• Summary

    3 out of 5 3.0

    What does this car say about you?

    That I'm very solid, if a little over-sensible.... It also says I'm very good with money, which useful, as I don't have much....

    What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

    That it serves well.

    Would you buy this car again and why?

    No - better models are out now and anyway the Mk6 version is, in my opinion, a backward step.

    What are you likely to buy next?

    Audi A3 saloon.

  • Buying experience

    1 out of 5 1.0

    Type of dealer you bought from?

    Franchised

    Did you buy this car new?

    No

    What price did you pay?

    £8,495

    When did you buy the car?

    December 2008

    Did you get a good deal and why?

    Yes - I know how to haggle and I also knew that petrol Jetta's are hugely unpopular.

    Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

    Wanted this engine with SE spec, including metallic and sunroof.

    What was the dealer like?

    Pleasant, but truly awful. The salesman was away when I returned to collect the car and his replacement spent a long time telling me about the Golf that I wasn't there to buy.... That was just the start. More detail required?

  • Driving it

    3 out of 5 3.0

    What's it like to drive?

    Slow to accelerate but otherwise fine (assuming a normal clutch [see above]). Lovely gearshift, quiet on motorway. Good brakes, traction control etc and handles well too.

    What's it like to park?

    Fine.

  • Living with it

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Have you had any problems with the car?

    No. But several things just aren't very good (eg. rear view mirror is about to fall off windscreen). The clutch judders badly (always has) and is very hard work.

    What's most practical about your car?

    Excellent space for class. Durable. No cam-belt to replace.

    Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

    It's impossible to get a flat battery. The standard radio/CD is very poor indeed.