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These seem fairly cheap would it be okay for a first car (26yrs old male)
Anyone know the insurance group as google comes up with crap car website after crap car website.
The other option is a mini or a fiesta both more expensive to buy.
[b]If we could please refrain from the my dads older than your dad arguments, at least for the first page, that would be great[/b]
I'd still say they are more expensive for what they are (and slow).
I'd look at Japanese alternatives as well.
A mate has one and she's the opposite of a petrol head but wishes she'd got a bigger engine - the 1.4 is just not up to the job of hauling a mk4 Golf. Really struggles on hills, needs thrashing, etc.
I'd seriously look at a 1.6 Focus or similar - far less to buy, handles much better, copes with hills, probably cheaper to insure.
oke doke, that's a shame as they look nicer than the focus 😳 I think 1.6 might be a bit much to insure first time.
Not to fussed about being slow, after all i can only go 70mph.
I know but believe me its not the speed per se. Its the feeling of nippiness.
I used to have a Toyota Aygo. On paper its no rocket yet it felt nippy, cheeky and fun.
Whereas a slow-feeling slow car can feel annoying after a while.
mk4 golfs are awful - roll all over the place - junk...
massivley under powered. the 1.6 is spot on on though. Perhaps consider a skoda? Basically a VW but cheaper?
I think its Insurance Group 9 - www.parkers.co.uk is a good site for this kind of info. I've had 3 Golfs, 2x1.4L and 1x1.6L 1998 MkIV - I'd definitely buy a Mk IV again, great car, reliable, spacious, comfy etc. Yes the 1.4L will be a bit on the slow side if you've got a heavy load or carrying a few folk but if that's not going to bother you then go for it. I can't speak for Japanese but the Toyota/nissan equivalent could be worth a shout.
Nissan Almers? Seat Ibiza? Peugeot 306/406? Get an OAP's vehicle, they tend to be comfy and reliable. Relatively cheap to insure too.
tails - they are well made and last ages. If insurance is a pain, maybe consider a smaller car with a smallish engine?
While going fast is not an issue, the mk4 1.4 is simply underpowered. You have to thrash it so much to get anywhere that you'll use loads of fuel. Nowt to do with being speedy, just makes everyday driving a bit of a PITA.
How about a slightly older Fiesta/Polo or something?
A 1.4 Golf should be fine as a [u]FIRST CAR[/u].
Always thought them a bit overpriced though.
Focus would probably be my choice.
We had an 03' Corolla once. That was a nice car, as nice as the Focus & very well made.
That said, we're too old for the "enthusiastic driving" thing these days.
I borrowed a friends 1.4 Rover 45 the earlier this year.
Having become used to modern TDi's, it felt positively dangerous when trying to accelerate into traffic. Felt like it was being thrashed all the time, just to stay with the traffic.
The 1.4 golf is Group 9?!!
Underpowered, don't bother.
If you're looking at a first car and really want something 1.4l from the V.A.G stable and at a better value and insurance rating, get a Fabia.
Another alternative: Mazda 3?
1.4 mini is group 15!!! I can see more and more people driving around uninsured!
Agreed 1.4 will be horribly underpowered. You'll have to thrash it to make it go which will give worse fuel consumption than a larger engine.
As per comments above, go for a 1.6 Focus instead