Cheap, Reliable Family Car Wanted.

[MercedesDriver]

He's determined to get a Golf. Any thoughts on this one?

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Looks nice and genuine and I would go for it, however he should be aware that 1.6 VAG engines can be (most are) oil thirsty so a 1lit bottle should always be kept in the back and oil level checked every 600-700 miles.
He should check if the cambelt and water pump have been changed and if not it should be budgeted. I think the interval is ~80k miles or 4 or 5 years, something like that.

 

[E55BOF]

Perhaps one lesson for your son in this car buying process at this end of the market is that its almost as important to look at the seller/paperwork of the car as much as the car itself. Seems a clean example of what might be termed a "low profile" car - a mark in its favour.

He's not my son, he's my nephew. My son wouldn't want a 'cooking' Golf.

A210 still for sale

If it were me, I'd have it by now, but he's determined to have a Golf; their first car was a Golf, and they ran it for two fault-free years and sold it for what they'd paid for it. I wish old Mercedes were more like that... Okay, I'm joking; they were lucky, that's all.

The 1.6 FSI engine has a timing chain, not a belt, so that's one less worry. General opinion seems to be that it's a reasonably reliable but gutless engine. His wife won't notice.

I don't suppose anyone on here with a subscription to Glass's Guide would care to give me a valuation of that particular car? I'd be grateful if someone could.

 

[neilrr]

the myth of VW reliability - Google Search

If you're going to ignore my very sound advice to find a good W202 then buy something Japanese.

HTH.

 

[E55BOF]

Read my previous post; all will be revealed...

 

[Vick N]

I’ve had every mk5 golf model made (tdi, Gti, edition tunes and R32) and currently my wife’s winter/daily is a mk5 140gt sport. (Diesel)

Super cheap, cost £1500, 60/70mpg, dealer service since new. Next services is is happening Monday £90 all in at VW (oil and filter), runs amazing, flywheel is worn/rattling but drives perfectly acceptable and it’s done 168k miles.

Everything works bar the flywheel! No electrical issues, no doors dropped and feels tight. My comparison is various mk5 golfs we’ve previously owned from brand new, to low mileage examples, and now this high miler.

I wouldn’t let anyone put you of good a mk5 Golf. Just avoid a dpf one if local miles are being done and service it well. There are so many to choose from, finding a good car is not difficult.

Hope that helps.