What's more desireable??? 8v or 16v

[JimyFloyd]

Hi there,

Brand new to this forum.

Have been given the chance to get a 1.8 8v 1989 gti with 89k on the clock, generally good nick although has had a light prang up the rear...new exhaust is suspected.

Now it's going cheap...but which is more desireable to own 8v or 16v...i know 16v is quicker but not much.

What about reliability etc.

Tried to do a serach but I just got an error??

Thanks,

James

[GTI_16V]

There isn't much difference in terms of running costs/insurance etc and obviously the 16v gives better performance.  Both have there fair share of 'issues' though.  I would say that a 16v is more desireable simply because it gives better performance, however, an 8 valve in good condition can be equally desireable IMO.

[Gambit]

16v will always be more desirable than the 8v, 16v was the UK top of the range model so will always command a higher price

as for reliability, its like any car that is nearing 15yr old, find one that has been maintained properly and it will be fine, find one thats been thrashed to bits and you'll end up fixing up more than driving it.

in truth, if i knew anyone near me who was looking to buy one, i would let them have a run in my own and show them what to look for when buying one as it really is hit n miss out there with them if you dont know what to look for!!

also, the 16v is head n shoulders above an 8v in performance, dont let people tell you otherwise!! a good 16v will have the same driveabilty as any 8v, then when u hit 4.2k rpm the 16v comes into its a league of its own

[JimyFloyd]

Right cheers lads.

The guy has offered it to me for about £200 and Ithink i'll be able to beat him down even more 

The way I'm looking at it....buy it.....fix it up.....have a play with it for a while...sell it on and make a bit of money.

Does that sound like a good plan.  From what i've been told it's 2 owners, 1 being his dad who never ragged it! and in pretty good nick.

[Organisys]

where exactly, and how bad is the rear smack?

[Gambit]

well for £200 its defo worth a punt. ud spend that in a weekend going out anyhow

[JimyFloyd]

Well I'm seeing pics of it tonight and hopefully gonna go see it. It's a good mate and he said it's all good:

Small shunt up rear, bumper is ok...may need new exhaust, but as far as he can see nothing else.
1 tyre flat.....new tyre
Bodywork is good.
Engine is good a well looked after.

If I bought for £200....and did it up etc. I have all summer and a garage dya think it'd be worth something more than £200?

[Gambit]

all depends on the spec of it. i assume its a small bumper model if its been hit in the rear and the bumper is ok

[KKK]

Take a look at the bhp/torque figures for 8v and 16v on the sticky thread.  Up to 2800rpm, the 8v has more power and torque.  Unarguable.       

Shocks, exhausts and many ancillaries are a fair bit more expensive for the 16v.  You have to run a 16v on super unleaded/Optimax, whereas in my view (and many would disagree) Optimax does nothing for an 8v running on decent unleaded.

You've got to ask yourself - do you spend life at 4000rpm+?  If yes, 16v.  If not, and you want an easier/cheaper life maintenance-wise, 8v.

KKK

[KKK]

Oops.  Completely misread the sticky thread graph.  Bhp wise, there's nothing between the 8v and 16v till 2800 rpm, when the 16v streaks ahead.  Torque wise, the 16v has a tiny bit more torque than the 8v till 2300rpm, then it widens 10-20% more right through the upper rev range.

Wishful thinking from 8v owner.

KKK