Possible new owner?

[benstanley]

Hi guys, Ive always loved the mark 3 golf so am thinking of picking myself up a project to do over winter as my mondeo is stupid on petrol. Im looking at an N reg GTI in green 3 door 104k, MOT till august, no tax. Completely standard but a bit scruffy on the paint work.

Just wondering a. what should i be looking to pay for it? b. what should i look out for when i go to view it and c. what are they like for petrol?

My mondeo is a zetec s 2.5 v6 170 bhp with petrol at £1.17 pl a full take is about £62 and i get between 330 and 360 miles, i want something fun and cheaper to run for under £800 so am thinking of a mk3 gti.

Any help welcomed! Thanks!

Ben.

[Phil1980]

Its definately going to be more economical than your mondeo, but if its a project you want get a mk2.

[Cov golf]

Welcome

[jeremybarker]

Welcome to the forum, i paid £800 for my MK2 GTI with 143k on the clock, absoloutely blown away by how tight it drives for a car with this many miles.

Theres a cracking MK3 16 in the classifieds for £1100 in Mauve, full black leather, heated seats. Might be worth a look.

[benstanley]

found a green one with 104k for £600. it'll only be a project for the bodywork as its got a few bumps and scratches. was thinking about having a go of a diy spray with some rattle cans haha! 10months mot. No rust and the engine seems pokey. Just not sure what to look for i.e faults and comman problems!?

[Jimmy Filth]

Hi man,

I've just recently come into GTi ownership in the form of a mk3.  It drives amazingly, like new (it has 103,000 miles on the clock.)

I've been warned that a common problem can be changing into second gear when cold, this was by a mechanic friend and I have no experience of this.

Are you looking at an 8v or 16v?  According to the trip computer I'm getting 40mpg on my average journeys, although this drops if I'm heavy footed (like i say, this is according to the trip, I haven't worked it out properly).  I get about 330 miles to a tank and it costs £50 to fill up from empty.

I love my mk3, I would hold my hand to my heart and say it's the best car I've owned.  I've had 20...

[benstanley]

not sure which it is to be honest ill have a look now. 40mpg is pretty good but i doubt that'd be accurate haha. mine will be mainly motorway driving and back lanes with no traffic so a steady 50 in 5th. is that your car in your sig? How much did you pay if you dont mind me asking? Ive been driving 6 years and had 31 cars so it does have a lot to live up to. But like i said im looking for a cheap and cheerful project thats cheap to run tax and insure. Just out of curiousity how much are they to tax? as the one im looking at has no tax so that will be a bloody extra!

[benstanley]

how do i tell if its 16v or 8v and what are the main differences? Obviously performance but what is the bhp difference?

[Jimmy Filth]

8v is 115bhp, 16v is 150bhp (I think it's actually 144)

Externally, the 16v will have a red 16v badge.  The engine also looks different.  On the 16v the inlet manifold is on the top and says DOHC 16v on it.

There'll be some difference in trim, but couldn't tell you what it is... haha

[The Mighty Elvi]

Hi guys, Ive always loved the mark 3 golf

Hi and welcome.  You'll get along fine here.