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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: I Want GTI on 23 January 2004, 23:56

Title: To buy or not to buy??
Post by: I Want GTI on 23 January 2004, 23:56
Having flicked through Autotrader, I'm considering buying a MK 3 GTI. However, I've been surfing for lots of reviews & found that the MK 3 gets real bad press!! Lots of negative reviews with people more favoured to the MK 2. I think this was due to more reliability against the MK 3.

So. Do I go for MK 3 or MK 2??

I need more info & all will be appreciated.

Andy.
Title: Re:To buy or not to buy??
Post by: Veedubgt18v on 23 January 2004, 23:59
if you go for a mk2 get a 16v cos the 8's are a bit slow (sorry mk3 8v peeps) but i would go for a mk 2 cos they are class, try and drive both see which one you prefer, i would get a mk2 tho.
Title: Re:To buy or not to buy??
Post by: Veedubgt18v on 24 January 2004, 00:00
read this for some history

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?board=2;action=display;threadid=5132

and check this site for a buying guide

http://www.matey-matey.com/golf_buying_guide5.shtml
Title: Re:To buy or not to buy??
Post by: jasonpi on 24 January 2004, 00:53
if you go for a mk2 get a 16v cos the 8's are a bit slow (sorry mk3 8v peeps) but i would go for a mk 2 cos they are class, try and drive both see which one you prefer, i would get a mk2 tho.
have to disagree there with the 16v you have to rev them quite hard but the 8v has power on tap sorry 16v boys
Title: Re:To buy or not to buy??
Post by: Veedubgt18v on 24 January 2004, 10:16
my mk 2 is 8v! good for town driving like i do, and they are good from low down in the rev rangeif you want quick get an 8v but if you want quicker get a 16v  :-\
Title: Re:To buy or not to buy??
Post by: dubhed on 24 January 2004, 10:39
I would go for a mk2 over mk3 anyday - reason being in parkers buying guide it says mk3 'not as good handling as the Peugeot 306'. i had a Pug DTurbo Sport before my mk2 golf (what was i thinkin!) and it was no way near as good handling as was hyped up to be, so i would not be tempted to go for the mk3 unles u were plannin on upratin the suspension? had my mk2 8v a year now and never looked back. even with suspension badly in need of overhaul still handles pretty good for a 15 yr old! go for it :)
Title: Re:To buy or not to buy??
Post by: Blue MK2 on 24 January 2004, 12:59
i wouldnt mind a mk3 but get a mk2  :)
Title: Re:To buy or not to buy??
Post by: jadegreen gti on 24 January 2004, 13:57
mk2 mate
 ;D
Title: Re:To buy or not to buy??
Post by: GTIMKiiJODE on 24 January 2004, 18:36
It may take you time to find a good mk ii but it will definately be worth the wait. They handle better, go slightly quicker and interior is loads nicer in my opinion. I drive 200000K 8v MKii and its superb. Driven 8v mkiii and it was dissapointing.

Get MKii in my opinion.
Title: Re:To buy or not to buy??
Post by: vaughn on 24 January 2004, 18:44
you want a mk2 16v,  ;D just make sure you check it over
Title: Re:To buy or not to buy??
Post by: I Want GTI on 24 January 2004, 22:37
Cheers guys!

Thanks for all your response. Nice pics too.

I've found a dealer in Southampton called Wagenwheels. A VW MK2&3 specialist. Their website looks good, so will call them when I'm ready to go look at some specs.

Cheers again
Andy
Title: Re:To buy or not to buy??
Post by: Dragon6 on 25 January 2004, 11:22
both mk2`s are damn fine cars and will put a smile on your face everytime you go for a blast,the 16v does have the edge in my book a good example of either is worth grabbing as good ones getting thin on the ground now..good luck
Title: Re:To buy or not to buy??
Post by: Gambit on 26 January 2004, 09:16
if you go for a mk2 get a 16v cos the 8's are a bit slow (sorry mk3 8v peeps) but i would go for a mk 2 cos they are class, try and drive both see which one you prefer, i would get a mk2 tho.
have to disagree there with the 16v you have to rev them quite hard but the 8v has power on tap sorry 16v boys

the usual 8v/16v debate!, a well setup 16v will produce more torque than an 8v from about 1800rpm up, there was a big debate on this before and there was an article printed on here which quoted all this

drive an 8v & a 16v and you'll understand the difference, the 16v behaves like an 8v up until 4200rpm then it just pulls right the way round to 7200rpm, an 8v will tale off at around 5000rpm

Title: Re:To buy or not to buy??
Post by: Dragon6 on 26 January 2004, 19:13


drive an 8v & a 16v and you'll understand the difference, the 16v behaves like an 8v up until 4200rpm then it just pulls right the way round to 7200rpm, an 8v will tale off at around 5000rpm


I have both 8v and a 16v mk2 and I think the above simple paragraph sums up the whole debate between both models
Title: Re:To buy or not to buy??
Post by: rubjonny on 27 January 2004, 09:55
Buy a late MK2 AND a MK3, then put the engine, dash and loom from the MK3 into the MK2 :)
Title: Re:To buy or not to buy??
Post by: Veedubgt18v on 27 January 2004, 21:34
if you go for a mk2 get a 16v cos the 8's are a bit slow (sorry mk3 8v peeps) but i would go for a mk 2 cos they are class, try and drive both see which one you prefer, i would get a mk2 tho.
have to disagree there with the 16v you have to rev them quite hard but the 8v has power on tap sorry 16v boys

were it says mk2 16v i meant to put mk3 16v sorry