RE: PH Heroes: VW Golf GTI
Discussion
I have had six gti's, mark 1 and 2, the Mark 2 was always easier to live with, the Mark 1's always had iffy brakes due to the crappy left to right hand conversion that involved a bell crank linkage which was just about ok when new but as they got older they got very sloppy, same with the gear linkage.
There can be a vast variation with a few miles on, I had four Mk2's, I prefer the 8 valve to the 16 valve, sure the valver was quicker but most of the time the 8 valve was nicer to drive.
There can be a vast variation with a few miles on, I had four Mk2's, I prefer the 8 valve to the 16 valve, sure the valver was quicker but most of the time the 8 valve was nicer to drive.
A good write up indeed, and I agree that the Golf lost its way after the Mk2 when it all seemed to go wrong...
It's still a pretty good car tbh, but like anything old, you have to be prepared to fix bits that go wrong (the self-severing rear wiring loom is a treat). Admittedly the handling of the Mk2 GTD is not quite as spot on as the GTI, however, it's proved to me on a number of occassions it's pretty well planted!
I think the handling of the Corrado was better, but I needed cheaper motoring!
I also loved the handling of my (woefully underpowered) 1.0l 205, and the 106s I have driven so I keep an open mind on this. No point in drawing battle lines about this.
I keep driving my Mk2 Diseasel as most modern cars in my price range are no fun and can't be tinkered with/fixed. It's also cheap as chips & still fun to drive.
Long may the debate continue though!
Cheers,
Tom
It's still a pretty good car tbh, but like anything old, you have to be prepared to fix bits that go wrong (the self-severing rear wiring loom is a treat). Admittedly the handling of the Mk2 GTD is not quite as spot on as the GTI, however, it's proved to me on a number of occassions it's pretty well planted!
I think the handling of the Corrado was better, but I needed cheaper motoring!
I also loved the handling of my (woefully underpowered) 1.0l 205, and the 106s I have driven so I keep an open mind on this. No point in drawing battle lines about this.
I keep driving my Mk2 Diseasel as most modern cars in my price range are no fun and can't be tinkered with/fixed. It's also cheap as chips & still fun to drive.
Long may the debate continue though!
Cheers,
Tom
Count me as another Mk2 fan - I had a 1.8 8v that I dropped a modded 2.0 16v motor into. Fun, but the 239 mm front disks could barely stop it.
In a straight line it had the measure of a 325ti (E46 shape) and Clio 172, but far less grip for the twisty stuff, though it was always inherently balanced and communicated beautifully about the road surface and when it was going to let go.
After scaring myself I sold it.
6 months later I could not resist the urge and bout a stock 16v, which came with bigger front brakes. Lovely car.
I then replaced it with a VR6 which had a lovely creamy exhaust note, but could not turn a corner for love or money. Having also briefly had a Mk4 GTI and a Mk1 (but not a Mk5), the Mk2 was definitely the high point for me. Superb feedback from the controls, balanced, reasonably well made - it touched all the bases.
In a straight line it had the measure of a 325ti (E46 shape) and Clio 172, but far less grip for the twisty stuff, though it was always inherently balanced and communicated beautifully about the road surface and when it was going to let go.
After scaring myself I sold it.
6 months later I could not resist the urge and bout a stock 16v, which came with bigger front brakes. Lovely car.
I then replaced it with a VR6 which had a lovely creamy exhaust note, but could not turn a corner for love or money. Having also briefly had a Mk4 GTI and a Mk1 (but not a Mk5), the Mk2 was definitely the high point for me. Superb feedback from the controls, balanced, reasonably well made - it touched all the bases.
I always liked the shape of the MkII GTi, but never really had any desire to own one - then a few months ago I was needing a cheap but fun daily, and a '90 8v 5-door came up for not a lot of money. What can I say, it's fantastic. Because it's had the money spent on the right things (suspension bushes, servicing, brakes, etc) is still handles, goes, and stops like it should - don't judge the cornering and stopping ability of a 17yr-old car on worn bushes and brakes against something newer! Btw, mine's on standard discs and stops on a sixpence, the trick is braided hoses... 
Thankfully the other half works for a VW tuners, and they've been looking after the car for the three years prior to me buying it, so it's got a good few miles left in her yet! I've test driven the 205 GTi in comparison, and whilst they handle and go nicely enough, it just felt too flimsy and rattly compared to the Golf in my opinion.
Thankfully the other half works for a VW tuners, and they've been looking after the car for the three years prior to me buying it, so it's got a good few miles left in her yet! I've test driven the 205 GTi in comparison, and whilst they handle and go nicely enough, it just felt too flimsy and rattly compared to the Golf in my opinion.
no question about it the Golf Gti is/was one of the best cars in the world.
I've owned loads of them of all different models/ages, the fact is a Golf GTi does what its supposed to do so well, there is no doubt its well desrved of being a PH hero.
And if you can find a good one, eg Mk2 16v say 91/92 you will be very impressed.
Not sure why anyone on this thread would say the Mk1 / Mk2 Gti wasnt a great car, that a bit like admitting you are a clown of giant proportions with little or no ability to understand what makes a great car so great.
I've owned loads of them of all different models/ages, the fact is a Golf GTi does what its supposed to do so well, there is no doubt its well desrved of being a PH hero.
And if you can find a good one, eg Mk2 16v say 91/92 you will be very impressed.
Not sure why anyone on this thread would say the Mk1 / Mk2 Gti wasnt a great car, that a bit like admitting you are a clown of giant proportions with little or no ability to understand what makes a great car so great.
I collected my '88 MK2 Golf GTI 8v last Thursday. 104k miles on the clock but in brilliant condition - not bad for 700 notes.
First impressions are great. The car is completely solid, handles really well and is pretty nippy. Yes, my wife's turbodiesel would rag it in a drag race but that's not why i bought it. It's proper old school fun. No PAS, no ABS, no electric windows, no central locking, no bo
ocks. I'm not even going to replace the original radio-dial stereo in it because i don't want to spoil the looks - who wants to listen to music in it anyway.
Can't enter the Pug 205 v Golf MK2 debate though, as i desperately love them both. If i ever get bored of the MK2, it'll be a Pug i get next - it's just one of those cars i need to have owned before i die. And a Mk1/Mk2 Escort. And...
Anyway, long story short, if like me you read EVO cover to cover each month drooling over new metal you're unlikely to ever be rich enough to own, you should consider a well maintained older car - especially when you can easily spend less than a grand. In this world of "safety" cameras, the fact is that you can get much more driving enjoyment out of a classic car going 60mph than you ever would in most modern cars going twice that. It also gives you the chance to get involved in car maintenance, which can be very rewarding (and can also be a complete pain in the erse, to be honest)
First impressions are great. The car is completely solid, handles really well and is pretty nippy. Yes, my wife's turbodiesel would rag it in a drag race but that's not why i bought it. It's proper old school fun. No PAS, no ABS, no electric windows, no central locking, no bo
ocks. I'm not even going to replace the original radio-dial stereo in it because i don't want to spoil the looks - who wants to listen to music in it anyway.Can't enter the Pug 205 v Golf MK2 debate though, as i desperately love them both. If i ever get bored of the MK2, it'll be a Pug i get next - it's just one of those cars i need to have owned before i die. And a Mk1/Mk2 Escort. And...
Anyway, long story short, if like me you read EVO cover to cover each month drooling over new metal you're unlikely to ever be rich enough to own, you should consider a well maintained older car - especially when you can easily spend less than a grand. In this world of "safety" cameras, the fact is that you can get much more driving enjoyment out of a classic car going 60mph than you ever would in most modern cars going twice that. It also gives you the chance to get involved in car maintenance, which can be very rewarding (and can also be a complete pain in the erse, to be honest)
uremaw said:
. . . It's proper old school fun. No PAS, no ABS, no electric windows, no central locking, no boocks. . . . In this world of "safety" cameras, the fact is that you can get much more driving enjoyment out of a classic car going 60mph than you ever would in most modern cars going twice that.
That's why I keep my G5 Civic: old skool fun . . . indept susp. adds to that.ocks. . . . In this world of "safety" cameras, the fact is that you can get much more driving enjoyment out of a classic car going 60mph than you ever would in most modern cars going twice that. An ESi - 127 hp - outruns a Mk2 GTi and has better mpg.
uremaw said:
Anyway, long story short, if like me you read EVO cover to cover each month drooling over new metal you're unlikely to ever be rich enough to own, you should consider a well maintained older car - especially when you can easily spend less than a grand. In this world of "safety" cameras, the fact is that you can get much more driving enjoyment out of a classic car going 60mph than you ever would in most modern cars going twice that. It also gives you the chance to get involved in car maintenance, which can be very rewarding (and can also be a complete pain in the erse, to be honest)
Spot on!One thing I loved about my Mk2 GTI wasnt the performance, its the way you felt like you were flying along while doing 60 mph on a country road. Thats why I never felt wanting for much more performance ultimately. I suspect many older cars are the same...
spot on;
One thing I loved about my Mk2 GTI wasnt the performance, its the way you felt like you were flying along while doing 60 mph on a country road. Thats why I never felt wanting for much more performance ultimately. I suspect many older cars are the same...
pbirkett said:
uremaw said:
Anyway, long story short, if like me you read EVO cover to cover each month drooling over new metal you're unlikely to ever be rich enough to own, you should consider a well maintained older car - especially when you can easily spend less than a grand. In this world of "safety" cameras, the fact is that you can get much more driving enjoyment out of a classic car going 60mph than you ever would in most modern cars going twice that. It also gives you the chance to get involved in car maintenance, which can be very rewarding (and can also be a complete pain in the erse, to be honest)
Spot on!One thing I loved about my Mk2 GTI wasnt the performance, its the way you felt like you were flying along while doing 60 mph on a country road. Thats why I never felt wanting for much more performance ultimately. I suspect many older cars are the same...
I love Mk2 golfs, My valver has just been upgraded with Poly bushes, Weitec suspension, Cross drilled discs with green stuff Pads, 2.0 16v On its way! (In peices in the porch)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ6uR92Chno
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ6uR92Chno
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff