New, Clueless, Young.

[Christopher]

Hey there guys 
Thought I'd introduce myself, give a bit of background info and the like. I'm Chris, only 16 at the minute, 17 In march, so around now I'm looking out, trying to learn about it all  Now, I'm not sure how your all going to feel about a young'un like me hanging around here, But I can assure you im not some useless n*b. Just a lad who has a bit more taste than to go for the usual first car crap you find the steriotypical idiots with. Hense why I'm here as I loves Golf's and egor to get clued up on them etc... 

So, now down to the stuff everyone actually cares about, the cars . I've always loved Golf's, Absolutly adored the R32 since i was about 13, and always fancied a Golf as my first car but always imagined insurance would be pretty hefty... Untill the other night i was out with my mate who this week is picking himself up a MK5 2lt turbo. Who mentioned the insurance was only Group 8! This got me pretty exited as come on, A Saxo VTR (Not that I'd ever want one) Is a group 8 too. Need I say much more...
Anyway, upon realising the insurance was really good (As long as you werent going for 2lt GTi's or whatever ) I started looking around, found this forum and started having a real good read up about them & tried to get my head around what everything is, what it does ETC... As if you were to give me £30K and told me to come back with a fully kitted out Golf... I wouldn't have the slightest clue what to buy or what to do with it  :embarassed:
I decided that even though I would absolutly adore a 1.8t, or not even the turbo version... I can see myself getting pretty hammared with the insurance  So I've pretty much decided upon a 1.4, even if its just for the first year or so untill i can save up some more & get myself some no claims bonus!

I came across what seems to be a really good price for a 1999 V reg 1.4 Golf - Petrol. I'm not sure wether I should post what I'm going to here, or in another part of the forum? I'll give a brief outline anyway and if one of you could let me know as to where I can ask about it, I'd be greatfull!
Basically is dirt cheap, But there are a few little bits that need doing, but it all sort of adds up if you get me... For example new front tyres & just general tlc. I'm thinking this would be worth investing in as what I'm planning on doing would be to buy it, & with the money spare, have the work done that was needed, tinker some bits if theres any spare cash - All ready for when I turn 17 in March. Meaning I wouldnt just be buying a car 5 months before i can drive it 

Anyway, Once I know where to post up about that specific car above, Ask about how much the work will cost, if it's worth it ETC... I will do!
Thanks for listening and I look forward to learning everything you throw at me,
Chris 

[jeynesey]

Firstly welcome to the forum

If you are looking at a mk4 (good choice) Read this
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=38557.0

IMO Dont get a 1.4, will be too heavy, maybe look at getting a polo instead?? Or stretch yourself and get a bigger engine, maybe the 1.8 NA??

If you do get a mk4, be prepared to get your wallet emptied pretty quick, but you will have the smugness of knowing your car is better than all their (delete as appropriate) saxo's/nova's/clio's

Nick

[Christopher]

Thanks  I will do!
When you say heavy... Do you mean on fuel, or just generally sluggish? I don't know you see. I've never thought of a Polo, just never taken my fancy if im honest. I could stretch as I've got roughly around 2000 to play with on the car itself at the moment, so you think a 1.8 would be better suited? The non-turbo model?
I'm guessing the insurance wont be a great deal more either as it wont have the turbo? What about the 1.6, I think theres a 1.6 is there not?
  You meaning they cost a bit to maintain? - But amen to that statement   

Chris

[RaveGirl]

Hello   I'm a newbie too.  Loving this site so far! 

[Khare]

He means heavy as in weight. Mk4's weigh a lot and a small engine like the 1.4 won't really pull the car very fast.
Being a young one myself (18) I know that insurance can be a killer, so shop around and look for best prices (just as an idea, when I was 17 I had a mk2 1.6, paid £1860 that year, now I have 1 year NCB and a mk3 gti, and I'm paying £1550, come renewal time in Jan, I shall be paying £1200ish).

Newer cars generally have lower insurance groups due to them being safer, so you might find that a 1.8 20v NA mk4 might not be very expensive to insure at all, so shop around with various companies and engine sizes (1.4 and 1.6 will hardly move mind you) and because they are heavy and small engines, you have to rev the nuts off them for them to move, meaning your fuel economy won't be much more different than a 1.8...

I think he means both in maintenance and modding. Once you add a splitter you will want a performance panel filter, then some coilovers, then some new wheels, then maybe new audio system, etc....Believe me we are all like that. Boys and our toys ey?

Maintenance it isn't any different to any other car really. Needs the yearly service and the mk4's being over 5 years old they might require some parts renewing, like maybe suspension and chassis parts.

Good choice on getting VW as your first car though, I never regretted having a mk2 as my first. Awesome car to learn about both driving and being a mechanic (you get far more satisfaction if you fix/upgrade parts yourself).

Welcome to the forum  

[gtigolfthree]

Hi, welcome you may also wish to consider a diesel.  :embarassed:

[mumbles]

hey, welcome to the forum 

[Christopher]

Thanks guys, I'm here for the long run!

Special thanks to you Khare! I understand that alot more now, I'd be very happy with a 1.8 20v NA, better for the long run too for me i think. As next year I'd simply be upgrading from the 1.4 or 1.6, whichever i had of decided to go with, in any case.

Ahh, yes. Thats the trap I'm trying to keep myself out of for as long as financially possible  .

I'd love to be able to learn how to tinker with my own car, I'm a very hands on person, quick learner. I have a downhill bike at the minute which I race (And also will be selling very shortly to fund he car itself ) & anything michanical on there I can set my hand too.

Thanks again! Hope to hear more posts like yours, Along with the friendly welcomes 

[Khare]

Happy to help 

Mk4 onwards is more about vagcom and more electronic equipment rather than a spanner and socket set, so you won't learn what I learn by having a carb'd mk2, but it's all fun anyway 

[Len]

Welcome!