Looking to purchase a 2000 Golf with only 38,000 miles.
The only trim/performance designation on the body is
"Golf". No GL or GLS or whatever. Automatic transmission,
4-door, power windows/mirrors, cloth interior. Looking for
potential problem areas, i.e. electrical, engine, cooling,
etc. Any thoughts would be appreciated, since Consumer
Reports doesn't rate VW Golf/Jetta very well. TIA. KenW

kwalters <kwalters (AT) frii (DOT) com> wrote:
speed transmission rather than automatic). I think you would have a bit of a
hard time finding one with only 38,000 miles for that year (6-7 years x 12k
miles per year means average of 72k-84k miles, you are looking for about half
that, or only 6000 miles/year, which is very low. In 2000, I think the base
Golf was designated GL, back then was only a 2 door, the 4 door was GLS (this
changed in 2002 I think, when they offered a GL level 4 door). GLS back then
was similar to GL, just had "luxury" features like power windows, velour seats,
armrest, and option of sunroof/alloy wheels (which eventually came standard
on GLS, on mine it was option). Back then, they even offered 3 engine choices
on the GLS, including the TDI, 2.0, and 1.8T (no VR6 except on GTI).

Mine started out being a bit troublesome, had the standard problems (front
power windows fell into the door, and MAF sensor went bad prematurely). I
also had some excessive oil consumption (2.0 litre engine). I've also had some weird problems like airbag sensor lights going on due to bad contacts in seat,
as well as some DTC codes (I log them on my VAG-COMM, which has been a good
purchase for as often as I've used it). Other than that, the only problems
I've had was with the poor wear on interior parts (lots of rub marks on the
plastic, seat material has not worn well, similar problem with my '86 GTI).
I also had a weird problem with the fuel pump fuse blowing. Also have had
a tendency to go through tires quickly (even faster than my '86 GTI with sticky
Pirelli tires, only get 22k miles average on a set, but of course that can
vary tremendously on what tires you have and where/how you drive). I've done
regular maintenance on it, replacing belts (timing belt/tensioner soon).
One thing to be aware of is special fluid use, from power steering (special
synthetic oil) and coolant (GL12 phosphate free), which are harder to find and
more expensive than generic options.

My experience with VWs is that they tend to need a fair amount of attention
when new (longer shakedown) but if you keep up the maintenance, they tend
to hold up well. That could be part of the reason they don't do well in
surveys like in Consumer reports, which I don't think examines how older
models fare. If you keep it simple as possible (manual windows, no sunroof, etc) you probably will do better, since these often cause the sniggly problems
that can vex owners, even if they don't strand you. But a lot depends on how
the previous owner took care of it., plus a little luck.
--

---------
Tom Flynn
1978 Scirocco (sold 1988)
1986 GTI 8v (sold 2000)
2000 Golf GLS 2.0
I speak only for myself

"kwalters" <kwalters (AT) frii (DOT) com> wrote

if it's a 4-door and in the US, it's a GLS. VW didn't badge their cars
explicitly with the trim leve anymore by then but it's definitely a GLS.

anything can and will break over time, but overall it's the same as most
through 2004 years. It's like a lotto ticket... some are lucky and some
aren't!


"kwalters" <kwalters (AT) frii (DOT) com> wrote

Matt B. <noway (AT) hellno (DOT) com> wrote:
I think that was true in 2000, but I do remember there was at least one model
year when they sold a GL model 4-door (I think it was 2002 or 2003). I rememberwondering if I should have waited for it, since I wanted the 4 door, but didn't
want the "luxury" items like power windows that came on GLS, but I wanted a Golf(versus a Jetta). I could have done without the power windows falling into the
door problem that dogged the power window models. Eventually, the GLS also
came with power sunroof and alloy wheels as standard (more forced luxury bits).

Interestingly, I think it was around the time they got rid of the 1.8T option in
the 4 door Golf...I think that it was only offered in 2000 and 2001 models.
--
---------
Tom Flynn
I speak only for myself

On Feb 4, 8:02 pm, kwalters <kwalt... (AT) frii (DOT) com> wrote:
I have one of those, but a European version since i happen to live in
Norway.

I have the wagon version. It looks like a jetta wagon with a golf
front.

However, I am very satisfied with it. There have been a tiny problem
with the alarm due to an over-sensitive sensor in one of the doors,
and also a temperature indicator in the engine went bust. Apart from
that, it's as good as new - even after 150.000 kilometers.

"Tom Flynn" <trflynn (AT) ganymede (DOT) jtan.com> wrote

yeah it was sometime after '00 that a 5-door GL was added to the mix.

I believe that happened when the 4 door GL was added. IIRC before that came
along, the power sunroof was optional on the GLS, not available on the GL.
I believe that when the 4 door GL happened, the sunroof was included on the
GLS and still N/A on the GL. So if you wanted a 4-door w/o a sunroof, you'd
get a GL. If you wanted a sunroof, you got a GLS. It sort of simplified
things actually.

Yes I believe '01 was the last year for a 1.8T (non-GTI) Golf in our market.