Classic Documentary: Volkswagen Citi Golf - Part 3 [ Pros & Cons ]

In this multi-part #documentary we try to list all the pros and cons, the positives and negatives, of the #VW #CitiGolf. This is Part 3, please keep an eye out for the following videos:
Part 1 = Intro [ Design, Development and Production ]
• Classic Documentary: V...
Part 2 = Specifications [ Models, Trim, Engine, Options, etc. ]
• Classic Documentary: V...
Part 4 = Owner's Views [ Stories and Impression from past & present owners ]
• Classic Documentary: V...
Which other classic vehicles or model range would you like us to document in great detail? Leave your suggestions in the comments below and feel free to like, share and subscribe.
Click here to visit our channel: / galimotomedia
Random tests playlist: bit.ly/2pnvVkV
Video Reviews playlist: bit.ly/2C4DSxQ
Brake tests 100-0km/h playlist: bit.ly/2NzELnB
Engine / exhaust sounds playlist: bit.ly/2pz9Hfz
Sights, Scenes & Sounds playlist: bit.ly/2CeBrcp
vs: Acceleration Battles playlist: bit.ly/33hfYLP
Song References:
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Ship Wrek & Zookeepers - Ark [NCS Release]
• Ship Wrek & Zookeepers...
Copyright Disclaimer:
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We created these videos for information and entertainment purposes only. Some of our sources include: Volkswagen of South Africa (VWSA), the VW Public Archive, goodbyecititour, Car Magazine South Africa [ www.carmag.co.za ] and the best Citigolf book ever published - Citi Golf: 25 years a.k.a. Re:in:car:nation, "A car so loved by the nation that it lived a new life for 25 years."

[@jean-paulolivier1124]

Well done on the Pro and Cons. All spot on.

[@GalimotoMedia]

Many thanks! 😎

[@Winie187]

Can't believe how mint your one is. Nice find and awesome Docy

[@GalimotoMedia]

Thanks 👍

[@petrusswanepoel850]

I met up with my first VW in 1984 when I bought a second hand Golf 1 GLS 1.5, it was cheap to maintain and affordable. In 1985 I bought a second hand 1983 Golf 1 Gti, what a legend. It is now 2023 and our family vehicle is a 2022 Caddy Kombi 2.0 TDi and yes some old legends, 1992 VW Golf Sport Bakkie, bought it for R65K from the first owner. The Bakkie was parked in a garage but not mechanically well maintained. I have spend over R15K replacing faulty components, it is currently standing due to the failure of an aftermarket alarm system. The problem was rectified and assembly will be completed by this weekend. I also have a 1994 VW Golf 1 which were saved from destruction minutes before the owner was about to enter a oval track race, a good offer at the track changed his mind and we became the new owner. The interior was stripped and we had to cut out the roll bar, the body was sprayed and a donor Golf interior was fitted. A 1.8 engine with solid lifters was fitted and this Golf is a real hot hatch. It is as solid as a new Golf. The cost to repair of the Golf came to about R25K, money well spend. I must say that over the years I have repaired and sold many Golf 1 / Citi Golf cars. The so called poor door triggers is an easy fix if you know how to do it. No shorts cuts, removal of the door lock, proper cleaning and lubrication, same with the door handle and then my secret adjustment, that door will open and close as if it comes from the factory today. Lekker ry!

[@GalimotoMedia]

Baie dankie for your detailed comment, enjoy those lovely VW's!

[@WillieMoller1965]

Hello from a fellow "first car Golf 1 GTS" ex-Namibian Windhoek-born VW lover

[@GalimotoMedia]

Hello there! 😊

[@user-pk9mp3jq6c]

Truth and all facts worth it started off with one and just upgraded to an injection model thats a 1.6i Citi Life quite light on fuel but the foot is always heavy.

[@GalimotoMedia]

Many thanks, enjoy that 1.6i Life!

[@christobooysen9025]

Cool video, my citi golf so nice I'm thinking about buying another 1 only thing I've experienced that's bad is the damn dash rattle on the shaped dash, the lack of safety features make you a better skilled driver coz you either drive good or you die trying. Simplicity to work on has me looking like a skilled mechanic when I work on mine and I'm not. Really got to love these cars wish VW could make 1 more special range for old time sake.

[@GalimotoMedia]

Valid comments and thanks for the tip about the dash rattle!

[@melusidlomo5754]

In Pretoria, Mamelodi Citi Golfs are still taxis and they are more n more on the road

[@GalimotoMedia]

Cooool, thanks for that info! 😊

[@andreoosthuizen5460]

Superb, just to add wheelchair driver friendly - automatic

[@GalimotoMedia]

Good call!

[@tulip8586]

Hi there I just wanted to add on the pros and cons of this vehicle and some things I've done myself to mitigate this I have a white 1.4 2005 CitiRythym This lovely lady still has a manual choke I have had it for 3 years and am probably keeping this thing for life Firstly the biggest elephant in the room, the God awful air con, that thing just blows the air that's outside of the car at you, I'm lucky enough to be a Cape Townian resident so there's always wind but (a very big but) in summer, temperatures get really really hot so it's kind of useless. What I did to mitigate this is install windshields, these are unexpectedly useful plus in my opinion make the car look better Now I don't have to open my window completely to get a breeze, still I find that this isn't enough especially for the incredibly hot summers so I'm installing a top of the range sunroof in the car in 2 months (its quite pricey that's why that's taking me so long whoops) Another issue is the theft I've installed a gear lock and a steering wheel lock and lock nuts because the rims are aftermarket(I still have the stock 1s in my garage at home), my windows are tinted as well. I have a tracker on the car. I'm aware thieves can litterally steal whatever they want but i made sure mine will biggest headache for anyone of that nature And no I have had no attempts at my car for the 3 now 4 years of owning it, seems these things are working Mine is a carburetor model not fuel injected so actual car maintenance is possible for me I know how to tune carburetors myself (I am no mechanic, just a knowledgeable individual) I know how to tune the amount of petrol and air that passes through and as well as idling, I know how to change the timing of the car as well so alot of my maintenance of the car is done myself. Which is quite satisfying if you ask me A drawback I had found earlier on was the entire bulb system. I hated it. Bulbs would burn out unusually quickly and fuses would just decide to pop at random times. So I changes it all to LED. I have the Angel Eye set of 4 headlights for the citigolf(Please google it, trust me it's a must see!) So the headlights, and brights are all LED, that ultimately fixed my fuse issues and electrical problems The doors I have central locking on my car (it came stock might I add) The door on the back left is the trouble child, it doesn't work with the entire cars central locking anymore and I have to manually lock and unlock it (I haven't given up though, I'd like to see what I can do about that before removing it and installing an aftermarket 1) I also have a wing installed and am looking for a 3rd breaklight And no I am no street racer, sportier looks have always looked better on cars for me that's all Later this year I'll be installing a power steering pump in the car I go to gym already to pack on mass, I don't need a weird elbow/wrist workout from my car🤣😂 it's quite annoying I have a powerflow exhaust which is nice because it's really quiet when I'm driving modestly which is 90% of the time. But man as a 21 year old, even I have my moments, that exhaust makes me feel like I'm some idiot with a racecar(that's nice you know) 3rd gear on that car is a gift from the gods I tell ya Also I have my own Panasonic Sound system with mids in the back (I want boot space thank you, no need for a sub) I've also installed interior atmosphere lighting As in there's glow under the seats, I'm young, therefore I'm stupid, I like stupid things! Otherwise this car is amazing! I wouldn't have picked a better first car It's taught me patience and resilience is quite an important lesson to be learned and anything can be fixed no matter how hopeless. My interior is still stock(I plan to keep it that way) no reupholstery needs to be done. Everyday I thank the previous owner for taking good care of this car! Most of the service is done myself. Just major things like the replacement of the water pump, the carburetor itself, radiator, shocks, cv joints I leave that all up to my mechanic. That's not my profession😗I couldn't be bothered to learn how to do that stuff, I'm not that much of a petrol head😗 Thanks for this documentary, it's so cool to see other people who share the same love for this car!

[@GalimotoMedia]

Wow, many thanks for your detailed comment. Much appreciated!

[@user-fz5jg7nn9g]

best vehicle vw ever built any person could finance a new car in this era but takes some one with balls to keep them running 😂

[@GalimotoMedia]

A lot of people look after them, judging by the amount of Citis we still see on the road! 😊

[@leonardtipumbu697]

I am interest in one

[@GalimotoMedia]

Your best bet is Facebook marketplace, gumtree or local pre-owned listings.

[@katrinasamuel3936]

Where is cities spare situated?

[@GalimotoMedia]

Under the boot floor!

[@DaveZee01]

​@@GalimotoMediaI thought he was referring to that amazing, father/daughter spares shop ...😊

[@GalimotoMedia]

@@DaveZee01 Whoops, you're probably right! Citi Spares is in Faure Marine Drive, Gordon's Bay. Next to the BP garage / turn-off to the beachfront.

[@musamilton5613]

lol do the thing with the logo and the three videos

[@GalimotoMedia]

😁

[@C4nn15]

Having tried to drive one in 2007, I'm 193cm tall and man it was a schlep to fit in that car, uncomfortable, terrible to drive and just argh. I know it was popular cause it was cheap

[@GalimotoMedia]

Fair point on the price and height problem but a *standard* Citi Golf has more comfortable seats and suspension than any of the eleventy trillion new crossovers with their hideous 22-inch black alloys and painted-on tyres. By "terrible to drive" did you mean that it takes a bit of effort and mechanical sympathy to pilot one of these vehicles? Again, unlike the thirtyten billion SUV's, which constantly irritate you with driving nannies and feel completely numb or sterilised by comparison.

[@C4nn15]

@@GalimotoMedia by 2007 I had gotten used to my Opel Astra so probably had forgotten what an old school was like to drive. But for me probably due to my height and being crunched over while driving it, it just wasn't a pleasant experience. Also remember up here an NA motor really struggles so a 1.4 feels like a 1.1 and when you're on the highway and trucks are flying past you, it just felt like I was in a tin can that wasn't designed for big people. I hate these new crossover cars :-( actually hate SUVs as well, can't we go back to sedans and hatches? If you want a family car a station wagon or an MPV :-).

[@GalimotoMedia]

Well said, we'll concede that a little 1.4 Citi at altitude won't be much fun. And yes please, we'd love to see the return of proper sedans, hatches and station wagons!

[@str8xrippin]

This car is only pros, drop a 2 litre in and shame everyone on the road. All pros

[@GalimotoMedia]

Indeed, a 2L Citi can scare a lot of cars!!