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The Volkswagen Golf IV
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Comments
2/ I saw someone 'complaining' that the Golfs have grown larger and larger. It's true, like many small cars from many manufacturers, their smallest line from a year back has gone from tiny, or small, to medium, or large compact...
Maybe it's time to call the WV POLO to the rescue, which has been sold in Europe for ages and which is considered by many to be the true descendant of the original GTI:http://www.volkswagen.vw-audi.es/polo/rightsp.htm
you might have to do some cut and paste here...
I am waiting for the result of my next gas fill-up, if it continues like this, I will send it to the dealer. But I would like to have your guys' suggestions if there is any.
Thanks a lot!!!
aqueen
- Anthony
Be warned though, that some have had reliability problems (but mostly the Jettas and not the Golfs and GTIs).
Also, what went wrong with the Accord? I thought they were the cream of the crop? What happend???
- Anthony
maybe i really need to be more patient and wait for the car to get more miles on it.
-- aqueen
What happened was that the yellow engine check light came on (and stayed on) 2 days ago while I was driving on the highway. I took it back to the dealership where they plug the car onto a computer and realized there is an emission problem. They tried resetting the computer but after a brief test drive, the light came on again. The mechanic first told me (that was yesterday) that they found a hole on some "sealing" host (sorry, I didn't catch the technical name) that is probably a manufactory defect. They then replaced the host this morning but guess what, the light still wouldn't go off!!! The guy then hooked the car onto another computer and now suspect that a EV?? (air) pump was faulty, that they are trying to get a working one from a brand new car and test it on mine. Still, it is only a "trial and error" thing that they are doing to single out the source of the engine light.
Does anyone has the same problem??? Does anyone know what the mechanic is talking about (or what exactly is wrong with my baby??). I am REALLY distressed!!!! My baby has only 1400km on it and less than one month old (arh!!!!), how could that happen???? Is it a cause for concern???? Do you think I have purchased a lemon??? Oh, there is one thing - when I got my car, there was already 110km on it since the dealer DROVE it down from another dealership instead of bringing it on a flatbed. I complained and complained but only got compensated for 4 free splash guards. Do you think that is the SOURCE of the check light problem???? (if it is, then is there anything I can do?), Or is it a QC problem.
If (heaven forbids) the problem persists, is there anything I can do to protect myself as a consumer?? Oh dear, I haven't slept for 2 days now and wonder if I really have got a lemon?? The mechanic said he would try to fix it by tomorrow (well, he said the same thing only yesterday), and I am afraid that he would tell me some more bad news again. Could someone give me some advice?? (my car hasn't even past his first month and is already in the shop... my heart is aching, for crying out loud).
a very sad mnn
1. The sport suspension should cost $300 with the turbo golf, standard on GTI.
2. The Golfs are stilll made in Germany, but will be made in Brazil soon. When? Who knows. I bought a 2000 GLS last month(LOVE IT!!) it was built in March, in Wolfsburg(it just sounds cool!)
3. The 2001 models come out pretty late because VW is a German company. My fiance bought a 2000 Beetle in November, and you couldn't find them anywhere...now, they're everywhere.
4. The turbo is sweet, but the reason you can't find the one you want is that they only came out 2 months ago, and everyone wants the same car. And like those before me, I get in plenty of trouble with the 2.0. If that ain't enough for you, you have three options: trade-in, steep hills, or the Eaton supercharger from New Dimensions. Blowers are way cooler than turbos.
5. As a 32-year-old male, full coverage on the GLS, GTI, or turbo made basically no difference to the insurance company, and while I have a relatively clean record, there are a couple of Ninjas and Trans Ams in the auto graveyard on my account.(they can't hold a corner like the Golf. Seriously!) NOTE: It's okay to wreck a Trans Am, but it is bad etiquette to total your Camaro.
6. Finally, since I should add some value to the board while I rant tonight, let's briefly discuss the VW allocation system.
When I was shopping for my, how can I say this without being vulgar, RED Golf, no one had them. I was treated like a pariah for asking. Apparently red is dead. But then something strange happened. I started conversing with Bill Knight at South Shore Cars (I hope that isn't naughty, but he deserves the plug) and after telling him exactly what car I wanted, down to the luxury package, interior color, Monsoon system, blah, blah... he said he'd look around. He told me up front that he didn't have, and didn't want, the red Golf, because no one buys them. To his credit, he was able to demonstrate a 1999 red Golf that had been sitting for 1+ years.
Anyway, the next day, he calls me up(the only callback I got, after test driving the Golf at 4 dealerships, and the Civic Si at 3) and tells me that the car I want is at the port, he quotes me a great price( it starts with inv...) and tells me to think about it and call him back when I have decided.
So I bought the car from him, and I really love it.
Back to the allocation system. VW dealers largely get what they get. They can make requests, but you see, the car you want(No, I'm not psychic) is a silver Golf turbo with the stereo and sunroof. Cool, huh? No one has them. If the dealer in your area checks the new inventory system, he/she can find your car. It may take some effort on your part, but it can be done.
The sad thing is that the guy who sold my fiance her car called me last week and told me that he just got a red Golf that was close to what I wanted, and he thought of me. I told him that the guy that ordered my car from the port thought a little more of me.
Perseverance, friends. You can get what you want.
If, after reading this pathetic tribute to my lack of a social life, you are still reading, here's a hint.
Go to the VW web site, look up the dealers in your area, and, get ready, here it comes, SEARCH THEIR INVENTORY!!! I completely blew away two dealers when I called about cars and then had to argue with them because they insisted that they didn't have a car in stock. Salesmen may be stupid, but computers can count. My experience has been that the VW inventory system is either not used at a dealership, or it is dead on the money.
Thanks for reading. I won't save up so much next time.
PS - I love my Flash Red GTI. In a fit inspired by too much beer one night, I came dangerously close to dyeing my hair to match.
I had a bit of a bind getting the car I wanted, but got it exactly in a few weeks. I've heard horror stories of people waiting for months, but I was lucky enough to not go through with it. Besides, if someone is still willing to wait that long for a car, it says something about how good the end result is. Or that all of us dubbers are boneheads - but I'll go with the former.
I don't know where you're getting this 19mpg with granny performance. I personally drive a GTI 1.8t, scare my grandmother (I took her out when I first got it), and get in the mid 20's for mileage.
Stereo problems? It's not the greatest stock unit out there, but it's adequate. My only problems are the less than stellar ergonomics of the head unit.
I looked at all of the cars you mentioned. Came quite close to deciding on a Civic Si and Celica GT-S. I finally found a perfect car in the GTI 1.8t. Yes, I realize it's not quite the Golf, but it's close enough (especially now that there is a Golf 1.8t on the market). Performance wise it will destroy a Protege. It will keep up with the Honda and Toyota above. Mind you, before any flames come (shields up ) that I said keep up - both Japanese cars will outhandle a GTI and the Celica GT-S is a bit faster (but that's a whole other series of posts). However, I can fold down my rear seats and fit 3 keyboards, a stand, a guitar, PA, mixer, and power supply and still cruies in style - something I can't do with the other 2 cars.
The GTI has been called the most practical sports car on the planet (at least in NA, since we can't grab an S3 or god willing an AUDI RS4). That's why I bought mine. Oh yeah, did I mention that a $500 chip will bump me up to almost 200 reliable ponies and 236 foot-pounds of torque? Torque is tha fun component of engine power that Honda/Acura and Toyota have forgotten about (sorry, couldn't resist a good natured dig ).
Long term reliability it admittedly a bit uncertain with VW, although don't forget that this used to be the case with Japanese cars. Quality does look like it's on the rise with VW.
If you're really curious about VW mystique, go out and drive one. Really. It sounds like you've already made up your mind, though. Give it a shot - I've driven Hondas and Acuras and Toyotas. They're fine cars. My friend's Integra GS-R was a blast to drive, but it's not nearly as functional and the interior isn't as nice as my GTI's. I'd buy a twin turbo Supra right now if I could find one and had the money.
Go out and test drive a VW, preferrably a turbo model, and get a feel for why we like our cars so much.
MNN, about your engine light, have them replace the emission sensor. I had a Jetta four years ago with the same problem. The third time I took it back they replaced a $200 sensor (it was covered under the warranty, thankfully) and everything was fine. Let me know how you make out.
Question - For 2001, the Golf GLS 1.8t will have an optional sport suspension. Does anyone having driven a both a GLS 1.8 or GTI 1.8 feel this option will effect handling significantly?
Question - Alloy wheels. I known they're glitzy, but do they enhance performance or is that just hullaballoo?
I don't mean to be a hypochondriac or something, but I have somehow "lost faith" (well, a bit) in VW and have been having thoughts about selling my car in a year's time (it is only 1 month old). I baby my cars, and this one I just feel very "protective" about, almost unwilling to run it higher than 3500 revs. I don't know, sometimes I wonder if I am better off with a Japanese car (as a matter of fact, I am looking at the new Nissan Sentra SE) than a German import that is supposed to be superior in quality.
I used to live in the UK, and over there the VW are reliable, and there are tons of them, even old ones, still running after 10-15 years. I have read all the horror stories about VW on this web but tried to tell myself that maybe things have improved. Now I am not sure if I am just deluding myself or what.
I think I am giving my car 2 MORE chances - if there are 2 problems in 2 years, I will definitely sell it.(my Civic has only 2 minor problems in the 3 years that I have owned it)
Here's a question for the 1.8t users. The dealer told me to use regular when I gas up even though the manual says premium. Premium fuel has caused some long-term problems with the 1.8t Passats. Have you guys heard anything about that?
Using regular gas will rob your performance - that engine needs to run off of regular. A friend of mine that's had an Audi A4 for a few years now (same engine) tried regular one time and it made the car run terrible.
Sounds fishy to me, I guess...
PS - congratulations on the new car, but sounds like you're trying to justify not having a sunroof a little too hard.
Yeah, I am overdoing it with the sunroof. But I am tall and it's annoying that the 5-speed/no sunroof is hard to come by with VWs unless you want the base model. Also, I had a friend years ago leave a sunroof open a rainy evening and returned to soaked seats. Also, when the insulation around the edges goes suddenly your roof has a leak. If you want sky get a convertible.
The Golf, too, is the nicest looking VW out there and always has been. The Beetle doesn't do it for me, the Jetta has never quite gotten it right (the current model is too bubbly from the side) and the Passat is for those upper middle class folks with 1.5 kids. Golfs rule!
Thanks for you comment on the gasoline. Has anyone else heard of premium problems with the 1.8t?
Kubbo
Appreciate it,
Kubbo
Seriously though, run on down to www.vwvortex.com and check out the fora. There are lots of great VW enthusiasts there who will be more than happy to point you in the right direction. Be sure to try a search, first.
That is unless you're referring to the turbo charged version of the 4 cylinder of the Golf/GTI. That might be tolerable.
IMHO, if you're looking at a Golf/GTI, there's no reason to go with an automatic and the base 2.0 4 cylinder. Maybe with the TDI due to the efficiency or the 1.8t because of the increased power, but the 2.0 is something to stay away from.
Just my $.02, I'm sure there are other opinions.
Jared
I'm sorry. I had just been reading in the 0-60 on VW GTI marketplace about time traveling. I think my mind got messed up and fooled me by letting me think I was in the future and saw the Golf VI.
Now, after waking up again I realize that it must have been Golf X.
Thanks for putting me back on earth,
Kubbo
Current car is a Rav4 4 dr. Still not enough leg room, though enough head and shoulder room.
2nd reason, yes Hondas in particular are a blast to drive. But somehow they still don't feel as controlled and controllable as a VW. Beats me, but the suspension is tuned differently.
Thirdly: as mentioned earlier, the Golf has tons of space, more than a Civic hatch anyway, which would be my second choice.
Finally on mileage. I owned a 96 Golf GL. Had lousy mileage until 10,000 Miles: from about 20 to 22 mpg. Then to my surprise from 22 to 24 at the 20,000 mile mark. Using my very rough rules of thumb, that makes the engine a 200K engine with no problems.
Although all comments on mileage should be taken with a grain of salt. How and where you drive, and how you fill the tank can vary the number by 10% or more.
Another thing. Does anyone notice an "extra long wire clip look-a-like" wire at the bottom of the car, somewhere running from the B-pillar to the left rear wheel?? I see this in most Golfs. Any idea what it is? Would it come loose and hit the ground, or get damaged (touching obstacles on the road) while driving on bumpy country roads? It seems that the one on my car is getting more and more bent.
Does anyone know why the msrp for the 2.0l golf gls is up to 19, something for 2000?
The dealer said it's best to wait for 30 seconds - to cool down the turbo charger - before shutting down the engine after longer driving, but maybe 10 seconds is enough for around town driving. We check the user manual but there's nothing special about the turbo engine. In fact, it's recommanded for ALL engines to have 2 minutes cooling down after 'extended driving'.
We also check the web and couldn' find any information. Other 1.8T owners out there, any lights?
Hopefully, someone will shed some light on this 'new issue'... or it may be that your dealer is simply full of it!
ps: congratulations on your purchase, I will be ordering a GTI 1.8t pretty soon too...
Is this mandatory? In stock form, you're not going to kill you turbo by not adhering to this rule, but taking the extra time to do this will only extend the life and reliability of your investment.
To those who chip or otherwise make engine mods, they know the answer to this one already, but it's recommended to do this. There are devices called turbo timers that run the engine for a minute or so after you remove the key that accomplish the same thing.
Turbos are much more reliable and robust than they used to be, but it's always good to take the extra step.
Besides, you're a dubber, be proud and protect your investment.
Also, any search on "turbo timer" should give you more info.
Happy hunting.
Should I be concerned with the high mileage? What types of repairs would I be looking at in the next 20,000 miles?
Any opinions would be appreciated!