Anyone Have Experience With or Knowledge of 2020 VW Golf (not GTI or R)?

[RBT]

Hello
My younger son is now driving and we are considering a VW CPO Golf. (The CPO warranty looks like it covers the car bumper to bumper, less wear items and other typical exclusions (e.g., glass) for two years with a $50 deductible for a covered repair.) It appears to be clean and has reasonable mileage for the age. It is the standard Golf with the 1.4T. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with these cars? I know a lot of folks do not like VW, so respectfully I don't want to turn this into a thread to bash the VW brand, but to me they are nice cars with good outward visibility, good safety ratings, good fuel economy, and good handling and braking, all of which are more important to me, particularly for a new driver. Thank you in advance for any insights you can provide.

 

[97prizm]

I worked at a VW dealership in sales and as a lot tech. The jetta had the same engine. The biggest issue is the plastic water pump housing and pump is known to leak but VW offered an extended warranty on it. There are metal replacements from what I remember. Kbb says they're above average reliability. Premium fuel and vw spec oil. It has a timing belt.

 

[Rand]

pft wrong brand for bashing..
the bitog bashing is Stellanis anything.. followed by subaru.

I looked at those in 2020. The prices were terrible then(deals) or I'd have likely been an owner.

 

[shortyb]

I'm a VW guy so I may be a bit biased, but for the reasons you noted, I think it would be a good choice. The CPO is a nice thing to have as long as you aren't paying an arm and a leg for it. The Golf in general is pretty solid, but does have it's quirks. Still with all the units sold all over the world, it doesn't seem to have glaring issues. Same for the 1.4T. Very good engine that VW stuffed in many different models. Decent power for it's size, good fuel economy, and again, no real bad problems. It is a turbo, and has direct injection, so oil changes in a timely fashion are pretty important, as well as a good choice of oil. Hopefully, with the CPO, it has been maintained well, and there is a service history that you can see. I would invest a small amount and take it to an independent shop that is familiar with VWs and have them do a pre-purchase inspection. That way, if there ARE any issues, you can have them addrressed, or at least use that as leverage to get a better price. Good luck.

 

[Nessism1]

VW has class leading driving dynamics, and personally, I like the styling. Reliability is spotty.

Before purchase, I'd be doing a deep dive regarding known failure points on the specific year and model you are considering, and decide if you are okay with assuming the risk. Or, buy an extended warranty.

 

[RBT]

I worked at a VW dealership in sales and as a lot tech. The jetta had the same engine. The biggest issue is the plastic water pump housing and pump is known to leak but VW offered an extended warranty on it. There are metal replacements from what I remember. Kbb says they're above average reliability. Premium fuel and vw spec oil. It has a timing belt.

Thanks. That's interesting - the description on the car says regular unleaded (I only ask because we have the kids pay some percentage of the fuel they use, and there is a big spread in my area between regular and premium. Water pumps are no surprise on a German car. ;-)
Thank you again.

 

[RBT]

VW has class leading driving dynamics, and personally, I like the styling. Reliability is spotty.

Before purchase, I'd be doing a deep dive regarding known failure points on the specific year and model you are considering, and decide if you are okay with assuming the risk. Or, buy an extended warranty.

Thanks. The car is VW CPO with a two year bumper to bumper.

 

[Nessism1]

Thanks. The car is VW CPO with a two year bumper to bumper.

Do they offer an extended warranty beyond this? It might be worth it...

 

[RBT]

Do they offer an extended warranty beyond this? It might be worth it...

Good question. We will ask. Thank you.

 

[tcp71]

The golf is a great starter vehicle for a teen. solid without being particularly performance oriented. find one with a manual transmission and give them a life skill as well.

 

[RBT]

The golf is a great starter vehicle for a teen. solid without being particularly performance oriented. find one with a manual transmission and give them a life skill as well.

I agree 100% but finding clean ones has been challenging, nevermind finding a manual that is not a GTI (too much for the insurance and a new driver doesn't need that kind of power).

Thank you for the feedback.

 

[97prizm]

Good question. We will ask. Thank you.

VW cpo extended warranties are usually $1,500-$3,000.

 

[97prizm]

Thanks. That's interesting - the description on the car says regular unleaded (I only ask because we have the kids pay some percentage of the fuel they use, and there is a big spread in my area between regular and premium. Water pumps are no surprise on a German car. ;-)
Thank you again.

I've always been of the mindset with a Turbo = premium, but if detuned then midgrade might be fine.

 

[andrew_j]

I've always been of the mindset with a Turbo = premium, but if detuned then midgrade might be fine.

Your mindset is no longer valid with modern turbos. Regular works fine. It’s a good thing !

 

[Rand]

For the most part:
when 89 costs 20% more and 92 costs 40% more mine(subaru FA24DIT) can eat 87, owners manual and fuel door agree

 

[skyactiv]

One of my nieces has a 2017 Jetta with a 1.4 TSI, she puts 87 in it and it does just fine. Her car gets excellent fuel economy and has 112K on it.

She hit a deer mid summer and her car was since fixed. See the hair caught between the wheel and tire bead? Cooper Endeavor if your wondering