Buying advise

[Paul_fox]

Hi I'm thinking of buying a gti mk5.budget is 5k and seen a few around with different specs. Would really like leather, heated if possible. Sat nav even though I've heard it's not the best? I'd retro fit cruise control as it looks like an easy fit. Xenons would be nice but seem to be really hard to find on these though
Anyway I've seen a nice speced one but just a couple of issues with. First there is wear /hole in the drivers bolster so is that easy to get repaired?
Next is it got 150k on the clock. It's a 2005 model with full service history. Is that something to be wary off or are these cars good with fsh and high miles?
Thanks for any help anyone could give. Paul

[th3_f15t]

£5K will get you an OK model, if you can get a few hundred more you'll bag a much lower mileage one. 150K with a good history is OK engine wise, but other things may soon need attention as VW's don't have the greatest of electronics.

Repairing driver's seats can be done at trim shops, quite a few about and easily done but may be easier to contact a breaker's yard and see if they have a replacement one.

Other things you need to check are whether the gear box feels loose and worn (if it's a manual), or if the DSG servicing has been carried out (if it's a DSG equipped car). Also look through the paperwork at work carried out other than servicing to see if there's anything that's been replaced that could point to something not right with the engine.

[Wayne]

I would look for a lower mileage one given the choice.

[barrym381]

plenty of mk5s for 5k with less miles look about and most that age will have rust on the wings tailgate and sills so check those areas 

[th3_f15t]

Scares me that the car I dreamed about at 16 is now a 10 year old design and that I need to look for rust and stuff!

[Egbutt Wash]

Buy a Dacia Sandero with no miles on the clock for the same sort of price.  Looks better than a Mk5 anyway.  (I owned one from new and never did like the look of the Mk5 GTI, too chubby bummed, so got rid).  In my opinion a 150000 mile Mk5 can not be trusted to last to the end of the street.

[Dipesh2031]

^ why are you on a gti forum then, it's common knowledge the mk5 is over engineered, and mileage isnt an issue if the car has been in the hands of a careful owner, sure it'll need new shocks, bushings, and some good servicing, but it'll be alot more fun than some french thing.

I'd buy a mk5 gti any day of the week if it had been looked after by 1 careful owner with 5-10k oil changes, and proper servicing, My 1.9tdi is on 150k feels more solid than my mk6 gtd with 70k on the clock!

[matty james]

he is on the forum because he probably owns a golf (not a mk5 at a guess) ,and is entitled to express his own opinion-thats the idea behind a forum.

[Egbutt Wash]

^ why are you on a gti forum then, it's common knowledge the mk5 is over engineered, and mileage isnt an issue if the car has been in the hands of a careful owner, sure it'll need new shocks, bushings, and some good servicing, but it'll be alot more fun than some french thing.

I'd buy a mk5 gti any day of the week if it had been looked after by 1 careful owner with 5-10k oil changes, and proper servicing, My 1.9tdi is on 150k feels more solid than my mk6 gtd with 70k on the clock!

Your car is not a GTI.  Why are you on here?
At least I owned one for three years, a real GTI that is, not a stinkpot.
And my Dacia has a seven year warranty, says it all really.