Considering a Golf GT TDI 1.9?
- Thread starter Brozart
- Start date
Would have thought it would be a dog at that price, but for a grand its almost worth taking the punt.
You could get something mildly interesting to do 40 miles a day in though if you don't mind getting your hands dirty and looking after it. In guessing you just want " a car" though?
You could get something mildly interesting to do 40 miles a day in though if you don't mind getting your hands dirty and looking after it. In guessing you just want " a car" though?
I don't mind getting my hands dirty, still have a Corsa B going strong
What do you have in mind?For 40 miles a day I'd probably run something like an e36 328, fto gpx if you can insure it, bargain bucket mx5, gen 6 celica, gti6 etc etc.
They really don't quite match up for someone who is looking for a golf diesel though - that's not meant as a criticism BTW. If you want something "normal" then 1.6 civic, focus, mondeo, accord etc
They really don't quite match up for someone who is looking for a golf diesel though - that's not meant as a criticism BTW. If you want something "normal" then 1.6 civic, focus, mondeo, accord etc
My powers of maths may be failing me but I make that about 10k miles a year work miles.
Generally the advice is to look at something petrol for that.
If you got to buy a diesel the PD130 engine is reckoned by a lot of people to be nice and reliable for a diesel (dunno if I'd get one in a Golf mind you just because it's available in a huge range of VAG cars many of which are less loved and thus cheaper).
Seat Leons seem like a reasonable buy for that money.
It's the same car essentially but contemporary reviews said Seat had really nailed the suspension set-up. They also got versions of the 1.8t making more power than das VW without you having to get the limited edition or anything. You've then got all of the Golf aftermarket stuff available if that floats your boat.
There's also the Seat Toledo which is basically a Bora (Golf with a boot).
Both would be a cheaper way into a Golf platform car if that is what you fancy.
Generally the advice is to look at something petrol for that.
If you got to buy a diesel the PD130 engine is reckoned by a lot of people to be nice and reliable for a diesel (dunno if I'd get one in a Golf mind you just because it's available in a huge range of VAG cars many of which are less loved and thus cheaper).
Seat Leons seem like a reasonable buy for that money.
It's the same car essentially but contemporary reviews said Seat had really nailed the suspension set-up. They also got versions of the 1.8t making more power than das VW without you having to get the limited edition or anything. You've then got all of the Golf aftermarket stuff available if that floats your boat.
There's also the Seat Toledo which is basically a Bora (Golf with a boot).
Both would be a cheaper way into a Golf platform car if that is what you fancy.
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Soldato
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- 24 Sep 2005
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Seems alright for a grand.
GT TDI. The only car I have ever owned that I can say was the absolute worst mistake I ever made. Or she made, as it was her that bought it because she was doing 35 miles a day and I had to endure the pain that was using it every day.
I think you should do a search on the nothing but problems that occur with the turbo's in that generation of GT TDI around and after the 100k miles mark. Over £1000 for a reconditioned turbo... lol. When ours s*** the bed I quickly realised online that it was a more than common problem with these heaps.
It had the worst steering feel and handling I have ever experienced. It rattled, had the dullest interior ever and was horrible to drive in every way. Apart from being a bit gutsy down low for half a second before needing to change gear again.
If the guy was giving it to you for bugger all. I'd still tell you to avoid it like the plague.
I think you should do a search on the nothing but problems that occur with the turbo's in that generation of GT TDI around and after the 100k miles mark. Over £1000 for a reconditioned turbo... lol. When ours s*** the bed I quickly realised online that it was a more than common problem with these heaps.
It had the worst steering feel and handling I have ever experienced. It rattled, had the dullest interior ever and was horrible to drive in every way. Apart from being a bit gutsy down low for half a second before needing to change gear again.
If the guy was giving it to you for bugger all. I'd still tell you to avoid it like the plague.
I owned three pd130s and sold them at mileage varying from 130k-150k and none of them had turbo issues. they are stupidly bulletproof engines, and an absolute doddle to maintain.
theyre about one of the last simple diesel engines out there and the only real fundamental flaw is the breather and egr system
is there any chance something far simpler like yours ended up in limp mode, wouldnt boost and the garage told you it would need a new turbo?
theyre about one of the last simple diesel engines out there and the only real fundamental flaw is the breather and egr system
is there any chance something far simpler like yours ended up in limp mode, wouldnt boost and the garage told you it would need a new turbo?
3 garages confirmed it was the same issue with the turbo, honestly can't even remember specifically what it was but they recommended a new or replacement turbo. all of them independantly. One of them was a VW/turbo recon "specialist" said he had a pile of them in with this problem.
Also, ours was a 150, another fact I should have pointed out in post above. Not the 130 but I have heard plenty of negatives about the 130's which are a lot more common and all of the other things I personally hated about the 150 would be present in the 130. Interior, handling, etc etc.
Associate
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- 8 Jan 2007
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- 1,468
Had one for nearly 3 years now and had zero issues with it apart from routine maintenance. Cheap to run cheap maintain great car for the daily drive up and down the motorway for work. just hit 115k and no signs of any turbo issues. The main thing i hear about the turbo's are the veins sticking with carbon build up usually. Can be fixed pretty cheap with a can of oven cleaner.
I've been running a Bora 130 TDi for nearly 2 years and it too has been bulletproof to date. Bought with 118k on the clock and now on 143k. Only normal regular servicing and a new battery in that time. Work colleague has had a Golf GT TDi 110 for slightly longer and that's ticked over 190k now with no major dramas. Overall, I believe they're a fairly reliable package.
Caporegime
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- 22 Oct 2002
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This is always the problem when you are looking at cars in this price bracket. Personally I would either go for something old like a Audi 80 Tdi or Peugeot 405/406 for simplicity reasons. Avoid anything with a PD or common rail engine as your asking for trouble.
Personally I would go for a decent petrol engine car as you will get a lot more car for your money and any potential diesel saving literally goes up in smoke when a turbo, clutch or something else goes.
Personally I would go for a decent petrol engine car as you will get a lot more car for your money and any potential diesel saving literally goes up in smoke when a turbo, clutch or something else goes.