Would appreciate some buying advice - 1997 mk3 Golf Anniversary Edition

[chrishyder]

Hi guys,

As per the topic title, I'd really appreciate a bit of buying advice!  One of my colleagues at work is selling a 2.0 8v mk3 Golf GTI Anniversary Edition.

I've read through the buyer's guide here, but would appreciate a bit of input on the problems that it has:

1.)  2nd gear can apparently sound a bit 'rough' on cold mornings before engine has warmed up - looks like this is a standard issue with the gearbox in this car (has done 110,000 miles) and so I guess not too big a deal to worry about?
2.)  Rust spots - there are two, one above the windscreen and one on the boot between the keyhole and plastics of the numberplate (fingernail sized).  Both look like they can be easily sanded down and repainted...no other structural rust that I can see.
3.)  There's only one key!  I'm going to try and negotiate a discount based on this - do the 1997 models use the transponder immobiliser key (costing over £100ish to replace), or is it just a standard key?  Seller told me that the aftermarket alarm deals with the immobiliser, so hoping it's the cheap option.
4.)  Seller hasn't got any idea when the cam belt was last changed so looking to negotiate this into the price - what sort of cost can I expect for a garage to do this?
5.)  Alloys may need refurbing - again, does anyone have an idea what sort of cost I'd be looking at?

Seller has put some pics up here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23526540@N06/?saved=1

He's looking for £1,200.00....any advice/suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks a lot. 

Chris

[Horney]

1.)  2nd gear can apparently sound a bit 'rough' on cold mornings before engine has warmed up - looks like this is a standard issue with the gearbox in this car (has done 110,000 miles) and so I guess not too big a deal to worry about? - Pretty COmmon and gearbox oil change can often sort this in the short term
2.)  Rust spots - there are two, one above the windscreen and one on the boot between the keyhole and plastics of the numberplate (fingernail sized).  Both look like they can be easily sanded down and repainted...no other structural rust that I can see. - THis is again pretty common (especially the boot), check the screen one hasn't started to lift the screen rubbers. Also check the sills as these are a weak spot on MKIII's.
3.)  There's only one key!  I'm going to try and negotiate a discount based on this - do the 1997 models use the transponder immobiliser key (costing over £100ish to replace), or is it just a standard key?  Seller told me that the aftermarket alarm deals with the immobiliser, so hoping it's the cheap option. No idea on the transponder but every VW I have bought in the last 4 years has only come with 1 set of keys. You've reminded me I need to get another set cut for the Rado!
4.)  Seller hasn't got any idea when the cam belt was last changed so looking to negotiate this into the price - what sort of cost can I expect for a garage to do this? Parts are about £30 (Cambelt and tensioner), fitting should be around £100 - £150 or you can give it a go yourself. If you do buy it get it done ASAP as a snapped belt is not a happy joy joy experience
5.)  Alloys may need refurbing - again, does anyone have an idea what sort of cost I'd be looking at? about £60 a wheel plus you'll need some other road legal wheels to roll on till you get them back.


For the money it sounds OK but I reckon you can easily knock £200 off for the cambelt. Alloys will always get knackered so that's not really a haggling point.

Hope that helps a bit.

Nick
 

[GOLF_MK]

Doubling on what has been said above, cambelt is an easy job for a Mechanic on these cars so it's not too expensive to get done.

As for the key mine only came with one and i've seen a post on here about someone getting one cut and coded at timpsons for £25 so that's on my to do list as well!

You have to remember the age of the car when negotiating, it's going to have a few cosmetic things to do (alloys and maybe a bit of rust) so they aren't really major barganing points as far as i'm concerned.

But for the cambelt and key plus a gearbox oil change (also on my list of things to do!) try and knock off £200 but anything opver £100 knocked off and i'd say it's a good buy, looks clean in the pics!

[chrishyder]

Hi guys,

Many thanks for the replies.

Will certainly keep an eye out for rust under sills and around the windscreen as you said.

Am going to aim to get it for £1,000 but would definitely settle for £1,100.00 easily.  Made me chuckle that they all only seem to come with one key!

Only other thing I can think of - Parkers quotes the car as doing 31mpg - does anyone have any real life estimates as I know they can be better/worse than the official figures!  My current car does 65+mpg but can no longer cope with something so slow!

Cheers,
Chris

[GOLF_MK]

My 8v is doing 32mpg and that is with the vast majority of short journeys so i'm well happy with that.

On a run doing 60-70mph i get around 40.....

[ineson]

Looks a good buy, would definately look at this if I was in the market to buy a mk3 now.

[Horney]

I dream of figures like that, I'm lucky if I see 30mpg!

Nick

[GOLF_MK]

I dream of figures like that, I'm lucky if I see 30mpg!

Nick

Thats my worst car. Our 'baby bus' Focus C-Max 2.0tdci Ghia gets over 60mpg on a run,  it's not slow either!!!

 

[Wayne]

My 8V does around 30/35mpg, I had 2 keys with mine but had to change the ign. switch/barrel so had 1 key to suit looked at getting another key and VW is your only hope as they have a coded chip in them.

Looks a good buy.

[Drewcole]

Managed to get 39 out of mine the other day.... doing around 30mph in 5th......

Just been on a run to Newquay in mine, 325mile drive for me. was getting around 35mpg most of the way. Like any car depends on how you drive it.