Scotty I know you're not a VW fan but what's your thoughts on a 2005 VW Golf? It is 2.0 4 cylinder and automatic. It has 90,000 miles for $3500 from private seller runs and drives great. I found similar with manual, will it be ok with automatic?
I wouldn't recommend it here in the states. Parts can be expensive and the build quality isn't very good.
Assuming you are talking about the NA 2L 4 cylinder, those engines are decently bulletproof and there are some example of the "2.slow" lasting a long time.
That said, the MK4 Golf was one of the more unreliable Golfs in the line up, and the memes among VW enthusiasts about the check engine light started in the early 2000s. If you have to have a Mk4 Golf, then get one with a manual transmission and with either the 1.9L TDI engine or the 2.slow petrol engine.
