How Much Should I Pay For This Car?

[Hattie]

Your opinions please. Due to a breakdown in communication, I went to view an 8V MkIII this morning instead of a 16V.

It is dark blue metallic with BBS alloys and in good nick on an M plate with 85K on the clock and a FSH, MOT certs, alarm cert, the lot. It has no CD or radio, a bubble or two on one of the alloys and a tiny scratch on the driver's door. Three previous keepers and all the barcode labels, wheelnut locks, handbook etc all present and correct.

Oh, and don't laugh - it wouldn't start - owner was mortified. It appears to be some damp-related electrical gremlin and he is taking it to the garage today. It had been standing for a few days.

I am minded to buy this car if he gets the problem sorted and it drives okay but I want to know how much to pay. It is creatively priced at ?2795 and I am thinking nearer to 2 or 2.2K - what do you reckon?

[mrwotto]

I would hold out mate, wait till you find yourself a car that starts, and preferably hold out for 16valver, you will thank me when you feel them extra 35bhp

[Hattie]

Thanks mrwotto - I take your point but I really need to get my car changed before Xmas. My Dad (car buying partner in crime) will be out of the country from then until March.

All the decent 16 valvers in Manchester/North West are hiding! Am planning to keep the new one for only 12mths or so and then swap out for a VR6 hopefully.

Even the 8V must be an improvement on a bloody Corsa!

[mrwotto]

I seen a mk3 in mt local paper, for 2,000, cant remember if it was a 16v tho, but will have a look in a bit, i live in runcorn, so it will be fairly local for you, I take it you have tried the autotrader / the loot?

[Hattie]

Yep, have tried all the usual places

Thanks for your help

Hattie

[customboy]

well i bought my golf for ?2000

its a 1994 L plate mk3 golf gti 16v and had only 74.000 on the clock and full VW history and orginal bill of sale and 2 owners and the guy wanted ?2500 for it i knocked him down silly till i was happy in the price the car is faultless and so it the body work so it pays to wait and see unless the car is that good.

also why has the car been standing for a long time has it not been used?

also a main thing i would recommend is get the car HPI checked mine was all clear but better spending ?35 to see if its ok then get kicked for 2.2/5k

make sure car drives and performances well pulls nice and doesnt struggle.

also if the owner is fixing the car for the start problem make sure he tells u what the problem was and how it was fixed and where?
dont want to see u buy the car and have same problems aswell cos he did a cheap fix!

anyway hope everything goes well but its good to shop around dont let ur heart rule ur head mate

good luck fella

[mrwotto]

I would wait around matey something will turn up soon

[Overseer]

yup.. dont settle for less if you want a valver.. at least drive one before u make your decision.. just remember that you have to rev and keep a 16v higher to tap into where all the power lies..

[Hattie]

Thanks chaps - don't worry I never buy anything I haven't driven!

Owner has two vehicles and uses the Golf for motorway runs (other car is a 4x4).

Only been stood about three days but pretty damp round here at mo.

Yes - I don't want to buy a car with an intermittent leccy fault but if he turns up with a garage bill showing it has been fixed I'll be happy.

Thanks Customboy - I thought the price was very top heavy.

I have eased up on the girl racer antics since I hit my thirties but I do like cars to corner with ambition and have plenty of poke available in third for overtaking etc. As long as the 8v isn't utterly gutless I can manage until I have the funds for the VR6 in a year or so.
 

[mrwotto]

I have personally not driven an 8v so cant comment on its performance, but if you are happy with its performance then you go for it girl

Personally my 16v is more than fast enough for me, I very rarely thrash the car, but its always handy to have the extra bit of grunt if you need it

Hope you find your dream car soon, and take time to enjoy the rest of the forum, we are not a bad bunch really, well most of us arent