Bombproof, reliable and good to drive.
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<br>TDDi engine has a very agricultural feel to it, and lacks power on the open road, but around town and in "point and squirt" situations, it can feel surprisingly perky. MPG can be disappointing if driven hard at about 38 mpg, but averages a respectable 43 mpg.
<br>Handling is excellent, and the ride, although firm, is well damped and rarely crashy. Extra weight of diesel engine does make the balance a little more nose heavy compared to a petrol variant, but its still a far more entertaining drive on a back road than a mk4 Golf will ever be.
<br>The absolute best thing about this car however was the reliability. When it went back to the lease company at 102,000 miles it had needed 8 services, three replacement sets of tyres and the odd fluid top up. No component failures, no breakdowns, no rattles and never failed to start. Tough, reliable workhorse which apart from cheap interior trim and the clattery old diesel engine, I cannot recommend highly enough.
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