RE: SOTW: VW Citi Golf
Discussion
Why do people always go on about safety. It is part but a minor part. The reasons why cars get bigger is mainly down to the general pubic. They always seem to want bigger. If another manufactuer model is larger within the same segment, it could mean the loss of a sale to many customers. i.e. the boots and passenger cabin gets larger, plus more toys.
Plus noone wants to see painted metal in their car, they prefer it to be covered in other materials, not even plastic anymore. Take a look at the centre console and gearlever surrounds now to a car about 30 years ago, now they cover a vast area. I have seenit here been said many times,they wouldnotbuy a Evoor Scooby because the interior looks dated or is not like a Golf R etc.
Plus noone wants to see painted metal in their car, they prefer it to be covered in other materials, not even plastic anymore. Take a look at the centre console and gearlever surrounds now to a car about 30 years ago, now they cover a vast area. I have seenit here been said many times,they wouldnotbuy a Evoor Scooby because the interior looks dated or is not like a Golf R etc.
I wonder would there have been for a market for small scale imports here.
People of my generation (40) maybe up for a classic car from their childhood/youth I reckon would be interested in this.
I would love a mint, 1982 Golf GTI.
A company could have imported these, got them UK type approved (The VW Bus from Brazil has it) added some fun engine mods.
I have a friend who I know would have had one like a shot - in Mars Red if poss.
Top interesting unusual shed. Nice One
People of my generation (40) maybe up for a classic car from their childhood/youth I reckon would be interested in this.
I would love a mint, 1982 Golf GTI.
A company could have imported these, got them UK type approved (The VW Bus from Brazil has it) added some fun engine mods.
I have a friend who I know would have had one like a shot - in Mars Red if poss.
Top interesting unusual shed. Nice One
tommy1973s said:
Having grown up with British and French cars (which I still love), it was chalk and cheese in terms of build quality when we switched to VWs in the early 80s. The typical VW was more strongly made, interior trim didn't fall off, used less oil, handled more tidily, had better gear shifts than the French cars' woeful shifts, used less fuel - and had more torque and less flat spots than equivalent French and British cars - and the engines on our Mark II 8 valvers were stronger and more economical after 60k or so miles (when our previous cars were starting to smoke). Of course, other than the GTis and the 90bhp and 5 cylinder Passat, they were slow and dull and lacked emotive character, but the basic ingredients for an entertaining and honest car were there. Nowadays, all cars are good, but back then there was a difference.
The real appeal of the Citi is that it's a great basis for a project. As anyone who's addicted to projects will tell you, the biggest expense on an old car is the bodywork and the paint. Finding a "new old" shell like this would be a dream - like finding a 2 year old Mark II escort shell for pocket money.
I also drove several Citis round Cape Town and the light weight and peppy little engine allowed them to dismiss rutted surfaces in a way that a modern VW / car could only dream of. Way more fun than the equivalent modern.
And there's something else - they look sharp as a Mod's convention. They were, after all, the last mass produced car penned by Giugiaro, instead of the bloated in-house VW efforts for the subsequent models. On my last trip to Jo'burg airport, our taxi was surrounded by bloated bar-of-soap modern hatches with cissified modern styling and the occasional Citi Golf, with its "folded paper" lines, had a rare purity. They may be small and old, but they still look like a proper car, devoid of gimmicks.
God, at last, someone who understands. The real appeal of the Citi is that it's a great basis for a project. As anyone who's addicted to projects will tell you, the biggest expense on an old car is the bodywork and the paint. Finding a "new old" shell like this would be a dream - like finding a 2 year old Mark II escort shell for pocket money.
I also drove several Citis round Cape Town and the light weight and peppy little engine allowed them to dismiss rutted surfaces in a way that a modern VW / car could only dream of. Way more fun than the equivalent modern.
And there's something else - they look sharp as a Mod's convention. They were, after all, the last mass produced car penned by Giugiaro, instead of the bloated in-house VW efforts for the subsequent models. On my last trip to Jo'burg airport, our taxi was surrounded by bloated bar-of-soap modern hatches with cissified modern styling and the occasional Citi Golf, with its "folded paper" lines, had a rare purity. They may be small and old, but they still look like a proper car, devoid of gimmicks.
SS7
I love Golfs and do miss my old one. But, I would not have a 1.3 engine. It felt ok when I had it but when I got my Calibra, I did not drive the Golf for about 3 months. Went to drive it and it felt soooo slow and it needed a 5th gear. They are a dull car. Would only have a Gti or a VR6 conversion etc.
Poor SOTW tbh. All white as well, not good. Oak green is the colour of choice for me. Should have kept my old Golf. Sold it for £650. now I would get alot more considering the condition and everything, just needed a Gti engine.
Poor SOTW tbh. All white as well, not good. Oak green is the colour of choice for me. Should have kept my old Golf. Sold it for £650. now I would get alot more considering the condition and everything, just needed a Gti engine.
I did my driving lessons and test in one of the original two tone Citis. Many years later drove a 1.3 Citi Shuttle, probably also around 1996ish vintage, while there on holiday a few years back. Neither left much of an impression on me.
If you want one with a GTI engine then you'd probably want to start out by looking for a Citigolf CTI, which came with a 1.8 injected lump, sharper suspension, alloys and all sorts of stuff as standard and was quite well trimmed inside for an old golf. I think it had two tone (grey and black) half leather seats too. Very early '90s sporty. They were quite quick, but will be getting on for at least 15 years old now too, if you can find one.
EDIT:
The Citigolf CTI
If you want one with a GTI engine then you'd probably want to start out by looking for a Citigolf CTI, which came with a 1.8 injected lump, sharper suspension, alloys and all sorts of stuff as standard and was quite well trimmed inside for an old golf. I think it had two tone (grey and black) half leather seats too. Very early '90s sporty. They were quite quick, but will be getting on for at least 15 years old now too, if you can find one.
EDIT:
The Citigolf CTI
I too can not understand the negativity- it's a great SOTW (but then again, I've spent time down in Cape Town where these things are 2 a penny!).
As others have said, these are a great basis for a project- a 1.8T engine in this would make it fly. Get a late model for the (what I think is) the Skoda Fabia interior, and you have a modern interior in a retro car, withouth the rust/fatigue you would get from a late 70s/early 80s car.
They are surprisingly roomy, too, because they aren't filled with crumple zones, side impact and roll over strengthening- which leads me to the absolute best thing about these cars- visibility. Slender A pillars means a great view out, and the boxy shape is so simple to park as you can see each corner perfectly. Sod pedestrian safety and sloping bonnets.
Good shedding!
As others have said, these are a great basis for a project- a 1.8T engine in this would make it fly. Get a late model for the (what I think is) the Skoda Fabia interior, and you have a modern interior in a retro car, withouth the rust/fatigue you would get from a late 70s/early 80s car.
They are surprisingly roomy, too, because they aren't filled with crumple zones, side impact and roll over strengthening- which leads me to the absolute best thing about these cars- visibility. Slender A pillars means a great view out, and the boxy shape is so simple to park as you can see each corner perfectly. Sod pedestrian safety and sloping bonnets.
Good shedding!
Got me looking at Mk1's...
Are they having a larf?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1786644.htm
I can see the rust on the front from the pictures!
Are they having a larf?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1786644.htm
I can see the rust on the front from the pictures!
edo said:
Got me looking at Mk1's...
Are they having a larf?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1786644.htm
I can see the rust on the front from the pictures!
Are they having a larf?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1786644.htm
I can see the rust on the front from the pictures!
What's this bit about:
'First time advertised and to be honest not really for sale unless we get the asking price.'
They're asking not far off 10 times what it's worth....
tommy1973s said:
Having grown up with British and French cars (which I still love), it was chalk and cheese in terms of build quality when we switched to VWs in the early 80s. The typical VW was more strongly made, interior trim didn't fall off, used less oil, handled more tidily, had better gear shifts than the French cars' woeful shifts, used less fuel - and had more torque and less flat spots than equivalent French and British cars - and the engines on our Mark II 8 valvers were stronger and more economical after 60k or so miles (when our previous cars were starting to smoke). Of course, other than the GTis and the 90bhp and 5 cylinder Passat, they were slow and dull and lacked emotive character, but the basic ingredients for an entertaining and honest car were there. Nowadays, all cars are good, but back then there was a difference.
The real appeal of the Citi is that it's a great basis for a project. As anyone who's addicted to projects will tell you, the biggest expense on an old car is the bodywork and the paint. Finding a "new old" shell like this would be a dream - like finding a 2 year old Mark II escort shell for pocket money.
I also drove several Citis round Cape Town and the light weight and peppy little engine allowed them to dismiss rutted surfaces in a way that a modern VW / car could only dream of. Way more fun than the equivalent modern.
And there's something else - they look sharp as a Mod's convention. They were, after all, the last mass produced car penned by Giugiaro, instead of the bloated in-house VW efforts for the subsequent models. On my last trip to Jo'burg airport, our taxi was surrounded by bloated bar-of-soap modern hatches with cissified modern styling and the occasional Citi Golf, with its "folded paper" lines, had a rare purity. They may be small and old, but they still look like a proper car, devoid of gimmicks.
autotrader disagrees. they have LESS power and tourque than rivals despite weighing more... 1990 vw golf 1.3 55 bhp vs 63 bhp of the 1988 1.3 ford escort, 1.6 75 bhp vs 75 bhp of 1988 1.4 ford escort or 90bhp/108bhp of 1.6 escorts if were going french the 1.4 renault 19 sees 80bhp to vw golfs 1.4 60bhp, the renault has almost 40% more power, the fords around 30% moreThe real appeal of the Citi is that it's a great basis for a project. As anyone who's addicted to projects will tell you, the biggest expense on an old car is the bodywork and the paint. Finding a "new old" shell like this would be a dream - like finding a 2 year old Mark II escort shell for pocket money.
I also drove several Citis round Cape Town and the light weight and peppy little engine allowed them to dismiss rutted surfaces in a way that a modern VW / car could only dream of. Way more fun than the equivalent modern.
And there's something else - they look sharp as a Mod's convention. They were, after all, the last mass produced car penned by Giugiaro, instead of the bloated in-house VW efforts for the subsequent models. On my last trip to Jo'burg airport, our taxi was surrounded by bloated bar-of-soap modern hatches with cissified modern styling and the occasional Citi Golf, with its "folded paper" lines, had a rare purity. They may be small and old, but they still look like a proper car, devoid of gimmicks.
infradig said:
Cannot believe the vitriol aimed at this poor little Golf. I love my barges as much as anyone(with the possible exception of Garlick),but live and let live eh ? And this looks like a bit of a bargain ,nice alternative first car,depending on insurance.
insurance group 7 for 55bhp? the ford escort 1.4 has 20 extra horses and comes in 2 insurance groups below. to put its insurance in perspective a 1.8 zetec ford focus with 115bhp is in insurance group 6 and can be had for under £500!!! my mate bought his first car in the form of a 1.4 cl golf from GMO cars in penzance. within a month it had lost 5th gear, another month went by and it lost 4th and reverse... cost him £950 from the dealer (this was 3 years ago for a 1991 car), cost him over £1200 to put through the MOT only to sell it for £100 to a mechanic after discovering the whole car was held together with what may as well have been blu tac. rusty rusty blu tac. it couldnt go up even slightly damp hills due to complete lack of power and skinny tyres. brakes were s
t, handled like st (a 1.7d astravan handled better) even with 5th gear couldnt see above 70mph downhill a truly hateful and awful car, but for some reason people never see VWs for what they really are. oh its a rusty slow old heavy shed BUT the VW badge means its magically better than anything else because of an oddly unrealistic perception of quality? oh and the mechanic who bought it for £100 with the intention of welding it back together and selling it on cut his losses and had to scrap it (he never usually scraps, he usually breaks, says it all really)Edited by KM666 on Friday 18th March 16:42
VeeFour said:
KM666 said:
Something with such poor punctuation it was unreadable.
God help us if this is the standard of education you need to become a 'student' these days.oh s
t i missed a full stop somebody call the Police. and you think thats bad? i hope you never have cause to deal with UWE, they cant even spell simple two letter words in the emails they send me. and thats a damn university! you cant blame the monkey if the organ grinders a retardEdited by KM666 on Friday 18th March 16:57
Edited by KM666 on Friday 18th March 16:59
Edited by KM666 on Friday 18th March 17:09
A very average SOTW and over priced.
The second Golf I ever drove back in 1982 was a non-event milestone in my driving experience. It's female owner rated the car highly. Soon after, the silver GTi I drove looked OK by 1980s standards, drove OK but nothing more. I'm still puzzled why so many Brits put these very ordinary "does what it says on the tin" cars on a pedestal.
A few years later, a german correspondent had a MG Maestro 2.0i. He also was puzzled why Brits view the ordinary VW Golf in such high regard and not home product.
T'is a mystery to this observer. Quentin Wilson STILL occasionally raves about the car after all these years.
...
.
The second Golf I ever drove back in 1982 was a non-event milestone in my driving experience. It's female owner rated the car highly. Soon after, the silver GTi I drove looked OK by 1980s standards, drove OK but nothing more. I'm still puzzled why so many Brits put these very ordinary "does what it says on the tin" cars on a pedestal.
A few years later, a german correspondent had a MG Maestro 2.0i. He also was puzzled why Brits view the ordinary VW Golf in such high regard and not home product.
T'is a mystery to this observer. Quentin Wilson STILL occasionally raves about the car after all these years.
...
.
KM666 said:
oh s
t i missed a full stop somebody call the Police. and you think thats bad? i hope you never have cause to deal with UWE, they cant even spell simple two letter words in the emails they send me. and thats a damn university! you cant blame they money if the organ grinders a retardEdited by KM666 on Friday 18th March 16:57
I can guarantee that most people will skip straight past your post because of your inability to punctuate and format well. Seriously don’t bother posting unless it’s going to be in something resembling English next time.
Esseesse said:
KM666 said:
oh s
t i missed a full stop somebody call the Police. and you think thats bad? i hope you never have cause to deal with UWE, they cant even spell simple two letter words in the emails they send me. and thats a damn university! you cant blame they money if the organ grinders a retardEdited by KM666 on Friday 18th March 16:57
I can guarantee that most people will skip straight past your post because of your inability to punctuate and format well. Seriously don’t bother posting unless it’s going to be in something resembling English next time.
king punctuation on some fking website i mean really have you NOTHING better to do then go round policing spelling and grammar. its Pistonheads speed matters, not Pistonheads spelling matters. and whlist were on Punctuation does the article really need a hyphen between 'African' and 'Built' African-built or African built. either way it is clear it was built in Africa not really needing a compound modifier. do you work on the trains by any chance... jobsworth springs to mindNigel Worc's said:
What a cracking little car for a teenage daughter, still on "L" plates, as a first motor.
Much better than a micra or anything frog!
I shall see if she likes the look of that when she returns from work !
ins grp 7. dont bank on it coming in below £1200 even for a young lady.Much better than a micra or anything frog!
I shall see if she likes the look of that when she returns from work !
KM666 said:
Esseesse said:
KM666 said:
oh s
t i missed a full stop somebody call the Police. and you think thats bad? i hope you never have cause to deal with UWE, they cant even spell simple two letter words in the emails they send me. and thats a damn university! you cant blame they money if the organ grinders a retardEdited by KM666 on Friday 18th March 16:57
I can guarantee that most people will skip straight past your post because of your inability to punctuate and format well. Seriously don’t bother posting unless it’s going to be in something resembling English next time.
king punctuation on some fking website i mean really have you NOTHING better to do then go round policing spelling and grammar. its Pistonheads speed matters, not Pistonheads spelling matters. and whlist were on Punctuation does the article really need a hyphen between 'African' and 'Built' African-built or African built. either way it is clear it was built in Africa not really needing a compound modifier. do you work on the trains by any chance... jobsworth springs to mindSS7
PS 'Organ grinder's a retard'
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