Golf V6 4-Motion any good?

[edition]

Hi,

I'm in the market for a second car with a budget of around 3k. The Golfs have cought my eye are they any good? I'm just after something half reliable and safe that isn't a chore to drive.


Am I missing another similar car in that price range???

Thanks in advance!

[Motorrad]

Heavy, thirsty and not really quick.

A 1.8T with appropriate software tweaks will outperform one.

They make a semi-pleasing noise however.


Skoda 4x4 1.8T is a better car IMO.....and in your budget range.

[300bhp/ton]

edition said:

Hi,

I'm in the market for a second car with a budget of around 3k. The Golfs have cought my eye are they any good? I'm just after something half reliable and safe that isn't a chore to drive.

If you want half reliable then I suspect a Golf isn't a bad choice tbh.

As for any good, of course not, that's why they've been selling them since the 1970's...

I think the 4Motion was always touted as more of a cruiser than anything. Not a bad car, but not the sharpest drive for the money.

edition said:

Am I missing another similar car in that price range???

Sure. There are litterally hundreds of cars to choose from at this price range. However it really depends what you want or are after.

I mean if you criteria is "V6 4wd Golf", then it leaves but a few choices.

However there's no shortage of hatchbacks, AWD vehicles, V6 vehicles, compact family cars at this price range.

[Ved]

Yes it's a good car. I had one for a couple of years and aside from an alternator it never let me down. It does need some new roll bars to give it a bit more confidence but it's a very good car. I averaged 32mpg with 36+ on motorways.

It's identical performance to a 180bhp GTI but has a lot more usable torque and is a hoot in the snow. The ride is also very comfortable and has some good toys as standard.

A very good little barge.

[PH lurker]

300bhp/ton said:

edition said:

Hi,

I'm in the market for a second car with a budget of around 3k. The Golfs have cought my eye are they any good? I'm just after something half reliable and safe that isn't a chore to drive.

If you want half reliable then I suspect a Golf isn't a bad choice tbh.

IMO it depends on what you mean by 'reliable'. They are a fairly well built car with a premium feel in a practical bodyshell. From what I have read they aren't the most fun car to drive, but there are slower cars and the four wheel drive will probably help in wintery conditions.

If you don't need the practicality then something like http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012... will be a lot more fun to drive, still has a boot and will probably entertain a lot more in general whilst still being 'reliable'.

[Bitzer]

There's an A3 3.2 V6 on AT for £3495 if you're after alternatives. Slightly over budget by a few £ though.

[Gruber]

I had one as my winter hack about 3 years ago. The haldex 4wd system did a good job in the snow and it was reasonably quick (in a V6 muscular torquey sort of way, rather than revvy point and squirt), and felt sure footed.

Handling is a bit under-steery and very wallowy on standard set-up.

Make sure it has been properly serviced, especially the 40k mile haldex oil & filter interval. And they're prone to electrical problems with ABS sensors and engine fans.

But a good all-rounder and I'd probably consider buying another.

30mpg just about achievable.

ETA... Alternatives: If it's 4wd you're after in a smallish package for sub-£3k... Impreza or Forester is the obvious solution

[HustleRussell]

Aside from what has already been mentioned, remember that even at below average mileage these golfs will have done a lot of miles by now and the complicated 'Haldex' 4WD / suspension system will be wearing out- bushes, links, balljoints etc etc. This will manifest itself as poor handling and uneven tyre wear and the labour to fix them will get costly.

[ajb85]

Reliable yes, but could get very costly given the age of these cars. I used to drive them when they weren't far off new and they were the business back then. These days they don't really knock your socks off but that V6 is super smooth, reasonably gutsy and the overall package is that of a quality one. I never remember MPGs being up near the 30s though, and there's no real pay off off eager performance. The 2.3 V5 is equally as impressive and similar in performance.

Very nice cars nonetheless, and if that's what you want - I'd expect them to be a bit of a bargain now.

[Sonofabeesting]

Hi

I have one at the moment. Never really had any problems with and has worked well for 3 years. I am only selling it as I have a new car for the family.

Should be able to get a good one for about £2000 (I wish it was more!)

[edition]

Thanks the the replies.

Another that caught my eye was the old shape S3.... Am I likely to be able to find a decrnt original one of those for my budget?

[r11co]

Motorrad said:

Heavy, thirsty and not really quick.

Heavy? - It's all relative.

Thirsty? - Yup (by today's standards)

Not really quick? - Managed to leave a flat-out BMW Z4 3.0 (lighter and more powerful) disappearing in my rear-view mirror on the A12 autostrada (La Spezia to Carrara stretch) many moons ago in my Bora VR6 (same thing with a boot).