Considering a GTI 8v as a daily - am I mad?

[sharpie]

the bias you will get asking this question on this forum means that most the replies can be totally disregarded.

mind that you will have to get your hands dirty from time to time. you can't buy an old car and expect it to behave itself like a new one.

[The Mighty Elvi]

I suppose it comes down to pounds shillings and pence at the end of the day, paticularly in credit crunch land.  You could buy a diesel and arrive at your destination with a warm feeling inside knowing how much money you saved on the journey.

Or you could buy a 16v GTi and arrive at your destination with a big smile on your face, counting down the hours until you can get back in the GTi and make the return journey.  If you view cars simply as a ways and means of getting from A to B then get any old thing.  But if you subscrible to the theory that the journey is far more fun than the arrival, then get the GTi.

Life is short, use every opportunity to enjoy it.

[cняis]

the bias you will get asking this question on this forum means that most the replies can be totally disregarded.

mind that you will have to get your hands dirty from time to time. you can't buy an old car and expect it to behave itself like a new one.

very true. although the golf has proven itself much more reliable than the newer (and lower milage) rover i had before it.

[GTIMKiiJODE]

Not mad its a great idea. I let go off my beloved 1990 8V GTI (200000 miles on clock) 4 years ago for a lovely 3 year old TDI. Thought that £7000 would buy me a car that would be low on maintinance costs compared to what i thought was an expensive old mk II gti.

How wrong was i, the TDI only a little better fuel economy but repair bills really cost so much money compared to my old GTI.

It never let me down appart from the odd head gasket and gearbox but neither of those cost that much to sort out. I think they are one of the nicest golfs to drive. Had a 1.8 T gti for a while, that just didn't have the feel of the old mk ii. I never drove a mk 1 though. Go for it, but get one with the best body work possible with a nice tight gearbox and suspension. Think a 16V would be really nice but i beleive the 8 v are a little less problematic. Mechanically they are fairly simple and built to last.

I'm toying with the idea myself.

[mk2majik]

hey there mines a 1991 8v (digifant)with comprehensive fsh,ive seen it deliver 50 mpg on a steady run over 80 miles,there might be a few niggles need ironing out when you buy it but i would highly reccomend one mate just for the respect you get when driving,theres not many journeys when someone doesnt flash ya,good luck dude

[danny_p]

a good GTI will stomp those miles out without a worry.  but i wouls suggest if it has to be ultamtaly relaibale buy a run out speck car if you can and then some preventive matance.   i would be very tempeted to put LPG on it as the engines take it well ok you loose a bit of power so get a 16v to make up for it.

would suggest going over the car like hawk tho and rplace any mecanical parts that look like there about to go.  top on my list would be wishbones,  metal water pipe, oil cooler , water pipe from pump to metal water pipe, rad, thin braded pipe from rad to top bottel, top bottel cap ,heataer matrix (if not had one / feeling keen)  water pump if looking makyey and a new set of belts, plkugs and leads.    that wouodl be the most common reasons for seeing a gti stranded removed. 

may look like thats all colling system stuff nearly, but it seems that a lot of parts ve used in the cooling system were good for about 20 yrs hence atm it becomeing more common to have cooling issues at least there easy to fix 

[benga]

Wow - loads to read!  Thank you all for taking the time to share your feedback and opinions, I really appreciated it.  Sorry its taken me a while to get back on the forum - I've had one of those weeks.

It looks like as long as I get a 8v Digifant in decent condition and look after it I'm good for fuel economy and reliability.   How much do you think I'd need to pay for a 3 door GTI 8v in reasonable condition?  Happy to do a bit of work but it would have to be my daily whilst I did any work on it. I think I'd like a run out edition if possible to get the extra toys in Oak Green, or black, or blue, or Grey, or maybe white...

I guess the next steps are to test drive one, start saving and figure out how much the tax and insurance will sting me for.

Anyone fancy swapping my Mk1 Arosa auto for a mk2 Golf GTI?  2 careful owners.   Well - it was worth a go

[Conker]

How much do you think I'd need to pay for a 3 door GTI 8v in reasonable condition?

The formula is as follows:

Cost of a Mk2 GTI  =  Quality Expectations - (Level of Patience  x  Luck)


In other words, people have found decent GTI's for £500, while others have spent £3000+.  IMO, £1000 will get you a good runner, £2000 will get you something lovely.

[sharpie]

IMO, £1000 will get you a good runner, £2000 will get you something lovely.

you will get a mk2 8v for £500 no problems. for a grand i'd be expecting something special, or with 8 more valves

[Conker]

IMO, £1000 will get you a good runner, £2000 will get you something lovely.

you will get a mk2 8v for £500 no problems. for a grand i'd be expecting something special, or with 8 more valves

Like I said...  A can'o'worms.