Used car selection
Mini Cooper S 2001 – 2006
It’s a joy to drive a regular Mini, but the Cooper S is the superlative. The ‘hot hatch’ has no equal when it comes to driving and steering. Of these three, the Mini offers the least head, leg and luggage space. We would certainly go and have a look in Groningen: there is a beautiful blue one for sale with a white roof (2004, 147,000 km) at a car company for € 4,998.
Seat Leon TFSi 2005 – 2009
Technically, this Leon is a Volkswagen, but the sporty family car has a more desirable image. This model generation still convinces with its striking lines. With five doors, it is very practical. It is a bit stiffer than a Golf, but costs a lot less. At a car company in Lisse we come across a green wrapped ‘Sport Up’ version (2006, 188,000 km) for € 4,999.
Volkswagen Golf GT 2003 – 2008
With the GTI type designation, Volkswagen was at the origin of the sporty family car. A Golf drives well in itself, but as a GTI it is considerably sportier. Such cars have often had a hard life, so read the roadside assistance frame carefully so that you know what you are getting yourself into. And then, go, to Almere. There we find a black three-door, extremely complete (2005, 250,000 km), for € 4,950.
Verdict of the Roadside Assistance
Mini Cooper S
The Wegenwacht are aware of quite a few minor shortcomings of the first generation of the reborn Mini. The engine will stop if the fuel pump connection comes loose. Moisture in the engine computer connectors causes starting problems; a matter of drying. If you drive too fast against a curb, the fuel supply will be interrupted.
Seat Leon TFSi
This type of Leon is technically identical to the Volkswagen Golf and the problems are therefore similar. Leaking door seals and problems with the locks are specific to the Leon. For example, the copy in the tailgate sometimes refuses service. Moisture can enter the doors through the locks, causing the side windows to open spontaneously.
Volkswagen Golf GT
Unfortunately, this generation of Golf is not free from serious technical problems. Apart from relatively high oil consumption – don’t forget to check regularly! – may wear the coating on the cylinders. This results in an expensive engine overhaul. If one of the individual ignition coils fails, the engine will run on three cylinders.
Our advice
Proportionally, the Golf is too expensive, especially next to the Leon. The Mini seems to us, also qualitatively, the best buy!
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