VW Golf MkIII Cabriolet
ENGINE 1984cc/4-cyl/OHC POWER 113bhp@5400rpm TORQUE 122lb ft@3200rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 118mph 0-60MPH 11.2sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 25-44mpg TRANSMISSION FWD, five-speed man MoT 12 months from sale ODOMETER 95,701 miles
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
This Golf drives brilliantly. The 2.0-litre engine pulls well with no flat spots or hesitation and is fun to drive. It feels nippy, handling twisty country roads with ease and the chassis and body remain stiff, despite the lack of a solid roof. Gear changes feel direct and the clutch is strong with no slipping or jumping out of gear. Steering is direct and precise while feeling well-weighted with no dragging to either side under heavy braking.
BODYWORK CHECK
The body is in generally great condition, with only a couple of minor areas of surface rust bubbling through the otherwise well-kept Violet Metallic paint. The most noticeable is a small patch on the nearside wheel arch where it meets the door, but it’s by no means serious. The original wheels have been replaced with 15-inch Wolfrace 40th Anniversary Edition Slot Mag alloys, which are in excellent condition save for a few scuffs here and there. All four tyres are Autogrip Grip 300s with only the nearside front needing replacement soon due to excessive wear. The convertible roof was replaced in 2004 and is still in top form with no rips or holes. The boot area is tidy and free from rust and the spare wheel looks fine, though the boot struts struggle to hold the lid open.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
The tasteful interior is wearing well, though is some expected age-related patina to the driver’s door card, arm rest and handbrake. The heated, contoured front seats hold the occupants well when cornering but the leather on the driver’s side is beginning to crack and would benefit from some reconditioning. The carpets are clean and dry and the over mats have done a good job of protecting the
material underneath. All of the electrics worked at the time of our test, with the exception of the convertible roof, which the vendor says has been repaired.
UNDER THE BONNET
The engine bay looks honest rather than spotless, but there are no fluid leaks. The Mann oil filter looks brand new, the battery appears to be in top condition and a quick inspection of the dipstick shows clean, fresh oil. The engine was also treated to a new cambelt, water pump and ABS sensor last year. The history comprises a mix of VW specialists and independent garages, with service stamps up to 2020.
THE CCW VIEW
With summer just around the corner, this tidy little Golf looks great and would make a perfect top-down runabout, but it’s also versatile and practical enough to use all year round. With the VW build quality you would expect and comprehensive service history, this is a tempting proposition for anyone who hankers after a reliable, fun and charming little cabrio.