Golf Mk1... First car

benjo

benjo

benjo

Soldato
Joined
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Hey all.

I'm 100% dead set on a Golf Mk1, not the GTi though, as i don't think i could afford the insurance :<

I've been looking around for quite some time now, average price for a 1.5 from '73 - '84 is about £1500 for one in good nick. Just asking what peoples thoughts are on this car? What should i look out for when buying?

Secondly, i've been quoted £1500 full comp, which is the best i can find so far. Anybody know of any other insurance schemes for my age (17) i'd be happy to know!

Thanks :)
 
Matt82 said:
id say youre a bit mad unless you are very mechanically competant. on a car that age, you should expect loads of bits to go wrong, it could involve a lot of work.
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What complete and utter tosh!

Besides, it's the kind of car that you can change the engine yourself on a Saturday. It has a bloody carburettor! The thing only needs four wires to run!

*n
 
If you like the Mk1 Golf then go for it. You up for working on the car yourself?

Also what companies you tried for insurance? Might find there is one that favours the mk1 Golf by giving money off by being in the owners club.
 
I can tell you one thing - you don't get a lot for your money!

£1500 sounds expensive - bear in mind that the 'in demand' models are the GTi's, especially the 1.8's, non-sunroof, MFA models. I payed £1500 for my '82 in this spec, with recently respray, stainless exhaust, updated suspension, Ronal Turbo's.

And the 76's are the very first ones, with the 'ye olde' dash.

I can't really recommend Golf's as first cars tbh - they're great cars, don't get me wrong, I love mine and it gets an excellent response from people in the street. Compared to my Elise, its got fairly negative responses - but everyone seems to love the Mk1's, mainly from the people who grew up admiring them.

But they are VERY poor value for money, usually require plenty of work doing (they are almost 30 years old). Most parts will be old or original. Most parts you have to get from ebay, and they cost a fortune if they're in good condition.

If your after a project car, they're great, but if your after an everyday car, the Mk2's are much better value for money. Newer, better built, better specced and a hell of a lot cheaper!
 
Matt82 said:
a job for any muppet with a 12pc tool set then?
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Spend £100 on the full Halfords Pro set and you have just about everything you could need. Lifetime warranties too.

Then you just need a Jack and axle stands (pennies from Machine Mart)

You can get an engine lift for £50 or just do it the easy way (raise jack under engine until you have it's weight, undo mounts, lift car up and over engine...).

It's the kind of car that is perfect for anyone with a wish to learn how to work on cars....Plus, they hardly ever go wrong.

Apart from that sodding Pierburg. Bin it and fit a weber. They're a 'standard replacement part' too - no insurance change.

*n
 
mad_allan said:
On a serious note, I love the mk1 but as already asked, are you mechanically minded or at least willing to learn?
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Willing to learn :)

The insurance i've found best was with Direct line.
 
Actually, I'd echo the sentiments of others - if you're willing to get a mk2, you can get a VERY nice Driver for £500-700.

*n
 
Matmulder said:
Its actually a good time to post a picture of my project :p

http://www.evoposters.net/carsa/album158/mk1_4

Currently awaiting the winter, when I'll locate a nice 9a (or 6a) 2.0 16v to drop in.
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That Mk1 looks great :)

I too have been considering a Mk1, but only as a project in a year or so's time, I doubt it will see the road much for the first year I have it. Mk2 is better for a daily driver tho imo, and you can still learn on them very easily.
 
For cheaper insurance for any car like this, get yourself over to a popular golf forum, try one specifically for the mk1 and you may find that the club MAY have a insurance deal with a certain company giving you a certain percentage off.
 
MNuTz said:
For cheaper insurance for any car like this, get yourself over to a popular golf forum, try one specifically for the mk1 and you may find that the club MAY have a insurance deal with a certain company giving you a certain percentage off.
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If you get an early example of the car, is it so old it's road tax exempt?
 
I quite admire the younger user buying and admiring an older car.

Not only do they teach you the values of driving without any useful driving aids, they teach you about maintenance and are great to drive. When you're ready to buy a "proper" car you can keep the older car and do unwildly things to it in your garage and grow a beard.

Also, the project link posted goes to an advertising holding page?
 
id say youre a bit mad unless you are very mechanically competant. on a car that age, you should expect loads of bits to go wrong, it could involve a lot of work.
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Can I put this in the "people talking crap" thread? :p


And yes, it's a great idea. It'll be interesting, easy to keep going, relatively entertaining to hoon about in and there's plenty of cheap, simple things you can do to improve it.

Might be worth trying Adrian Flux (Edags) for a quote but Norwich Union with passplus is probably your best route.

Just don't buy a shed. Or a wreck. Or something with more air than steel.
 
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