Im thinking about a mk4

[drivebycar]

Now, I love mk2's and I have wanted one for ages and have had one for a while now. But, as usual, all it tends to do is cane my wallet, and is not proving to be as reliable as id hoped.

I had a mk3 for a while and it never let me down, never had anything go wrong apart from usual wear and tear type stuff, but then as soon as I get my dream mk2 gti 8v, the engine goes, so I get that rebuilt, and other things go and really its just not running right.

Which makes me think, should I get a mk4 tubby for the time being, and look into another mk2 when I have enough time and money to really get a good one....

Help please, 

[Ant1981]

Lol, I'll let you know. I bought a Mk4, was a Mk2 owner. As soon as I drove the Mk4 off the forecourt, all hell broke lose. ECU lights, warnings, this and that. I should have listened to a few other Mk4 owners (not from this forum). I could have bought something reliable instead.

[drivebycar]

lol great. There was me thinking VW's were reliable cars 

[MarkS]

What model of mk4 are you thinking about?
I went from mk4 1.6 to mk2, and although it is easier to drive round town etc, the mk2 is so much better in every other respect
I think mk2s are better built too
Far better on fuel too!
If you want a car to just get you to and from work calm, comfortable manner, then the mk4 is probably the better option, but if you enjoy driving then the mk2 is the way to go!
(obviously i can't comment on mk4 GTi's as I havent driven one, just the lower end models )

[Ant1981]

I did too. Someone near me has had almost every sensor replaced on thiers, someone I used to work with had problems too, both Mk4's. Onces sorted, they may be alright, but it's the inconvenience it brings to us.

[drivebycar]

I was thinking about a 1.8 T. Just because I have a 1.8 8v gti at the moment and love driving it about, so I wouldnt get anything slower. If I did get a mk4 it would definately be in line for a remap and a few subtle mods and just keep it fairly sensible really.

Whereas with the mk2, I was going to do engine conversion, probably to an ABF, then retrim the interior, full respray with new bumpers and g60 arches, some nice ronal LS rims, and go from there.

I was planning to put plenty of money into it and make my perfect car, but instead of letting me buy nice things for her, it keeps being a **** and making me pay for boring things like sensors, and water pumps, and head gaskets etc...

[Gloves88]

If you want a solid mk4 think GT TDI, I've heard folk having 240,000miles on them and they're still going strong!

Good fuel economy yet still has the oomph! when you want it

[drivebycar]

Pretty expensive to start off with tho, to be honest I would probably be looking to pick up a mk4 for between 2-4k really.

[Jay]

Someone said the 1.8T is slower than the 1.8 16V - so there can't be much difference between a 1.8T and a 1.8 8V...

If you're going to spend 2-4k on a MK4 you might as well pour that cash into the MK2 to get it mint and get an engine conversion.

[drivebycar]

Yeah i know, but I can buy a mk4, get it mapped and be done.

whereas the mk2 would be alot of work and although I would love it, seems ot be the harder option at the moment..

Hence my dilemma