Buying a high mileage VW 170,000
Discussion
I've been looking at buying a VW Golf Mk3 Cabriolet from a private seller. It's got current MOT, Welded all round arches and skirts. Test drived it the other day and needs the gear stick tightens as its floppy. The steering wheel is out of line by the look. The current owner installed a push start which starts up fine but concerns me about this. He's asking £1000
It has 172,000 miles on it, I have done check on the car with car vertical. But still unsure of the purchase.
Looking on some advice on this subject.
It has 172,000 miles on it, I have done check on the car with car vertical. But still unsure of the purchase.
Looking on some advice on this subject.
Youngest one is what? 22 years old and all for a grand?
Forget mileage, go purely on condition. What’s it like mechanically? Oils, waters, etc? Tyres all good? Any funny noises? Does the gears change willingly and without weird noises? All electrics work as they should? And most importantly, are you handy with the spanners as are looking at a car that is getting on and going for not much money so you will be fiddling with it soon enough.(As scrap it’s worth about £300 to keep it in perspective).
Keep your expectations realistic. It’s an old car approaching the end of its life with maybe a few years left if it’s a good ‘un and you’re handy with a socket set. Bear in mind with a private sale you’ll have little to no comeback.
Gearbox could be a linkage and the steering wheel could mean tracking needs doing. Or it could be a complete basket case with one foot already in the scrap heap.
Forget mileage, go purely on condition. What’s it like mechanically? Oils, waters, etc? Tyres all good? Any funny noises? Does the gears change willingly and without weird noises? All electrics work as they should? And most importantly, are you handy with the spanners as are looking at a car that is getting on and going for not much money so you will be fiddling with it soon enough.(As scrap it’s worth about £300 to keep it in perspective).
Keep your expectations realistic. It’s an old car approaching the end of its life with maybe a few years left if it’s a good ‘un and you’re handy with a socket set. Bear in mind with a private sale you’ll have little to no comeback.
Gearbox could be a linkage and the steering wheel could mean tracking needs doing. Or it could be a complete basket case with one foot already in the scrap heap.
Edited by valiant on Monday 18th August 17:17
If it's a grand, got at least 10 months mot and you can insure it for not much then I say go for it. Your first experience with working on and modifying a car should be on something a bit crap and cheap, it's how we learn without it costing thousands.
I love golf cabriolets, drove my missus mk1 to work and back today and it made random people smile.
I love golf cabriolets, drove my missus mk1 to work and back today and it made random people smile.
Other cars are available.
After a good few weeks searching, I managed to help my son buy his first car recently. A Honda Civic, one owner from new, full service history, some tatty bodywork but immaculate mechanical and no rust. 2006 1.8 ivtec with 70k on the clock - £1200...
They do exist.
After a good few weeks searching, I managed to help my son buy his first car recently. A Honda Civic, one owner from new, full service history, some tatty bodywork but immaculate mechanical and no rust. 2006 1.8 ivtec with 70k on the clock - £1200...
They do exist.
GuyCalledPolly said:
BlueJ said:
If you need advice from a load of strangers, based on limited information, you shouldn't be buying it.
Asking as I'm new to the whole car scene of buying and what to look out for ?You can either look at it as a £1000 gamble that might mean scrapping it if it breaks, or try and keep it going on a budget with a bit of YouTube self learnt diy and used parts.
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