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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: steviem on 06 April 2006, 20:29

Title: Thinking of a MK3
Post by: steviem on 06 April 2006, 20:29
Hi,

I'm thinking of going away from my incredibly unreliable mk2 GTI to a mk3 2.0 8v GTI. The insurance difference for me is £18, bit of a bargain, eh!

So apologies for calling the mk3 a boat, etc..

I'm going to have a look at the one in Walthamstow (its in the cars for sale section 'Cheap MK 3Golf GTI only £600')

It looks quite sound, but just would like your advice for anything to look out for.

Title: Re: Thinking of a MK3
Post by: steviem on 06 April 2006, 20:54
no worries, although i was being proper lazy just now, as there are a couple of ickle threads on here, but any other guides you can find would be great!
Title: Re: Thinking of a MK3
Post by: monkeyalan on 06 April 2006, 20:57
at that price the obvious things really .
Signs of accident damage/repair, blue smoke on start up.
check the abs light comes on then goes out after about 10 seconds.
get it HPI'd too. it's only £40 and seeing as there no service history it's probably worth it to be safe.
the seats aren't recaro either, just standart gti sports seats.
you'll be needing a new glovebox handle by the looks of things too.
I think you'll need a new windscreen to get through the MOT as he says it's cracked.
TBH it looks a bit of  a dog, i'd spend a bit more on a better one. you may end up with more trouble than you started with.
Title: Re: Thinking of a MK3
Post by: BigDaveC on 06 April 2006, 21:01
I'm sorry, but anyone willing to give their Dub away for that money is not an enthuiast or there is something majorly wrong with it. :undecided:
Title: Re: Thinking of a MK3
Post by: steviem on 06 April 2006, 21:06
Yeah, I'm gonna have a looksee at it, and I'll do an hpi on it but if anythings majorly wrong or dodgy with it, it'll be a no...

it looks like he only signed up to shift his car, so doubt hes an enthusiast.

at the end of the day, its only a 10 minute drive from mine, so it'd be rude not to have a look...

oh yeah, how does handling compare with a mk2?
Title: Re: Thinking of a MK3
Post by: BigDaveC on 06 April 2006, 21:08
like a boat ! :grin:
Lower it though, and it's just as good ! (IMO):smug:
Title: Re: Thinking of a MK3
Post by: monkeyalan on 06 April 2006, 21:19
yeah , the mk3 never gonna be a nimble as a mk2. you can make em pretty decent with a bit of work tho. you'll feel a hell of a lot safer in it anyway. :grin:
Title: Re: Thinking of a MK3
Post by: vwagain on 06 April 2006, 21:34
Glad you've seen the light mate :grin: :grin: Only joking pal :cool:

It sounds like its worth looking at it just to see all that can go wrong with em :grin: :grin:

The gearbox's are known to be a little fragile, mines on its second and this one has started to leak :sad:  Also rust on the sills can be a problem especially on early ones!!!!!  Mine recently failed on rusty sills were some twit had jacked the car up with a trolley jack on the sill lip both sides and crushed the sills over letting the rot set in  :angry:

The 2.0l AGG lump is solid as a rock and can do many trouble free miles if serviced regularly. 

I agree though, spend a bit more and you will find a gem among the nasty ones.  Apart from the rust and leaky gbox(only a seal so im told) mine has been spot and i only paid around £1300 for it and its a 96 with private plate, air con ,lecy roof and windows, abs, airbag, pearlescent paint, lowered boge sussy,etc,etc.

Stu

Title: Re: Thinking of a MK3
Post by: steviem on 06 April 2006, 21:39
So do you think a bilge pump would help with any leakage? :laugh:
Title: Re: Thinking of a MK3
Post by: vwagain on 06 April 2006, 21:44
So do you think a bilge pump would help with any leakage? :laugh:


 :grin: :grin: :grin:

Stu
Title: Re: Thinking of a MK3
Post by: vwagain on 06 April 2006, 21:55
like a boat ! :grin:
Lower it though, and it's just as good ! (IMO):smug:

Agree with that totaly. Mine handles superbly :cool: Especially now ive had the rear beam bushes replaced :smiley:

Stu
Title: Re: Thinking of a MK3
Post by: steviem on 06 April 2006, 22:07
a glovebox handle is £8 from euro car parts....

oh yeah, what size speakers are in the doors?
Title: Re: Thinking of a MK3
Post by: monkeyalan on 06 April 2006, 22:19
17cm
Title: Re: Thinking of a MK3
Post by: steviem on 07 April 2006, 11:01
HPI says no...

No mk3 for me
Title: Re: Thinking of a MK3
Post by: monkeyalan on 07 April 2006, 11:09
what came up?
Title: Re: Thinking of a MK3
Post by: steviem on 07 April 2006, 11:12
Cat C, so the likeliness is it'll be more trouble than my mk2 is...

I could see how much he wants for the dash, tho...
Title: Re: Thinking of a MK3
Post by: monkeyalan on 07 April 2006, 12:57
there are 3 near-ish to you on autotrader for under a grand that all look a bit more honest.
Title: Re: Thinking of a MK3
Post by: steviem on 07 April 2006, 13:16
Yeah, seen another 3 door GTI for £795 thats 12 miles away, so think I'm gonna look at that one...
Title: Re: Thinking of a MK3
Post by: ToRo on 07 April 2006, 15:50
You can get a glovebox handle from the scrappy for free :P

Oh, and good choice stevie :D It begins...