VW Golf Cabriolet Review Covering 1998

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Quick Summary of the VW Golf

OVERALL

As long as you know what you’re getting, the Golf Cabriolet shouldn’t disappoint. Well built, solidly engineered and far from financial folly it’s about as sensible as an open top car gets. Just don’t expect too much in the way of excitement.

DOING THINGS BY HALVES

Who would have believed that Volkswagen, a marque renowned for solid virtues and no-nonsense products would visit such automotive subterfuge upon us as was witnessed when the Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet was launched in 1998? Although its sleek nose looked for all the world like a current Mark Four Golf, it was in fact the equivalent of a motoring Botox’n’laser job, for beneath the fresh face was the tried and tested Golf Mark Three. Still, find us anybody who’ll finger the Mark Three as a bad car and we’ll out them as traders looking to make a quick buck. As a used buy a Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet of any year is a sound bet. These Mark Three And A Halves if you will, are very much the Volkswagen Golfs of hatch-based cabriolets. Hang on a minute…
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History of the Golf

The Mark Three Golf Cabriolet had been with us since 1994 in various guises and had done good business for Volkswagen during its lifetime. Unfortunately it was also looking a bit dog-eared by 1998 when bold designs such as the Ford Focus were starting to hit the market.Recognising this, Volkswagen developed the superb Mark Four version of the Golf and, in August 1998, unveiled a Cabriolet version. All seemed well until the prospective purchaser was given an overwhelming sense of déjà vu when they dropped into the drivers seat. With a Mark Three dash looking back at them, the penny soon dropped that this version was merely one of the cleverest facelifting jobs ever. Forget Cher. She’s got nothing on the Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet.Three different engines were initially available, a 1.8-litre with 75bhp, a new 100bhp 1.6-litre unit and the classic 115bhp 2.0-litre powerplant. The range was soon rationalised to just one engine, the 2.0-litre, and trim levels ran from S through SE, Avantgarde and Colour Concept. The Golf Cabriolet was finally deleted from Volkswagen’s line up in early 2003.
Used VW Golf for sale

VW Golf Road Test

The issue of performance was addressed by an engine transplant, with all later models getting the familiar 2.0-litre 115bhp petrol engine. Perhaps Volkswagen realised that the old 75bhp 1.8-litre engines really struggled to propel what was a rather heavy car and customers were confused by a 1.6 that wasn’t the entry-level engine. The Golf Mk III chassis isn’t the greatest ever developed, falling somewhere between the verve of the Mark II and the syrupy smoothness of the MkIV set up. The 2.0-litre model is god for 60mph in 10.7 seconds on the way to a top speed of 119mph and the 1.6-litre car’s figures of 11.9s/114mph are only slightly slower. The 1.8 is the runt of the litter trailing in with a 15.5s/101mph showing.There is some scuttle shake, but you don’t buy a Golf Cabriolet to leather it through your favourite set of twisties. If torsional rigidity isn’t all it could be then the car’s ample weight certainly stand it in good stead on motorways where its high speed stability and resistance to crosswinds is excellent. Passenger protection is also very good with very little buffeting. One drawback is the cumbersome hood stowage and roll over hoop which can make accurate reverse parking a little tricky.
Used VW Golf for sale

Buying a VW Golf

The Golf has had an impressive reliability record and the entire range has yet to spawn any significant faults. Despite this, the Golf can never quite pip Japanese rivals in reliability surveys. Perhaps this is of secondary importance to the way the car feels. Even if it’s not 100% bulletproof, a Golf will always feel better built than its rivals and that counts for a lot. When buying used, look for a decent service record and check the obvious things like whether the hood is free from rips, discolouration and sag. Golf Cabriolets are magnets for car thieves, so it may well pay to get an HPI check. Some models attempted to jolly up the MkIII interior with some very questionable colour schemes. Avoid.
Used VW Golf for sale

VW Golf Typical Pricing

All Golfs hold their value well and the Cabriolet especially so. A 1999 S plated 2.0-litre Avantgarde cabriolet is still worth £6,700 of its original £19,820 list price. Automatic versions add another £200 to that valuation but sap performance significantly. If you want the ultimate Golf Cabriolet, the Colour Concept retails for around £100 more than the Avantgarde. Insurance for all the 2.0-litre models is Group 15.
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VW Golf Parts

(approx based on a 1998 Golf Cabriolet 1.8 ex Vat) An exhaust system is about £65. A clutch assembly will be around £70 and a new catalyst will be around £60. An alternator should be close to £50.Brake pads front and rear are about £25 and £23, respectively. A replacement headlamp is close to £65. A windscreen should be in the region of £90. Major and minor services are around £75 and £35 respectively.
Used VW Golf for sale

VW Golf Rated

Performance Performance 2 out of 5

Comfort

Handling

Economy

Styling

Equipment

Build

Depreciation Depreciation 4 out of 5

Insurance

Value

VW Golf Cabriolet Review1998 - 2003