Advice needed: Used car prices

I am in to process of looking for a 99-04 Golf TDI and I have found two I'm somewhat interested in.

First one,
2005 Golf GLS, TDI, 5 speed, 4 door, about 73,000 miles. $11,900

Second one,
2001 Golf GL, TDI, 5 speed, 2 door, about 55,000 miles. $12,900

Both cars are at dealers. Both look in good shape. I think the 2005 is probably priced right but the 2001 GL seems kind of extreme.

I'm new to this and I know these cars bring a premium. I'm just curious what everyone else thinks.

Thanks!

The 01 is a little high,but if the miles are true,the dealer will probably get close to what they're asking.The 05-do a research here on the PD motors-they should be run on specific oil,and if they haven't-there may be a cam issue. Dealer probably can get you a loan on the 05,but not the 01 for that much money. ***IF*** a loan is doable for the 01,it may only be for 36 or 48 months. If the 01 was a few grand less,that would be my pick.

I looked up the values for the 2001. NADA (clean retail) was $8700 and KBB (retail) was $10,300.

I'd get the '05 at those prices. I would never pay that much for the '01 unless it was showroom quality and I was desperate for a 2-door. Plus you are in the rust belt so years matter more than mileage. The low miles on the '01 would be a red flag for me.

Search for some posts on people who total their TDI's to see why you do not want to pay much more than the insurance company would value the car at. They'd probably offer you $6-7k on that '01 if you wrecked it.