2002 VW Passat 1.9TDi 130bhp

Advantages: Spacious, frugal, good performance.
Disadvantages: Looks aren't very exciting.

...I drive a 2002 (52 plate) VW Passat 1.9 TDi 130bhp for work and it has been very reliable and dependable. The engine is by far the best bit about this car - over 40mpg even when driving swiftly and very quiet whether cruising on the motorway or driving around town. The model i drive is reasonably well equipped - it has a good air conditioning system, electric mirrors, windows, sunroof etc. The only extra i would have added is a factory CD player. The seats are comfortable on long motorway drives and the road holding is good for a car of this size and weight. Interior is spacious enough to accomodate 4 adults comfortably - 5 at a push. The boot is also very spacious. I have also driven the 115bhp model and would thoroughly recommend buying the 130bhp model insead. The fuel economy isn't noticably different yet the 130bhp model is far...

biffo0911 05.12.2007 · Read review
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Review of Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDI

VW Golf SE TDI 90bhp

Advantages: Quality and a refined driving experience.
Disadvantages: Not the fastest car on the road by any means.

...It took a while to locate a car with the specification I was looking for, (a Volkswagen Golf TDI SE 5 door hatch 90 bhp - in either silver or green, and within my budget of £10,500), even by using the VW website and doing whole country searches. I had already called in at all of my local dealers (Ipswich, Colchester, Stowmarket, Lowestoft) and was told that they are often sold even before they even appear on the garage forecourt or the VW website. Hearing this was rather off-putting, but I continued my search and in April 2003 a suitable car appeared on the website at Simpson's Garage, Lowestoft. One phone call and an hour later I was on my way for a viewing and a test drive. My car is in 'bright green' which was an option at extra cost. (I would describe it more accurately as dark green, rather like the British Racing Green...

johnalderton 07.09.2003 (25.07.2006) · Read review
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Review of Volkswagen Golf IV 1.9 TDI

VW Golf Dec 2001 SE TDI (90bhp) 5dr

Advantages: solid, reliable, economical and safe
Disadvantages: the handbrake design

...This was my first ever VW I bought this via an action when it was 18 months (June 2003), the car had 24,000 miles and FSH. It was around 16k new I paid around 10k for it, thought that was a good deal. Drivability is very smooth and comfortable compared to my last car, Peugeot 106. Just was I need as I drive over 500 miles a week. Fuel economy is great, I average around 60mpg if I am very sensible around 68mpg. It is still nippy enough with the ninety horses under the bonnet, when required. Insurance is reasonable enough and the tax is £120 per year Safety is well thought out with front airbags, side airbags and side impact bars the car has 4 encap safety stars. The all disk breaking and abs means you can get it stop pretty quickly when needed. It also has a very low sump to it sticks to the round on the corners, although you...

sparkers 12.11.2009 · Read review
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Review of Volkswagen Golf IV 1.9 TDI

Skoda Fabia 1.9tdi estate

Advantages: Price, economical, comfortable, fast acceleration, vast storage space
Disadvantages: None

...I bought my first Skoda 5 years ago when I retired from my full time occupation. I had intended to buy a decent second hand model but on visiting the dealer, I was so impressed with the estate version of the 1.9tdi Fabia, that I took the plunge. Having since had 100% reliability, economical fuel consumption , the added bonus of quick off the mark acceleration for an exceptionally value for money price, I am glad I took the plunge as I have not regretted my choice of car. Capacious boot space that takes all my golf clubs, trolley and more without having to lower the rear seats is also something to appreciate. I traded that in 3 years ago for the same model but with added extras such as cd player, air con, alloy wheels at what appeared to be very little price difference from the first one I bought. The ability to gain quick...

plod591 20.09.2007 (15.10.2007) · Read review
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Review of Skoda Fabia 1.9 TDi Saloon

VW Golf Mk V - 3dr 1.9TDI

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 is also a good size - I have used the 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...

StedicUK 19.08.2005 · Read review
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Review of Volkswagen Golf V

VW Passat 1.9tdi great family car

Advantages: Great solid reliable family car
Disadvantages: It is very big

...I picked this car as a company car, i currently work as an area sales manager and when i was going through the list of choices i felt this was the best one on the list. The main reason i picked was i had a Passat before which was the old shape and it was a really good, comfortable and reliable family car. I always liked the old Passat but the new one is suberb its even better than the old one. I do about 35000 miles per year and its really comfy on long journeys. It sits great on the motorway and performs well on A and B roads too. Its a solid car and it feels solid, i feel quite safe in it. The SE spec gives you a few more luxuries than the basic spec. Included in this is cruise control, all round electric windows, centre armrest and good looking alloy wheels. I got the 1.9TDI diesel engine which has 105BHP and is quite nippy...

trevn74 24.06.2009 · Read review
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Review of Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDI PD

VW Sharan 1.9 TDI Carat 1996

Advantages: Great family car, very adaptable
Disadvantages: Interior trim easily damaged, can be costly if things go wrong

...door wiring loom, which he had corrected and the odd lamp or two not working, also corrected. During our ownership, we have only had 2 bad problems, 1 of which was an engine restraining bar which sheared, (my local mechanic was of the opinion that it must have been fitted incorrectly at some point) causing a nasty noise under acceleration. The other is the air conditioning, estimated repair cost of £1200.00 from dealer, less elsewhere, but it means we have had no air con for a couple of years now... also the nearside door mirror has been hit (easily done these days) and the electric adjustment no longer works correctly, another fairly expensive repair. As for the interior, most reports are the same, the plastic is very easily broken which is true. Most of our speaker grilles are cracked/broken, and the rubber seals around the rear doors...

puzz1 23.02.2006 · Read review
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Review of Volkswagen Sharan 1.9 TDI

VW Bora 1.9 TDI Sport

Advantages: Climate control, Speed, Economy
Disadvantages: The name

...The Bora is Volkswagen's attempt to rival the BMW 3 series and Audi A3 and makes a good attempt. I traded in my wife's cherished Golf GTI for the Bora 1.9 TDI (diesel) Sport (150bhp) because :- a) we needed a bigger boot b) we had just bought a tent which wouldn't fit in the Golf c) the Golf was making a few dodgy sounds d) diesel sounded more economical ~~ First Impressions ~~ I actually think that the Bora looks quite sleek and sturdy with it's high boot area and slightly rounded edges. The wheels are prominent giving the impression of good road-handling and the overall impression is one of a solid, reliable motor. One thing I noticed was the "clunk" of the door being shut - like a bank vault being sealed. ~~ In The Driving Seat ~~ The driving position is comfortable with good vision both to the front...

nigeofnewbury 24.03.2005 (20.05.2005) · Read review
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Review of Volkswagen Bora 1.9 S TDI

  Diesel, Slow and noisy. Not a TDI

Advantages: Economical, Great Build Quality, Nippy, Quiet for a Diesel, Looks, Great Residues
Disadvantages: Rear Legroom, Standard Suspension Setup, Headlight beam

...say they would have gone for a smaller engine petrol car, rather than drive a diesel. I went for a 1.9 diesel engine solely because I do a lot of motorway driving and wanted the power as well as the economy. The VW range of diesel engines have always been critically acclaimed compared to the lacklustre diesel engines that Ford provided in the Focus. Golfs are quite sought after especially on second market and I spent a few months looking through the classifieds for a Golf TDI for around 10K, this was in Jan 2001. Obviously buying from a dealer means higher prices so I decided to buy private with the aid of a full AA inspection. Money well spent in my opinion. I eventually found a bargain at £9500 for a 5 door 98 S reg 90bhp SE TDI which was cheap for the model at the time. Onto the car itself. First impression was the car was...

rayliu 08.11.2001 (30.01.2002) · Read review
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Review of Volkswagen Golf IV 1.9 TDI

Average Golf

Advantages: More space than standard car, excellent fuel efficiency, safety
Disadvantages: frumpy to look at, quality has deteriorated,

...This vw was purchased in May 2006 for approx 13500 pounds as a replacement for the aging Vw Passat that had clocked up nearly 200000 miles. The Vw Golf was initially launched in the early 70's and quickly became an iconic car. This is actually the Mark 5 version. Traditionally the Vw Golf was initially available in three derivatives the three and five door hatchback and four door saloon known as the Jetta. The Plus variant is a new model that Vw developed in 2005 to counter competition from cars such as the Citroen Xsara Picasso and Vauxhall Zafira. Underneath the car is mechanically identical to the standard golf however the added benefit with this version is that its taller and therefore has slightly more rear and boot space than its shorter cousin. The vehicle that we opted for was a metallic blue car. The vehicle came...

olijt08 23.04.2008 · Read review
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Review of Volkswagen Golf Plus 1.9 TDI