1,6S TDI

Dreary, poverty spec, over-geared & under powered rattlebox

Purchased from a dealer at 1 year old, 10k miles. 1.6tdi has poor low rev torque and doesn't really pull below 2,000 rpm, this coupled with high gearing makes this car a chore to drive in town with frequent gear changes and lots of use of 1st and 2nd gears. This is a common issue with thje VW 1.6tdi. The Honda and Peugeot 1.6 diesels have much better torque between 1500-2000 rpm.
Poverty spec "S" model has no rear stereo speakers (!) so you deafen the fromt passengers while the ones in the rear can't hear. Rattled from a dozen different places that could never be found.
Oddly reliable and never broke down, but wasn't exactly a pleasure to own. Very practical overall with sufficient space for 4 adults. Reasonable boot space. Driven carefully was capable of superb mpg on a long trip (up to 70mpg), but poor economy round town. Dealers very expensive and not much good.
Summary: Nearly a good car, let down by a below average engine and stupid gearing.

Report as offensive