Hello Chaps,
I have a friend who wants to buy a cheap car and is looking at 1980s Golfs. I don't know much about these cars so if anyone has any tips about what to look out for that would be helpful.
He is looking to buy a MkII about 1986 D-Reg onwards either from dealer or private. Which engine is preferable out of 1.3, 1.6 or 1.8 carb for instance. He does not want a GTi, Synchro, G60(!) etc..
Thanks in advance Chaps. I'm sure you'll come up with some good tips.
Regards from Jase
CavV6 and cavWeb fan.
www.cavweb.co.uk
|
Jase - I bought a C reg 1.3 4speed for son. 1.3 is a bit wheezy and needs more power and needs 5th gear for motorway use.
If had been 1.6 5speed I suspect he would still have it! Lack of power and 4 speed box + heavy body also meant it was a bit thirsty - at least the way he drove it! As long as the body is ok and it has been serviced it should be ok. Check HJ's car by car breakdown - the carpets do indeed get soggy when the door membranes go but it's easy enough to fix with a paper pattern, sheet of thick polythene or similar and a tin of evostick. Your friend will enjoy a Golf.
Pedro (Gone fishin')
|
|
|
I?ve only ever bought late 80s GTIs but I guess these tips apply to other models too.
Good way to tell if it?s been shunted in the rear ? lift up the carpet in the boot and the data sticker should still be visible near the spare wheel well. Same thing with a front end shunt ? if the thick metallic bar where the bonnet catch is is shiny black metal then it?s been replaced at some stage.
Matthew Kelly
No, not that one.
|
Best model IMHO is the 1.8GL. Decent amount of power, very high-geared so you get excellent fuel economy. Further improved by fitting a Weber carburettor, but the cost is getting hard to justify now these cars are so old and cheap. 1.6CL easier to find and nearly as good. Late (big bumper) 1600 Drivers look smart. I'd avoid the 1300 models unless insurance is a real problem - they are a bit underpowered and the small VW motors aren't as tough as the bigger ones. With regular servicing, 200,000 miles is no problem for a large engined Golf, so don't be put off by high mileages. These cars are now old enough that if it's showing a low mileage, it's almost certainly been 'clocked'. Walk away from anything with crumbling rear wheelarches - this seems to be the weak point where rust first takes hold, from where it starts munching through the sills, floor and rear suspension mounts.
Richard Hall
bangernomics.tripod.com
|
|
Does your friend need a hatchback? If not, has he considered a Jetta? All the good points of a Golf but a fair bit cheaper! The only problem comes if you need to carry large items as the rear seat doesn't fold, but the boot is *huge*. Also, they aren't as easy to find (or sell on) as Golfs. Otherwise, comments as above.
|
|
|
|
