Clinton F

Reviewed a 1994 Volkswagen 2 Dr Limited Hatchback on Dec 5, 2008

I bought my Golf Mk3 Driver second hand. This vehicle has been an absolute pleasure to drive. I have had a few small problems with it but nothing I was not able to fix myself. The biggest problem I encountered was when the drain ducts that allow the water to escape from the sunroof inlay got blocked. The inlay filled up with rain water and subsequently overflowed into the roof lining and down into the car. Keep this in mind if you ever own one of these and make sure you keep them clear by checking the exit point just below the front door hinge. The vehicle is an 1800 with an electronic carburettor motor putting out 66kw (about 90bhp). Being an older vehicle, fuel efficiency is not fantastic but decent for this type of vehicle if driven well. As for me, well, I have a heavy foot so she gets a tiny bit juicy. She does accelerate well for her age and I have managed to successfully push her to 120mph. All this coming from a motor that has 135000 miles on it. With the car's lower centre of gravity compared to other MMk3 Golfs, handling is active and responsive and helped with power assisted steering. VW have always been known for their supreme build quality and this car is no exception. A 14 year old vehicle that has been exposed to the extremely wet climate of the UK as well as the raised acidity of coastal air can be expected to show some signs of body ageing. However, no main chassis rust is present although the front edge of the bonnet, the grill trim and a small spot on the boot lid have some spots of rust. Inside the upholstery is dark to hide dirt and the seats quite comfortable. As previously stated, she can be a bit juicy if driven hard although on a full tank of fuel (about 55l including reserve) I was able to drive from London to Stratford-upon-Avon and back (a round trip of about 220 miles) at 80-90mph and still had just below a quarter tank left. Maintenance is relatively cheap if you send it to someone but most simple jobs like servicing are so easy, with a bit of reading on the internet and the right tools, you grandma could probably service this car. This car is really fun to drive and I intend to keep it for quite some time