Mk4 VW Golf V5 - buying advice needed!!!

[freakynessless]

Afternoon all,

I'm looking at getting myself a mk4 golf V5 at the end of september and need all the buying advice I cant get! I've never owned a VW before and the V5 seemed like a good place to start.
One thing I would really like to know is what the suspension set up is like? Having just sold my clio 182, I want something that will hold the road nicely and be fun to drive. Is the handling of the V5 similar to the GTi?

Any other buying tips would be great, is there any thing that I need to look out for? any common problem areas? etc etc.

Thanks in advance

[Groober]

There not bad cars, really comfy on long jouneys but coming from a clio 182 it will feel like your navigating the Exxon Valdez round the twistys if its in standard form.

Also they dont feel that fast, infact there not that fast really.

If you can stretch to a R32 you should, they are brilliant and the V6 sounds amazing.

Edited by Groober on Friday 28th August 14:08

[bracken78]

I'm not sure but I think the V5 is more of a cruiser than the GTI but then the GTI is not exactly a racing car. When I was looking for a Golf last year I was after a V5 at first but a friend has one and told me the economy was not great. So I started to look for a GTI with 180 BHP as this gave better economy then the V5 (I did end up with a 150 BHP model due to not finding a good 180). Maybe a V6 would be better for you?

I’ll add some buying tips later (maybe next week) if you want.

[wrighty78]

I'd agree with Bracken. I don't really see the point of the V5. It's no quicker than the 1.8T, but noticeably thirstier, and not as smooth as the V6.

I drove a couple of Passat 4motions with the V6 engine at the weekend, and a friend has a Golf 4motion, and it really is a lovely smooth engine with a good noise to it. Not really a screamer, so if you're after classic "hot hatch" I'd go with the GTI (if you're set on VW). Much more a cruiser.

And if you're interested in the V6 4motion, there was a thread on here a couple of weeks ago that might be of use.

Anyhow, you just need to get out a drive a couple of each and make up your own mind.

[Dr G]

Passat is the Audi 2.8 whereas Golf is the VR but they're both nice, muscular engines for cruising round in if not the last work in kick in the pants power.

If you want a MK4 get a 1.8T and budget some extra £££ to make it go/turn/stop properly.