So I have Deep keeping an I out for me but figured I would also check on here to see if any of you guys know someone selling one before I start kijiji/autotrader
Not looking to spend more than $15k
Let me know what you have!

repairs aren't cheap on a golf, and you need specific tools to do it yourself. Just FYI in case you didn't take that into consideration. They do keep their value well though.

Yeah going to do some more reading on tdiclub, I wasn't aware of the specific tool though, will have to check that out.

After working on a couple VW's, I would never buy one personally.

Lack of wheel studs are still a thing, those stupid flat head bolts that hold the rotors on tend to be seized every time, the need for triple square sockets as well.

I agreed to do a brake job on a buddies '09 Passat 2 years ago, so the car was ~4 years old with 50ish k on it, well like stated, those flat heads holding the rotors on, every one was seized, the bolts holding on the caliper brackets were all seized, the non oem pads he picked out don't have the wear sensors in them so now it has the warning light on in the dash all the time.

Then the rotors he picked up for an '09 didn't fit, they rubbed on the caliper brackets, found out there's a half year model basically, so had to exchange them for a different model year.

So ya, not much love for them on my part.

I'm going to jump on the feeling blah against VW bandwagon, not trying to turn you away just give my experiences/things to think about. Although I haven't had much experience with something as new as what you are looking at.

The over use of plastics in the engine bay, may be fine under warranty, but with time/heat cycles it turns real brittle (think old cheap wire loom type brittle). I've broken a coolant flange just by dropping a wrench in the engine bay. Just looking at the plastic sometimes takes away all my motivation to work on it.

Oil consumption can be a big issues with some engines. An old work colleague had an 2011 ish golf that drank oil warranty wouldn't do anything until it surpassed 1L of oil/1000km.

The only special tools I've purchased are a set of allen sockets and triple square sockets. Other then vag-com there is only one other tool I need to get (a haldex wrench for the AWD). If you are looking to get some price ranges on parts/tools ecstuning.com will have a most of what you are looking at and let you know what info you need to look at if there was more then one option for that year.

I'm sure VW would have fixed the issue by now, but look into water pump issues. VW used (assuming they fixed it) to have issues with water pumps, metal pressed onto plastic would strip and the water pump would stop moving coolant.

I appreciate your guys insight, I think it's safe to say that I have crossed this off my list.

Lots of hate for the golf,lol. I have a '09 city golf as my dd and it's been amazing. In the last 3 years I've only had to do the t-belt/water pump. I'm not trying to start a fight here but I think it's a great cost effective car. No complaints from me.

+1 for Brian's comments! I've got a few friends who only drive VW's and they've been great for them... Diesels and Gas...

And in reality you own a DSM and are used to having them break down on you so you'll be fine if it needs to sit in your garage for weeks LMAO!!!

Cheers

LOL don't think that's the point in having a DD.

I do know a few more people, but as the boys have said in the other thread there are easier and cheaper cars that get similar mileage