Might sell my much loved mk3 8v gti for a mk4 1.8?

[Merlin1.8T]

Depends on what condition your Mk3 is in, most I see now are nearing the end without major bills.  I sold my 1998 MK3 VR6 last year, and bought a 2000 MK4 1.8T.  I has the Mk3 for 8 years and loved it to bits kept it till the bitter end.  Once it started to rust the arches it was in terrible shape after 12 months and it had to go. 

Things I like about the MK4:
- Interior is MUCH improved, better materials used and better screwed together.
- Much quieter inside when driving, feels much more refined.
- Fully galvanised body, so not much rust
- Handles better than the MK3 (stock vs stock)
- Feels much more responsive
- Easily increase power with a cheap and quick remap
- Standard speakers are really good (MK3 ones were the terrible!)

Things I don't like about the MK4
- Feels a little gutless at higher speeds
- Its quite easy to make it look chavy, but I think the same can be said for the MK3.
- Its not my MK3 VR6

[Gavv8]

I have done this kind of. I swapped my black golf for a bora wich is basicly a mk4. It was ok for a wile but the hole time I wished I hadn't swapped.
I really missed the mk3 and ended up getting rid of it to buy another mk3.
The only thing good about the mk4 is the cup holders 

I just get the missus to hold my pint while i'm concentrating on the road...

[Dan_GTi8v]

I would also say, if you haven't already, ask this in the mk4 section or the vw related section as well. I believe I have answered honestly and agree with what Dom said, but I think you will get a lot of biased replys in here for obvious reasons

[Robracer]

Cheers guy's, your opinions have really helped me out. But it still leaves me with a decision.. If i sell my much loved MK3 for the mk4, it's going to mean modding the chassis, such as polybushes, coilovers, alloy's, the TT spec arm's i've read about to tighten the front end up, and much more. Presently that's what i've done to my mk3, it really transform's the MK3 into a Go-Kart. bUt I drive the Skoda Fabia when i want a smooth economical drive, and the Golf when i want a bit of late night fun. Perhap's the MK4 will fill the gap?



My Present car:


Since this picture was taken i've gone back to OEM smoked rear light's. Plus a wiper motor blank aswell. The car seem's less chavvy now

[GolfGL]

If its not a perfect condition car id go to the mk4 golf but also consider a leon cupra r, your 8v will feel like a 1.1 in comparison and handle much better.
Adam

[thai-wronghorse]

Leon Cupra R for me next when the funds materialise.

[Robracer]

It's funny you mention the Seat Leon, i've had a quick go in one of those. Interesting handling characteristics.. Plus quick as f**k!
But my fund's won't stretch to one of those unfortunately. But at the mo, my Golf's passed it's past two MOT's with not one advisory. Both garage's shook my hand and said "well done". I'm assuming they could tell i rebuilt the entire front end early last year

[benvictors]

A3 1.8T Quattro over the mk4 any day, 180bhp out of the box, looks nicer in comparison and handles better with it been the Quattro, in my opinion of course 

[tdi_blu]

Loved all my mk3s great cars cheap to buy you can do loads to them and it took me a while really to try another model as my little Anniversary was such a great little car.Only thing that I really had issues with was rust and mk3s seem to attract it and unless its cut out it always comes back.I think what makes them so popular aswell is really there the cheapest Gti out there and also have a strong following within the VW scene which you can be part of for under a grand.The mk4 also has a strong following its very simlar to the mk3 really cheap to buy and you can also do just as much if not more to the mk4 I think if your after more BHP without spending alot of money than the 1.8t is a better buy even though I personally havent owned one.I did have a GT-tdi mk4 which had some issues that I sorted once that was done car was spot on but I wanted something a little different and decided on the mk4 estate which has been a great car ive made it my own and its only a 100bhp tdi with a remap but pulls great im not really fussed about BHP if I was I would buy a 1.8t but looks wise I get just as much attention in my wagon than my much missed mk3 but for me there both very simlar cars other than the mk4 has more toys.Dont go by what people say if they owned a mk4 Gti none turbo either as they are very very slow so the mk3 would win that one but the 1.8t is a far better car Audi A3 im sorry there decent cars but you cant make them look no where near a nice as a mk4 of course thats my opinion 



My current mk4 Wagon which being honest is a far better car

[Len]

Get a Mk3 16v mate, simples!


Standard they are both the same power wise and the Mk 3 looks way better when its modified and there is more scope to modify.