Volkswagen Bora

Considering the slow sales of its predecessor, the Vento, Volkswagen had to really fire people's imagination with the Bora. Placing a much greater emphasis on a sporty image, the German firm got it right with the newcomer, which is seen as a smaller and cheaper alternative to a Mercedes C-Class or BMW 3-Series.
Part of that success is because the Bora is a better driver's car than its forebear, but mostly it's due to VW's supreme engineering and clever marketing. Despite its humble Golf-based origins, the Bora is thought of as a classy and dynamically designed car.
It still comes nowhere near the Golf in terms of sales figures, but used demand is high and second-hand Boras are eagerly snapped up. As such, they hold their value well, meaning a good Bora is a sound investment as well as a decent used motor.
Checklist
* Reliability is generally fine, although some 2.0-litre petrol models have suffered from fuel supply problems. Check for misfires or uneven running.
* Despite being relatively new, there are some high-mileage Boras around, so make sure the service history is complete and the trim isn't worn.
* Uneven tyre wear is fairly common as suspension geometry is easily disturbed by kerbs. This is easy to correct.
* Be wary of damage to panels or trim as VW parts can be expensive.
Glass's View
The Bora is a much classier car than the old Vento, according to Glass's Consumer Values, and it is well built enough to be considered a cut-price alternative to a BMW or Mercedes. But dull colours, especially non-metallic ones, can kill its resale values and base trim isn't popular - only SE or Sport models are worth going for. TDI models make brilliant buys, but don't come cheap.
My Volkswagen Bora
With regular journeys between his university course in Lancaster and his family home in Exeter, Mike Davison's Bora 1.6 SE spends a lot of time pounding up and down the M5 and M6. "One of the reasons I chose the VW is because it's a good cruiser," explained the 20-year-old. "I had a Citroen Saxo before, and while it was a good car, it was too small and noisy on the motorway."
Mike bought his Bora in May from a vehicle sourcing agency, which found the motor he wanted at a VW main dealer in Southampton. "I was very fussy about the spec and it had to be a good colour," continued Mike. "The metallic blue looks great and I had to opt for the 1.6-litre petrol engine because it was the cheapest model to insure."
In five months, Mike has put 6,000 miles on the clock and hasn't suffered any major problems, although the heated rear window has packed up and will be repaired under warranty. His only other gripe is the engine noise at speed. "It's a relaxing car to drive, but at high speeds it feels like it could do with another gear ratio just to make it a touch smoother on motorways," said Mike. "It's a minor problem, though, and it doesn't really affect my enjoyment of the car."
Mike is particularly keen on the Bora's superb build quality and VW's trademark blue backlit dials. "It's amazing how small features can sell you a car," he said. "But the blue lighting on the dash makes driving at night much more pleasant. It was one of the main reasons I went for a VW."

Verdict

By far the most impressive Bora is the recently announced 150bhp diesel - it makes great financial sense and is a super car to drive. There are very few available second-hand, however, and those that do come up for sale are expensive. Instead, go for the 115bhp TDI - it's a fine all-rounder, and VW's diesel engines make petrol power look pointless, with torque on demand, excellent performance and brilliant refinement. SE spec is best value, but keen drivers will prefer the Sport, with its stiffer suspension and sharper steering.