First car....Mk V Golf?

[Matty4]

I'm after some thoughts.
I've just stumbled upon an extremely tidy, very low K, 2005 VW Golf that will be traded in very shortly. I can get it for approx half what it would be going for on the private market at the moment. I'm looking at it for my daughter who will be 18 next year for her first car.
It is an auto (not DSG) and have done some reading up on those issues.
I haven't driven it, checked the service history (although the owner has it serviced by VW when it's due) and he's elderly, so I know it hasn't been abused. The back seats look like they've never been sat it....haha.

What should I be looking for?
The price is almost too good to pass up and we could sell it again if she doesn't want it.

[Qwerty321]

Seriously though, I know a few people with VWs and they drive pretty nice. They're supposedly always breaking. I remember a mate of mine was talking about his VW and he said "the check engine light's always on and if it's not on, it's blown the bulb" He might have been exaggerating though, I think it's just some banter.

They're nice cars though, but if they do break, parts will be pretty costly considering there aren't many VW's on the roads around here. Personally, I'd say maybe look at a Jap alternative? If you're daughter isn't really big on the "driving experience" and just wants a reliable safe car to get her from A to B, a Swift might be your best port of call.

If you're getting a really good bargain though and it's really low KM like you say, and has no outstanding issues. Get it. But if any big issues pop up in the future, scrap it and move on.

[99AUXR]

Originally Posted by Matty4

I'm after some thoughts.
I've just stumbled upon an extremely tidy, very low K, 2005 VW Golf that will be traded in very shortly. I can get it for approx half what it would be going for on the private market at the moment. I'm looking at it for my daughter who will be 18 next year for her first car.
It is an auto (not DSG) and have done some reading up on those issues.
I haven't driven it, checked the service history (although the owner has it serviced by VW when it's due) and he's elderly, so I know it hasn't been abused. The back seats look like they've never been sat it....haha.

What should I be looking for?
The price is almost too good to pass up and we could sell it again if she doesn't want it.

I say just go for it.

[Ben73]

My mum bought one new in 2007 and is still going well today. Only problem I think she had was when the boot wouldn't latch.

[SumoDog68]

You can't go wrong on a 5k mkv golf , hopefully it is not 1.6 though . Regardless of reputation that's a great first car for young person.

[Matty4]

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

You can't go wrong on a 5k mkv golf , hopefully it is not 1.6 though . Regardless of reputation that's a great first car for young person.

Nah....it's the 2.0 FSI
10 years old, 83000K's, 12 months reg, less than $5K.
Could flip it in 12 months and at a minimum get our money back.

[v8snerlo]

Go for it mate. I just traded in my Mk5 Turbo Petrol Jetta (which is essentially a golf with a boot) and it was a great car. Beautiful to drive, handle well, well put together/build quality. The build quality is better in the Mk5's than the Mk6's as well as they went a little cheaper to break into different markets. If you find a good mechanic (like I did) then the whole parts and servicing thing is no different to Ford or any of the others. In fact the Japanese cars can be a lot more. If you go down this route, and I suggest you do, sign up to vwwatercooled.com.au as you will get as good a advice there as you do here. Jump on it.

[XG_Falcon]

It will be a great first car. Go for it.

[FG50T]

Do it. My sister had two mk5's, they were great.

[Matty4]

Well, took it for a test drive this arvo and had a good look around and over it.
It's as straight as a die, full VW service history from day one by both owners, drove brilliantly, it's as tight as a drum, not a squeak, rattle, hum at all. Trans shifted really well, pulled up straight and true, all electrics worked.

I guess the only downside is that it appears a little thirsty, average fuel was sitting at 10.2l/100 and it hadn't been reset for over 2000k's. That and the fact that it has to run premium unleaded (95 minimum) means it will cost a little bit more to run for her, but I can somehow see us funding this for a while anyway, so no real biggie there.

Just gotta wait for him to get another trade-in val on it at the Honda dealer tomorrow. He's updating to a new Jazz..