My Old VW Golf III GT: A Reluctant First Car

I've got a VW Golf III GT from 1993, a coupe, and it's been quite a journey.

This was my first car, and the first two weeks were a blast, but then it turned into a nightmare for my family. I bought it for 85,000 rubles with titanium rims and new winter tires, which was a pretty sweet deal at the time.

Considering the price, the condition of the car is a whole other story. Let's just say it was a shock to see how worn out it was.

Exterior: The threshold near the front driver's side wheel is rotten, one molding and one trim piece are missing, there are numerous scratches and deep dents. What's interesting is that I bought the car in black, but after a month, the paint started peeling off, and it turned out the car was originally red. The previous owner didn't even bother to remove the old paint layer. In Kazakhstan, buying a car like this is pretty normal, but for me, it was a rude awakening. The usual suspects - cracked bumpers, missing trim pieces, different headlights, no rear license plate light, and a broken rearview mirror.

The door lock would constantly jam, and I had to slam the door shut so hard it would ring in my ears - not exactly the most pleasant experience.

Interior: The rear seats don't recline, the glove compartment is broken, there are scratches and damage all over the interior, the trunk lid doesn't work, and there's no trunk shelf. By the way, I had to install a trunk myself - there weren't even gas struts, so I had to hold the lid with my hands, which looked pretty silly.

Engine: The 1.8 ABS monovolume engine is in great shape, which is why I bought this car. The only thing I had to replace was all the consumables because the previous owner had installed the cheapest possible ones. I replaced one hose because it was leaking coolant, and that was it - it runs like clockwork.

The suspension was in good shape, which was a pleasant surprise. I mean, you don't often see that in a car of this age.

There's one major plus - all the Golf III parts are cheap. At least, they're cheaper than BMW parts. You can find everything you need at a salvage yard because the car is pretty common.

After three months, I've basically rebuilt the car. The Golf III is a reliable ride, one that's easy to get to know inside and out, with great off-road capabilities, that starts in any weather and handles the road confidently. But this car isn't worth dressing up or installing expensive accessories - it's better to save up for a new ride.

In my opinion, the Golf III is perfect as a first car, but it's not the car I'd want to drive and show off when I leave the house. I mean, it's a great car for learning the ropes, but it's not exactly the most stylish thing on the road.

Anyway, if you're in the market for a car around this price point, you can choose between a Golf III or a clunker. As for me, I'd rather have an old German than a noisy Russian-made car. Thanks for reading!