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General => General discussion => Topic started by: Bambam on 26 June 2012, 12:22

Title: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: Bambam on 26 June 2012, 12:22
Having sold my Mk3 GTi last year and bought something completely different for the drive to work (motorway) and general running around I thought I was done with Golfs but I'm back. A big, wallowy barge of a 4WD just isn't me and I always liked my Golf so it's time for another, but which one?

It needs to be able to keep up with motorway traffic and a half decent driver's car so a GTi, turbo or VR6 (I don't need an r32 as I already have a quick car) is probably the shortlist. 99% of the time it'll just be me on board so a 3-door will do. Proper performance modifications are welcome but anything that's been bodged and dragged around McDonald's car park isn't going to get a second look. Appearance-wise, just something smart. Black, blue or silver. In fact the less conspicuous the better.

Suggestions?
 
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: dan_apps on 26 June 2012, 12:32
Nice mk2 naturally or I expect you could pick up a mk4 for that kind of money now.
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: Wayne on 26 June 2012, 13:34
Skoda Octavia vRS :afro:
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: craig180 on 26 June 2012, 13:42
Skoda Octavia vRS :afro:

Totally agree! My old vRS:

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4941020806_a5328f566d_b.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4940433645_25a93b9f77_b.jpg)
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: archie837 on 26 June 2012, 13:49
Mk2.

Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: Bambam on 26 June 2012, 14:01
Honestly? Some of you would choose the Octavia over a Golf?

Might I ask why?
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: Wayne on 26 June 2012, 14:11
Honestly? Some of you would choose the Octavia over a Golf?

Might I ask why?

More car for your money, to get a 180bhp Golf to the same spec will cost a lot more, it is just a great all rounder even more so with a remap.

For £2000 your only going to get a 150bhp Golf and it will be a lot older then the Octavia you will get for the same money.
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: craig180 on 26 June 2012, 14:14
Honestly? Some of you would choose the Octavia over a Golf?

Might I ask why?

Because it's a golf with a mahoooosive boot. And in my opinion looks nicer with some subtle mods
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: Bambam on 26 June 2012, 14:18
More car for your money, to get a 180bhp Golf to the same spec will cost a lot more, it is just a great all rounder even more so with a remap.

For £2000 your only going to get a 150bhp Golf and it will be a lot older then the Octavia you will get for the same money.

Understood. What is the build quality on a (say) 2002 Octavia? I know 'It's a VAG' but at what point (age) did Skodas become full members of the family in this regard?

Any foibles, faults, inherent defects to watch out for?

Thanks.
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: dan_apps on 26 June 2012, 14:22
Think the theme for this thread will be biased answers
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: VeeDubGTI16v on 26 June 2012, 14:35
I think you should buy either a black mk4 or a grey mk2 shell
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: craig180 on 26 June 2012, 15:13
To be fair, if I was spending 2k on a car now, I'd be looking to pick up a 205 or a 309gti, simply because you could easily run it for a year or 2 and not lose any money on it when you came to sell.

Viva la France....
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: jamesblonde on 26 June 2012, 15:48
I think you should buy either a black mk4 or a grey mk2 shell

Would they be like the ones in your sig maybe? ;)
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: Wayne on 26 June 2012, 16:00
Understood. What is the build quality on a (say) 2002 Octavia? I know 'It's a VAG' but at what point (age) did Skodas become full members of the family in this regard?

Any foibles, faults, inherent defects to watch out for?

They have been part of VAG for ages, Octavia is a mk4 Golf underneath and shares most mechanical parts with a mk4, look at a mk4 buying guide and that will tell what to look out for.

If you need parts check with both VW and Skoda as you can save money, I needed a brake caliper and it was a lot cheaper through VW.

Feel free to pm if you need any more help etc.
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: Ant1981 on 26 June 2012, 16:04
Honestly? Some of you would choose the Octavia over a Golf?

Might I ask why?

Some are collecting their pensions and keep mints and worthers originals in the glove box.
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: Bambam on 26 June 2012, 16:34
Honestly? Some of you would choose the Octavia over a Golf?

Might I ask why?

Some are collecting their pensions and keep mints and worthers originals in the glove box.


I like Wurther's  :undecided:

Thanks Wayne. In fact I looked at Octavias a few years ago but they were too pricey to have as a work/kids taxi/trip to the tip car. I'm surprised they've come down in price so far. If they're a MK4 with extra ooomph and I can have an estate that might be my question answered.


Unless I go for a dark blue Golf and silver body shell......... :wink:
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: search on 26 June 2012, 16:35
No question about it MK2 oh while your at it put a vr6 engine in lol
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: archie837 on 26 June 2012, 16:44
Mk2.

A nice rust free one for that kinda dolla.

Or a corrado!
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: Seanl on 26 June 2012, 17:53
Mk2.

A nice rust free one for that kinda dolla.

Or a corrado!
[/b]


This. Get a reasonable VR for that kinda money now.  :cool:
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: tweed on 26 June 2012, 19:16
Get a mk3 for £500 and put a 20v 1.8t engine in. Update the stoppers and change the suspension, maybe replace some bushes.
Be a awesome car to drive and still have change  :wink:
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: Gavv8 on 26 June 2012, 19:17
Unless you've got shares in BP (for a VR) or want to own a mk4 like every other chav on the planet then a Vrs would be a lot of bang for your buck.
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: Ant1981 on 26 June 2012, 19:54
Unless you've got shares in BP (for a VR) or want to own a mk4 like every other chav on the planet then a Vrs would be a lot of bang for your buck.

More chavs in those Mk3 sheds.

The Mk4 is the connoisseurs choice, understated and truley underrated at its ability to ooze sophistication and dazzle you with fault codes and flashing engine lights on the dashboard.
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: nolandubholmes on 26 June 2012, 20:01
I've had 5 mk4s now from a v5 to a tdi to a turbo and now unfortunately chavs are buying them and making them look poo poo I'd go for a mk3 vr6 highline in mulberry pearl getting rare and u know in a couple of years if it's kept looking good it won't lose that much winner winner chicken dinner
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: archie837 on 26 June 2012, 20:01
Corrado and ABF it
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: Gavv8 on 26 June 2012, 20:12
Unless you've got shares in BP (for a VR) or want to own a mk4 like every other chav on the planet then a Vrs would be a lot of bang for your buck.

More chavs in those Mk3 sheds.

The Mk4 is the connoisseurs choice, understated and truley underrated at its ability to ooze sophistication and dazzle you with fault codes and flashing engine lights on the dashboard.
You keep on telling yourself that.. :smiley:
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: tweed on 26 June 2012, 20:15
I got a nice 528i with sport pack  :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: Ant1981 on 26 June 2012, 20:17
Unless you've got shares in BP (for a VR) or want to own a mk4 like every other chav on the planet then a Vrs would be a lot of bang for your buck.

More chavs in those Mk3 sheds.

The Mk4 is the connoisseurs choice, understated and truley underrated at its ability to ooze sophistication and dazzle you with fault codes and flashing engine lights on the dashboard.
You keep on telling yourself that.. :smiley:

The looks on your faces tell us Mk4 owners that. We can hold our head high as we zoom past you. The wake from our cars moving the air against the sails of your boats pushes you to the side and makes you reach for your edition of Autotrader.
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: chrisr103 on 26 June 2012, 20:27
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c339/chris246/PICT0062.jpg)   :rolleyes:
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: Gavv8 on 26 June 2012, 20:28
Unless you've got shares in BP (for a VR) or want to own a mk4 like every other chav on the planet then a Vrs would be a lot of bang for your buck.

More chavs in those Mk3 sheds.

The Mk4 is the connoisseurs choice, understated and truley underrated at its ability to ooze sophistication and dazzle you with fault codes and flashing engine lights on the dashboard.
You keep on telling yourself that.. :smiley:

The looks on your faces tell us Mk4 owners that. We can hold our head high as we zoom past you. The wake from our cars moving the air against the sails of your boats pushes you to the side and makes you reach for your edition of Autotrader.
:laugh: Much wider choice of 'souped up' mk4's on ebay and some of them even come without massive wheels/bodykits/tasteful decals.
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: Ant1981 on 26 June 2012, 20:29
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c339/chris246/PICT0062.jpg)   :rolleyes:

Those just look 'orrible and can usually be seen parked outside KFC.
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: chrisr103 on 26 June 2012, 20:39
Fun to drive though  :laugh:
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: Diamond Hell on 26 June 2012, 20:40
Bora 130TDI.

and a cheeky map.

Be a lot cheaper to run than most of the rest of the things being talked about in here.

Probably faster than some of them, too.
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: Bambam on 26 June 2012, 21:27
So, to summarise the answers to my query on a Golf forum about which Golf to buy...



1 ) Buy a Skoda.

2 ) Buy a Bora.

3 ) Buy a BMW.

4 ) Mk3s are  driven by chavs.

5 ) Mk4s are increasingly being driven by chavs.

6 ) Buy a black Mk4 or a Mk2 shell (and presumably sit inside the latter making 'brrrm' noises).

7 ) Buy a Mk2 or Mk3 and fit a bigger engine (despite me saying I already have something quick).

8 ) Buy a Peugeot.


That about it?
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: JC on 26 June 2012, 21:28
2k would get a lot of vauxhall  :wink:
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: murraymint on 26 June 2012, 21:30
So, to summarise the answers to my query on a Golf forum about which Golf to buy...



1 ) Buy a Skoda.

2 ) Buy a Bora.

3 ) Buy a BMW.

4 ) Mk3s are  driven by chavs.

5 ) Mk4s are increasingly being driven by chavs.

6 ) Buy a black Mk4 or a Mk2 shell (and presumably sit inside the latter making 'brrrm' noises).

7 ) Buy a Mk2 or Mk3 and fit a bigger engine (despite me saying I already have something quick).

8 ) Buy a Peugeot.


That about it?

Sounds bout right. Or you could buy a golf, then for good messure, sell tin buy an Audi
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: Diamond Hell on 26 June 2012, 21:35
That about it?

No, it's way too long.  Buy the Bora.  It is a Golf.  It makes the most sense.

And you know it.
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: craig180 on 26 June 2012, 21:38
That about it?

No, it's way too long.  Buy the Bora.  It is a Golf.  It makes the most sense.

And you know it.
Likewise, but the vRS. It's a golf with Audi parts and a Skoda badge
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: Gavv8 on 26 June 2012, 21:38
Your welcome! :smiley:
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: barrym381 on 26 June 2012, 21:42
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLKSWAGEN-GOLF-1-8T-ESTATE-HIGH-SPEC-NICE-MILES-S-HISTORY-LONG-MOT-NOW-REDUCED-/170853086109?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item27c7a3339d


just buy this its what u want  :grin:
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: scottv6 on 26 June 2012, 21:43
you can pick a good mk4 v6 4motion up for 2k perfect for motorways and looks just like a normal golf, just go take one on a test drive and you will realise how efortless they are to drive.
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: barrym381 on 26 June 2012, 21:45
you can pick a good mk4 v6 4motion up for 2k perfect for motorways and looks just like a normal golf, just go take one on a test drive and you will realise how efortless they are to drive.
an thirsty they are  :wink:
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: scottv6 on 26 June 2012, 21:48
no more than my lcr mate, they do 30-32 mpg on motorway sitting at 70-80
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: tweed on 26 June 2012, 21:48
So, to summarise the answers to my query on a Golf forum about which Golf to buy...



1 ) Buy a Skoda.

2 ) Buy a Bora.

3 ) Buy a BMW.

4 ) Mk3s are  driven by chavs.

5 ) Mk4s are increasingly being driven by chavs.

6 ) Buy a black Mk4 or a Mk2 shell (and presumably sit inside the latter making 'brrrm' noises).

7 ) Buy a Mk2 or Mk3 and fit a bigger engine (despite me saying I already have something quick).

8 ) Buy a Peugeot.


That about it?

Ok well £2000 gets you a mk4 20v turbo


The end!!
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: murraymint on 26 June 2012, 21:52
Vrs or bora gets my vote,
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: barrym381 on 26 June 2012, 21:56
no more than my lcr mate, they do 30-32 mpg on motorway sitting at 70-80
well mine used more than my s3  :smiley:
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: scarr89 on 26 June 2012, 22:06
Did anyone else read this and think why the f**k you want to spend £2k on a roundabout!?

I read the first page and thought the title and the first page don't make sense....Then the actual spelling hit me  :grin: :laugh:
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: barrym381 on 26 June 2012, 22:13
Did anyone else read this and think why the f**k you want to spend £2k on a roundabout!?

I read the first page and thought the title and the first page don't make sense....Then the actual spelling hit me  :grin: :laugh:
its those nasty diesel fumes gettin to you  :grin:
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: scottv6 on 26 June 2012, 22:14
no more than my lcr mate, they do 30-32 mpg on motorway sitting at 70-80
well mine used more than my s3  :smiley:


hmm depends how you drive  :wink:

Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: scarr89 on 26 June 2012, 22:17
no more than my lcr mate, they do 30-32 mpg on motorway sitting at 70-80
well mine used more than my s3  :smiley:


hmm depends how you drive  :wink:

I'v got a good remap...Don't smoke too much  :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: barrym381 on 26 June 2012, 22:17
no more than my lcr mate, they do 30-32 mpg on motorway sitting at 70-80
well mine used more than my s3  :smiley:


hmm depends how you drive  :wink:



its the sound of the 4mo i miss in a tunnel
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: scottv6 on 26 June 2012, 22:28
no more than my lcr mate, they do 30-32 mpg on motorway sitting at 70-80
well mine used more than my s3  :smiley:


hmm depends how you drive  :wink:


snap!!!! also miss how planted they feel compaired to a fwd car.


its the sound of the 4mo i miss in a tunnel
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: Bambam on 26 June 2012, 22:40
Did anyone else read this and think why the f**k you want to spend £2k on a roundabout!?


(http://www.pmamusements.co.uk/images/trad_rndabout_400.jpg)
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: T_J_G on 27 June 2012, 10:50
Bora 130TDI.

and a cheeky map.

Be a lot cheaper to run than most of the rest of the things being talked about in here.

Probably faster than some of them, too.

I concur!
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: nolandubholmes on 30 June 2012, 14:47
Bora as good as they are I'd rather drive a rover 75 or sh!t my pants and sit down
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 30 June 2012, 21:17
Ive gotta say even though the Bora may be one of the most sensible choices it's hardly going to win any merits for appearance is it.
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: Gavv8 on 01 July 2012, 09:25
Ive gotta say even though the Bora may be one of the most sensible choices it's hardly going to win any merits for appearance is it.
But that can work in your favour at the traffic light grand prix, a bora?? :laugh: ...........sh*t where's he gone ?.....
Title: Re: £2000 To Spend On A Runabout.
Post by: golf-sib on 01 July 2012, 23:21
Get the bora, then you don't have to do all the popular mods that mk4 owners do. E.g.
Bora vents
Bora clocks
Bora front
And so on...

The thing I hate about the mk4 is how common it is, especially amongst chavs, I just want to sell mine for that fact along even though I've had no issues with mine. However with that money I'd be looking at diesels, for running costs and reliability. If you want a petrol the 1.8T isn't to bad, a dull engine out the box, but a remap put it to how it should have come out the factory, the earlier units such as the AGU seem to be the most reliable due to a lot less electronic components.