New guy - Need Advice

[PhilNUK]

Hi guys..
new here...
Well I need some advice..
I passed my driving test in January, at the age of 29.. I have been looking at what car to get, and I want to get  GTI for my first car.
I ride an R1 bike, so going from something like that to a tiny 1.1 car just aint an option, so a GTI (which I have always loved) seems perfect. I have recently become a dad (hence the passing of the driving test) so I want a reliable, safe and 'fun' car.
I have about £5k for a private sale and £7k for a dealer.. I have seen a couple of Y reg 2.0 GTI's for sale privately.. and the one I really like is silver, £4700, with 72k miles, full service history and its only about 8 mile away from me. I haven't seen it in person yet, just a photo.
Now has anyone got any advice on what to look out for with this model?
Anyone know of one for sale on this forum that will match roughly what I am looking for? I hate buying privately, but with having a bike to fund as well I think its my most likely route.

Insurance wise I have been quoted through elephant.co.uk £1520 fully comp. I have no years NCB obviously, which is the big problem.

cheers for any help

Phil

[Rhyso]

check out the MKIV and MKV sections if you are after a newish car otheriwse check out the others 

if possible go for the 1.8T as it's more powerful and easily tunable 

[PhilNUK]

cheers for the advice Rhyso..
thing is I am limited with the insurance..I have noticed the TDI and anythign with turbo really does beef up the premiums..

for the time being just getting on the VW ladder is what I want... but getting a decent car at the same time.

once my NCB has built up then I will go for a turbo though.

[Rhyso]

damn insurance companies......

other option is the 1.8 normally aspirated GTI; this has 125bhp as opposed to the 115bhp in the 2.0GTI.  might be worth a look too.  hopefully the insurance companies wont take the pee pee out of you on that one!!

[PhilNUK]

damn insurance companies......

other option is the 1.8 normally aspirated GTI; this has 125bhp as opposed to the 115bhp in the 2.0GTI.  might be worth a look too.  hopefully the insurance companies wont take the pee pee out of you on that one!!

cheers for the info mate....
Would the 2.0 get boring quickly? Obviously I want to get about 4 years out of the car, at least... so I want to make the right decision..

do you feel the 2.0 would be something I should avoid?

Just done a search for the one you recommend... got one come back

'2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.8 Turbo 20v GTi 3dr Hatchback'

is that the one?

thing is, just tried to get an insurance quote for it and it didn't recognise the reg number so I had to do it manually and I put in GTI (125bhp) 3 door... that was as close as the match would let me go, the insurance price was the same as the 2.0 GTI...

surely it would be more expensive? the 16v's have been £2000 insurance 

[Rhyso]

2.0GTI = 115bhp
1.8n/a = 125bhp
1.8T =    150bhp
1.8T (after 02) 180bhp

1.8T's come in 150bhp and 180bhp (the 180bhp 2002 and after)

the one you have found will be a 150bhp and with a cheeky remap (circ £400) you can expect to see around 180bhp failry easily 

best advice i can give you is to test drive each example to see what you think of the performace

if you are looking for a car to last you at least 4 years it may be worth forking out the extra on the insurance so you get a car you are completely happy with

[PhilNUK]

cheers for that info Rhyso.... just can't seem to find a 1.8 GTI that isn't a '1.8t'..

how about a tdi?

a 1.9 GT TDI is bringing me in with cheaper insurance on a 1999 model.

[Rhyso]

GT TDI around 1999 will usually mean it has the 110bhp engine and 5 speed box.  Several members have them on here (richandhazel and Welshgar to name a couple) and have nothing but praise for them.  You will regularly see 45mpg + plus its got a nice mid range pull meaning that overtaking and motorway cruising are farily effortless.

if it gives you cheaper insurance then it seems a bit of a no brainer to go for one    also these can be remapped like the petrol 1.8T giving around an extra 30bhp 

ive got a 2001 GT TDI with the 130 bhp engine and absolutely love it  insurance is a bit pricey as it sits in group 13 and i think the the 110 model sits in group 10 

have a search through the MKIV section for a bit more info    any questions just ask 

[PhilNUK]

Once again Rhyso, thanks very much for your help...

out of interest what performance difference would there be between the 1.9tdi or the 2.0 GTI?
a significant difference?

[Rhyso]

i've not driven either to be honest so can't really comment 

i don't think there would be much as the 2.0 has a little more bhp but the TDI will have more torque.  guess it's all down to how its driven