VW Golf Hatchback 1997-

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  • Economy

    Value

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Good value against Audi A3. Residuals make it good value against most rivals.

    Costs

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Insurance group not bad for a GTi. Two Litre much less than a 1.8T.

  • On the road

    Driving

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Feels right on the road. Precise steering. Easy to get used to. Great.

    Performance

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Disappointing. Expected more from a GTi badge.

  • Living with it

    Reliability

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Several initial problems. Broke down first day. Needed a couple of months to sort teething troubles, no problems since though.

    Image

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Very good. Lots of admiring comments. Good job people don't know how mediocre the performance is from this variant of GTi!

    Comfort

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Excellent. Interior best in class.

  • Security and Service

    Security

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Don't know. Factory fitted alarm seems OK. Hasn't been tried out in anger yet.

    Service

    1 out of 5 1.0

    Don't know whether the manufacturer of dealer was to blame, but the service I received with early problems was atrocious.

  • Problems and Ownership

    Problems

    Engine

    Unexplained fault in the emission system. Engine revs staying high.

    Other

    Rear door lock broke. Rear number plate light dropped out.

    Ownership

    Did you buy the car new?

    New

    Would you buy the same model again?

    Yes

    Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?

    Yes