Mk2 8v as a daily runner?

[MarkS]

Do it!
You won't regret it
And if you get a tidy looking one it's a real headturner 

[Jay]

go for it! you won't be disappointed. Check for rust around the rear aches!!!

[cняis]

go for it! you won't be disappointed. Check for rust around the rear aches!!!

thats what the arch trim is for 

[kittie]

I would rate it as an excellent daily driver, just take care of it and it will look after you 

I love old Fords too but I feel happier in a dub 

[cняis]

I would rate it as an excellent daily driver, just take care of it and it will look after you 

I love old Fords too but I feel happier in a dub 

from experience, dubs are stronger 

[Mad Ax]

FYI the model I'm looking at is a 90-spec, EFi, big bumpers, 5-door, PAS, in red.  It's a good runner used daily, I think the only fault is something on the central locking but I'm not 100% sure.  I drove it a few weeks ago but only for a short blast, I'm hoping he'll let me have a nice long stint in it later this week so I can see how much better my life will be with a proper driver's car

I think he might be having second thoughts about the sale so I might have to hunt around for one - what sort of price do reasonable-condition 8vs tend to go for?  Are the 16vs much more pricey, and is there any reason why I'd want an 8v over a 16v?  I don't really know anything about the 16v models.

[cняis]

8v's in good nick (but not mint) will set you back less than £800

battle-scarred high milers like mine will set you back less than £400 with MOT and tax

my project set me back £75 but thats not even running at the mo... 

[Conker]

In terms of 16v v 8v, don't even say those evil words, just have a read of this MASSIVE thread:  http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=7750.0

In simple terms, whats determines the answer to the 8v VS 16v question is how well its been maintained over the last 20 years, so I would test drive whatever takes your fancy.

I swapped a very reliable Mk4 turbo for a 16v Mk2 for my daily driver and the shortest review of owning a "retro car" would be... More things break, if I'm honest I worry a bit about long journeys, but it hasn't let me down when it mattered yet and I now drive around looking at silver Picasso's and grey Honda Civic's and think "you boring tw#ts". You'll love it, but only if you want to get your hands oily a little bit.

[Gunner]

MK2 great for daily use i drove a new company car a Touran found my mk2 in a lock up had sat for 7 years have used it daily in the last year very happy touran gone back of lease now using mk2 every other week 

[DarnPB]

I am on my 3rd MKII. The last two were very good cars but I have now cross graded to a G60. I say cross graded because each MKII is as good as each other. My last two were 8v's.
A very good learning car if you want to do your own maintenance. Plenty of Golfs being broken so spares are not an issue. Good on long distances. I used to drive mine about 1000 miles a week, from Madrid, where I live, to Sevilla, where I used to work. The only issue I had was the high revving engine, so I changed the 5th gear for one from a 4E gearbox. (Just the gear, not the complete box)This reduced the revs by about 800 in 5th gear, doing about 75mph. Fairly comfortable during long distances too. I have certainly driven less comfortable, more expensive and up-market cars.
Older cars need more TLC to keep on top of them, so be prepared to get your hands dirty.
There is a wealth of information on these pages if you ever get stuck. If there is something needs doing, or you want to change something, the chances are that someone on here has done it.
Buy one and good luck.