1996 Volkswagen Golf Reviews, Pricing & Specs

I bought this golf a few months ago, for under £1000. The 1.8 isnt the fastest of the golf's when stock, especially compared to these days, but compared to my last fords, this feels like a ferrari. Cause its a MK3 it wont break down and with the induction kit and exhaust kit fitted it screams along roads, impressing chavs and irritating old people. Its got 15" alloys on Kumho Low profile tyres, BMC CDA induction kit, new Billies B4's with Apex 40mm lowering springs, scorpion full cat back system, debadge grille, 4-2-1 stainless steel manifold with heat wrapping, full interior strip with 2x Cobra Racing seats and 2x Titan 5 point quick release FIA harnesses. This thing is QUICK. Oh and it has a JVC cd player with FLI speakers but noone can hear that anymore cause of the exhaust system with de-cat. haha!Mar 17, 2011

I drive this car because its great on gas, and it rides well. I also can fit the whole family in this car along with whatever else we need and still get 34 miles per gallon. Its pretty reliable for everyday driving. That said I will say its a 96, and its starting to show its age and volkswagen does like to design this a little...odd if your repairing your own car, but it workds. So I do need to find a newer car in the near future, but giving they way this golf has performed with winter and hot summer days on the road for all the years Im sure I will be buying another VW. Sep 25, 2010

1.8L. More oomph than base model but would prefer 2.0L. OK handling: more comfort than sport if still somewhat unsettled ride. Good built quality but beginning to show its age. Interior OK. Exterior has a few knocks but otherwise OK. Some parts to change but only because they'd reach the end of their life. Otherwise no major problem. Original parts can be costly but third party parts are more affordable and very easy to find. Driving it can be pleasurable rather than fun.Nov 03, 2009

All in respect to its category :) Performance - fast acc, braking medium, handling easy/good, fast cornering Build quality - Only electric window and door lock replaced, exhaust rattled a bit (with a little prof. exhaust kit resolved it), rust free Appearance - metallic looks briliant, no dents, no scratches, 2 minor chips from stones // interior as new Cost of ownership - cheap maintenance, 1:15 Fun factor - Fast and reliable, fun at trafficlights :) Jul 23, 2009

It rattles, it moves, it's red. That's enough to describe this car, really. With an old 1.8l that, in it's hopeful youth, produced around 80hp, it lacks any sort of sporting pretenses - and the lazy transmission, which hesitates and waits on both up- and down-shifts, doesn't add anything to the experience. The small brakes (rears are drums, at that) hold up under normal driving, but I wouldn't push them too hard, either. With five people on board, it competes with snails. But, as I said: It moves, and gets me from point A, to point B, and then either back or somewhere else. That somewhere else could be the next gas-station. It gobbles up far more fuel than acceptable for it's performance, but until I calculate the mileage, I'll skip this part. Might be down to it's old age, too. As for age. The car is near the 180,000km mark and still running - but just barely. The electronics have their random quirks (the electric windows, for example, cause the front lights to flash a bit when operated), and near the end of it's lock, the steering-wheel gives off loud screeching sounds. Power-steering, the air conditioner and the rest of the systems work, but they let the engine know it, too. Other than that, the interior and exterior show their age, too: the plastics rattle, especially when the car idles, and random bits appear to be missing. The red paint is slightly fading, on some places more than on others. But it works, and gets me there and back - can't ask for more.Apr 13, 2009

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Great Running VW. 115hp 2.0 l 4cyl engine and 5 speed transmission moves it along good. Handles like a slot car. Hold corners great. Pushes 40 mpg with a K&N Cone Filter and a Cat-back exhaust. Only problem that VW didn't get away from is Shoddy electrical components and floor pan seam rust out issues. Also overly complicated and sensitive engine management system. Catalytic Converters prone to burning out. Other wise a great Little Car. Easy to work on. Bullet proof Drive train if you don't dump the clutch every time you take off like a teenage punk.Sep 03, 2008

Previsouly owned a golf. Was only the 1.6 model, but a decent enough car. Built like a tank, it still started after writing it off! Good solid engine, their only problem is they sit very high which creates a lot of body roll round corners. A car that must be lowered. Mark III Golfs got a little bit of stick which I don't think is fair. A very good and well built car, just don't expect what you get form earlier Golfs.Jul 30, 2008

Cheapest car I ever bought. Golf is like new still, always works perfectly, very comfy, lots of power, loves to cruise, corners very well, has lots of room, ya! We don't use it much, but it does come in handy at times. I of course prefer two wheels if possible but when you need to take me, the wife and three dogs somewhere that doesn't work well. Jul 08, 2008