They don’t get much more middle of the road than this mid-spec Volkswagen Golf, but look beyond the overly familiar styling and there’s real value here, especially in pre-facelift Mk7 guise at a touch over three years old.
New, the example we have in mind – a one-owner 2015/15-reg car with 41,000 miles – would have cost around £20,750 after a discount. So that’s £10,000 saved for a start. And whereas the facelifted version looks a little sharper, the older one is no different to the untrained eye.
Match spec is indecently good: alloy wheels, active cruise control, air conditioning, four electric windows, front and rear parking sensors, a centre armrest and a leather-covered steering wheel. All in addition tothe Golf’s standard-fit digital radio, emergency brake assist, electronic parking brake and engine stop/start.
The 1.4 TSI petrol engine produces 123bhp; not a lot, but in a car weighing less than 1200kg, it’ll do. More impressive, it develops 148lb ft from as little as 1400rpm. It’s like a little diesel motor, only quieter, smoother and sweeter. It’s almost as economical too: certainly in the early 50s without much effort.
Find a used Volkwagen Golf on PistonHeads
There’s nothing stopping you buying the diesel version, of course. Like for like, it’s about £750 cheaper. However, the petrol looks like being better future-proofed.
Being the Match rather than the base S, our chosen example has multi-link rear suspension for an even better ride and sharper handling. The Mk7 may have shed weight but the doors still thud shut, the paint is thick and the interior is rock solid. Pound to a penny, our car will look and feel as good as the day it left the showroom.
TVR Chimaera, £7500:
It takes a brave soul to get into bed with a Chimaera, but this 1998-reg 4.0-litre with 49,000 miles looks like it could be worth a fling. The private seller claims it’s in good overall condition with no signs of outrigger trouble. It has “fantastic” service history and – here’s confidence – “the engine and gearbox are near perfect”.
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"under 1,200 kg"
I'll bet you $500 that Golf weighs more than 1,200 kg. VAG is full of crap.
Before buying any of these
Before buying any of these cars, check out Honest John's website for the models to avoid due to known, costly issues, especially VW timing chains and Ford Eco boost turbo cooling pipes. Good luck!
centenary wrote:
Spot on advice, always respond to questions and offer constantly up dated info on the website.
Though that Dacia, for a
Though that Dacia, for a couple of grand more (or, in finance terms, a few quid more a month) you could get into a brand new example.
The Merc "a three-pointed star on the grille" - that's my issue, why is it no longer on the bonnet like classy Mercs of old? :(
"sleeker", "the black S-Max is a rakish thing" - am I looking at the same car? The Smax just looks like a blob, a cross between a Creme Egg van and a Transit Tourneo.