ANY other model that had been on the go since 1974 would have been thrown off the catwalk by now.
But despite 34 years of sterling service the Volkswagen Golf is more fashionable and desirable today than it has ever been.
It's a testament to German engineering and styling that the Golf has successfully grown and evolved.
The latest version is the most modern of motors but you have no trouble spotting which family tree it belongs to.
It was appropriate that my week with the car was spent shuttling to and from one of the biggest horse racing meetings in the world at Cheltenham - because the Golf GT Sport 1.4 litre TSI five-door beauty is a real thoroughbred.
The fifth generation of the Golf is undoubtedly the best VW has produced and it more than holds its own in a market where the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra are formidable foes.
The exterior is a natural follow on from the Mark IV version with a chunky no nonsense shape, handsome front end and impressive lines that catch the eye.
But when I start to go into silly details - like this car was fitted out with 'Anthracite Brick' upholstery - then it's obvious I'm smitten and should go and have a lie down in a darkened room with a cold flannel pressed to my forehead.
This is no supercar crush but rather a feeling of excitement at having found a 'normal' car that fits like a glove, could easily be driven all day without a break, and does what you want it to do with the minimum of fuss.
Seriously, sitting behind the wheel of a Golf is like sitting in your favourite armchair - albeit with a turbocharger attached.
The interior is classy with excellent use made of quality materials. A decent driving position is easily discovered thanks to ratchet seat adjustment and a steering wheel that moves for rake and reach.
Volkswagen must have taken heed of every customer survey there's ever been on the operation of dials, controls and buttons in a car - because everything is well placed and easy to use.
The audio system is a dream offering nice big buttons in happy contrast to some other radio/CD players where pinheads masquerade as controls - impossible to operate without crashing the car while leaving your fingers feeling like pork sausages.
The rotary dials controlling the air conditioning are also simplicity itself while all the other levers and switches have a quality feel about them.
There's loads of room up front while two adults can cavort in the back with three accommodated at a push.
The boot is a decent shape and offers a family-friendly capacity of 350 litres.
Ride comfort is exemplary and the handling sublime. The Golf offers grip that never seems to run out giving the driver confidence in corners.
The electric power steering gets weightier with speed so feedback to the driver from the road is good.
The 1.4 litre TSI engine is a clever old Hector using both a supercharger and a turbocharger to give the car almost 140bhp - propelling it from 0-60mph in an impressive 8.8 seconds.
So to sum up the Golf GT Sport is a better all-rounder than an Olympic decathlete. If my life depended on finding something wrong with it then the rear seats don't fold flat into the floor - roll on the Mark VI!
FAST FACTS
Volkswagen Golf GT Sport 1.4 TSI 140
Price: £18,110
Mechanical: 138bhp, 1,390cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 127mph
0-62mph: 8.8 secs
Combined mpg: 39.8
Insurance group: 14
CO2 emissions: 169g/km
BiK rating: 20%
Warranty: 3yrs/60,000miles; 12yrs anti-rust; 3yrs paint