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General => General discussion => Topic started by: Vigilante on 05 May 2009, 20:38

Title: Which GTI?
Post by: Vigilante on 05 May 2009, 20:38
It is my intention to buy a gti sometime this year,I've always wanted one and it seems that the time has arrived, what with the interest rates on my mortgage dropping as of late  :cool:
    Anyway, the question is, which one ?
        I'd like like some reasoned advice on this guys and gals, taking into account things like :- (and not necessarily in this order  )
                    Reliability
                    Performance
                    Ease of maintenance
                    Cost of spares
                    Economy
       I'm a competent diy mechanic, doing all my own servicing and repairs on all my cars, I just have no experience with vw's ( apart from a beetle years ago, my god, I hated that car!)
           I might be looking at spending up to a maximum of £2000, probably less, so I'm realistically looking at Mk3, Mkiv.
             Is it better to get a late Mk3 with all the probs sorted ( hopefully) or an early Mkiv with maybe some teething troubles?
          And what about 8valve v 16 valve? How do they differ regards ease of maintenance/economy/reliability etc?
                     So many questions........sorry guys...I'll leave it at that for the tme being, and see what response I get.
                                Thanks everyone  :undecided: :wink:           
                     
Title: Re: Which GTI?
Post by: jeynesey on 05 May 2009, 20:40
Mk4, You dont want a boat Mk3 do you??!!!

However, be prepared to pay more than £2k for a half decent one
Title: Re: Which GTI?
Post by: RandomJord on 05 May 2009, 20:42
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=113863.0

whole lot of car for the money that, an if i had more than a £1k id be having it!
Title: Re: Which GTI?
Post by: Petec82 on 05 May 2009, 20:45
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=113863.0

whole lot of car for the money that, an if i had more than a £1k id be having it!

Yep get it bought!
Pete  :smiley:
Title: Re: Which GTI?
Post by: Chris-White on 05 May 2009, 20:58
does a mk2 not tick all those boxes for you, or do you not fancy one?
Title: Re: Which GTI?
Post by: billy_vw on 05 May 2009, 20:59
buy the 1.8t
Title: Re: Which GTI?
Post by: RandomJord on 05 May 2009, 21:05
Jeesus billy another one?
Title: Re: Which GTI?
Post by: Trickyboy on 05 May 2009, 21:09
you could get a tidy mk2 for that cash, the only mk4 ur gonna get for ur coin is a 2.0 8v slug, unless you can get a 1.8T don't even bother. Defo a mk2 over a mk3 imo.
Title: Re: Which GTI?
Post by: RandomJord on 05 May 2009, 21:18
you could get a tidy mk2 for that cash, the only mk4 ur gonna get for ur coin is a 2.0 8v slug, unless you can get a 1.8T don't even bother. Defo a mk2 over a mk3 imo.

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=113863.0   :tongue:
Title: Re: Which GTI?
Post by: Trickyboy on 05 May 2009, 21:23
you could get a tidy mk2 for that cash, the only mk4 ur gonna get for ur coin is a 2.0 8v slug, unless you can get a 1.8T don't even bother. Defo a mk2 over a mk3 imo.

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=113863.0   :tongue:

£1650 baaaargain indeed  :laugh:
Title: Re: Which GTI?
Post by: billy_vw on 05 May 2009, 21:26
Jeesus billy another one?

could'nt resist  :smiley: had it R-tech'd 2day too  :evil:
Title: Re: Which GTI?
Post by: Vigilante on 10 May 2009, 01:15
Nice looking car but I don't want a 3 door.......and I'm not quite ready with the folding stuff yet. :sad:
    I'm going to have to get what I can afford, if it's a mk3 then so be it, I've seen some smart looking 3's .......we'll see  :cool:
Title: Re: Which GTI?
Post by: rob026 on 10 May 2009, 12:36
Nothing wrong with the mk3, once you get some decent suspension so it goes around corners, dont get an 8v there pretty lame, I've got a 16v is pretty nippy and fairly good on fuel (ish) hasnt missed a beat in 18 months, and you can get a decent one for way less than your buget.
Title: Re: Which GTI?
Post by: wil0 on 11 May 2009, 03:16
MkII looks nicer, better handling and is faster. compared to the mk3, its a real car! ;)
Title: Re: Which GTI?
Post by: seismic22 on 11 May 2009, 15:04
I have a mk3 16v and love it. I do however reckon that all mk3's need new suspension as they like to roll a bit much, The mk3 is a good mix of performance and comfort, i can comfortably cruise up the motorway aswell as absolutely ring its neck and love every second. My mates got a mk2 and whilst yes you definetly have more connection with the car and more feel of whats going on, for everyday use or any long distance journey its a bit more of a pain in the arse! The mk2's can definetly do the long journeys fine its just a bit more tiring! After having said that, if i could afford a well sorted mk2 i would, cos im more into ringing its neck than cruising.

Thing is, i got my mk3 valver in great knick, 97K on the clock with full service history, every single old mot, new tyres etc etc, for just £850.
Try getting a mk2 in just a reasonable state for that!? A 150bhp mk3 def isnt slow either!

If you can afford a mk2 and can put up with it being a bit more hardcore, then do it, itll be great.
Bit more skint, need some money for repairs, maintenance and need something bit more everyday too, get a mk3.
 
Everyone has their own opinion but in mine the mk4 is a bit boring, boring to look at, and a total lack of driver engagement. Some are fast on paper  (though the standard gti definetly isnt!) etc but its about how it makes you feel isnt it?!   People call a mk3 a boat/ tank, what about the mk4!!!!!! Its even heavier!

I dont think the mk3 is amazing just cos i own one, i would have a mk2 if i could, but the mk3 makes sense for a good best of both worlds!