Overview & Reviews

All Golf models get clear side marker lights, trunk entrapment buttons, new cupholders and head protection airbags. Golf GL and GLS get higher-quality interior fabrics and the GTI benefits from a new 16-inch wheel design, optional 17-inch wheels, and multi-function steering wheel controls.

• Fun to drive, comfortable ride, high-quality interior materials, solid construction, lots of standard goodies, practical hatchback design.

• Some controls hard to decipher, handling could be crisper, CD player should be standard.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 58.00

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  Suspect Ride - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By Former VW Fan - December 24 - 1:06 am

  Although this car is somewhat fun to drive, it has been anything but reliable. On third set of brakes after 65000 miles. Several warranty repairs and recall work done in 6 years. Fuel economy has been livable but should be better for such a small car. These cars do not deal with cold weather very well. On third set of weather seals around doors and their still ripped and warranty is up and not their problem anymore. Ice gets trapped in door hinges. Electrical problems as well. Poorly designed car.

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  Good car overall! - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By imafishinnut - August 29 - 2:00 am

  I love the car in general. It is really fun to drive and has great fuel economy (average 48 mpg city and 54 mpg highway). Excellent power for a four cylinder. Only have encountered on problem so far -- faulty window mechanism for power windows. Driver side window fell down into door and wouldnt come back up. Dealer fixed both windows simultaneously and indicated that it was a problem with the pulley design.

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  TDI Golf - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By XJScott - July 16 - 2:00 am

  Compared to other compact cars (Civic, Focus, Corolla) the Golf is much more fun to drive, albeit for a premium price. Im 62" yet fit very well due to highly adjustable seats, although sitting in the rear seats behind me would be impossible. Hatchback design provides extra flexibility when cargo hauling is required. Build-quality, although Brazilian, is solid and paint looks brand new after 2.5 years. Cloth seats are hair magnets, though, and I carry a lint roller in the car at all times. Id look at leather next time.

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  I will have a VW TDI from here on out! - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By rhettwheeler - July 11 - 2:00 am

  My family is a Toyota family. I collect old Landcruisers. I have been a finance and sales manager in the car business for 6 years. This is the best driving, handling, and most efficient car Ive ever been in! I will allways have one in the family from now on!! What a Great Purchase!!

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  Best car Ive ever owned! - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By rhett - June 28 - 3:53 pm

  I have had many Toyotas. I have had many VWs but this is the best car Ive ever owned! It has never laid down, cranks everytime. It has 248,000 miles on original engine, clutch, even brake pads with 50% left. It has never had an alignment and drives as straight as an arrow. This TDI gets 47-50 miles to the gallon avg for the life of the car. I have only used synthetic oil and rotate the tires every 5k. If you are thinking of buying one you should.

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  Mileage champ and fun to drive! - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By Torlin - June 25 - 11:53 pm

  This is the best car I have owned! The diesel is quick and robust. Drive it on the highway and push it to keep up with the semis and still get 55mpg!! The hatch is a great design, holds my bike for rides. Little details in this base model are great- heated mirrors, excellent stereo, adjustable steering, etc, etc. Get one of these, youll love it!

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  VW Golf - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By Allen - June 9 - 11:53 pm

  The Golf gets great fuel economy and has very comfortable seats. I love driving it everyday and do not get bored with it. The only interior item I would have liked to have was an armrest. It would have been better with a little more power as well. I had only a few problems with it such as, the a/c compressor needed to be replaced, a spring for the airbag in the steering wheel, and the airbag in the drivers seat. Those would have been very expensive without the extended warranty.

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  I love my little car! - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By Diesel Snob - May 12 - 2:33 pm

  I love this little car! My brother talked me into a TDI (he has a Jetta). I get better mpg than my buddys Prius, and a better looking car. Build quality is excellent. Attention to detail inside is unreal compared to US/Japan cars, like the tiny sun visor above the rear-view mirror. Only problems Ive had: plastic window clips loosened up, had to replace MAF sensor when I upgraded the turbo, which I did in an afternoon on my own. Other than oil and tires, it just keeps chugging along. I love the heated seats, a must with a TDI in the winter. I drove from Indy to Virginia on one tank! I love the look on peoples faces when I tell them about my 49mpg in town.

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  Not happy with unscheduled maintenance - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By Sam - March 13 - 10:40 pm

  Pros: 42 mpg mixed driving with automatic transmission. Good handling and ride for a small car. Roomy too, but backseat legroom is cramped. More cargo capacity than expected with the rear seats folded down. Good exterior finish. Cons: Unscheduled maintenance, all of which occured in the 3rd year of ownership, include: 3 glow plugs replaced, rear brakes (Rotors and pads), intake manifold clogged with diesel residue, intake manifold gasket replaced due to leak, said leak spraying diesal onto wiring harness which required replacement (These last three being caused by a "fuel quality issue" and not covered by the warranty, $1,200+ to fix.) and tires. Oil changes are expensive too.

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  Great car - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By H2oVento - December 19 - 12:13 pm

  The 4 door 1.8T Golf is a great sleeper. Its fun to drive and hauls a lot of stuff. Its one of the best cars I have owned. It has had no major problems in over 60,000 miles of service. If you can find one, buy it. The 4-door 1.8T was only made between late 2000 and early 2001.