GolfGTIforum.co.uk
General => General discussion => Topic started by: P.D.F on 28 March 2004, 20:28
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I'm looking to get myself a MK4 1.8 GTI, this month hopefully, but, most of the ones I've seen within my budget seem to be ex-company cars as they all have high mileage (60/70,000 +).
Is it worth me getting one with high mileage? or shouldn't I really bother? As I'm planning on keeping it for a good 5 years at least.
Probably a dumb question to ask, but I don't know anything about Golfs, other than the fact I want one ;)
Also, is there anything in particular that I should be looking out for when I go and look at them?
I've only ever had Fords (and a R5 GT Turbo) so I haven't got any experience with VW's.
Nice one.
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They are good engines, but Id save more and get a lower milage car... (I love low milage cars... the less miles, the less wear they've had, the less chance of summet breaking)
The Diesel engines will last longer than the petrol engines...
Id say
200,000miles for the Diesel
150,000miles for the Petrol
... IMO
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They are good engines, but Id save more and get a lower milage car... (I love low milage cars... the less miles, the less wear they've had, the less chance of summet breaking)
Hmmmmmm, thought someone would say that.
What would you call high mileage? I'm looking at a 99/00 model, and some of the ones I've seen have about 70K +, would they be worth avoiding then? I only do about 10,000 per year, if that, and will probably only keep it for 5 years or at least til I finish paying for it.
It's not like I could save my money a bit longer cos I was gonna part-ex my current car and pay the rest off on finance. Well, thats assuming I get a decent amount for my current car. Otherwise I might end up getting a a MK3.
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Nothing wrong with mk3's ... ;)
My preference is ...
Buy one with less than average miles
But thats me.
My car is knocking on 7yr old and has 68,000 miles... so its under average.
I wouldnt have bought it if it was now knocking on 90,000.
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You after the turbo or NA 1.8 ?
I bought mine with 54k on the clock ('99 T) same as you I do about 10k a year. I figure VW are known for making lasting engines, so if it's got 85k on it when I sell so be it.
I can't see them depreciating much more, I mean.. how much were they new ? 18/19k ? and I paid 6800, if I have to sell it for 5k I won't cry about it ;)
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a lot of the new golfs with highish mileage will have been used on the motorway so no real harm will be done unless really thrashed, i have a 2001 2.0 gti with 15,000 miles and it drinks oil. remember a 99 car could be 5 years old and with the average mileage per year going up (they say about 15,000 miles a year, it used to be 12,000) thats an average of 75,000 miles so if you can get one with 50-60,000 thousand on you`ll be safe. i would still go for a 1.8gti and get the AA to check it
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Cheers guys :D
I'm not after the turbo, just the normal 1.8 GTI as I doubt the insurance would be too good if I had the turbo. Mind you, I did have a R5 GT Turbo when I was 19 and paid ?1800 fully comp ::)
I will be getting it checked out by the AA, but is there anything in particular that I should be looking out for?
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You after the turbo or NA 1.8 ?
I bought mine with 54k on the clock ('99 T) same as you I do about 10k a year. I figure VW are known for making lasting engines, so if it's got 85k on it when I sell so be it.
I can't see them depreciating much more, I mean.. how much were they new ? 18/19k ? and I paid 6800, if I have to sell it for 5k I won't cry about it ;)
Looks like you got a good deal there. I'm looking at 99/00 with about 60/70k on the clock and they're priced around ?7500.
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U paid more for the insurance than the baked bean tin was worth???
ouch.
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if your getting it checked out by the AA i wouldnt worry but putting a thread in the mk4 section might help give it a couple of days and you`ll get a load of responces
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insurance is a big plus if your thinking of a 1.8 non turbo gti, as for some reason theyve been banged in the group 10 insurance catagorey, which is a good deal as for some reason the 2.0 gti is much higher and dosent have as much go!!, i have a 99 1.8 gti and have only had the common mk4 probs, (breaking window regulator, and rear wash pipe leak, and the infamous door hinge 'creek' which comes and goes, other than that no probs) as for mileage dont worry, these engines arent loos till 150,000 miles so even then you aint gonna have no probs, mine was 69k when i got 11 mths ago and now just nearly touching 80k, it runs fine and i do my own servicing so go get one there a good car mate!!
Gaz
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U paid more for the insurance than the baked bean tin was worth???
ouch.
Yup, I know, I was a mug. Well, the car was worth a little more than that, and I did only keep it for a few months, so it's not like I paid the full amount on the insurance tho ;)
if your getting it checked out by the AA i wouldnt worry but putting a thread in the mk4 section might help give it a couple of days and you`ll get a load of responces
Will do.
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Hey there.
As a price guide...
I got my 1999 1.8 20v Normally-aspirated Mk4 GTI for ?7500 from a main VW dealer. It had 2 previous owners but only 45,000 miles on the clock. Doesn't have a full VW service history, but it has a full service history none-the-less.
It was advertised at over ?8K, but I haggled them down cos the bonnet needed a respray (which they chucked in for free!). :)
As for insurance, I'm with Admiral and pay ?650 (I'm 23 with 2 yrs no claims).
I test drove a couple of 2-litre GTIs of similar age before I bought mine, and I would deffo recommend the 1.8 over the 2.0 (20valves versus 8valves.... no contest 8)).
But.... if you can afford it go for the 1.8T. You'll probably expect to pay ?1000-2000 more, but for the price there aren't many quicker hatches about. ;D (At my age, I didn't fancy the insurance, and besides, I couldn't find any decent examples at a good price when I was looking to buy :P).
Hope this helps.
Rich.
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Hey there.
As a price guide...
I got my 1999 1.8 20v Normally-aspirated Mk4 GTI for ?7500 from a main VW dealer. It had 2 previous owners but only 45,000 miles on the clock. Doesn't have a full VW service history, but it has a full service history none-the-less.
It was advertised at over ?8K, but I haggled them down cos the bonnet needed a respray (which they chucked in for free!). :)
As for insurance, I'm with Admiral and pay ?650 (I'm 23 with 2 yrs no claims).
I test drove a couple of 2-litre GTIs of similar age before I bought mine, and I would deffo recommend the 1.8 over the 2.0 (20valves versus 8valves.... no contest 8)).
But.... if you can afford it go for the 1.8T. You'll probably expect to pay ?1000-2000 more, but for the price there aren't many quicker hatches about. ;D (At my age, I didn't fancy the insurance, and besides, I couldn't find any decent examples at a good price when I was looking to buy :P).
Hope this helps.
Rich.
Cheers dude, thats a great help :)
I think I may leave the 1.8T til I'm older, seeing as I'm only gonna be 24 with 5 years no claims when I get the car next month.
The insurance you pay is really good. At the moment, I pay about ?480 for my T-reg Fiesta Zetec ::)