Volkswagen Golf 1999 - 2006 review

Overview

Volkswagen Golf 2006   Photo: Volkswagen Canada

2003 Volkswagen Golf interior

Volkswagen Golf is a hatchback version of the more popular in North America Volkswagen Jetta.
The Golf is one of the rare compact models offering a high level of standard safety equipment as well as variety of engine choices: from very economical TDI Diesel to sporty 1.8L Turbo.
The Golf is very comfortable inside, it handles well and has good crash-test ratings. On the downside, parts and service are quite expensive and the reliability is far from perfect.

The three- and five-door versions were available.
The 1999-2006 Volkswagen Golf has front-wheel drive with an automatic or manual transmission. The Golf has an independent suspension with McPherson struts in the front and a torsion beam in the rear. The front driver's and passenger's airbags, front side airbags, four-wheel ABS system and the disk brakes on all four wheels were standard. The Traction Control and Stability Control systems were available.

For performance enthusiasts, there was a Golf-based GTI available with optional sport suspension, 17" alloy wheels and high-performance VR6 or 1.8 turbo engine.

In the NHTSA frontal crash tests, the 2000-2006 Volkswagen Golf 4-door scored five stars for both the driver and the front passenger. For more details, visit Safercar.gov
The 1999-2006 Volkswagen Golf also received "Good" overall rating in the frontal offset crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS).

• Overview
• Engine
• Pros and Cons
• Overall
• What to look for when buying a used Golf
• Maintenance tips
• Short specifications
• Resources

The engine

Volkswagen Golf four-cylinder 2.0 engine The Golf offered three available engines: The base 115-hp 4-cylinder 2.0L SOHC is a simple engine, but it's not as durable as one would hope. The 90-hp 1.9L TDI Turbo Diesel is very cheap on gas and can last longer if maintained well. The models from 2004 came with more quiet 1.9L Pumpe Düse Diesel engine with 100 hp. The high-performance 150-hp 1.8L turbo engine was available only on 2001 Golf. The 2.0L, the 1.9L TDI, the 1.9L TDI Pumpe Düse and the 1.8L turbo all have a timing belt that needs to be replaced at recommended intervals. It's good idea to replace the water pump along with the timing belt.

Pros

- Interior comfort
- Good safety records
- Great handling
- Standard ABS system
- Standard 4-wheel disk brakes
- Variety of engine choices
- Variety of optional equipment

Cons

- Reliability is far from perfect
- Parts and service are quite expensive
- Certain models might be costly to insure. Check the insurance quote first.

Overall

Volkswagen Golf is one of the few small cars offering such a rich-looking interior and high level of standard safety features, such as front side impact airbags and 4-wheel ABS. The TDI Diesel model offers excellent fuel economy, while the 1.8L turbo model is a rocket to drive. On the downside, the reliability isn't perfect. Parts and service are quite expensive and not all independent garages can perform the repair. Some electrical problems are not uncommon. The headlight and taillight bulbs fail quite often. The mass airflow sensor is also common to fail. The heater plug rail on the diesel engine often goes bad. The Check Engine light comes on quite often too. A water pump is not very strong. The interior plastic parts wear fast.

What to look for buying a used VW Golf

As a first step, check used car history records. A history report may help you to uncover some of the problems the car might have in the past such as accidents, flood damage, rolled back odometer, etc. Follow this link: How to check car history records by the VIN number
Test all the electrical accessories: power windows, locks, alarm, heated seats, wipers, etc. Watch for low oil level, as it may indicate that the engine consumes oil. Watch for a broken glove box lid, cup holder, ashtray and the armrest support. Check the radio reception in FM and AM. Check our illustrated used car checklist. Have the car inspected by a mechanic before signing the contract. Check our Used car buying guide for more information.

Maintenance tips

Don't forget to replace the timing belt in recommended intervals. It make sense to replace the water pump as well. Change the engine oil regularly. Keep all the other fluids clean and topped up. Change the fuel filter regularly in a diesel engine. Once in a while bring your Golf to Volkswagen dealer to see if any recalls need to be done.
Check more Car maintenance tips

Volkswagen Golf short specs. (2003 model)

Dimensions	Length 164.90 (4188mm) Width 68.3 (1735mm) Height 56.7 (1440mm)
Engine	2.0L, 115 hp, 4-cylinder, 122 lb-ft 1.9L, 90 hp, 4-cylinder TDI® diesel, 155 lb-ft
Fuel Economy
2.0L, 115 hp, 4-cylinder with automatic transmission 1.9L, 90 hp, 4-cylinder TDI® diesel with automatic transmission	city: 23MPG or 10.2 L/100km hwy: 29MPG or 8.1 L/100km city: 34MPG or 6.9 L/100km hwy: 45MPG or 5.2 L/100km
Fuel tank capacity	14.5 gal (55 liters)

Where to find DIY Repair Manual

If you need a DIY repair manual with various diagrams or want to check resent technical service bulletins, there is a website where for a small fee you can get access to an online repair manual. Read more: Where to find repair manual.