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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: Blazing Storm on 27 May 2008, 17:20

Title: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: Blazing Storm on 27 May 2008, 17:20
I've had my Golf two years and it's undergone a fair bit of work getting the basics done but in my head now I still have a long list of things I want done, which is going to cost quite a lot. I've lost faith in the current mechanic and don't know of any decent VW garages in Cornwall that charge a reasonable amount.

Some wayne kerr in a van badly scratched my door when I first got the car and the tailgate has a nasty rust spot, so I think it needs a respray. I have the paint already but finding a decent garage to do the bodywork getting it ready to paint is another thing.

The car's just got me down and as I don't need it to drive to work I'm wondering whether it's even worth keeping anymore and whether I should just get a cheap modern car that doesn't need much maintenance doing each year.

Don't know what to do... :undecided: Just hassle.
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: dan23 on 27 May 2008, 18:09
any car you have will be hassel mate, but if your getting to the point where your cant justify to yourself the costs its running up, get rid and get something else


im gonna get loadsa stick now for saying that lol
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: Khare on 27 May 2008, 18:10
i see where your coming from. To be honest its much asier a modern car. less hassle, more economic, less maintanance, more comfort.
But its a shame to let a clasic go. maybe invest the money that you would spend on a modern car into a good mk2.

for £5000 you can get a very decent 16v, or a very very very decent 8v.
for £7000 or £8000 you can get yourself a rallye. in a good condition.

up to you at the end of the day. but nothing beats a blast from the plast.
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: MarkS on 27 May 2008, 18:33
You'll miss it dude!
Guaranteed.

I've driven a 1.6 mk4 for a period of time
The mk2 is far superior in terms of petrol consumption, even when giving it some
It's more fun
And actually had more kit on it. Albeit- outside temperature sensors and mpg figures  :grin:
And, in my opinion, the mk2 is actually the nicer car to sit in.
Also, the mk4 let me down a couple of times.
left me ditched outside my girlfriends at 1am, waiting 2 hours for the AA and refused to start in a petrol station for a good 5 mins.
And you can work on the mk2 from home.
A modern car, more than likely, you'll be forking out bills for garages to do the work.
So the modern car isn't always an advantage

Plus a mk2 is, and always will be, a head turner. whereas who looks at a standard mk4 for example?
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: Khare on 27 May 2008, 21:36
Plus a mk2 is, and always will be, a head turner. whereas who looks at a standard mk4 for example?


very good point!
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: Diamond Hell on 27 May 2008, 21:39
Older cars are not for the weak.

Only the strong can live with older cars.

If you are weak then sell the car and get something newer.

If you're strong then buy some tools and work on it yourself - Golf2s are niether complex nor difficult to work on.
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: Blazing Storm on 27 May 2008, 21:45
Maybe I'm going through one of those love hate times again. I'd love to have the car looking really nice but it's thinking about all the hassle involved that makes me wonder why bother. I'm no mechanic, which is part of the problem really.

Must say at times I love driving the car though. It's just so fun and handles well. I have the most fun on the longer journeys.

I suppose after spending £200 on the paint I may as well finish it now. :lipsrsealed: I guess I just needed you guys to tell me it's worth doing. :laugh: :tongue:

The biggest problem with the car at the moment is that it's burning quite a lot of oil and not running too well. My brother checked my spark plugs for me and the first three are sooty whilst the fourth is really clean. It's a pain not knowing what's wrong with it but he says he'll run a series of tests which should determine what's wrong.
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: Simpson on 09 August 2008, 15:42
what colour is it? you got any pics? might be worht keeping the devil you know but it sounds like the engine needs some work. Does the paintwork look good apart from the tailgate? is there much rust? id be inclined to look for another although all of them need something doign to them unless they have been owned by an enthusiast who is going to want scene tax anyway.
I have thought the same but i dont like the look of modern cars they all look and most drive boring apart from the focus i must adit they habdle superb and are good fun but there would be no tinkering which would be dull. I would have a go yourself if you dont need the car for work it doesnt matter if you mess it up?  :smiley:
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: Blazing Storm on 09 August 2008, 17:15
Old thread and some stuff got deleted...

It's Capri Green. I never bothered taking any decent pictures of it.

I've decided I'm going back to standard and removing the sports cam and sports exhaust. At which point it's getting all the bodywork sorting and a full respray, including the engine bay. The engine's coming out and having a new clutch, gear linkages and maybe engine mounts and steering rack. it's also a possibility that the head will get a rebuild and anything else that needs sorting. I've been saving some money from my new job so can fund this now.

Thinking about getting some new wheels after the work's carried out. Perhaps some Ronal LS wheels as I think they look good on a MK2.

Since buying it a couple of years ago I have had done to it:

• New OEM standard suspension front and rear
• 3 new under vehicle fuel lines
• New clutch cable
• New throttle cable and pedal bush
• New door membrane fitting passenger side
• Driving lamps fitted
• New OEM gear stick gaiter
• Heater control cable fitting
• New OEM rear axle bushes fitted
• New OEM flexy brake hoses fitted
• New MK3 rear calipers fitted
• New OEM front and rear brake discs and pads fitted
• New OEM wheel bearings fitted front and rear
• New metal brake pipes fitted
• New OEM knock sensor fitting
• New wish bones, bushes, tie rod ends etc. fitted
• New OEM CV boot driver's side
• New OEM cambelt and tensioner fitted
• New belts fitted
• All obvious service items changed
• 4 brand new Avon ZV3 tyres fitted
• Kent GS2H camshaft fitted
• Mongoose full stainless steel exhaust fitted

There's other stuff but I forget some of it. :tongue:
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: Uruk Hai on 09 August 2008, 17:38
Older cars are not for the weak.

Only the strong can live with older cars.

If you are weak then sell the car and get something newer.


And blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth  :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:   Your joking arent you !

It would be more accurate if it read "Only the strong can live with older cars and only the skint have to !"

Me having a "old" MK2 has nothing to do with being strong or week and everything to do with the fact that I havent saved enough for my next car yet, I can assure you that had I the money I wouldnt be driving a 17 year old Golf   :grin:

Back to the sublect in hand ! Just looked through the list of things you've bought and fitted and its blindingly obvious that you've spent a lot of time and money on that car and is it a case of a few more things and its sorted or have you just lost interest in it altogether ? I think you have to work out if your going through a "I cant be assed" phase (I can only guess we all do !) or have you realy lost the heart to carry on with it ?
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: Diamond Hell on 10 August 2008, 00:12
Your joking arent you !

No.

The meek ain't gonna inherit sh1t.

See the good Book of Larry for further details.
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: Blazing Storm on 10 August 2008, 01:04
Back to the sublect in hand ! Just looked through the list of things you've bought and fitted and its blindingly obvious that you've spent a lot of time and money on that car and is it a case of a few more things and its sorted or have you just lost interest in it altogether ? I think you have to work out if your going through a "I cant be assed" phase (I can only guess we all do !) or have you realy lost the heart to carry on with it ?

Don't forget this was back in May. At the time I was really fed up but as time has gone on I feel better about it.

It flew through the last MOT with no advisories and should only need a little welding for the next one. The thing that gets me down is just how f**king useless the last owner was as it needed so much doing. Had I known I would have bought something else.

However, as stated in my last post I have plans to sort it out now I have the money.
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: Uruk Hai on 10 August 2008, 14:11
Your joking arent you !

No.

The meek ain't gonna inherit sh1t.

See the good Book of Larry for further details.

It was a joke  :wink:

And I'm glad you've made your choice, considering what you've already done its probably the right one  :smiley:
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: AdamHowarth on 05 October 2008, 17:17
Seriously mate, dont do it! Gettin rid of that Golf will most certainly be a regret in the future. I went through the same stage a while back after experiencing problem after problem........... but then you fix it up that one day, take it for a long cruise and you realise why you bought the thing in the first place. They're truly awesome motors.
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: Blazing Storm on 05 October 2008, 17:42
Well, I have some good news guys - it's finally getting some of the issues sorted.

For starters some new spark plugs were fitted and that made quite a difference alone. It seems it didn't like the old type I used. Secondly when we took the dizzy off the middle electrode was missing, obviously after destroying itself somehow - A new dizzy will get fitted.

I've had a new cambelt fitted and the static timing set up properly. It was half a tooth out before. It's getting there and should run well again soon.

It's having other bits fitted too including a new sump, new metal water pipe and rubber hose, new handbrake cables, an oil leak sorted from the oil filter area and various other bits.

The injectors are getting tested this week to make sure they're not overfuelling.

There's a long list of bits that will be changed but it's getting done in a certain order.
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: iMation on 05 October 2008, 17:47
Good job on getting it back to what you wnat mate
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: Blazing Storm on 05 October 2008, 17:52
Thanks mate. It's nice getting it underway. Next job is getting the heater nice and toasty.

Plans ahead of that are fitting a new clutch fitted, all new gear linkages, new engine mounts and possibly G60 brakes. The steering rack will also need looking at as it's still weeping slightly. When the engine comes out I plan to get the car resprayed, after rust is treated and dents etc. sorted.
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: The Silver Surfer on 05 October 2008, 19:13
The lad down the street bought one of those massive Range Rover things - bling everywhere  , V8 engine big enough to fly a plane.

He comes home on the back of a recovery truck today, gearbox fell off - repair price  - £3569


Now that might make you feel a little  :angry:



Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: Rodriguez on 05 October 2008, 20:49
Ha, if I had the money I'd have THREE of em.  Keeping this one OEM, a custom euro VR and a stripped out racer for the GTi championship. 
I remember shopping my 2.9 in for a brand new Honda Civic.  The hassles stopped, of course, but guess which one I remember with the most fondness........ :wink:
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: sidecarphil on 05 October 2008, 21:06
The lad down the street bought one of those massive Range Rover things - bling everywhere  , V8 engine big enough to fly a plane.

He comes home on the back of a recovery truck today, gearbox fell off - repair price  - £3569


Now that might make you feel a little  :angry:





change them all the time :) sh1*e thing's they are LOL
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: tomcatscreenplays on 05 October 2008, 21:58
Never ever sell it. just get it louder, lower and faster. I sold my mk2 16v and am still trying to find out who has it to get it back. You'll regret it if you do.
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: Blazing Storm on 06 October 2008, 21:52
Another development today. Had loads of bits fitted and we took the distributor out to find it's totally knackered. The windows are catching on the sensor so time for a new distributor. We're hoping it might be one of the reasons for the rough running. A brand new VAG distributor is being ordered as well as a few other bits.

I'm getting the back right door handle replaced too as it's been broken for ages now.

Here's hoping it's over soon and I can finally drive my car again. :tongue:
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: Blazing Storm on 15 October 2008, 10:04
The new distributor was fitted yesterday along with some other stuff being done. I'm having the injectors sent off today for a refurb as we think one of them has been overfuelling.

There's some welding required for the MOT, which is booked for the end of the month. Just hope it passes.
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: Blazing Storm on 18 October 2008, 22:08
Just in case anyone's interested, I received my refurbed injectors the other day. Just need fitting and should hopefully improve things. I'm hoping my MPG will improve as well as general running.

Not too much left to do to it before I can drive it again. Not sure when the respray is happening now as the people that were going to do it have moved premises, so not as easy anymore.
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: JC on 18 October 2008, 22:20
will be worth it in the end, mine comes off the road in 12 days ( if it dont sell first  :undecided: )  and its only cos i want to improve it .


but after a good threash today I know i shall miss me it


still, allus got me Driving Miss Daisy car to plod about in  :grin:
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: Blazing Storm on 31 October 2008, 10:47
Well, the car's driveable again. :cool:

Unfortunately when we put one of the refurbed injectors back in it decided to break - the end came off pissing petrol everywhere. I had to buy a new injector, which wasn't cheap but at least it works now.

It was tuned yesterday. Still sounds like a tank but must be the cam/exhaust giving it that note.

Just a small bit of welding left but MOT is next Tuesday. Had to be re-booked a week later than planned as the injector broke.
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: Jay on 31 October 2008, 13:50
Hope it sails through the MOT :afro:
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: Blazing Storm on 31 October 2008, 14:24
Thanks. It sailed through last year with no advisories so hopefully will this time too. :smiley:
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: Blazing Storm on 04 November 2008, 19:42
My car passed its MOT today with no advisories. Well happy. :cool:
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: Jay on 04 November 2008, 20:19
My car passed its MOT today with no advisories. Well happy. :cool:

Awesome.
Title: Re: Is it worth it anymore?
Post by: Blazing Storm on 04 November 2008, 20:34
Got the strict tester too who's known to be fussy so was lucky. :tongue:

All ready for my trip up to Devon this week now. Just needs a clean inside and out.