Mk2 8v as a daily runner?

[Mad Ax]

Hi all, n00b here, thought I'd sign up to ask a few questions about the GTI 8v as a potential buyer.

I'm currently driving a rather boring Xsara HDI Estate about 15 miles per day, garaged at night, and I'm fed up with it.  I've recently changed my lifestyle and no longer need a diesel estate, so I fancy swapping it in for something a bit smaller and sportier.  I'm no fan of modern car design, so I wondered if something of the 80s vintage would suit me.  I was learning to drive in 1997, and things like the Mk2 GTI and Mk2 XR2 stick heavily in my mind as things I aspired to owning at that impressionable young age

The reason I'm here is that a very good friend of mine might be selling his tidy Mk2 8v that he's been using daily for the past few months - and I've considered buying it.  However there is always a question-mark over going from a modern car to an older one, especially since I don't have space or cash for a second car.  It's a fairly original car so I'd be very tempted to leave everything stock - just try to get it back to showroom condition.  I've owned heavily-modded cars in the past and found the noise, fuel consumption and general reliability gremlins just gets annoying after a while!

How are the 8vs holding up these days?  Any reliability gremlins in the older motors, any major rust areas or problems getting parts?  I'm told these old German beasties are pretty solid and just keep on going.

Over the summer I'll probably use my motorbike most days, so the Golf would get driven about twice a week, to do the shopping and take stuff in and out of work, and maybe delivering pizzas to earn a bit more pocket money (I got a special deal with the manager, delivering pizzas is surely the most fun way to earn £10 cash per hour plus tips ).  Come winter it might get used a bit more, but will be kept in an air-conditioned underground parking lot overnight, so hopefully the rust shouldn't creep in too quickly if I keep it clean

If anyone has any major words of warning or any specific advice on what to look for, I'd be very grateful.

Thanks in advance
Ax

[cняis]

cheap and plentiful parts

comfortable enough for a daily driver - i do 50 miles a day in mine

a keen amateur can repair most bits by themselves

try this for a buying guide: http://www.matey-matey.com/golf_buying_guide.shtml 

[Mad Ax]

Cheers for the link Chris

I'm pretty handy with a spanner, but I've just moved to a block of flats where I have no private garage and no space for a lot of tools - the parents still have a nice double garage which is handy for the odd repair, tho

[Godzilla]

Hi mate

I use my 8v Golf GTI as a daily runner and find it great. Thet are normally bullet proof, seen a few with over 200k on and going strong. The 8v as a daily car will be ok on fuel as I get around 32-34 around town so not to thirsty. I would say its a must for the Golf and not the XR2. XR2's are very rare these days and parts could prove tricky, also once they hit 100k they have normally had it.....new engine time!  The Golf is a far stronger car as in body, interior, engine etc.

[Mad Ax]

I definately agree that the Golf wins over the XR2 in the reliability stakes - I do like my old Fords (I've had an Orion, a Fiesta, a Capri 2.8i and a Granada Scorp 12v) but the old CVH motor likes to blow its seals at 80k    And most of them have succumbed to tinworm too, thanks to Ford's use of dodgy steel in the 80s.

Fuel economy isn't a major issue as I'm not doing big mileage any more.  The HDI is a very economical motor if driven properly but I'm addicted to the turbo torque, so I usually burn my way through a tank in short order...  I need to fill up again tomorrow!  Plus here among the rolling hills of Bath we never have a flat piece of road to drive on - with all these hills to lugs itself up the heavy old estate is always on full boost.  I definately need something smaller

Cheers again

[cняis]

Hi mate

I use my 8v Golf GTI as a daily runner and find it great. Thet are normally bullet proof, seen a few with over 200k on and going strong. The 8v as a daily car will be ok on fuel as I get around 32-34 around town so not to thirsty. I would say its a must for the Golf and not the XR2. XR2's are very rare these days and parts could prove tricky, also once they hit 100k they have normally had it.....new engine time!  The Golf is a far stronger car as in body, interior, engine etc.

my 8v daily has around 237k on it 

uses a bit of oil and a touch of water but then its done me proud over the last 18 months!

[Mad Ax]

my 8v daily has around 237k on it 

I thought my old Xantia TD was high at 185k    It always started on the button, used a bit of oil - but was as dull and boring as a dull and boring thing on national dull and boring day :p

[rombonie]

MK2 8v is the only one worth considering, loads still on the road and being used. mid 30's to the gallon and a ball to drive. And my 6 year old could fix it and drive it given the chance, i find the late ones better as they have PAS.

The only question is 3 or 5 doors.

[ReDBull]

Buy the golf you'll love it. Don't worry about going to an older car. I traded up from a re mapped MK5 GTI and I have to say been pleasently suprised by how much fun the classic Golf is. Had a XR2 back in the day and it wasn't a patch on the Golf.
Bought mine a year ago as a track day car but fallen in love with it as a road car. Makes me fell like a teenager again.

[Benrevs]

Yup definitly a daily car, i only have the golf and i drive to work and back, fit a drumkit in the back and manage to do 300miles to rochdale every two weeks and it never lets me down.. do it!