Sluggish Mark 3 Golf GTI

[spither]

Hello i bought a 96 Plate 1984CC Golf GTI private sale just before Christmas , thought i was getting a bargain at £750 for a second car.

The car was really quick, when i bought it, then we had a cold snap and now its really sluggish, accelation is poor at bottom end and top end, exhaust sounds and feel energy sapping.

Any idea what the problem might be, where do i start. Or it a case take it to a mechanical for diagnosis.

Thanks

Simon

[stow1985]

Time of the year 

Should consider, plugs, cap, rotor arm, COIL, checking electrical connectors, earthing points, crank sensor, clean throttle body....every car seem to have same problems because of different causes so take your pick

[Wayne]

Start by getting it scanned for codes.

[thai-wronghorse]

By the sounds of it you've passed your honeymoon period with the car and have finally succumbed to the almighty 8v rage.

[mattrobinson1982]

You mention the exhaust feels energy sapping; could be a failing cat not allowing the exhaust gases to flow through as well as they should.

[Hongkongphooey]

By the sounds of it you've passed your honeymoon period with the car and have finally succumbed to the almighty 8v rage.

"Rage"...I can't say my 8v has given me any of this...my Lupo GTi did when I discovered I had to remove a rear seat just to get a child's buggy in the back!! Maybe I am just fortunate that in my 15 months of ownership I've been lucky?? Could be mileage related too though I guess as mine is very low....

I thought it was a real come down when I binned the Lupo GTi off as the 2nd car but I really like it now....it's not an exciting motor but it does the job perfect and don't car where I leave it or whether it's clean or totally filthy, perfect carefree 2nd car

[Len]

So many things, or you may have just discovered how slow an 8v is!

[itavaltalainen]

I have done 30k miles in my 94 estate with the migthy 2.0 8v ... no running issues, except once it was slightly more hesitant due to knock sensor but i barely noticed that.

and if you say the 2.0 8v is slow i'll invite you to try my 1.8 75ps estate.. 

[stow1985]

Plodding round the m25 @ 70mph, is as fast as a Ferrari bombing round the m25 @ 70mph. 

[Hongkongphooey]

Len, it wasn't bought to be fast, I get that from car #1