. Okay, its not going to be fantastic on fuel, but hes not doing massive milages, so it doesnt really matter.
IMO both the Golf and Focus will be great first cars. Pick whichever takes your fancy. The Focus drives better, and was my first car, but friends have/had Golf's and they were no better/worse than anything else overall. For a first car insurance costs are likely to sway you one way or another, rather than the brand of car.
ked. There is a major electrical problem with it which means it has copious error codes, ost of the electrics don't work and it won't run. The MKIV is an old car now and VW's are nothing special. Buy on condition at this end of the market.
Willy Nilly said:
Condi said:
Trailhead said:
Personally I would avoid it.
It won't be very reliable, repairs will be expensive, especially electrical related ie ESP or ECU. And they're a heavy car, the 1.6 struggles and is underpowered. You really have to thrash that engine just to keep up with traffic flow.
Better off with a Fiesta for a first car IMO. It should have less issues and will be quicker than a 1.6 Golf.
What a crock of sIt won't be very reliable, repairs will be expensive, especially electrical related ie ESP or ECU. And they're a heavy car, the 1.6 struggles and is underpowered. You really have to thrash that engine just to keep up with traffic flow.
Better off with a Fiesta for a first car IMO. It should have less issues and will be quicker than a 1.6 Golf.
t. How the hell do you know if it'll be unreliable? And repairs are no more expensive than any other brand, at that age its going be to scrapyard and back street garage rather than main dealer and brand new bits. Okay, its not going to be fantastic on fuel, but hes not doing massive milages, so it doesnt really matter.
IMO both the Golf and Focus will be great first cars. Pick whichever takes your fancy. The Focus drives better, and was my first car, but friends have/had Golf's and they were no better/worse than anything else overall. For a first car insurance costs are likely to sway you one way or another, rather than the brand of car.
ked. There is a major electrical problem with it which means it has copious error codes, ost of the electrics don't work and it won't run. The MKIV is an old car now and VW's are nothing special. Buy on condition at this end of the market.
More likely they pissed it up the wall feeding their nags and neglect their cars.
I've had both the MK4 Golf and the MK1 Focus.
The Golf 1.6 16v's need to run on 98 ron super unleaded fuel believe it or not or you risk burnt exhaust valves. Thing is most of them would have been run on 95 ron all their lives so will be on the brink of failure. Everything else though is pretty tough and unless badly repaired will not rust. The suspension on them is very simple and easy to fix with the exception of the rear beam bushes.
The MK1 1.6 16v Focus is a brilliant car and drives much better than the small petrol Golfs. However the trick control blade rear suspension is very difficult and expensive to fix which will need doing sooner or later on an older car. The biggest issue though on the MK1 / MK1.5 Focus is rust! The door bottoms rot out but more alarmingly it is the sills that rot out and this can be very costly.
Personally at that age I'd have the Golf but with a diesel engine.
The Golf 1.6 16v's need to run on 98 ron super unleaded fuel believe it or not or you risk burnt exhaust valves. Thing is most of them would have been run on 95 ron all their lives so will be on the brink of failure. Everything else though is pretty tough and unless badly repaired will not rust. The suspension on them is very simple and easy to fix with the exception of the rear beam bushes.
The MK1 1.6 16v Focus is a brilliant car and drives much better than the small petrol Golfs. However the trick control blade rear suspension is very difficult and expensive to fix which will need doing sooner or later on an older car. The biggest issue though on the MK1 / MK1.5 Focus is rust! The door bottoms rot out but more alarmingly it is the sills that rot out and this can be very costly.
Personally at that age I'd have the Golf but with a diesel engine.
I found jumping straight into a 1.6 meant upgrading to a 1.8 a year later was reasonable and going 1.8 turbo a year after that even more reasonable. I reckon I could've had insured this car a year earlier tbh. I actually got a refund from the insurance company when I bought it. My only advice is buy based on the best bodywork. A replacement engine is a lot cheaper than repairing rust.
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