MK3 Golf GTI 16v as a daily driver?
Discussion
I am utterly bored of my mk4 golf 1.6 as you would expect, my first car used to get me some driving experience and to be fair has been good enough and everything and very reliable. However I fancy something a bit faster. I am soon to be doing a lot fewer miles say 6-7k a year as opposed to 10-12k and thinking about selling my mk4 golf and getting something a bit quicker, but also not mental on insurance. Can't afford any more money on a car right now so would be whatever I could get for the mk4 (low milage reasonable condition probably 2.5kish would be my budget max.
Any advice on what to look for, who's had/got one of these what they like?
What are they like as a daily driver? My parents will think I'm mental selling my car and buying an older version of the same model but I'm so bored of my car need something with a bit more poke.
Any advice on what to look for, who's had/got one of these what they like?
What are they like as a daily driver? My parents will think I'm mental selling my car and buying an older version of the same model but I'm so bored of my car need something with a bit more poke.
I have one as a daily driver. It's not bad (brought it for less than a grand), well screwed together and a comfy, smooth, swift drive. However it isn't a hot hatch. If it was my only car I would have gone back to a 306GTi-6 loved that thing as it was good on a motorway and an ace drive on any given lane in any weather condition.
However I keep looking for a well cared for MK3 Gti to replace the current one when the MOT expires, so it can't be that bad.
However I keep looking for a well cared for MK3 Gti to replace the current one when the MOT expires, so it can't be that bad.
the-photographer said:
Just to add to the 8v versus 16v discussion.
The 16v is lower geared, so great for a B-road daily. However, if you're doing lots of motorway take an 8v.
That's the Mk2 you're talking about there.The 16v is lower geared, so great for a B-road daily. However, if you're doing lots of motorway take an 8v.
Edited by the-photographer on Monday 28th June 08:58
The 8v Mk3 is woefully underpowered.
The 16v Mk3 is much more like it, and a handy bit of kit. Unburstable too. However, if I'm honest, having owned one, and driven a 306 Rallye, I'd go for the GTI-6 (a Rallye with toys) - much more finesse in the handling.
However if you want comfort and a nice place to be, the GTI is a great car.
Edited by neil_bolton on Monday 28th June 09:03
I commuted 20k miles in a 1996 mk3 16v (mixture of B-roads, A-roads and Mway) - excellent place to be as said, and MUCH more able than the 'it's too heavy and slow' armchair experts say.
1100kgs and 150 BHP
To compare I then did the same commute over 20k miles in a Puma 1.7 16v - the Puma FELT faster, but the GTI actually WAS faster. Both great cars, but the GTI wins for me.
1100kgs and 150 BHP
To compare I then did the same commute over 20k miles in a Puma 1.7 16v - the Puma FELT faster, but the GTI actually WAS faster. Both great cars, but the GTI wins for me.
I've been through a few golfs and am currently driving a mk3 16v as a daily. Got mine for under a grand with heated leather, coilovers etc.
For the money you can't go wrong, fantastically reliable engines if you look after them. A mate of mines is ticking past the 220k mark.
40 mpg on a long run on a healthy one too.
Plus it isn't even too bad if you take the b road journey home, just like driving a mk2 in a fat suit really.
A 1.8t mk4 will fit into your budget though. For a daily I'd definately consider it
For the money you can't go wrong, fantastically reliable engines if you look after them. A mate of mines is ticking past the 220k mark.
40 mpg on a long run on a healthy one too.
Plus it isn't even too bad if you take the b road journey home, just like driving a mk2 in a fat suit really.
A 1.8t mk4 will fit into your budget though. For a daily I'd definately consider it
I use my 16v MK3 GTI everyday and I love it.
Not too bad on fuel, a hell of a lot better than my old VR6 Corrado anyway.
Mine is lowered on Weitec coilovers and has Merc wheels on and is brilliant to drive, can really throw it about and has loads of grip, engine pulls really well too too!
Not too bad on fuel, a hell of a lot better than my old VR6 Corrado anyway.
Mine is lowered on Weitec coilovers and has Merc wheels on and is brilliant to drive, can really throw it about and has loads of grip, engine pulls really well too too!
Orangecurry said:
S3_Graham said:
why not get a VR6?? They arent any more expensive and ok might not handle quite so well but have the extra noise which is utterly sublime!
As a DD? I don't think the OP has won the lottery.excel monkey said:
Somnophore said:
probably 2.5kish would be my budget max.
Can you not get a Mk4 GTI for that budget these days? Or a Leon with the same 1.8T engine?S3_Graham said:
Orangecurry said:
S3_Graham said:
why not get a VR6?? They arent any more expensive and ok might not handle quite so well but have the extra noise which is utterly sublime!
As a DD? I don't think the OP has won the lottery.Orangecurry said:
S3_Graham said:
Orangecurry said:
S3_Graham said:
why not get a VR6?? They arent any more expensive and ok might not handle quite so well but have the extra noise which is utterly sublime!
As a DD? I don't think the OP has won the lottery.Somnophore said:
I am soon to be doing a lot fewer miles say 6-7k a year as opposed to 10-12k
27mpg doing 7000miles a year is hardly 'lottery win' kind of mpg. Granted, coming from a 1.6D it will be hugely worse, but still IMO its far from bad for a 2.8! what would you get from the 2L 16v? 30-35??Edited by S3_Graham on Monday 28th June 10:27
S3_Graham said:
Orangecurry said:
S3_Graham said:
Driven sensibly mine got 27mpg av.
Exactly.Driven stupidly the 16v returned well into the 30s.
I think I finally got that correct
Edited by Orangecurry on Monday 28th June 10:34
Somnophore said:
I am utterly bored of my mk4 golf 1.6 as you would expect, my first car used to get me some driving experience and to be fair has been good enough and everything and very reliable. However I fancy something a bit faster. I am soon to be doing a lot fewer miles say 6-7k a year as opposed to 10-12k and thinking about selling my mk4 golf and getting something a bit quicker, but also not mental on insurance. Can't afford any more money on a car right now so would be whatever I could get for the mk4 (low milage reasonable condition probably 2.5kish would be my budget max.
Any advice on what to look for, who's had/got one of these what they like?
What are they like as a daily driver? My parents will think I'm mental selling my car and buying an older version of the same model but I'm so bored of my car need something with a bit more poke.
I don't recall the MK3 really being nominated as a good performance car.Any advice on what to look for, who's had/got one of these what they like?
What are they like as a daily driver? My parents will think I'm mental selling my car and buying an older version of the same model but I'm so bored of my car need something with a bit more poke.
Go MK1 (MK2 at a push), at least they look better.
But £2.5k there is loads of choice, personally think I'd be looking at classics or kit cars if insurance is an issue. If it's not then there's a heady of interesting cars from Accord Type R's to 200SX turbo's and even supercharged T-Birds!
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