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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: Waspy on 20 April 2013, 00:56

Title: Buying blind...
Post by: Waspy on 20 April 2013, 00:56
Hi everyone (first post, hopefully of many).

So I have always wanted a Mk2 GTI. And now I plan on getting one  :grin: . I live in Newcastle, and the availability of them here is incredibly limited. Generally online searches find cars which require a trek of 200 miles for a half decent one :/ I really don't have the time to galavant all over the country checking out cars which may, or may not be sound. So, my question is, would you ever buy blind? As in, after seeing ample pictures and the history, would you buy a car without first seeing it in the flesh or driving it?

It obviously isn't ideal, and I would never normally even consider it, but I am a bit stuck otherwise.
Title: Re: Buying blind...
Post by: Thom89 on 20 April 2013, 01:45
Welcome! Mk2s are now far too old to buy blind, so give it a miss! A much better solution to your problem would be to get yourself to a few of the many shows that are up and coming, especially this one...
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=245120.0


Thom
Title: Re: Buying blind...
Post by: e30adz on 20 April 2013, 07:32
Hi everyone (first post, hopefully of many).

So I have always wanted a Mk2 GTI. And now I plan on getting one  :grin: . I live in Newcastle, and the availability of them here is incredibly limited. Generally online searches find cars which require a trek of 200 miles for a half decent one :/ I really don't have the time to galavant all over the country checking out cars which may, or may not be sound. So, my question is, would you ever buy blind? As in, after seeing ample pictures and the history, would you buy a car without first seeing it in the flesh or driving it?

It obviously isn't ideal, and I would never normally even consider it, but I am a bit stuck otherwise.

How much are looking to spend?
Is it going to be your daily?
If you're looking at buying a nice, low maintenance example then you should go and see it first, if its a project then by all means take a punt on an ebay/gumtree etc turd.
I bought mine blind off ebay for £400, its my daily and in the 3 months I've had it its only let me done once when the starter motor went, easy cheap fix.
If i was to spend say £2000 on one there's no way i would buy blind as i would want a fairly mint car and some peoples opinion of 'mint' differs from mine!
Title: Re: Buying blind...
Post by: Waspy on 20 April 2013, 09:02
Thanks for the replies guys. That's pretty much what I though Thom, although I had overlooked the shows, which is a great shout!

I happy to spend up to about £2000, but for that I would want a pretty nice car! Obviously buying a car this age I am not scared of spending time keeping it nice. However I am not really after a "project". It will be my daily

Cheers
Title: Re: Buying blind...
Post by: X4MGS on 20 April 2013, 14:24
I bought mine blind 4 years ago, but only afterr many hours of chatting to the seller who it turned out was an ex VW mechanic & I dropped lucky.


I must admit I wouldn't do it again if it was going to be a keeper...


You really need to spend the time looking at 3 or 4 before even considering buying - unless you find one that really is perfect to your budget and requirements..


£2K should find you a nice one with sensible mileage and a sound body.


You need to make sure you buy on lack of rust, as thats what kills MK2's...


Mr Blue is selling a nice looking black 3 door - might be worth chatting to him about it.. (He's a MOD so it should be up to scratch..)
 
Title: Re: Buying blind...
Post by: Waspy on 20 April 2013, 20:08
Thanks for the reply, yeah I had seen Mr. Blue's already, unfortunately it sold. And Thanks for the tips, much appreciated  :smiley:

Was wondering if you guys knew any good places I should keep an eye on where they are commonly sold? 
Title: Re: Buying blind...
Post by: dubber36 on 23 April 2013, 10:29
To be perfectly honest you can't guarantee to find a nice, sensibly priced, rust free car without putting the miles in to see it for real.

I upped my budget when I bought mine 5 years ago and bought from a local specialist that had 3 suitable cars to choose from. I figured that I could have paid less money from a private sale, but all the time spent travelling round, sifting through the tat and not earning whilst doing that, could mean that the cheaper car may well actually be more expensive.   

Looking for cars at shows is a very good idea, but even then, don't be afraid to have a rear good poke round for rust. There are a lot of pretty looking cars out there, but whilst many owners of original, solid cars will want to keep them for ever, you need to question why someone would have theirs for sale. There is probably something lurking behind the big bumpers that they don't want to spend the money on. 
Title: Re: Buying blind...
Post by: 7unner172 on 23 April 2013, 12:56
pm on route waspy mate
Title: Re: Buying blind...
Post by: GOLF-MK3-GTI on 23 April 2013, 14:09
pm on route waspy mate

You can't PM Waspy, nor can they receive. you need 10 posts to PM  :grin:
Title: Re: Buying blind...
Post by: Waspy on 23 April 2013, 22:52
pm on route waspy mate

You can't PM Waspy, nor can they receive. you need 10 posts to PM  :grin:
pm on route waspy mate

What a nightmare, haha, I think he emailed me anyway (well someone did). if it is you I'll send you a text in a mo...

EDIT: And thanks for the advice dubber, that is pretty much the conclusion I am reaching.
Title: Re: Buying blind...
Post by: lewis1641 on 24 April 2013, 10:38
i have bought a few blind but only for a few hundred so little risk, i wouldnt drop £2k on anything without seeing it!

might be an idea if you see one miles away to post on here and see if someone would local could go and have a look for you first, might save you a few wasted journeys
Title: Re: Buying blind...
Post by: 7unner172 on 24 April 2013, 12:15
lol yeah was me that emailed bud
Title: Re: Buying blind...
Post by: BondandBigM on 25 April 2013, 04:00
Under normal circumstances I'd never buy without seeing but I bought this last summer over the phone and had it delivered. Worked out ok, the interior was shot but I managed to pick up another good one, the later arches and trim and a set of RA's.

Apart from a couple of months when the weather was bad I've used it every day and its never missed a beat. :)

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/JHL81/IMAG0746_zps1146ea10.jpg)

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/JHL81/cars/IMG_7788.jpg)

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/JHL81/IMAG0732_zps46169c03.jpg)

Get yourself down to the Windmill on the A19 next Wednesday night for the VAG cars meet, there are always plenty people turn up and maybe some can put you onto some local MK2's for sale

 http://www.thewindmillgroup.co.uk/