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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: LM on 18 April 2006, 00:33

Title: noob on the way to buy a mk2
Post by: LM on 18 April 2006, 00:33
Hi there my name is Luis and i'm from Portugal.
I currently own a Renault 11 turbo but I've been with my eye on a whit mke gti 8v.
I'd like you guys to tell me what i should look for in the car so I don't get riped off ;)
BTw great forum! :nerd:
Title: Re: noob on the way to buy a mk2
Post by: takethefifth on 18 April 2006, 00:43
Hi and welcome, good choice!  :wink:

This should help:  http://www.matey-matey.com/golf_buying_guide.shtml
Title: Re: noob on the way to buy a mk2
Post by: LM on 18 April 2006, 01:01
Thanks ;)
When i was a kid may dad had a mk1 gti and i totally loved it...
I'll post some pics of the mk2 for you guys to tell me what you think.
Title: Re: noob on the way to buy a mk2
Post by: takethefifth on 18 April 2006, 01:11
I know what you mean, when i was a teenager the golf gti was the only car i wanted! Took me ten years but  finally i am on my second!

Here's to retro class and childhood dreams!  :grin:

If you let people know the spec and price and such i am sure they will be happy to give you their views on whether its a good buy or not.
Title: Re: noob on the way to buy a mk2
Post by: LM on 18 April 2006, 01:51
http://fotos.sapo.pt/evolution/gallery/000058f5

This is a gallery with all the pics I have from the car.
It's from '86 and has 212000kms and it's imported.
Let me know your opinion :)
Title: Re: noob on the way to buy a mk2
Post by: takethefifth on 18 April 2006, 02:38
I make that about 130k miles and its looking good! Engine bay/bodywork/interior is nice and tidy.

Have you had chance to drive it yet? Any service history? Any known problems?

And i suppose price is the key, but i have no idea what would be a high or low price for a car in portugal!
Title: Re: noob on the way to buy a mk2
Post by: Neaty on 18 April 2006, 04:18
Does look very tidy, good thing about it being over in portugal is there isnt going to be any rust which is half the battle with cars of that age.

Take it for a test drive to see if it feels solid over all. Check that there is no play between gears especially 1st, 2nd anr reverse, wear of the "syncro mesh" is a common trait with mark 1 and mark 2 GTI's.

Check that there is no blue smoke coming out of the exhaust when you rev it and check that there is no creamy sludge under the oil filler cap (head gasket problems if there is).

with those few things they are all tell tale signs of how good the car is.


EDIT: Welcome to the forum by the way aswell...........where are my manners?  :grin:
Title: Re: noob on the way to buy a mk2
Post by: NicolaLane on 18 April 2006, 10:27
hiya welcome to the forum! :smiley:


i don't know as much as these guys about what goes on under the bonnet but it looks pretty tidy to me! as long as its not silly money and it passes neaty's check list i think it'll make a good buy!

130k.... its still a baby!!  :grin:
Title: Re: noob on the way to buy a mk2
Post by: LM on 18 April 2006, 12:50
I haven't had the chance to drive it yet because the papers of my renault where impounded by the police because i had a straigth thru exhaust (here it is legal to tune your car...).
I already know it needs a transmission axle for the right side but other than that I don't know much about the car.
Just waiting for the situation of my turbo to be solved and I'm meeting the Golf :P
Title: Re: noob on the way to buy a mk2
Post by: LM on 19 April 2006, 13:14
Btw does anyone know any common mods I can easily do on the engine?
Title: Re: noob on the way to buy a mk2
Post by: tobz. on 19 April 2006, 13:25
Hi LM
Welcome to the forum.
The car looks nice and tidy for an early example of a mk2 gti.
Mods are a little bit more difficult on the early 8v's as they had the k-jetronic injection system. That means they can't be chipped like the later digifant 8v's.
The easiest things to do would be to fit a k&n (or similar) replacement panel airfilter and consider a performance exhaust (if it wont get you into trouble again), if you then fit a longer duration camshaft that would make the most of the other mods and give you smoe sort of power gain.

Pricewise I guess that car would be worth about £600-1000 in this country, I think that's about 850-1400 euros.

Hope this helps
Toby
Title: Re: noob on the way to buy a mk2
Post by: LM on 20 April 2006, 10:13
The mechanical injection system suits me fine because I have some experience with race cars on carbs so it won't be that diferent (and i can ajust it more easilly than an electronic one).
The exhaust will probably be left fairly standard given it is the only eye spotable diference from standard looks but a 4 branch manifold will be given consideration.
The price he is asking is 1500€ but here used cars especially vags are more expensive as insurence is cheapper.
The main thing about the deal is that he's taking my turbo (just want to end the bad luck that it brought me).