mk3 Golf gti 1.8t or the 2.0?

Gadge

Gadge

Gadge

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Selling my car so as a stop gap, want to spend about 1.5k. Narrowed it down to the a golf gti but miles are around 100k, but thats ok.

With the 1.8t i know the turbo is near its life, so the worst that could hit me is what? 600 quid for a new turbo?

or the 2.0 which may be the safer engine, just not as fun?

you thoughts please?
 
Avoid 2.0 "gti" on the Mk4.
Also avoid the 1.8 (non turbo), though im not sure if they ever sold that in the UK, slightly less athsmatic than the 2.0 (oh the ironing).
 
yes the stats on the 2.0 look rubbish, the 1.6 16v is just as quick on paper. So the turbo should last on the 1.8t? its the 150bhp version with 95k on the clock
 
No-one can say how long the turbo will last, it depends on how well the turbo was made, what oil has been used and how the owner has treated the car, 100% luck, for example; just because the car has a full service history doesn't mean the owner hasn't thrashed the turbo from cold.

The 2.0 engine is about as risk free as it gets, an older 1.8T isn't, upto you but if you want a cheap car i wouldn't be buying either of those engines or that car for a matter of fact.
 
Don't get a Golf Mk4 GTI 2.0 expecting any sort of GTI power :)
I've got one but it's good enough as a cheapo runabout car.
 
its only a stop gap motor, just something to get me about with a touch of fun, plus i like the look of them. spending a fortune? parts should be fairly cheap and labour, well i work with some handy fellas so im ok there.
 
i went in a mk4 diesel on the weekend that had done nearly 200k and been treated like crap. felt tight as a drum and drove like a dream. a true testament to the awesomeness of the mk4. really is a gem of a car imo
 
Irrational rant time!

What is it with this forum and the silly names people come out with for cars as if they are trying to convince themselves its ok to buy a shed? Are they THAT insecure?

Whats wrong with just saying 'I am after a new car, my budget is XYZ?'

But no, its never like this it. It always comes accompanied with some stupid phrase like 'a daily' (When used by somebody who doesnt have a Lotus in the garage so really its... YOUR CAR not 'a daily') or a 'stop gap motor' or 'a runabout'.

It just comes across as so lame.

Its a car. Yes you use it daily and for 'running about' But newsflash, so does everyone else. Thats what cars are for! We ALL buy cars so we can go to the shops, go to work, pop to see friends. Thats pretty much the main point in having a car!

Its like you potentially feel embarrased you only have £1500 to spend on a car so you try and justify it to yourself by saying 'YEA ITS A STOP GAP MOTOR INNIT'. Seriously, there is no need. There is nothing wrong with only having £1500 to spend your car (Yes, your car, not 'a daily snotter stopgap runabout'.

Guys - its ok to buy a cheap car. You don't need to feel ashamed. You dont need to think up some daft name to make people go 'Oh, its ok, its only a snot gap about runner'. Nobody here will judge you because you can only afford a 1500 quid car. Lots of people here have 1500 quid cars, and of those that dont many of us used to. It's ok.

Back to the OP.

If you've got £1500 to spend on a car, find a car thats decent for £1500. Don't find a nail of a £2-3k car instead with a hope of 'fixing it up'. Its just a waste of time. Just deal with the fact you cant really afford the car you want, compromise, and get something you can afford. It really isnt hard. This sort of money doesnt buy a good Mk4 Golf 1.8T, and buying a crap one is just silly and ridiculous. Even if you can find one its probably been owned by people who buy a new car every 3 months, tell the world 'its just a stop snotter driver', bodge everying becuase 'its a snot gap!122' and then punt it on to some other poor sod to deal with all the problems.
 
[TW]Fox;16707932 said:
Whats wrong with just saying 'I am after a new car, my budget is XYZ?'
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Because people on this forum will still want to know what the car is going to be used for, whether the poster wants a hatch or a boat or a roadster, what finances are like to work out if they can afford running costs, is there enough change for an iPad, etc etc.
 
Gadge said:
yes the stats on the 2.0 look rubbish, the 1.6 16v is just as quick on paper. So the turbo should last on the 1.8t? its the 150bhp version with 95k on the clock
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I ran a 1.8T (2000) for seven years and 190,000 miles, no turbo problems and very little oil usage.
 
david25 said:
I ran a 1.8T (2000) for seven years and 190,000 miles, no turbo problems and very little oil usage.
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Thank you, these are the answers I'm after.

TW you take things too serious, lighten up mate, please. I could quite easily put more money towards it but i don't want to, thats going on other things...there are other priorities in my life at the moment.
 
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Gadge said:
Thank you, these are the answers I'm after.

TW you take things too serious, lighten up mate, please. I could quite easily put more money towards it but i don't want to, thats going on other things...there are other priorities in my life at the moment.
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Just get a Mk3 16v for £1500, instead of a shoddy Mk4 1.8T.
 
The garage I went to look at the Mondeo at yesterday had a 3 Door 1.8T with 80k on it up at 2k, so could have probably got it for 1500 quid. I didnt spend long looking at it, as they dont appeal that much to me but I had a quick poke around as it was within my budget too - looked like a very tidy car, didnt seem remotely sheddish to me! So there are going to be good ones out there, you should just be selective and make sure you get a good one.

If it's a golf GTI you want then definitely get the 1.8T over the 2.0, although Benjo's suggestion of a Mk3 is probably worth considering too. Yes, the turbo is something to go wrong, but the 2.0 is so pointless, you'd be better off with a TDI! One of the benefits of cars like the golf that attract a heavy scene following is that there are examples around that have been owned by an enthusiast, they shouldnt be too hard to find.
 
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