Superb Allrounder

I have always wanted a Golf 4 GTI since I first saw them in the late 90's. It was the most beautiful Golf I have ever seen, wide and low with great lines looking very sporty. When I was able to buy a new car, I chose to buy a used 10 year old Golf 4 GTI, such is the first impression it made on me so many years ago. I searched the internet for hours and eventually narrowed down a few advertisements I was interested in. Eventually I bought a 1.8 Turbo 132KW AUQ 6 speed 2003 model. The car wasn't in the greatest condition mechanically but the engine was still in excellent condition and the paintwork was fair. I spent a considerable amount of money and time replacing the turbo (seals was gone), cambelt kit, fanbelt kit, water pump, radiator fan, oxygen sensors, control arm bushes, N72 valve, dump valve, breather pipe, 90° silicone pipe, glove compartment door, new front grille, new front tyres, small parts here and there, fixing some minor things myself and giving it a full service with genuine VW parts as well as changed the gearbox oil. The service was a breeze, very well designed to make maintenance easy. I was fortunate that the previous owner installed a stainless 76mm pipe from the turbo to the rear and 17" Santa Monica alloy wheels adding to the great looks and sportyness. I took a 4500km round trip from Johannesburg south west, then east along the coast and back north again. I never had a single problem during my journey nor in the 6 months since. In the city the car is very comfortable to drive and it is a wonderful tourer, it just glides smoothly over the road, eating up the kilometres. Fuel consumption is very reasonable at 120km/h when touring as well as in town. Its very roomy inside the cabin, looks great, is comfortable with good attention to detail from VW and the luggage compartment is one of the best in its class. Its true its not the fastest hatch out there but its definitely adequate as far as power and speed is concerned and very stylish, its one of those designs that age very slowly, the engine is well balanced, revs freely and is quite robust. Handling is also very good. If you want a stylish spacious affordable enjoyable allrounder then this is it. To me this is the last design that resembles the Golf look and also the most beautiful. This is my everyday car and I would not change it for any other car, not even a Golf 7