buying advice for mkII gti 8v

[boltos1]

Hi everyone , I'm looking to buy an mkII gti 8v the later ones if possible1990-1 .What should i be looking out for when test driving/ inspecting? i don't want to buy a "dog" . I'm new to this forum so any advice would be appreciated thanks.

[g0ldf1sh]

Hi,

I bought an 8 Valve some months ago now.  I too wanted a very nice one (i'm sure we all do), took me a little while of looking in the back of VW magazines like PVW etc.  I found one after a few weeks and drove to Nottingham to get it. 

FVSH 88K in the Rare Blue colour (metallic light blue-500 made??) with a lovely set of Brock German wheels and a sound system.  They are out there you just have to look hard.  My car was up for ?3750 eventually i had it for ?3000.  It's still worth that as it's in better condition now than when i bought it.

Just make sure you do your homework first, have a really lengthy look over the car, check normal rust spots, which are bootlid, wiper panel on the front of the car, arches etc.  Most VW's are sort of enthusiast owned anyway and people normally have folders full of stuff about the car.  Old MOT's etc.  Check through them all to verify mileage etc. 

Hope that helps!

Good luck.

[phillyh]

i found mine on Ebay, it cost me 560 quid plus about another 100 in train and fuel (cos i live in north wales and the car was in eastbourne)

the reason it was soooo cheap was mainly because it had been banged on the front, and there were some untidy parts.
the most worrying thing about it was it's tendancy to smoke after ig to warm. i still dont know whats causing it but its given me no problems whatsoever. it had done 130k and was on its 3rd owner. i would advice caution when buying a car for less than a grand, i got fairly lucky (touch wood)

look for VW history, do a car check with the AA or someone. stay clear of thrashed ones. if youre gonna spend decent money then hold out for one thats absolutely mint, theres plenty to choose from.
finally if you go to see one thats some distance away, be prepared to dissapoint yourself and GET BACK ON THE TRAIN if it's a bit iffy.

happy hunting

[Rain]

i bought mine for ?350 been neglected but a good runner i was after a fixer uper tho. most important thing is know what you want and check the car over throughly, dont buy something you havent seen ie ebayer would normally let you view before hand. if you dont know what to look for probably best you find a mate that knows. if your not happy walk away or if the price isnt right haggle alot.

[boltos1]

Thanks for the advice, I'm looking to spend about ?1000 on one but willing to go a bit more for the right car i don't mind doing a bit of work on it myself . I live in north Wales there doesn't seem to be a lot of chioce around these parts  . i'll keep my eye out for one , thanks again

[Veedubgt18v]

follow this and you wont go wrong

http://www.matey-matey.com/golf_buying_guide5.shtml

[piggy]

I used the Matey guide and it helped alot
Also the previously mention E bay is the only place to regularly find cheap motors, but you've got to be prepared to travel to check them out properly.
I just luv E bay Paid ?1100 for my H plate 8v 5 door with full history and just under 70K. Get one with lots of documentation. Buy the best one you can afford it's cheaper in the long run

[boltos1]

i've seen a 1991 H golf mkII gti 8v 3dr met gray 100.000 miles 1 owner and it say's service history but how much i don't know and full m.o.t but no tax for ?850 cheap? or does it sound  too good to be true ? it's a bit of a drive away for me but might go and see it on sunday.

[piggy]

You sometimes have to travel miles for the one u luv

[vwsystems]

floor pan for rust. door pillars, rear wheel arches,
most things are every obvious! if the car looks good it normaly is! just got to get one which is used nearly everyday, this way the engine and brakes will be kept in good condition and so with the battery, when cars are not driven things fcuk up on them......not to mention the rear calipers which can be a real pain to get right! mines had 2 new calipers and i dont think its still right..... the new one still doesnt hold right!

any engine noise! abit of clatter is normal...... as long as there is no knocking! which suggests big end bearings!
when you rev it in neutral they bang but then there under load as driving down the street they go quiet!

as long as its been getting oil changes and its had oil levels checked weekly or even less and its had good oil used the engine should be ok.... mines on 208000 its burns oil about 250ml every 90mile but i do drive it very hard!......... and its still going!