Is it really that gutless?

[Dot Dot Curve]

I am looking to pick myself up a MK4 Golf as my first car.

I was looking at the 1.4. Everyone tells me it is gutless. How does it compare to say a 1.2 hatch? As I have driven a 1.2 Clio before as a daily and it was fine.


Thanks in advance

[Dot Dot Curve]

Thread merged.

[wiliferus]

That's a medium sized hefty German lump to be propelling with a small capacity NA petrol engine. I'd have thought it'd be pretty tedious?

I'm not sure of your reasons to go for the smallest capacity available, I'm guessing insurance? In which case I'd go for the 1.9tdi 90bhp unit. Should keep the Insurance down, but at least you'll have a bit of shove if you need it.

[HustleRussell]

Look at the specs? I imagine that the Golf, being so much heavier than the Clio, might actually be slower. My mate has a 1.6 16v mkIV and that's pretty slow and pretty inefficient.

[Dot Dot Curve]

wiliferus said:

That's a medium sized hefty German lump to be propelling with a small capacity NA petrol engine. I'd have thought it'd be pretty tedious?

I'm not sure of your reasons to go for the smallest capacity available, I'm guessing insurance? In which case I'd go for the 1.9tdi 90bhp unit. Should keep the I durance down, but at least you'll have a bit of shove if you need it.

Moving house next month. Now need a car, but very little cash. Having to go with cheap around my area. The only options at the right price and distance is the 1.4 and the 1.6.

Would the 1.6 be a massive improvement?

[Welshbeef]

Simply work out the bhp and torque per tonne you'll then see how it compares like for like.

However the 1.4ltr is very low power it will be slow and uneconomical far better to get the Tdi90bhp - infact I've made the point a number of times for most of the range te small engines should be excluded ad have a diesel instead much more economical and quicker plus those st engines sound utterly breathless and harsh at 4,000rpm so may as well have diesel but keep gti or sports models with good petrols

[wolfy1988]

Dot Dot Curve said:

I am looking to pick myself up a MK4 Golf as my first car.

I was looking at the 1.4. Everyone tells me it is gutless. How does it compare to say a 1.2 hatch? As I have driven a 1.2 Clio before as a daily and it was fine.


Thanks in advance

I've not driven one, I have heard that they don't stand up well to punishment? Could be complete BS

I used to have a 1.6 Audi A3 and that to be fair was a slow car, BUT you have to remember that we are talking about your '1st' car here and I am on my 15th car and have been driving for 6 years.

A mk4 Golf is a fine motor, its a damn site faster than two legs or catching the bus etc

An I know it sounds like something you mother would say but it is worth buying your first car with a little safety in mind.

I say buy whatever you like slow or not and enjoy your noble steed

Anyway, I'm off to fetch my slip and heat my milk.

[danjama]

Just don't get a Golf?

[Matt UK]

Give us your budget and some requirements. I'm sure we'll find you some alternatives to consider

[Deva Link]

We've got a Mk6 Twist special edition in the family. It's got the old 1.4-litre, 79bhp (80PS) and 97lb ft of torque engine and it's perfectly adequate, in fact I test drove it and was pleasantly surprised, and my own car is a Mercedes C270CDi.

You're not going to be able to blow hot-hatches off from the lights, and discretion will be required for A road overtakes, but you just drive to what you have. The car did a big tour of France last summer and was fine.

Bearing in mind all the trouble VW is having with the 1.4 TSi engines I'm glad we didn't spend the extra on that. Didn't want a diesel as, day to day, the car is only used for a 5 mile commute.

Edited by Deva Link on Saturday 19th January 22:39

[wiliferus]

Dot Dot Curve said:

Moving house next month. Now need a car, but very little cash. Having to go with cheap around my area. The only options at the right price and distance is the 1.4 and the 1.6.

Would the 1.6 be a massive improvement?

Ok, so playing devils advocate, why a Golf? If you need a car, and money is tight, just go for what is the best deal available that will suit your purposes?

If your thinking Golf, think Focus, Astra, maybe Seat Leon? Probably all of those will give you more car for your money.

[Dot Dot Curve]

Matt UK said:

Give us your budget and some requirements. I'm sure we'll find you some alternatives to consider

£3000 for car and insurance. I am 19 years old with 1 and half years driving experience. It is to be a daily driver, doing around 30 miles a week in city conditions. Looking for something a with decent speed and mpg. Essentially a stop over until August next year when I turn 21 and have been driving for 3 years so I can look to get a "better" car.

[cuprabob]

So the R32 has been shelved then :-)

Golf is a heavy car and iin 1.4 guise it is gutless.

Better looking at a Polo with that engine

[Dot Dot Curve]

cuprabob said:

So the R32 has been shelved then :-)

Golf is a heavy car and iin 1.4 guise it is gutless.

Better looking at a Polo with that engine

Hey


Yeah, mortgage came through and house is costing more than expected. Really can't justify the expenses of the R32. Still have plans for it either this August or next August though.

[Welshbeef]

Dot Dot Curve said:

£3000 for car and insurance. I am 19 years old with 1 and half years driving experience. It is to be a daily driver, doing around 30 miles a week in city conditions. Looking for something a with decent speed and mpg. Essentially a stop over until August next year when I turn 21 and have been driving for 3 years so I can look to get a "better" car.

A Daewoo Matiz is your answer. Dead cheap small /cosy will just touch 95mph indicated has Air con too. Will be resalable quickly too as its small cheap etc. looks well its a simple car

[EDLT]

Dot Dot Curve said:

Matt UK said:

Give us your budget and some requirements. I'm sure we'll find you some alternatives to consider

£3000 for car and insurance. I am 19 years old with 1 and half years driving experience. It is to be a daily driver, doing around 30 miles a week in city conditions. Looking for something a with decent speed and mpg. Essentially a stop over until August next year when I turn 21 and have been driving for 3 years so I can look to get a "better" car.

If you wanted something with decent speed and MPG why go for a 1.4 Golf?

[anonymous-user]

Welshbeef said:

A Daewoo Matiz is your answer.

The only question to which a Daewoo Matiz is the answer is "Name a really st car"

[valverguy]

In all seriousness, a friend had the mk4 in 1.6 guise and it wasn't going to set the world alight, so the 1.4 will be slower again, however as a car/a-b white goods thing, it was excellent/reliable and easily serviceable by himself, it was however thirsty. (circa 30-35 mpg) tops

[Deva Link]

Dot Dot Curve said:

It is to be a daily driver, doing around 30 miles a week in city conditions.

Definitely don't get a diesel then.

If that's most of your use then power and MPG are pretty irrelevant.

[wiliferus]

Excuse the colour, but if you just want something practical to tide you over for 6 months, you won't go far wrong with something like this...

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...