Mk3 8v gti - opinions please!

[Ozz]

Am probably going to be buying one and would like to know peoples opinions. I was looking at the 16v but cant really justify the extra insurance atm. So, what are they like? What will it feel like in comparison to my mk2 8v gti? And also how would a 1.9 tdi compare?

Thanks,

Tim

[monkeyalan]

a bit slower and less nimble but.... much nicer to cruise the M-way and potter round city traffic in ,less rusty and far safer. you'll get pas and probably abs + all the electric gubbins.
all in all a bit more grown up.

[Ozz]

all in all a bit more grown up.

Ahh, dont tell me that, you'll put me right off them!!   

Yeh tbh sounds about what i'm after, need a sensible car for getting to and from work!!

[mowgli]

I've had 4, well 5 really, long story....  Anyway, as a work commuter they are pretty good, should easily get 40 mpg at 60, overall average should be around the 34 mpg mark which isn't too bad.  But, they are no rocket ship, so long as you can live with that they are fine.  Don't get one without a sunroof or aircon, either is fine but neither is a bugger in the summer.  I had an M reg that had neither and it was too hot inside during the summer months, sorry, summer days 

1.9 TDi, might feel about as quick, possibly very front heavy due to extra weight up front which would affect the handling.  I've got a 110 Tdi in a Seat Toledo and its probably quicker than my 8v in a straight line but not on the bends, the Toledo is a bit wallowy and bouncy for that.

They are an evolutionary step forward, not as rewarding to drive as a Mk2 I would guess but safer, bigger and more comfortable.  They were designed to suit the growing family man that kicked off with a Mk1 when he was single, got the Mk2 when he got married, Mk3 when the nippers came along, Mk4 when they were teenagers.  Now they've left home, he's (or she's of course) free to get back into a more sporty number that retains the comfort and safety so buys the Mk5.

Thats how I see the path of development anyway.  Our latest one is a '98 R with Aircon, which is nice in this weather but a pig when it comes to changing the oil.

[Hypermonkey]

I've had a mk2 and tested a mk3 GTI, as mentioned above they are great for cruising and around town and everything inbetween, as long as you don't expect the same performance and fun as in the mk2.

I opted for a 16v fettled with by AMD and am getting 38-42mpg doing 70ish on the motorway, and am getting 32-36 around town...going down to 28-30 in heavy traffic.

I love the amount of space they have, and although coming from a 2000 New Beetle, the cabin isn't too retro and feels so much more well made than the Bug.....I checked the 'what to look for' guide and found it very helpfull.

Good luck with the search...and if you are oop north, there is a great metalic purple one on Pistonheads with 54k, 2 owners, lowered, BBS replicas, performance 'zorst...and is owned by a VW enthusiast...it's up for £3200. I was looking at this one and would have got it except for wanting the 16v.....the chap is really helpfull and the car looks a corker

[Neaty]

My dad has one, and whilst I was car-less I used it for a while, on two different spells actually. Good car for motorway cruising, feels solid but is not pin sharp like a mark 2. Good car all the same. Just as long as your not expecting it to set the world alight then it should be suffice. You might want to do something with the handling though as its not the best.

[psenior1]

I've had a few mk2's and just bought my wife a mk3 - as said before feels nice and comfy and fairly solid but a bit on the sluggish side. 

Make sure you check the rear axle bushes, they're a bugger to change and will ruin the handling if shot...

[PassRatGT]

With a drop they are fine and much quieter than a mk2 but not as quick although it's not slow either

[bustersballs]

Less rusty??? Tell that to me the next time I've had to weld a Mk3 floor to sill join up. Done 2 this week admittedly they were 1993 models but the tailgates rot like hell,as do the back arches,front wings etc. Love them to bits but you've got to pick a good one to start with. Having said that,to my shame i've found a spot of welding to do on my Mk2 and i wanna cry.

[Ozz]

Cheers for the comments guys, was expecting them to be not as exciting as the mk2, but luckily I'm keeping that to have a bit of fun with (when I get her back on the road!), just need the mk3 for work runs and general running around. Know what you mean about the rear axle bushes, my bro's went and he paid a garage like 600 quid to have them done!! Any good way to check them?