Ready for one at last but......

[Deefadog]

Hi all, I was on here about a year ago, getting advice for the MK1 I wanted to get, but got side tracked! Now I have the cash and I am ready to get one.  Only problem is I am new to MK1's and need some advice off the more advanced!

Are there certain years I should watch out for, i.e bad models within a certain date?

1600 or 1800? what's the difference in the engines, i.e which is more reliable, cheaper to look after etc

I would relly like a convertable, are they more trouble than they are worth?

Anything else I should look out for!

Sorry for all the questions, just want to get it right!

[richandhazel]

Best thing is to point you in this direction:-

http://www.matey-matey.com/golf_buying_guide.shtml

I think if you wade your way through to page 5 you get all the mk1 specific info

[Deefadog]

Thanks for the link, great stuuf in there. I'll be back with more questions

Thanks again and take care

[Deefadog]

Lots of good info on that site thanks!

Got a few more questions

Do i go for a 1.6 or 1.8? which is the easiest to maintain and get parts for?

Was there any certains years I should avoid?

When did the golf gti mk1 cab become a clipper (was that when the mk2 was launched and the cabs were still a mk1)

Did the mk1 ever come with power steering? (including the later years)

Are the years the mk1 cab was available - 1979 - 1993 (k) Is this correct?

Sorry for all the questions again

[rustynuts]

Lots of good info on that site thanks!

Got a few more questions

Do i go for a 1.6 or 1.8? which is the easiest to maintain and get parts for?

Was there any certains years I should avoid?

When did the golf gti mk1 cab become a clipper (was that when the mk2 was launched and the cabs were still a mk1)

Did the mk1 ever come with power steering? (including the later years)

Are the years the mk1 cab was available - 1979 - 1993 (k) Is this correct?

Sorry for all the questions again

Mk1 1.6 and 1.8 basically the same block so in terms of getting parts for both they are generally generic.

Best to avoid all cars pre 1981 as later cars were better rust proofed.

I am led to believe that PAS steering was never an option on a Mk1, it was available for LHD cars especially in the case of the cab. You can get a kit from TSR for retro fitting PAS. Not much need though as the Mk1s steering is a lot lighter than say the Mk2.

The Mk1 Cab indeed stayed in production for all that time, it was even available into the first few months of the Mk3 hardtop release.

[Deefadog]

Thanks rustynuts! I'll skip the PAS then and save some cash

Take care

[vixteris]

someone put up some really good advice here once about when u go to look at cabs - well i think it is.

pull the rear seat belts out all the way to see if there is any mould,  

take the car for a jet wash if the owner will let u - will spot any leaks a mile off

and if there are 20 odd magic tress floating round the car - be wary  

if i had the money i would try and find a nice sportline or rivage or mark 1 cabbies cab in cars for sale looks a nice standard example.

good luck!

[gibby]

Some good advice there Vix, like it.

If you like the MK1 shape and a convertible then look for a sportline or a rivage (I've got a rivage so slightly biased). The sportline is a car that can look good modded, but I think the rivage looks better as standard, but that's just my opinion, plus the benefit of getting a newer mk1 cab is that they did make them until 93 so it's going to be younger than a hard top which stopped production in 83ish (I think).

I personally don't think that cabs are more trouble than they are worth, I love mine and with summer round the corner, enough said. Just make sure that the hood is in good condition otherwise you'll need your swimming trunks on to drive it ! Have a look at autotrader's website, there's usually a couple of Rivage's and a few sportlines on there. Don't know about the sportline, but they only did Rivages from 91 (J) to 93 (K, possibly a few Ls too) and they only did them in Blue and Green, oh yeah, and make sure they have the Rivage alloys on them too. Hope you find what you are looking for and if you need to ask anymore questions about running a cab then give us a shout.

[vixteris]

Some good advice there Vix, like it.

wish someone had told me before i bought mine - however after much wondering about where my roof is leaking and why i can have a bath in the rear footwell it appears to be the door with the weak bladder problem!

[modulater]

if you can dont damage the originals as you cant get them anymore from VW, they give you a sort of rubber sheet to use.