Volkswagen Pointer - an overview of an inexpensive and reliable car
Content
Volkswagen Pointer at one time became the champion of three world records for survivability, having passed the test for reliability and durability. Under the strict control of the FIA (International Automobile Federation), VW Pointer easily traveled in difficult conditions, first five, then ten, and finally twenty-five thousand kilometers. There were no delays due to failures, breakdowns of systems and units. In Russia, Pointer was also given a test drive on the Moscow-Chelyabinsk highway. On a route of 2300 km, the test car raced in 26 hours without a single forced stop. What characteristics allow this model to show similar results?
A brief overview of the Volkswagen Pointer lineup
The first generation of this brand, produced in 1994-1996, was supplied to the automotive markets of South America. The five-door hatchback quickly gained popularity with its affordable $13 price tag.
The history of the creation of the VW Pointer brand
The Volkswagen Pointer model began life in Brazil. There, in 1980, at the factories of the autolatin branch of the German concern, they began to produce the Volkswagen Gol brand. In 1994-1996, the brand received a new name Pointer, and the fifth generation Ford Escort model was taken as the basis. She developed a new design of the front and rear bumpers, headlights and taillights, made minor changes to the design of body parts. The five-door hatchback had 1,8 and 2,0 liter petrol engines and a five-speed manual gearbox. The release of the first generation was discontinued in 1996.
Volkswagen Pointer in Russia
For the first time this car in our country was presented at the Moscow Motor Show in 2003. The compact hatchback in the third generation of the Volkswagen Gol belongs to the golf class, although its dimensions are slightly smaller than the Volkswagen Polo.
From September 2004 to July 2006, a three-door and five-door five-seater hatchback with front-wheel drive was supplied to Russia under the Volkswagen Pointer brand. The body dimensions of this car (length / width / height) are 3807x1650x1410 mm and are comparable to the dimensions of our Zhiguli models, the curb weight is 970 kg. The design of the VW Pointer is simple but reliable.
The engine is located along the axis of the car, which makes it easier to access it for repair and maintenance. Front-wheel drive from long equal semi-axes allows the suspension to make significant vertical oscillations, which is a big plus when driving on broken Russian roads.
The brand of the engine is AZN, with a capacity of 67 liters. s., nominal speed - 4500 rpm, volume is 1 liter. The fuel used is AI 95 gasoline. The type of transmission is a five-speed manual gearbox (5MKPP). There are disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear. There are no novelties in the chassis device. The front suspension is independent, with MacPherson struts, the rear is semi-independent, linkage, with an elastic transverse beam. Both there and there, to enhance safety when cornering, anti-roll bars are installed.
The car has good dynamics: the maximum speed is 160 km / h, the acceleration time to 100 km / h is 15 seconds. Fuel consumption in the city is 7,3 liters, on the motorway - 6 liters per 100 km. Halogen headlights, fog lights front and rear.
Table: Volkswagen Pointer equipment
| Equipment type | Immobilizer | Power steering | Stabilizer transverse rear stability | Airbags | Air conditioning | Average price, Dollars |
| Basic | + | - | - | - | - | 9500 |
| Safety | + | + | + | + | - | 10500 |
| Safety Plus | + | + | + | + | + | 11200 |
Despite the attractive price, in the two years 2004–2006, only about 5 thousand cars of this brand were sold in Russia.
Features of the Volkswagen Pointer 2005 model
In 2005, a new version of the more powerful VW Pointer was introduced with a 100 hp gasoline engine. With. and a volume of 1,8 liters. Its maximum speed is 179 km/h. The body remained unchanged and was made in two versions: with three and five doors. Capacity is still five people.
Specifications VW Pointer 2005
The dimensions remained the same: 3916x1650x1410 mm. The new version retained a five-speed manual transmission, power steering, front airbags and air conditioning. Fuel consumption per 100 km from the Pointer 1,8 is slightly higher - 9,2 liters in the city and 6,4 - on the highway. Curb weight increased to 975 kg. For Russia, this model is quite suitable, since it does not have a catalyst, so it is not capricious to the poor quality of gasoline.
Table: Comparative characteristics of VW Pointer 1,0 and VW Pointer 1,8
| Technical indicators | vw pointer 1,0 | vw pointer 1,8 |
| Body type | hatchback | hatchback |
| Number of doors | 5/3 | 5/3 |
| Number of seats | 5 | 5 |
| Vehicle class | B | B |
| Manufacturer country | Brazil | Brazil |
| Start of sales in Russia | 2004 | 2005 |
| Engine capacity, cm3 | 999 | 1781 |
| Power, l. s./kw/r.p.m. | 66/49/6000 | 99/73/5250 |
| Fuel supply system | injector, multipoint injection | injector, multipoint injection |
| Type of fuel | petrol AI 92 | petrol AI 92 |
| type of drive | front | front |
| Gearbox | 5MKPP | 5MKPP |
| Front suspension | independent, McPherson strut | independent, McPherson strut |
| Rear suspension | semi-independent, V-section of the rear beam, trailing arm, double-acting hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers | semi-independent, V-section of the rear beam, trailing arm, double-acting hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers |
| front brakes | disk | disk |
| Rear brakes | drum | drum |
| Acceleration up to 100 km/h, sec | 15 | 11,3 |
| Maximum speed, km / h | 157 | 180 |
| Consumption, l per 100 km (city) | 7,9 | 9,2 |
| Consumption, l per 100 km (highway) | 5,9 | 6,4 |
| Length, mm | 3916 | 3916 |
| Width | 1621 | 1621 |
| Height, mm | 1415 | 1415 |
| Curb weight, kg | 970 | 1005 |
| Trunk volume, l | 285 | 285 |
| Tank capacity, l | 51 | 51 |
Inside the cabin, the style of Volkswagen designers is guessed, although it looks more modest. The interior consists of fabric upholstery and decorative trim in the form of an aluminum gear knob head, velor inserts in the door trim, chrome fragments on body parts. The driver's seat is height adjustable, the rear seats do not fully recline. Installed 4 speakers and head unit.
Photo gallery: interior and trunk VW Pointer 1,8 2005
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- The rear seat folds, alas, only in its entirety
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- In terms of trunk volume - 285 liters - VW Pointer surpasses Polo, Goetz and Korsa
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- In the cabin - the kingdom of light velor
Although the car does not look as attractive as models of a more prestigious class, its cost is affordable for all segments of the population. The main hope is placed on the Volkswagen brand, which most motorists associate with high build quality, reliability, sophisticated interior inside the cabin and original design on the outside.
Video: Volkswagen Pointer 2005
https://youtube.com/watch?v=8mNfp_EYq-M
Advantages and disadvantages of Volkswagen Pointer
The model has the following advantages:
- attractive appearance;
- The optimum ratio of price and quality;
- high ground clearance, reliable suspension for our roads;
- ease of maintenance;
- inexpensive repair and maintenance.
But there are also disadvantages:
- not popular enough in Russia;
- monotonous equipment;
- not very good sound insulation;
- the engine is weak on climbs.
Video: Volkswagen Pointer 2004–2006, owner reviews
Car prices in the used car market
The cost of Volkswagen Pointer in car dealerships selling used cars is from 100 to 200 thousand rubles. All machines are pre-sale preparation, they are guaranteed. The price depends on the year of manufacture, configuration, technical condition. There are many places on the Internet where private traders sell cars on their own. Bargaining is appropriate there, but no one will give guarantees for the future life of the Pointer. Experienced drivers warn: you can buy cheap, but then you still have to spend money on replacing components and parts that have come to an end. You should always be ready for this.
Reviews about Volkswagen Pointer (Volkswagen Pointer) 2005
The dynamics are very decent considering that the car weighs less than 900 kg. 1 liters is not a volume of 8 liters, which does not go, but with the air conditioner turned on, it makes you feel sick. Very agile, easy to park in the city, easy to seep through traffic. Recent scheduled replacements: front brake pads and discs, valve cover gasket, ignition coil, fuel filter, hub bearing, front strut supports, CV boot, coolant, air and oil filters, Castrol 1w0 oil, timing belt, tension roller, bypass belt , spark plugs, rear wiper blade. I paid about 5–40 rubles for everything, I don’t remember exactly, but out of habit I keep all receipts for spare parts. It is easily repaired, it is not at all necessary to go to the "officials", this machine is repaired at any service station. The internal combustion engine does not eat oil, the manual transmission switches as it should. In winter, it starts the first time, the main thing is a good battery, oil and candles. For those who doubt the choice, I can say that for little money you can get a wonderful German car for a novice driver!
Minimum investment - maximum pleasure from the car. Good afternoon, or maybe evening! I decided to write a review about my warhorse :) To begin with, I chose the car for a long time and carefully, I wanted something reliable, beautiful, economical and inexpensive. Someone will say that these qualities are incompatible ... I thought so too, until my Pointer came across to me. I looked at the reviews, read the test drives, I decided to go and see. Looked at one machine, another, and finally met her! Just got into it, and immediately realized that my!
A simple and high-quality salon, everything is at hand, there is nothing superfluous - just what you need!
Ride — just a rocket :) Engine 1,8 in combination with a five-speed mechanics — super!
I’ve been driving for a year and I’m satisfied, and there is a reason: consumption (8 liters in the city and 6 on the highway) picks up speed instantly design simple and reliable steering wheel comfortable interior is not easily soiled
And a lot of other things… So if you want a real, faithful and reliable friend — choose Pointer! Author's advice to buyers Volkswagen Pointer 1.8 2005 Search and you will find. The main thing is to feel that this is your car! More tips Advantages: Low consumption - 6 liters on the highway, 8 in the city Strong suspension Spacious interior Disadvantages: Small trunk
While the machine is driving — everything seems to suit. small, rather nimble. I had central locking, and a trunk button, and a full double-glazed window with automatic closing of windows when setting the alarm. But this machine has 2 big "BUT" 1. spare parts. Their availability and prices 2. Willingness servicemen to fix it. In fact, there is only the original on it, and only at insane prices. It is easier to carry from the same Ukraine. For example, the timing belt tensioner costs 15 thousand rubles, there is 5 thousand rubles for our money. For a year of operation, I went through the entire front suspension, figured out the engine (oil was leaking in 3 places), the cooling system, etc. Failed to make a normal collapse. The workshops simply do not have data on it. The gasket of the front cover of the camshaft flowed again (does not like the engine when it is strongly twisted) The hydraulic booster rail has flowed. In winter, they sat in a snowdrift at the dacha. they rode out in a swing, digging with a shovel. Died 3 and reverse gear. The rear one then began to turn on, I tried not to even touch the third one before the sale. In general, I spent about 80 tr on a car for the year, and I was very happy that I gave it back on time. As far as I know the generator died a week after the sale.
НЕДОСТАТКИ
Well, the full list would be long. The car was not new. Changed shock absorbers, springs, rods, ball joints, etc. Died timing belt tensioner (sour). Motor gaskets changed. flowed again. Went through the generator. cooling system By the time of sale died 3 and 5 transmission. Very weak box. Steering rack leaked. Replacement 40 tr. repair 20 tr. almost no guarantee, well, a lot of little things.
Review: Volkswagen Pointer is a good car
Pluses: Everything for a family and transportation of children is provided.
Disadvantages: only for asphalt roads.
Bought a 2005 Volkswagen Pointer. already used, mileage was about 120000 km. Comfortable, high-spirited with a 1,0-liter engine accelerates quite quickly. Suspension stiff, but strong. Spare parts for it are inexpensive, out of replacements for 2 years of driving, I changed the timing belt for 240 rubles, and the boot torn on the ball one immediately bought a ball for 260 rubles (for comparison, a ten-point ball costs 290–450 rubles). I took the maximum configuration for 160 rubles in 000. The same ten in 2012 then cost about 2005-170 thousand rubles. It can be seen that the Volkswagen Pointer is made to last. Now the car is 200 years old, all electrics work on it, it is warm in winter, cool in summer. Seat belt height adjustment. The driver's seat is also adjustable in three positions, the stove can blow out of the car to the full position, I had to hold on tightly to the steering wheel :-). If there is a choice between TAZs and the Volkswagen Pointer, take the Volkswagen Pointer.
Year of release of a car: 2005
Engine type: Petrol injection
Engine size: 1000 cm³
Gearbox: mechanics
Drive Type: Front
Clearance: 219 mm
Airbags: at least 2
Overall impression: good car
If you like simplicity in a car without a hint of sophistication, the Volkswagen Pointer is a good option. It is unlikely that crowds of admiring fans will walk around it, but it is still a real Volkswagen. It is made qualitatively, reliably, on conscience. The machine is lively, dynamic, high-speed. The Pointer's most traction is hidden at mid-range, so he doesn't like it when the accelerator is pressed to the floor. Many complain about the noise from the engine and gearbox. We must honestly admit that such a sin is common. But Pointer fans like it the way it is.
