How are VW Golf's with manuel transmissions and low miles? What generation is best. I know VW's not the best I know the diesel scandals etc. but what is the truth of a gasoline Golf with a MANUEL transmission and low miles? Could it last if taken care of. I know in Europe and West Asia, the highest sales figures are the Golf's and everyone can work on them. Would it be foolish in USA or might it be good if I get it checked by a mechanic. They are a lot cheaper than a Toyota or Honda, which would honestly be a lot lower end at the price point. 4-6 Year old? I don't really care how are the 20 year old ones?
Manual transmission would be a smart move, but you are still talking VW here. The older GTI's (really old ones) were pretty solid for what they were and could last as long as they received proper care. The new ones I really like BUT I have heard there are reliability concerns with them.
If you drove it normal, with some spirited driving thrown in obviously, and maintained it, I think it could last fairly well. It is a gamble though.
@mod_man
Yeah I see. I know that the 2.0 VW's had timing chain issues. The 1.4T is interference with timing belt. The 1.8T engine is very reliable as far as I know and the manuel transmissions are good. I like the regular Golf but not the GDI. Still, it is a gamble but if a mechanic checks it out I guess it could be a great car.
I don't know if you know the youtube channel "Car Wizard"? He is also a mechanic. He did a video on "VW to buy not to buy" Can you please watch it and give me ur feedback? He said that the 2012 Golf is reliable. I personally limited myself to a manuel.
@mod_man
Thanks a lot for your constant feedback though
Always happy to give an opinion my friend. I took a look at that video and I would pretty much say it is correct. Everyone's experience is different and I have not had much exposure to 2012 GTI's particularly, but what was said did make sense to me.
I have a 2012 Golf TDI with manual transmission, and I love the car but it has been irritating with some of the stuff I've had to do because it is a VW and its a diesel. If I had found Scotty before i bought it I never would have bought a VW. Again I love the car but I feel like I'm walking on eggshells with it so I'm careful about everything with it that I can.
I know about the Car Wizard, I like that guy. He did say mine was a bad choice because of the Dieselgate stuff and I'd agree. I've had intercooler icing and ended up buying things to block the air intake on the grill areas and no problems since. Still irritating! And the build quality seems to be getting worse and worse....I don't think I would buy anything from MK5 and up, and unless you found a really pristine example I wouldn't buy anything previous to MK5 because of age issues.
I still see Golfs from 1s to 3rd generation on roads. I wonder if newer generations will last so long.
