Buying a 3 dr Mk 3 GTI 2.0?

[morpheus20170]

I am not sure whether to go for the 8v or 16v, I am looking at getting a 16v but I can't seem to find many.
I also see a lot of 5 door 2.0, 8v and 16v but I don't think I would be happy with a 5 door.
I have seen one on Autotrader but it has 125k but will mainly VWSH, it is a 97 P reg, I am not sure of the whole spec.

Can anyone please advise me of what to look at, if this mileage is to be not bothered with and what the main difference is between the 8v and the 16v.

Thanks

[inthecity77]

16v is faster but you have to rinse it a bit to get the best from it. The 8v feels like is going to be very quick when you first boot it, however the juice runs out later in the rev range. For city driving and short country blasts I would opt for an 8v , considering the cheaper insurance and engine costs if things go wrong. Alot of people no doubt will argue that you should go form the 16v. I guess its personal choice really. I was in your shoes a few weeks back and decided to go for the 8v. It wont beat many true sports cars for the lights but the power always seems to be there on dashes around town. I drove a few 16vs and peronsally think that my 8v has more lower end grunt than all of them. Ive only had it a few weeks but love it (the odd bit of rust and all ).

[Dom Mk3]

depends what you're after.... 125k miles is fine btw, my valver is happily singing along at 153k!

If you want a GTi to be quick, get the 16v. If you want the GTI to be a relaxed tourer, the 8v should suffice.

[inthecity77]

maybe i have test drove a load of duffer 16vs but I can honestly say there isnt a world of difference between the 16v and 8v. have i ?

[vr4000d]

my 8v goes along ok and the person i got it of had it as a trade in for a 16v but the person who bought the 16v wanted the 8v back so obviously its just a case of try a few and see what you prefer

[carl]

ive had 2 8vs they are great for around town but most family cars can keep up with you ,ive now got a 16v and there is loads of differance in power ,i admit you have to rev it but it just loves it ,by the sounds of it you have not drove a decent one or you would know the differance ,if you like a bit more power you will love the 16v.

[sellers]

iv just bought a 16v gti yesterday and you wont regret it, maybe you were like me when taking them out for a test, you don't really want to floor it when the blokes right next to you, but now iv got mine iv given it a good flooring today, and as soon as you go past 4000revs it changes your whole perception of the car

[vwagain]

, the 8v is not a true gti.

This statement always puzles me!!  How can anyone say that a car that that comes out of the factory badged as a GTI, with all the trimmings and sporty bits not be a "real" GTI just cos it aint quite as nimble as the MK2 it proceded?  So why not say that the MK2 8v is not a true GTI because it isnt as fast as the 16v? Because its bullsh!t thats why ffs!!!!!   Just because the 8v MK3 isnt as quick as the 16v doesnt make it any less a GTI!!!  When the MK2 was in production there where many "family saloons" that would wipe the floor with it!! but did that make it a fake GTI?? Did it f**k. So why should this be the case with the MK3?  Its just snobery IMHO.

It all stems back to when the MK3 was first released and the press noticed that all the extra safety added to the cars had made them a little heavier and OK, a little slower!! And all the MK2 owners who couldn't afford a new car jumped on the bandwagen and slated them and it has stuck to this day and is now a total cliche!!!

I chalenge anyone to drive my 8v now the engine has loosend up at 120,000mls and tell me my car aint fast enough to be called a GTI!! IT feckin flies, as a certain 51 reg 520 BM driver who couldnt shake me off and eventualy gave up and let me pass over the snake pass the other day will tell you!!!! 

Dont let anyone tell you the MK3 8v aint a proper GTI cos their talking out of their arses!!

Anyway, sorry for the rant but it just had to be said

Stu

[inthecity77]

i fully agree with you! but without swearing
My car is defo a GTI! And i tell you this (see below), if an 8v and 16 v were next to each other and there was a space in trafic a car or two ahead, I would defo fancy my chances of getting there first in my 8v!

--------
I  8v  I
--------
              --------- 
              I a car I       A space
              ---------
--------
I 16v I
--------

[Dom Mk3]

i fully agree with you! but without swearing
My car is defo a GTI! And i tell you this (see below), if an 8v and 16 v were next to each other and there was a space in trafic a car or two ahead, I would defo fancy my chances of getting there first in my 8v!

--------
I  8v  I
--------
              --------- 
              I a car I       A space
              ---------
--------
I 16v I
--------

dream on  whilst the 8v may feel it has more lower down, it doesn't. It's just because there's sod all above 4k either

*tongue firmly in cheek*