Like a Golf..

daveydave · 16 Nov 2009 at 19:44

I was looking at MK4's (god knows why!) about 2 years ago, I read a lot about 1.6 and 1.8 (although not sure if this was turbo'd or non) having issues with gearboxes.

I also know for a fact the windows like to fall inside the doors due to a plastic retainer clip snapping. These need to be replaced with metal ones.

I also think there were issues with water pumps and HGF on quite a few 1.8T

Hope this helps for areas of further research.

[TW]Fox · 16 Nov 2009 at 19:46

Gaijin said:
Why a GTI and the crap one at that? Just so she can say she has a GTI? Crap reason.

Because the 1.6 has an exploding chocolate gearbox and the 1.4 is a bit pathetic. They don't do a non GTI 1.8.

Not to mention the fact that plenty of petrolheads in the office will no doubt be quick to tell her that it, aside from the MK3 is the crappest GTI in existence. How will she feel then?

Not bothered.

I started off trying to find a Bora or a Toledo but there is just nothing down here but there is a couple of Mk4 GTI's. Hence the interest. Seems to tick all the boxes.

Fuel economy needs to be as good or better than a 2.0 16v Mk2 Mondeo.

Dangerous Dave · 16 Nov 2009 at 19:46

Howard said:
The V5 likes a drink, 35mpg sounds very optimistic. Lovely engine though

A lot of people seem to think this but my friend ran one for 3 years and his average was around 31mpg on a run he could hit the high 30s. I am assuming Fox's sister will be a little lighter on the throttle and will be doing more out of town commutes hence my slightly higher estimate.

Duke · 16 Nov 2009 at 19:46

Surely a Focus would be better than a Golf mk4?

[TW]Fox · 16 Nov 2009 at 19:48

Duke said:
Surely a Focus would be better than a Golf mk4?

All are ugly prefaceift models with crap spec, otherwise yes. Although to be honest the Focus is pointless beside the newer, better specified and just plain better Mk3 Mondeo, which is by far the best choice. Sigh.

'I've had a Ford, maybe something different now'

:/

Firestar_3x · 16 Nov 2009 at 19:49

daveydave said:
I also think there were issues with water pumps and HGF on quite a few 1.8T.

HGF on the 1.8T is very very rare.

For this purpose the non turbo GTI should do fine, its still looks much more expensive than it is and it built well enough.

Shame you can't get something like an E120 Corolla for this money.

[TW]Fox · 16 Nov 2009 at 19:51

It's an absolute nightmare. Female logic combined with the poor availability of cars in Devon = complete nightmare.

MikeHiow · 16 Nov 2009 at 19:51

Gaijin said:
aside from the MK3 8v, is the crappest GTI in existence. How will she feel then?

Fixed.

I've heard nothing but bad things about the MK4s locally, but this was a few years ago, no one I know drives one anymore.

I guess they are getting to the age where its hit or miss, it could be at the age/mileage where everything that is going to go wrong, has done so already, and has been fixed, or you could end up getting one that falls apart in 10 minutes.

Surely an E46 318 would fill the role a little better, a friend of mine recently picked a fairly specced one (Apart from 15" alloys :/) for £1700, and all it needed was two new shocks.

Howard · 16 Nov 2009 at 19:52

Astra?

[TW]Fox · 16 Nov 2009 at 19:53

MikeHiow said:
Surely an E46 318 would fill the role a little better

I agree. Nothing but a 2995 V plate around here, though. Missed a nice X plate example for £2495.

Buying a car this time around is a bit like crashing an airliner. I know it's going to crash, but I'm trying to steer it away from the city and into a field

MikeHiow · 16 Nov 2009 at 19:58

With a forum this size, and a personality that ensures everyone here "knows" you, could you not widen your search and see if someone from the forum would check it out for you, at least to see if its worth travelling for?

[TW]Fox · 16 Nov 2009 at 19:59

MikeHiow said:
With a forum this size, and a personality that ensures everyone here "knows" you

Thats as much a bad thing as it is good you know

v0n · 16 Nov 2009 at 20:02

1.8 20V AGN is one of those "it makes no sense Hans" engines every german car lineup has just to perplex everyone around. It offered no economy, co2 or tax bracket advantage over AGU/AUM 1.8T (in fact turbo version was better in terms of emissions) while having no poke or fun factor of the aforementioned turbo unit. I don't think there are many of those around, because most early examples snapped their belts by now and gone to scrappy. Original manuals suggested belts should be changed every 4 years or 120,000 miles, but wave of snapped belts before reaching 70k made VW revise the schedule to 60k or 4 years. It is widely believed to be too long, and currently many dealers will suggest 40k between belt changes on any of the 1.8 units.

MikeHiow · 16 Nov 2009 at 20:06

[TW]Fox;15329934 said:
Thats as much a bad thing as it is good you know

[TW]Fox · 16 Nov 2009 at 20:07

v0n said:
It is widely believed to be too long, and currently many dealers will suggest 40k between belt changes on any of the 1.8 units.

This is interesting.

What is a belt change going to cost?

Gaijin · 16 Nov 2009 at 20:08

[TW]Fox;15329823 said:
Because the 1.6 has an exploding chocolate gearbox and the 1.4 is a bit pathetic. They don't do a non GTI 1.8.

The 1.4 isn't actually that bad. However, everything you say suggests something other than a golf would be more suitable.

I feel your pain as helping a woman choose a car involves throwing rationality and logic out of the window, but the GTI doesn't seem the answer to me.

[TW]Fox;15329823 said:
Not bothered.

You, or her? I'm sure she will be bothered if people are telling her how gash her car is. Which defeats the point of getting a GTI because of the badge.

Muffin` said:
Is yours still for sale? Seems perfect

It went last weekend. Was absolutely gutted. 4 and half years, and 60,000 miles of the Skivvic - done most the work on it myself and plenty of memories. Pretty sad for a 2 grand Honda.

I think an EK would be a better suit for Fox's lady.

MikeHiow · 16 Nov 2009 at 20:09

You sold a VTI-S for £2k?

Or do you just call it a VTI-s because thats what the log book says?

Dangerous Dave · 16 Nov 2009 at 20:10

[TW]Fox;15329996 said:
This is interesting.

What is a belt change going to cost?

About £250, the parts alone including the metal impeller water pump and tensioners are around £120.

[TW]Fox · 16 Nov 2009 at 20:10

Gaijin said:
The 1.4 isn't actually that bad. However, everything you say suggests something other than a golf would be more suitable.

Yes, a Mk3 Mondeo would be most suitable. But she wants something 'cool'. Perhaps she should have thought about that before going for a job with a long commute :/

I feel your pain as helping a woman choose a car involves throwing rationality and logic out of the window, but the GTI doesn't seem the answer to me.

No, the answer is Mk3 Mondeo but unfortunately it doesnt seem to be the answer she wants. There is virtually nothing suitable for this sort of budget. Well there is, loads of stuff, but... grrr

You, or her? I'm sure she will be bothered if people are telling her how gash her car is. Which defeats the point of getting a GTI because of the badge.

Once it's bought she can deal with it

I'm not entirely sure its the issue some people think it'll be. I don't think she works in an office full of petrolheads.

I think an EK would be a better suit for Fox's lady.

My lady

It's for my sister.

At least the GF has the good sense to want the TT over the Golf

v0n · 16 Nov 2009 at 20:12

[TW]Fox;15329996 said:
This is interesting.

What is a belt change going to cost?

Circa £120 labour at indie, around £350 at main dealer.