A large part of my job involves having meetings with clients at their premises, hence my company has a decent selection of cars for the consultants to use for travelling. Amongst this fleet is a silver diesel-fuelled 1.9L VW Golf Mk5 TDI. As I drive a Ford Mondeo, I am used to a silky smooth ... Read review
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Advantages: Gorgeous exterior, good interior space, affordable and very quick. Disadvantages: Haphazard reliability and common on the road
A large part of my job involves having meetings with clients at their premises, hence my company has a decent selection of cars for the consultants to use for travelling. Amongst this fleet is a silver diesel-fuelled 1.9L VW Golf Mk5 TDI. As I drive a Ford Mondeo, I am used to a silky smooth and straightforward ride, however the Golf is a very different animal.
Historically, the VW Golf has had a stigma attached to it that it is a ... ...a few of my older brother's chavvy friends were incredibly proud owners of the Golf. Since then it has been accepted by the professional world as a sales rep/company car, meaning that it can be perceived more credibly by those at the sophisticated end of the market. The Mk5 was produced in 2003
*Exterior*
The Golf Mk5 was produced in 2003 and boasts a gorgeous, sporty and exciting exterior compared with previous shapes. It is ... more
A large part of my job involves having meetings with clients at their premises, hence my company has a decent selection of cars for the consultants to use for travelling. Amongst this fleet is a silver diesel-fuelled 1.9L VW Golf Mk5 TDI. As I drive a Ford Mondeo, I am used to a silky smooth and straightforward ride, however the Golf is a very different animal.
Historically, the VW Golf has had a stigma attached to it that it is a boy racer's car. I remember back in the mid-90's that a few of my older brother's chavvy friends were incredibly proud owners of the Golf. Since then it has been accepted by the professional world as a sales rep/company car, meaning that it can be perceived more credibly by those at the sophisticated end of the market. The Mk5 was produced in 2003
*Exterior* The Golf Mk5 was produced in 2003 and boasts a gorgeous, sporty and exciting exterior compared with previous shapes. It is very curvy and smooth, far removed from it's former boxier look. It is also comparatively longer, but only just. Overall it is lovely to look at and admire.
*Interior* The interior of the car is quite spacious for a hatchback. Though it does not equate to the size of a large family car, what you get it very reasonable. There is good legroom for back seat passengers and snug room for the passenger seat. At around 6ft tall, this car is more than spacious enough for me to drive and be comfortable.
The dashboard is very standard, with no wacky designs. The colour is predominately a graphite grey and has an in built CD player, and the choice of 6 of your favourite radio stations are available by the press of a button once you have programmed them, making it easy for a driver to switch without crashing.
By the dials is a small 7cm x 5cm red LCD electronic display which highlights the time, outside temp, miles left of petrol, total miles and miles driven for the current journey. The windows and locks are also electric.
*Handling* To drive, the Golf is something else. When you turn the car on, you feel it rumble all around you, as it sits there pregnant with power just gagging to be released. As you rev the car, it roars like a lion. Once you get driving, the acceleration is obscenely powerful. If you are racing someone off the lights, it's going to take a fast car to compete with you.
The steering is very smooth, but very responsive, meaning you get an exceptional ride in the Golf. Taking corners at speed is something I tried and tested, and the Golf sticks to the ground beautifully.
*Reliability* The Mk5 at my company has had previous faults - such as an airbag malfunction, and one problem has occured more than once, which is a turbo pipe under the bonnet compressing when you press the accelerator, which stops the car gathering speed. According to the RAC, this is a common fault in VW's - and it is rectified by the VW garage, preventing the Mk5 from being such an attractive choice of car.
*Fuel consumption* I have used the Golf on some quite extensive business trips, and have utilised it's brilliant speed. Despite this, the fuel metre dropped very slowly - which impressed me. I thought that, for a demon that the Golf is, that it would drink petrol by the ocean load. I would recommend the Golf for being quite economical.
*Personal opinion* For me, as a young businessman, this car is perfect. I would also say, that for a day to day car, I would love to own this car and say it is mine. You look good in it, it is rapid, the handling is brilliant and it has superior acceleration. It is also very economical and provides a comfortable ride for passengers.
At £15k, it is certainly set at a price worth paying. Personally I am interested in getting one, although when asking other people's opinion, the predominant perception is that it is fairly common on the roads. It's competitors, such as the Seat Leon and Honda Civic Type R, are in roughly the same price bracket and insurance group and are a more unique choice. Down my road alone, I have seen six Golfs, which makes me think that, to own one of these, although you'd look good in it, you'd just be joining a large pack of owners.
I have not had the pleasure of driving any of the competitors, but having driven and loved this Golf and not being too fussed about being seen as unique on the roads (I do own a Mondeo!), I do see this as a good purchase, particularly as there is enough space for a family in it.
Test Model: Volkswagen Golf SE 1.6 FSI 5 door
Reg: AK06 YVC
Mileage: 2470
Official 0-60: 9.7 secs
Official max speed: 118 mph
Before you start to read this review I will have to state that I am a self confessed VAG group fan. And I have loved the new Golf design since the first time I clapped my eyes on it. So after being car-less for a week while I waited for my brand new Seat Leon 2.0 TDI FR (review soon) I was fortunate to rent a new Golf ... ...Having already owned a VW Bora I was already aware of the quality both inside and out of VW cars. And also was in the right position to compare the new golf against the previous shape (well almost). VW have upped the quality a lot in places but also upped the prices in the process. They have also changed the engine line up as well as a complete review of the equipment (not a necessarily good one). The SE model includes semi-climate control (inherited ...
170driver 11.07.2006
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Volkswagen Golf V
Advantages: Spacious 3dr, drives like a dream Disadvantages: A few electronic teething problems
I have had my golf for about 2 months and done around 2500 miles in it. I purchased the Golf as an ex-demo car.
The first thing you will notice when you compare the Golf to equivilent 3 doors (Astra Sport Hatch, Citroen C4 Coupe, Renault Megane) is the sheer space. In all the others cars I struggled to get in the back (I am 6ft 3in) and getting out was even harder! In the Golf I can hop in and out with ease and with plenty of head room.
The boot ... ...Golf to move out of my student house and was amazed at how much you can get in in one go when the seats are down. I also use the car for sailing and find I can get all my gear in the car easily.
The Golf TDI drives superbly, corners are fun again! The acceleration you can get is very impressive, with no noticable flat spots in the gears. If you drive quickly and accelerate hard then the fuel consumption isn't the best, but if you drive sensibly ...
StedicUK 19.08.2005
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Volkswagen Golf V
Advantages: Sleek, stylish and well designed Disadvantages: Can't think of one!Get
Hooray, I've been promoted!!......I was lucky enough to be able to choose a VW Golf as my new company car!!. Seeing as I've already had it 2 weeks, I felt that that was plenty of time to give it a bit of a mention on ciao!
I'll concentrate the majority of this op on the model that I have, rather than VW Golf as a whole make of car, as I know next to nothing about the other models in the range!
I have a 1.4 FSI (5 door)
Now....a little background ... ...is the fifth generation from VW. From what I can see, it is the most radical change that VW have made with the Golf over the years. It's dimensions are increased everywhere compared to it's predecessors. It is indeed taller, wider and has a longer wheel base. The boot is larger as is the rear leg room.
The front and rear cluster of lights have also been radically re-designed. The front head lamps have the 'VW' logo fitted onto the front of the bulbs ...
Bronze224 20.08.2004
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Volkswagen Golf V
Advantages: Understated style for those with taste. Disadvantages: Too understated for some tastes.
...it was repaired within a Volkswagen group approved repairer so no worries there then either. 12 years anti corrosion and three years on the paint.
I am, hovever struggling to find fault with the car so money well spent I think.
The GT Sport has become an even better deal now as the car now has Vienna leather seats at no extra cost. There really is no good reason not buy buy one if you are looking for a car in this class. ...
jonb3 25.08.2007 (13.01.2009)
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Volkswagen Golf V
Advantages: Very roomy Disadvantages: Engine a little flat
...all seats Volkswagen Assistance Warning buzzer for lights if left on Windscreen wiper with intermittent wipe and 4 position delay 'Anthracite' interior trim 12V socket in luggage compartment Additional storage compartment in the roof console Air Conditioning, 'Climatic' semi-automatic control Alarm with interior protection Alloy wheels, four 6 1/2J x 15 "Misano" with 195/65 R15 tyres and anti-theft wheel bolts Automatic coming/leaving home lighting ... ...Cruise Control Front comfort seats with height and lumbar adjustment Front footwell illumination Front seat back storage pockets Load-through provision Radio/CD player with 10 speakers, front x 6, rear x 4 Rain sensor and automatic dimming interior rear-view mirror Reading lights, chrome surrounds, front x 2 and rear x 2 Two-tone horn Upholstery - 'Opera' loop-velour As you can see there is a very good specification. And because it is a VW you can ...
priory 21.08.2004
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Volkswagen Golf V
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