Thinking of buying a GTI

[Samuk]

Hello Peeps,

Have stumbled accross the forum whilst trying to find a GTI to buy. Hoping this forum is going to help.

Would someone mind telling me what I should be looking out for when purchasing a second hand GTI?

What are the running costs like? Tyres.... Servicing etc? When is the cambelt due on the GTI?

Sorry for all the questions, it's just I dont want to find myself in a position of buying the car and then not affording to keep it lol.

[zerolight]

Running costs are ok. 25mpg on a good day I seem to recall, I've monitored it for ages. Buy from a dealer and you can buy two years service plan too. Arnold Clark charge 249 for a 2 year plan on a Gti and 399 for the R32. Takes the sting out of the servicing which can be £300 a pop otherwise.

[funkythumbs42]

what reg is it?

if its before 2007 i think check the climate control air con works as the older ones a known to be a weak spot (as i found out)

short jounreys are around 25mpg on a run driving sensibly around 34-36mpg

car handles and pulls well, weakest point I would say are the oem brakes.

[musicman87]

Hi There, welcome to the forum

I'm a relatively new GTI owner and i would recommend looking for a car with a few of the optional extras if you can, you wont regret paying extra.

I've been running the car for a month now with a mixture of driving (B-road blasts through to Motorway cruises) and i have been averaging 31mpg - which i think is great for a 200bhp hot hatch.

as mentioned, check the air con on start up. My car is a 55 reg car and there is a strange smell coming from the air con for the first 2-3 mins of it running, then it goes.

Cambelt should be done either 60k or every 4 years, which ever is first. If you are looking for a car of this kind of age, get the waterpump done at the same time to save work later on. I would advise making it part of a potential deal.

car handles and pulls well, weakest point I would say are the oem brakes.

I agree - set of EBC redstuff pads should sort it out (so i've heard...)

Hope this helps! Good luck

[funkythumbs42]

ferodo ds2500 pads seem to the the choice across the forums!!

[musicman87]

ferodo ds2500 pads seem to the the choice across the forums!!

Yeah i've heard a bit about these too. Might give them a shot next time

[Davstylee]

ferodo ds2500 pads seem to the the choice across the forums!!

Slightly off topic, but are these good pads for every day road use, mixed in with a bit of "spirited "driving"? I dont plan to take my car on a track day, so I dont want to get brake pads that are great on track but w@nk on the road.

[musicman87]

From what i've heard they're pretty good on the road. Not had experience of the Ferodo's, but a good mate has the EBC Redstuffs in a RenaultSport Clio 172 and they're sh1t hot for the road

[Egbutt Wash]

Remember these cars are very tempting to drive with some spirit.  Quite a few have repaired crash damage.
Avoid these and you'll be OK.  Budget an average of £400 per year for servicing, £300 for tyres plus the usual road tax (£230ish) and insurance.  30 mpg.
I've found mine to be not too expensive.  If I crashed it though I'd sell.

[Samuk]

Thanks for all the information guys. Will let you know how I get on.

Sam