Advantages: Powerful and economic engine, well built, reliable
Disadvantages: wheel spin in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear in the wet!

...Bought a Bora TDI 150 Sport two weeks ago and so far very impressed. Have managed 48+mpg average per tank and have done 280 miles on half a tank so far this week! My previous car was an E46 BMW 323 saloon and I really don't feel short changed in the Bora (although mine does have heated leather sports seats thanks to being a VW demo car!). The only gripe I have is wet weather traction (there isn't any). Due to the vast torque of this engine (232lbs/ft) it's so so easy to spin the wheels in the first 3 gears. It gets quite annoying after a while (especially with grannies scouling at you like you're some kind of joyrider!) and will cost you in rubber too. Handling isn't the sharpest even with the 'sports suspension' but is safe and secure. The car makes a wonderful motorway cruiser. Sit in 6th gear and you can overtake and just waft... Read review

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Advantages: Climate control, Speed, Economy
Disadvantages: The name

...The Bora is Volkswagen's attempt to rival the BMW 3 series and Audi A3 and makes a good attempt. I traded in my wife's cherished Golf GTI for the Bora 1.9 TDI (diesel) Sport (150bhp) because :- a) we needed a bigger boot b) we had just bought a tent which wouldn't fit in the Golf c) the Golf was making a few dodgy sounds d) diesel sounded more economical ~~ First Impressions ~~ I actually think that the Bora looks quite sleek and sturdy with it's high boot area and slightly rounded edges. The wheels are prominent giving the impression of good road-handling and the overall impression is one of a solid, reliable motor. One thing I noticed was the "clunk" of the door being shut - like a bank vault being sealed. ~~ In The Driving Seat ~~ The driving position is comfortable with good vision both to the front and rear... Read review

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Advantages: Affordable premium car with some excellent quality a quick engine!
Disadvantages: Unfortunatly not all the power can be unleashed because of handling!!

...Test model Volkswagen Bora TDI 150 Sport Reg No. FA03 FUM UK model RHD Mileage 45,000 Actual 0-60: 8.5 Obtained MPH: 142mph Volkswagens answer to the four door saloon based on the Golf Mk4 came in the guise of the Bora in 1998. Although this is not the first time that VW have tried the smaller 4 door saloon, see the Vento and Jetta (Bora's worldwide name). The model I purchased is a 2003 03 plated model which had 42,800 miles when I bought it and is metallic black. I have to say the Bora isn't the best looking car on the road but if you want a foor door golf saloon with a bigger boot then it is just what you are looking for. I bought this car for £9995, which with the generous spec and mileage was good. It was bought from Black Horse Car sales who actually own the cars and they are used as company cars or short term lease cars... Read review

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Advantages: Great engine, quality feel, great attention to detail
Disadvantages: Slightly light steering

...Looks wise the Replay Silver Bora with black velour interior and dash has brought many complimentary comments since I picked it up from new one month ago. The Le Castellet 16" alloys add to the effect. The 1.9 PD 130 bhp TDI engine is economical (500 miles to the "fuel low" message and really flies. Economy is enhanced by the 6 speed gear box. Handling is pretty good but the power steering a touch too light. The ride is "safe" rather than "exciting". It depends what you want. The interior is comfortable, classy and extremely well built. Has a trip / total mpg, mph, temp computer, air con, fold back centre arm rest with stowage lid, front fold away cup holders and a good radio cassette speaker system. The SE does not come with a CD player as standard though I ordered one as an option. It soon transpired that the cd player vibrated... Read review

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Advantages: Good looking car, some nice touches, it's a volkswagen
Disadvantages: slightly dull interior

...I never liked the name Bora, it invites too many obvious puns in the vain of bore, boring, boredom. At least it would have, if they hadn't gone and made such a cracking job of it. The Bora is the successor to the Volkswagen Jetta, i.e. it's the Golf with a boot. Working off the chassis of the Golf, these cars have always been good and the Bora is no exception. I don't personally own one but have had the use of my uncles on a regular basis and can testify that it is as good a car as is on the market in this sector. It is spot on in the looks department with a styling which gives it a look of strength about it, its kept simple but sophisticated and despite being based on the golf has a different, more mature look to it. Not that this is an old persons car, the higher spec models, especially those with metallic paint and a subtle bit... Read review

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Advantages: Comfortable ride, large boot, quality interior.
Disadvantages: Parts can be expensive, struggles up hills, poor rear legroom.

...to CDs and if you put a cheap 3rd party CD player in the car it would ruin the classy blue lit look of the dash. So far I have had to replace my tyres after 70k miles wear (they were near the legal limit) and the clutch went at 110k miles - that cost a whopping £500. My exhaust needed adjusting to stop banging on the rear axle and the throttle needed cleaning to stop it from stalling (happens on most of my cars that I have had). I would buy another bora but next time I would like a high powered TDI version, although my car is in group 5 insurance which is nice. Overall a strong safe car and after a journey of several hundred miles you come out feeling as fresh as when you set off.... Read review

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Advantages: Good looking, great fuel economy
Disadvantages: Cheaper similar cars available

...I have recently bought a second hand Bora 1.9 SE TDI (130bhp). We had been looking for one of these for several months and finally found what we were looking for several weeks ago and I must say I am soooo pleased with her. I do approx 15k business miles a year so needed a car with good fuel economy and high comfort, aswell as being well built with a good life expectacy as we are not planning on changing this for a good 5 or so years, but it also needed to be big enough to transport all the trapping of a family (when it arrives). I couldn't be more pleased with "Dora". I have done approximately 1,500 miles in her since we bought her and have averaged about 50 mpg over this time. The 6 speed gear box also aids the great fuel economy. She is incredibly comfortable and although she has alot of power (being 130 bhp) I haven't found... Read review

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Advantages: Good Performance for 1.6, Comfortable, Safe, Reliable
Disadvantages: Expensive replacement parts and servicing, Difficult to park at first

...I aquired my VW Bora 1.6 S in November 2005 but at the time I had my heart set on a VW Golf Mk 4 TDi. However I soon found out that this was way out of my price range and was persuaded to have a look at a Bora. The body of the car is pleasing to look at but not as impressive or sporty as the Golf Mk 4. Both share the same chassis, engine, and parts, additionally VW claim that due to the extra mass (1248Kg to be precise) the Bora holds the road better and is safer. I don't know how true this is but my simple physics GCSE tends to make me believe them. The interior of the car is very well laid out with comfortable seats in the front which 'grip' your back nicely. The seats in the back aren't so good, however as I'm never in the back its not a major issue - Leg room in the rear is adequate but not fantastic. Front seats are fully... Read review

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Advantages: Looks, Space, motorway performance
Disadvantages: Cornering and Louder than your average car

...driving a 7 series BMW. By this i mean you know you are in charge of something with power. The noise the diesel makes enhances this somewhat. This is a good thing, some cars scream there way to second gear this baby roars. If you do a great deal of Motorway driving you will have no worries with a Bora. I have driven all kinds of cars and the Bora holds it's own as far as cruising ability goes.You wont find many more comfortable cars either. I'll say no more. Fuel consupmtion is exceptional, You'll think something is wrong with the Gauge. The Bora wont let you down as far as street cred goes, it looks good inside and out. The instruments have a brushes aluminium effect which hasn't been over done so much as it looks out of place it a VW. The instruments as buttons Glow saphire blue and red at night, slickest night time dash I have ever owned... Read review

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Advantages: Great drive, well made, quick
Disadvantages: Cornering, depreciation

...I am now the proud owner of a VW Bora. For those who are as unfamiliar to cars as I, Volkswagen is a major German car manufacturer with a first class reputation. Most famous for the VW Beetle (think Herbie goes to Monte Carlo and all that malarkey) and you start to put into context the long-term nature of a top draw operator. Both the personal and company car market are ultra competitive these days. What with the government’s desire to bring prices in line with Europe and the desperation of the major manufacturers to offload their fleets, it was my recent pleasure to finally choose my first ever company car. The market I needed to research was the saloon car as I’m the atypical family man, married with 2 kids. The major players that sprang to mind included the American giants, Ford and Vauxhall along with their European rivals MG Rover... Read review

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