Advice on Prospective Purchase

[isljam]

This investment represents the entirety of our families savings and I don't want it to be a huge mistake.

I am considering the purchase of a 2005 2.0L Comfortline TDI Golf (6 speed MT) with 145000km and full service history (the first 5 years at the Solitaire dealership, then at German Auto for the remainder) for $9500

They claim the car has been used primarily on the freeway as a commuter from the hills into the city. They claim the only recommendation in last service (1 month ago) was struts/suspension. Also that earlier in the cars life there was an issue where it refused to start. Turned out to be poor quality diesel fuel they had been using. Apparently resolved when they changed to Vortex. Could this have caused damage to motor? Other minor problem was radio frequencies interacting with wiper operation. Apparently in some instances the close proximity of a police car could cause the wipers to cycle? Very odd.

Yet to see the service records but wondering what important replacements should i look for and at what intervals? Timing belt, water pump? What sort of Life expectancy could i expect from a vehicle that has been well looked after. With this many km's on the clock does it still represent a good investment? What sort of repairs/replacements can i expect to have to do in the not too distant future. Read online about turbos failing at 150,000. Also read a lot about injector problems? I am not sure if this car has the Bosch PD injectors (solenoid operated) or the Siemens (piezo) injectors. But read the former are much more reliable?

Finally, just wondered if this would be a relatively expensive car to maintain. I am not completely useless and happy to do oil/filter myself every 10,000. Would just like to get an idea what sort of ongoing costs I'm in for. Thank you so much in advance. Spent many hours trying to find these answers online but opinions in forums are so polar its hard to get a consensus on anything.

Really appreciate any advice anyone can offer. Cheers James

[benough]

Hey

145,000km on a TDI is not much. I bought a 2007 Jetta with the same motor at 160,000km and it's apples. If all the servicing on the intervals it will be fine. You'll double that easily enough.

Never heard of that wiper issue but it's hardly a deal breaker.

Yes, definitely timing belt. You can't predict the water pump failing so just drive it. How's the clutch? Nah this motors uses the Bosch injectors, no issues there.

Interval services from a good garage will be about $300 on a minor and up to $600 on a major. Good quality diesel isn't hard to find these days. Those gearboxes are bullet proof but learning how to double shuffle always helps. My clutch in my Golf GT Sport TDI is only wearing now at 200,000km.

I know the age of the car is ten years old, but for the price, it's good value motoring.

Best thing you can do to these engines, is rev the **** out of them. They love it! Best for thing for longevity is to drive them hard. I know that doesn't make sense, but it's how diesels work.

If the car is the cost of your entire family savings, maybe going all in isn't the best idea, but if you do, the only other car I'd do it on it a Corolla.

Hope that helps.

[Buckets]

Agree whole heartedly with Benough. My Jetta is going strong after 195000km. Regular servicing and she is still as good to drive as the day I picked her up from the dealer. Mine's the 6 speed DSG but sooooo much fun to drive (with paddle shift) through the hills now the kids are older and pretty much off my hands.