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The Volkswagen Golf IV
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Comments
Honda Civic Sedan
1.6L 106 HP 103 lb/ft. 0-60 9.5s 32/27 mpg
The Civic weighs 2410 lbs.
Nissan Sentra
1.6L 115 HP 108 lb/ft. 0-60 9.6s 29/39 mpg
Or, the optional engine
2.0L 140 HP 132 lb/ft. 0-60 7.8s 23/31 mpg
The Sentra weighs 2380 lbs.
Toyota Corolla
1.8L 120 HP 122 lb/ft. 0-60 8.4s 31/38 mpg
The Corolla weighs 2420 lbs.
And finally..
VW Golf
2.0L 115 HP 122 lb/ft. 0-60 10.5s 24/31 mpg
The Golf weighs 2791 lbs.
These are all manual transmissioned cars.
So, what gives? The Golf weighs 300 lbs more than the other 3 (does this really explain the problem?) It is slower than any car on this list, yet it gets the worst fuel economy. (outside of the fast Sentra) This is not something new to VW. The Golf III also sucked in this respect, and any time you mention this to someone from VW at an auto show or a VW salesperson, they give you some fast talk about how torquey this engine is. Then why is the car so slow?
However, try and find any other small car that has this much cargo space..
On another note, I am not seeing <<any>> manual transmission Golfs anywhere on dealer lots here. Is everyone buying automatics?
GET THE TDI!
The performance is better, it's got more torque, will last longer and has twice the feul economy of the 2.0L gas.
Thanks a lot for your help and information. I am test driving a Golf GL this weekend and will let y'all know how it went.
carlady/host
I'm in South San Francisco and I bought my indigo '99 GLS Golf w/auto and no lux package back in May. Had a lot of trouble finding an automatic in indigo. Shopped around and had little trouble with offers of $300, $400 and $500 over invoice.
The final deal at $300 over invoice was by telephone!!! And they said they'd hold the car for me until I could get out to Walnut Creek (dirito brothers, by the way). I'm happy to say that of all my car dealer experiences, the VW was the most pleasant...at least the dealers in the East Bay: Broadway in Oakland and McNevin in Berkeley.
The car is the greatest little car around. Nothing corners or drives like it in this size or class. Feels solid like a Benz.
As for the venerable Honda Civic versus VW Golf debate, my friend, a longtime Civic efficienado, drove my car throughout Northern New Mexico and upon returning to her recent Civic said, 'you mean i have to drive THIS now???' Rumor has it she is unsure of her next car purchase, which previously was a Honda lock.
I read that the Golf will not change until 2003 in Europe which means 2004 or 2005 here.
CONVINCE ME THAT THE GOLF TDI IS WORTH $3,000 MORE THAN THE CIVIC.
CONVINCE ME THAT THE GOLF TDI IS WORTH SPENDING SEVERAL THOUSANDS OVER THE PRICE OF THE CIVIC.
Will the 2000's be out by then?
If they are out, will the price of the 1999's go down?
Also if I do get a 1999 will I be able to get the Monssoon stereo system option VW just announced it would install in 2000 models?
And one more question, can I preorder a 2000 right now?
In my mind, this brings up a good reason for buying a Golf over a New Beetle; the Golf, being built in Germany, will probably be more reliable. Consumer Reports recommended the mid-90's Passat (made in Germany) while the mid-90's Mexican-made Golfs and Jettas were not due to their spotty reliability record...
invoice prices, making it harder to negotiate a
good deal, but I've been trying. We want to buy
a 2000 Golf GLS w/automatic transmission. Based
on U.S. invoice prices I've estimated that I should aim for about Can$1000 off MSRP. The salesperson I've been dealing with did indeed offer me a discount of about that much, but (of course) there turned out to be a couple added costs, one of which I'm particularly concerned about--they are adding Can$385 for PDI (pre-delivery inspection), which is about US$250. When I asked about this, the salesperson said that it covers taking off all the tape, filling the gas tank, and adding floormats. Does this sound like a reasonable charge, or am I being had?
Golf! $180). But $1000 off MSRP in pretty good when the markup from invoice is at $1200. So you are probably getting the car at 200 above invoice( thatis if they haven't added any extra prices of their own!) Good luck
From what I read, you may have trouble finding a Golf GLS TDI anywhere.
Anyway, I have had it 3 weeks and love it. It has an automatic but has already reached 41 mpg on 1 trip. I had a 1985 Honda Accord and must say the Golf has a much better personality (I did not think cars had personality before).
The dealer had 1 arrest-me red Golf GLS with luxury package, auto, and 2.0 liter gas. He also had 2 GTI GLSes, one arrest-me red w/ 5 speed, and the other black with automatic (?).
That is Sharrett VV/Mazda/Olds/Subaru/Etc. in Hagerstown MD. Be careful, they try to charge you megabucks for add-ons like fabric and paint protectors, dealer, prep, etc., which I refused to pay. I paid about $500 over invoice.
Ok, I'm out of breath now. I'm going for a ride in my TDI. See ya.
I have a quote for a Golf GL 2000 + Air + 6 CD at 20225 Canadian Dollars. Is it a fair price??
Thanks
Bruce. SmartShopper Host
Has anyone here leased a 2000 gti vr6? If so,
could you tell me what the monthly payments would
work out to be (approximately). I am pretty much
set on getting the gti vr6, but would prefer to
lease instead of purchasing it. Also, what would my insurance rates be given that I live in North
Florida? I'm male, 31 yrs with a clean record. Any
help on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanksin advance!
I am interested in the VW Golf GL 2000. However, I am a bit concerned on the reliability of VW's in general (and especially the Golf).
My reason for this is the fact that VW only offers a 24 month/24,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty while Honda and Toyota offer an extra year of coverage. Why is this?
I have also read review of VW cars having reliability issues (more than say a corolla or civic) in the past.
Are parts and repairs more expensive on VW Golfs vs. Toyota (Corolla) and Honda (Civics)?
I also welcome any comments from VW Golf GL owners (1996-00 model years). Are you happy w/ your purchase? Have you had any problems?
I really would like to get the Golf GL. Compared
to the conservative corolla and commonplace civic, it is the only car I get "excited" about. But the above issues make me wonder if I really should go for the excitement (and driving fun) of a GL or stick w/ the boring, yet proven corolla or civic.
Please help!