We are unfair
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I WRITE concerning the road test report on the VW Golf van in CM (August 18). Once again it seems that if it's foreign, it must be good.
The report seems to be very contradictory, in one paragraph saying "... the Golf would seem to incorporate all the features that should be incorporated in any light van."
In the next it says "The very choice of model, however, lets it down, for the unmodified hatchback body is still unlikely to appeal to serious light van operators as it is too small and lacks carrying capacity."
It has some really sensational features: 1 10-inch high rear-loading lip; 2 Inability to carry a roof or ladder rack; 3 Windscreen wipers apparently unconverted from left-hand drive; 4 Pronounced "tail down" attitude when laden;
5 Only 371/2 inches between wheel arches;
6 Spare wheel and jack covered only by a thick piece of hardboard; 7 Narrow, awkward-shaped rear entrance; 8 Very high price.
You say "in fairness" you have compared it with the Fiesta/Nova/Metro vans in your histograms.
In the car world the Golf competes with the Escort/Astra ranges; why be different in the van range? You say yourself that it's the same price of an Escort van. I question your standard of fairness.
D. H. MAINWARING West Drayton Middlesex