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Used 2004 Volkswagen Golf Consumer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
56 reviews
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4.75 out of 5 stars

Golf Lover

rsoreo, 12/10/2003
2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful

I just bought a 2004 4dr VW Golf! his is my 3rg Golf and 4 VW in my driving history.I love it, After shopping other makes ie: Toyota, Honda, I found that for the money VW gives you the most bang in Standard features for the buck. From the heated side mirrors to the folding back seats that give you comparable room to the Subaru Baja this vehicle signs. Precise handling, cruise control and a quiet cabin that touts an 8 speaker Monsoon CD/cassete player makes you feel as if you spent much more on this ride than the under 19,0000 asking price.

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5 out of 5 stars

Very happy

Caleb, 07/11/2005
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

This has been the best car i have owned. all the performance i need and the comfort. fuel mileage has been unbeleivable. i drove from vancouver bc to calgary alberta on one tank of fuel.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

A genuinely great car!

colin1444, 02/14/2014
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Got this for my first car. I've wanted one for a very long time, and I bought it with 95,600 miles and a clean service history record. Not a problem since, just regular maintenance. Drives like a little sports car, and the trunk is huge for a car this size. I love how light and agile it is. It might be slow, but it's more fun to drive slow cars fast than fast cars slow! I would definitely recommend this to anyone, especially since it comes in two- or four-door models. Without a doubt, one of the most well-made cars out there. NICE JOB VW!

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5 out of 5 stars

A fantastic economical car

dretal, 01/12/2008
2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful

I used my golf diesel to tow trailers and all I need to setup and race motorcycles throughout Canada. I never had any problems, and the diesel engine had no problems towing the loaded car and trailer at 130 KM/hr. We love the car. In winter, we park it inside our heated (10°C) garage, avoiding any cold-weather startup issues, but when it does sleep outside, I've never had problems starting it.

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5 out of 5 stars

Everything I Hoped It Would Be

VWinMD, 09/04/2005
2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

I've had this car for just over a year. It's been a great ride. Frankly, it's been perfect. The size is perfect for city driving. The power and ride are excellent on the highway. The build quality rivals the fit and finish of much more expensive cars. The seats are very comfortable. The sound system is excellent. The rear seats and hatchback make this car very practical. As for fuel mileage, I'm happy. Having an AT diminishes the mpg (I'm getting as low as 33 and as much as 38), but it's still better than most. The turbo deisel runs smooth, quiet, and has lots of torque. If your looking at buying a small car, you can't go wrong with this one.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Fun Car to Drive, Lacks Performance

bb0029, 08/28/2010
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful

I drive this car about 50 miles a day to and from work. Comfortable ride and overall a pleasure to drive. This car makes the daily commute bearable for me.

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5 out of 5 stars

Try it, you'll like it

USPSORUM, 05/21/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful

My friends told me I was crazy to buy a diesel. They were crazy not too. It's a tight, quiet car, very quick and fun to drive. Plus, it always gets over 40 mpg. Not for big families but can carry 5 adults if you have to. Went on a 2000 mile driving trip with 4 adults--we were fine. Great in the snow.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

GOLF TDI!

HotSauce, 02/22/2007
2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

I've had my Golf GLS TDI for three years now and I love it. The diesel engine runs great. I use biodiesel for fuel and average 38-42 miles/gal. The turbo provides quick pick up. The manual transmission is fun to drive. It has enough trunk space for storage. It is the perfect car for day to day commuting and to able to fit into tight parking spaces. As with many VW diesel cars the engines will last forever, but the small electrical components are not reliable.

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3.38 out of 5 stars

Interior falls apart in 2 years

Krista, 10/19/2008
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

First, the car drives great and has good gas mileage. I purchased a VW based on its reputation for quality. After owning the car for almost 4 years, I am not sure how VW got this reputation. The interior begins to fall apart after 2 years. I live in Florida so the heat could be part of the problem, but many other manufacturers have managed to make a car that withstands the heat. The interior fabric on the door is coming off. The plastic melts and scratches. I am extremely disappointed and will never purchase a VW again. My friend has a VW Bug and she has the same issues (and more).

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5 out of 5 stars

GOLF - Gorgeous-Outstanding-Lovable-Fun

viyes, 06/16/2006
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful

My 2004.5 Golf, white-4D, 2L 17"- 235R45 Pirelli-ZR, gets 28 mpg! It is GORGEOUS! It has a class looking exterior and interior finish. It is OUTSTANDING! It has great performance rain on shine and great road handling. It is LOVABLE. It has stereo precision, adjustable front seats, and freezing A/C. It is FUN. It's a great workhorse. It is my performance commuter car!

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2.25 out of 5 stars

DO NOT BUY, VW - very streeful

VwSucks, 11/13/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
3 of 5 people found this review helpful

I purchased BRAND NEW 04 VW golf and within 10 miles I drove from the dealer ship , i started getting ENGINE PROBLEMS. OUT OF the last 18 DAYS since i bought the car, 15 DAYS car was in SHED. Never expected that buying a brand new car with VW is this STRESSFUL.i filed an official complaint with VW-America, they are dead slow in responding. their Customer service is comparable to the car's engine problems. New car should be problem-free atleast for the first 10 miles. VW buyers, READ as many reviews as possible before you decide on buying this crap.

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5 out of 5 stars

The best car I have ever owned

dennycreekls, 12/12/2010
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful

My Golf 2.0 (2004) Automatic 2 Dr. Hatchback is the best little car I have every owned. I bought the car with only 3000 miles on it--it now has 36,000 and still purrs. It rides clean and very quiet--the interior is pretty--the exterior sporty. NOTHING HAS EVER GONE WRONG WITH MY LITTLE BABY GOLF. I put the gas mileage at around 38 MPG/on HWY-little less in city (I don't do city though) The only item that needed to be replaced from 3000-36,000 miles was my battery because I drive the car from the Pacific Northwest to Arizona at least 3-4 times a year. In AZ the battery gets sucked dry fast in the heat and humidity. Only other car that compares to the Golf was my Honda Odyssey.

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3.63 out of 5 stars

Love the Handling, hate the problems.

J.Gree, 07/01/2005
2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful

I have a 2004 Golf GLS, automatic. Since the date of delivery, I have had nothing but problems with the car. It is back at the dealership constantly, and on several occasions, has been back more than one time for the same problem. The car is very comfortable, safe, and I love how it handles, however, it is not reliable, and has a lot of electrical problems. Needed a new driver's side seat bracket, coil in driver's seat had to be repaired, faulty cooling sensor, problem with the alarm sounding after closing the trunk and opening the driver's door, I am on my second cd player, and it is not working properly (got it installed yesterday), problems getting the car out of park, etc.

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5 out of 5 stars

Awesome Car

PO2 Richard W., 11/23/2017
2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful

So my review for my 2004 Golf TDI is based off my owning it for the last two months. I had to take a step back in time to answer the survey to base it off of it being 13 years old and not quite as tech'y or up to date on interior design as of today. But overall this is one fine auto, I average 37 MPG on B5 Bio or regular Diesel. the body is of sleek design and looks great. I would expect a diesel to be more torquey but it seems to be lacking in that department. The power band is set to that of a 1990's coupe(CIVIC 5 speed 92hp great power for the time but not very good now a days). The interior for the GLS is more of what I would consider at base model interior. I have put around 6000 miles on the vehicle since purchasing it as I drive 92 miles a day to and from work. I have yet to have any major issues in that time I have not done an oil change yet but will be doing one very soon. The seat heater is a blessing to have with Seattle weather. I recommend this vehicle to everyone. If you find one in good condition that has decent milage scoop it up even if it has a turbo issue I've seen them on amazon for $350.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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3.5 out of 5 stars

Great for 30,000 miles, then problems

Andy, 08/26/2007
2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful

I had always wanted a VW Golf and after driving several comparable models, researching (not good enough, apparently) I decided on a 2004 VW Golf GLS. 5 speed tranny, everything else needed was standard - big selling point. The first 30,000 miles clicked by without fail or problems. But along the 32,000 mile mark, my ECT light came on, and after a few trips to a dealer, the problem persisted. The result of the light coming on was that the car operated at around 60% of its power, with cruise not working and as you ascend any hill, you can't even grab a gear to accelerate. Finally sold the car (took a big hit) and bought a Toyota - what I should have done in the first place. No more VWs.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Surprisingly Sporty, Economical & Fun

jddaigle, 09/06/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful

I got this Golf to replace a 2001 Jetta with the 1.8 liter turbo engine. I wanted to reduce my fuel usage & try using biodiesel fuel. I loved the Jetta and love the Golf. The design of the interior is near-perfect, with everything where it should be. The performance of the high-torque diesel engine is excellent--I can easily keep up with (or pass) traffic and merge & pass on the highway without downshifting. The seats are very comfortable and supportive and even in base trim offer many ways to adjust your driving position. Handling is tight but not quite sports car tight (I may upgrade my suspension in the future). Road noise is very well controlled.

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5 out of 5 stars

Can't go wrong with a TDI golf

Ears, 09/07/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I bought a golf TDI and it has been the best car I have ever owned. The car gets around 50 miles per gallon running on diesel fuel which in some cases is considerable cheaper than gasoline. The car's interior is beutifully designed and very used friendly. The stock sound system is incredible. The only downfall is the performance. The car stock doesn't have all the much power, but for a diesel it does out-do many of its competitors in the performance category. But hey if u want speed go buy a corvette, if you want reliable efficiency buy a golf TDI, you won't regret it.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Good Car

dP3, 12/23/2003
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The Golf is fun to drive, it has however some reliability flaws, according to many people, I have not experienced any, yet (knock on wood.) The pricier models have nice amenities, the stereo sounds good (serious audio buffs might want to change a thing or two.) and the engine responds nicely. The front part of the interior has space, and there's enough space for people in the back. However, if you're looking for a more trunk space, you might want to consider a Jetta (same chassis and everything, but added space.)

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Great Car

olliemae, 09/25/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great little car. Handles great but rides a little hard but that adds to the fun. Even with 2.0L good power for everyday driving. Moonsoon Sound system is above average but not great especally for a 200 watts system. A little small compared to many others similar models. But overall you will know why this is the top seller in Europe.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

2nd one

agamitza, 04/16/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

very good car. interior design still very stylish almost 6 yrs after model launched. everything that touches your hand is very good quality. can get good mileage by upshifting below 3000 rpm's. just bought a second one for my wife after 5 very good yrs w/ the first one. only problem requiring repeated service was adventitious noise related to air flow valve, changed 3 times in 2 years, but then vw had a recall, and i got all my money back (didn't have the receipts anymore, dealership gave me copies).

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5 out of 5 stars

Best small car on the market.

kaknbbolls, 04/21/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Most of the utility of a mini-SUV (the part you'll utilize anyway). Three times cheaper gas bill (I've calculated it). Really intelligent standard features and options. Great looks. More fun to drive than you'd ever expect - as long as you opt for standard trans. (The automatic kills the fun!) Superior crash test results and safety features. Sweet little engine that'll make you question why all cars don't have a turbodiesel option, and never again want to buy one that doesn't.

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5 out of 5 stars

Get Up and Gone

ihctrux, 10/12/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I bought the 3 door hatchback Golf TDI and have been getting over 51 mpg average in highway driving. That's with the air conditionner running and at speeds of about 72 mph average. This car develops top torque at 1900 rpm and so is fast off the line and extremely economical to drive. It meets my standards for economical yet competent top end driving as it gets more than one-half its horsepower rating (93) in miles per gallon and will quite easily go faster than 1x that same horsepower rating. Most cars can't come close to meeting this horsepower-based driving standard and with most drivers driven by high horsepower ratings alone, they likely never will! Bravissimo for the Golf TDI!

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5 out of 5 stars

Solid Buy

BlueVW, 12/26/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I've had my VW Golf TDI (AT) for over 6 months. It's been everything I hoped for - reliable, fuel efficient, and really fun to drive. I live in Annapols, MD. This car is perfect for city living and highway driving. Small enough to scoot around small historic city streets (nimble handling). Plenty of power (great torque) for highway driving. The hatchback provides nice utility. This Golf is by far the best car I've ever owned (I've had a Toyota Celica, Honda Civic, Pontiac Sunbird, Mazda B2000, VW Passat 1.8T, Dodge Durango, and a Jeep Wrangler). I'm going to drive this car for many many years.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Great Car!!

copper, 05/09/2008
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Bought my tdi Golf new in 2004, and currently have 156,000kms on the odometer. The car has always been serviced as required, and only synthetic oil changes every 8000 km. The car is peppy around town, and great on the highways. I drive approx. 40,000 km per year, mostly highway, but also a good portion in city. The car is very reliable, I have never had any problems with it at all. Just had the timing belt replaced as per the schedule. Never had a problem with cold starts. Runs every time. Very reliable even with a full load, and no problems passing going uphill. Great car.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Wonderful Car

mdtgr, 03/09/2005
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This is the best car I have owned- it is fun to drive, gets OK gas mileage (the Golf is actually quite a heavy sturdy car so it won't be as good as say a Civic), and has a huge array of safety features. It handles great in the snow and never misses a beat in the cold weather. Best of all is the storage room when you put the back seats down. For $15K, you can't beat it!

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4.88 out of 5 stars

A nice change from a truck.

pinkpilot, 06/20/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I've only had this car for a few weeks, but I love the mpg I get out of it. I have the 2.0L gas and its not the most powerful, but it gets me all around town and has good acceleration getting on the highway. Perfect for me. I looked at other cars (Toyota Matrix et al) and this Golf had all the saftey features I wanted (airbags and abs 4 wheel) for a really good price.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Volkswagen Golf GL

Chris Flores, 05/27/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Excellent car. Well thought out design, and ergonomics. Very good balance with engine size and size of the car. Excellent accelerating power. Compared to a Honda Civic, it handles much better on the road.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Fergie

Fergie, 01/22/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great car. Better looking than most inexpensive cars. Great in the bad weather. Full economy is 24 even though they say 24-30.

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3.75 out of 5 stars

Painfully unreliable

Peter, 04/05/2008
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

We liked it all till we had it a week. The weather turned cold. The car had no heat, replaced the computer. Had to go back numerous times to find the problem. Still not good heat. Would not start. Ignition key assembly replaced. Glow plugs quit. Other electrical controls faulty. Car jerks and bucks. Transmission controls were replaced through a complete removal, repair, replace. Still not fixed. Very noisy rubber bushings in the rear were replaced but needs it again. Economy is about 38-40 mpg, not the 65 that was advertised. There are numerous annoying squeaks and rattles in the dash and front doors. VW dealership is trying, and the warranty is still working. Ouch!

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5 out of 5 stars

Lots of miles

mnoeltne, 02/25/2008
2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I now have 122,000 miles on my 04 Golf TDI in only 3.5 years. Overall it's been a great car. Excellent fuel economy, good performance, especially in the mountains, and surprisingly reliable. I say surprising because a lot of people come down on VWs for bad reliability. I can say that has not been the case for my car. Just routine maintenance, and a couple of recalls. And even Toyota has recalls. My wife has a Toyota Corolla, but I strongly prefer to drive my VW. It has a better ride, and much more comfortable seating positions than the Toyota. Once I put another 150,000 miles or so on this one, I will probably buy another.

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5 out of 5 stars

excellent car

Ronny VT, 09/06/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Actually, we bought the car in 2000... we live in Europe, and diesel is the most common fuel here... It must be said that Volkswagen was a pioneer in the direct injected diesel engine... and you feel this when you drive a VW diesel... They perform like a petrol engine, are quiet, but they have a better fuel economy... It's a great car to drive... If you are looking for a nice reliable car, for a fair price... this Golf is your best buy

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4.63 out of 5 stars

good car

hvy, 01/03/2005
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Over 24000 in 8 months, no problems to date. Live in wisconsin, cold starting not a problem. Do recommend using fuel additive. 45-51 mpg so far. I'm 6-3, 255 and I find the car very comfortable to drive ,seats very supportive. Looking to buy 06 Passat TDI for wife next year.

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2.38 out of 5 stars

Lemon

t shirt man, 08/13/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 7 people found this review helpful

New car had to be jump started in showroom I should have known not to take it. They told me it was from the doors being left open. I've had the car three weeks,I got to drive it for 8 days. They say it's a short in the clock but the part has to be made in Germany. I guess I should have bought the magic beans that Jack bought because I would have believed that sooner. No Help from VW Hotline also. I asked for my money back or a new car, they said you bought the beans now you are stuck with them. As of my car they still do not know when it will be repaired. PLEASE DO NOT BUY VW.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Good German Car

IloveCarz1081, 03/30/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I was undecided about what kind of car I wanted I looked at everything from honda to hyundai. At the end of the day I just wanted something like a mercedes or bmw, but i didnt want to spend that much although I could afford it, therefor I am using VW, cheaper payment plus same fun

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5 out of 5 stars

A car that feels great to own and drive

SoyDiesel, 10/04/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

The Golf TDI's high-tech, extremely fuel-efficient engine (with plenty of torque), a great array of standard trim and safety features, and the overall quality of design and build all combine to make this an excellent choice for anyone looking for a compact car that's both fun and economical to drive. With the rear seats down, there's impressive cargo space for a compact car, and even with them up it's a comfortable sedan for 4 adults. Plus, you can get all of this AND do the environment a favor by running on biodiesel fuel - either at 100% or blending with petroleum-based diesel in any ratio you choose. I wanted a 4DR hatchback with >40MPG for <$20K, and this car was the best choice!

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5 out of 5 stars

Buy It

Maxwell the dog., 10/09/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I have 83000 miles on my TDI Golf - I am original owner and put all mileage on it myself. I average 46 miles per gallon - 52 if cruise is set on 72 for 3 hour+ drives! Extremely comfortable, fun to drive, reliable, - still in love with the car after 80K miles - thats a feat for me! Love the car - what else can I say.

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5 out of 5 stars

Fun, dependable car

Seamaster, 10/09/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I am retired and enjoy taking road trips on back roads. The car handles very well and helps make my trips fun. This is the 6th TDI that I have had and I have had no problems with any of them. I do not even look at other models when I go to buy a new car!

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5 out of 5 stars

Surpasses all competition

Citricacidcycle, 10/15/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Fun to drive, precise and accurate steering, sound and safe design (4 disc ABS brakes, stability program, airbags as fas as the eye can see) Flexible, you can haul around a ton of stuff, great mileage, more features standard than on any other vehicle (8 speaker sound system w/ radio AND cassette, cruise control, height adjustable seats, 3 full seatbelts and headrest in the back. Though only equipped with 90hp, the car is far from being a lame duck, you get away from a stoplight much easier than say a Chevy Malibu. The stiff suspension keeps it comfortable on long trips and prevents you from getting seasick over potholes.

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4.25 out of 5 stars

The Red One

the red, 01/13/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This Golf is solid-fun to drive, and easy to handle. There are areas in which there could be improvement. The first is oil consumpttion. Even though the consumption has now settled at 2300 miles per quart at the odometer reading of 29000 miles it was 500 hundred miles per quart of oil when the car was new. Maybe it is broken in now! The engine revs up higher at highway speed than I like. At sixty MPH the engine is at 3000 RPM. My auto could use a sixth gear or a different ratio in the top gear. City and highway mileage is 27 MPG. Overall, I love this car. Red

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Fun and efficient

Viking Golfer, 04/21/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

When I needed a second car, I tried a number of used cars, but I fell in love with the Golf. When I returned it back to the dealership, I had a huge grin on my face. :) I love how they at Volkswagen let me test drive it alone. It had all the features I wanted, at an affordable price, and it is fun to drive. The choice was simple. $13K, brand new.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Great Car

Gliderpilot, 10/18/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Ordered it from the dealer in OKC. Took 4 months to arrive. I like everything but the lack of armrests in the front seats. Anything with bucket seats should have an armrest (My wife's X-Type Jag does so why not the VW?). The oil change is no sweat, just make sure you have a Torz T-25 screwdriver. The filter is accessed from the top of the engine after you move the plastic cover over the intake manifold. Everyone should drive a diesel, I'm getting about 43 mpg combined Hwy/City. Love it

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5 out of 5 stars

VW Golf TDI

NNGG, 05/27/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This car came with all the options except leather. On a drive from Florida to Maine, it got 50 miles to the gallon. I can fit a racing bike in the back without putting the seats down. Tons of cargo room. Best value for the $.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Rudolph Would be Proud

Dragofan, 12/28/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Diesels are notorious for being hard to start, but my Golf has been flawless in -20ºF temps. Sure, it lets you know that it's a diesel when it starts in cold weather, but it has never refused to start. The car is fun to drive for the most part and I've seen up to 52 mpg. For those looking for an economy car with a manual transmission, don't pass up a test drive of the Golf!

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4.88 out of 5 stars

16 months with my tdi golf

bill's golf, 07/12/2005
2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

We have driven our Golf 21000 miles. We bought it in March of 2004. Our average mileage is 37 to 38 miles a gallon. On the highway we get in the low forties. The car is fun to drive. It handles beautifully on the interstate or on back roads. The engine has plenty of power. When we want at pass, we pass. We liked the seats.They have good back support. We bought the Golf because it was a diesel and because it has a hatchback. Our sixty pound dog rides there when we travel. We think we bought the right car for our purposes.

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5 out of 5 stars

A great road car

John Eck, 01/17/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Put 17000 miles on in first 6 months in Mexico, USA and Canada. Best feature is mileage and distrance--700 miles-- between fill-ups. Good power and high speed accelleration. Also nice crisp handling. We liked it so well my wife made me buy her one--so now we have two TDI golfs.

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4.13 out of 5 stars

Close but No Cigar

Finch, 02/08/2007
2004 Volkswagen Golf GL TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

The Gold GL TDI is fun to drive, gets great fuel mileage, and has a reasonable price. I want to keep this car forever, but the electrical system is lacks reliability. I've had two airbag sensors needed replaced, one air bag, O2 sensor, thermostat, and a fuel pump. All of which were covered under warranty, but this leaves the question of keeping the car after the warranty has expired. If I had to pay for these things it would be the worst experience I've ever had with a car used or new. I'm at 49,000 miles now and cannot decide if I should keep the car or not.

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4 out of 5 stars

The only car my kid ever knew

Daniel, 08/30/2016
2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Bought this car as demo in December 2004. Had a few warranty repairs in first few years. Car drives almost exclusively in the city thus lots of wear and tear on the body and drive train. Interior held up pretty good, seats remain well shaped and without rips. Recently ceiling material has started to come loose. Has 85000 miles and had to replace solenoid bodies in transmission. Also had AC compressor clutch replaced. Boots on Inner CV joints need replacing. Generally reliable and fun and comfortable drive. Recently drove much newer Honda Civic and Toyota Prius, both felt extremely sluggish in comparison even though they both were 9 years younger and less than half of the mileage.

Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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4.63 out of 5 stars

2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS

boblom, 02/26/2005
2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This car is great fun to drive, but to get 40 mpg you must drive like grandma and not take it over 65 on the parkway with the cruise control on. Con's: gas tank marker is not indacated on the fule gage. fuel gage never reads full. So I set my trip guage and at 400 miles i place 10 gallons of fuel in it. It should have had electric defroster in windshield for cold weather package and the heated washer fluid system still froze when it was cold outside. Needs more power should have had the bigger oil burner in it like it big brother. Otherwise I'm a happy camper so far.

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5 out of 5 stars

Love our TDI Golf

xxdoty, 07/31/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
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We researched vehicles for 7 months before deciding on the Golf! Hardly any car met our critera: good fuel economy, reliable, in the low $20's, side curtain airbags (this was a biggie which most cars don't offer) and fun to drive. The Golf met all these plus we got heated seats and a sunroof thrown in! We're VERY happy with our purchase and also received a $1000 customer loyalty rebate from VW because we currently own a 2000 Jetta which we love. The VW rear hatch bike rack is great(rather than a roof mounted rack) since we do tons of mountain biking. Oh by the way, we're planning on buying the materials to make our own biodiesel fuel soon :)

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5 out of 5 stars

LOVE MY GOLF

Traintraxboy, 03/10/2004
2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I lOvE mY GoLf. it is fun to drive and if u really want power get the 2004 Jetta VR6 or the GTI (I prefer the Jetta) I have a golf and a jetta and i love both of my cars!

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