Should i buy a MK2 Gti?

[mattyb123]

Thought i would call on the VW group knowledge here.

I think i would quite like a MK2 Golf Gti not sure whether to go for the 16v or 8v...

Also being a poor student is it going to be a pit into which i have to pour my student loan?

anything i should look out for when buying one?? high mileage etc...

thanks

[razerwire]

16v, always.

I always thought that most 8v engines were rather.....poor

[clubsport]

Try a search on the forum, 8v or 16v hs probably been the most discussed Golf topic for the last 20 years!!!

Having had both it depends what you are after in a car....8v is sweeter...16v is sluggish below 4k rpm, then lights up!....as a student 8v insurance may be a benefit.

[alextgreen]

I drove both. I bought a 16v

And if you can manage soem maintenance yourself then go for it.

[mattyb123]

cheers for the help guys, insurance with mr flux isnt too bad. just over £500 for a 16v

[Pistuphead]

I'd go for the 16v, Drove a Mk2 8v a bit but my 16v seems the better all rounder. When pottering round town it has enough torque to make it effortless but when you are pushing it and keeping it above 4000rpm it flys. The Big Bumper models are the best too

[tino]

Nah, its all about the small bumpers with 2 piece front windows.
As for 8v vs 16v debate, I suggest you go and drive some. On paper, the 16v is quicker, but the 8v has loads of low end torque.
The values seem to have rocketed though. I remember seeing perfectly good cars for £400-£500. Now I think you are looking at double that, at least.
The MK2 makes the perfect student car, because once you buy it, running costs are relatively low. Parts new and 2nd hand are plentiful, and they are quite easy to work on.
Look out for bargain cars that owners have had since new, lovingly stored and looked after. They are rare, but are about.
Basically view as many as you can, and get the best you can afford.

[silver16v]

Having driven both 8v and 16v models over the years,I would say go for the 16v.
People say the 16v feels sluggish - thats utter crap -
it has more torque than the 8v across the range, and just when the 8v starts to feel
a bit strained, the 16v flies round to the rev limiter.
Just make sure you get a good one - there are loads about so dont rush in and make an expensive mistake. I would buy on the condition of the bodywork - look around the fuel filler cap, tailgate, sunroof drain channels, base of the windscreen, and sills/doors.
The plastic arches can hide rot too.

Best of luck

[mat205125]

Forget it.

Get a 205 1.9 everytime. Miles better car than the golf.

I'll fetch my coat.

[paulrhodes]

Or a 16 valve Corrado.. Just as cheap and more class...

[stuttgartmetal]

Ive had a load of different golfs.
The 16 valve is much much more powerful, but you need to wind it up and keep the revs up for it to fly.
The 8 valve is much more useable around town, as it pulls better than the 16v at lower revs.
My choice though would always be 16v.

[leonski]

Hi,
I have loads of mk2's, having owned both I would always recommend a 16v, better spec, higher revving etc....but if you can find a nice original G60, and your budget will extend to it, I would always go for one over any other mk2.
The 16v Corrado is also a good car, but body panels are crazy expensive compared to a mk2.
Cheers
leon.

[speedtwelve]

The '8v more torquey than 16v at lower revs' argument is a fallacy. 16vs do indeed pull just as well low down as the 8v; when the 16v comes on-cam it just keeps pulling to 7000 rpm whereas the 8v drops off significantly from the high 5000s. 8v GTIs are great, I owned two, but the first time I drove a mate's 16v I laughed my head off as it kept accelerating at rpms that would have lunched the 8v engine.

A few personal observations: I prefered the non-PAS small bumper cars with K-Jetronic injection. Later 8v Digifant cars can suffer from 'Digi-lag' which is a slight blunting of throttle response when going suddenly to full-power, despite published power/torque figures being the same for both injection systems. We found a mate's late J-reg 5 door MK2 GTI with PAS, electric windows and big bumpers to be 50kgs heavier than my 3-door small bumper E-reg; the performance difference was noticable if both cars were driven back to back. The non-PAS cars have heavy steering, and greater turns lock-lock to provide some leverage, but I much prefered the detail and feedback of the non-PAS car.

All 16v cars had the same Bosch K-Jet mechanical injection as the early 8vs.

Mk2s are a hoot. Very chuckable and responsive. I reckon the Peugeot 205 & 309 GTis are more adjustable and fun, but the VWs are built like small Panzers and probably a better all-round package.

If I shunted my Mk3 Golf VR6 tomorrow I'd replace it with the far better 16v Mk2 in a flash. (If I smashed my Corrado VR6 though, that'd be a different story. Another Corrado VR6, please!)

[greatgranny]

Yes

[mattyb123]

I have been looking around various places now trying to find a good one, its a bloody nightmare! im sure one will rear its head soon.

thanks for the advice regarding condition etc.

im going to go for a 16v big bumper methinks. saw one at the petrol station the other day and it made me realise how much i need to have one!

[alextgreen]

I'll be selling my 16v in June - not mint, but honest and usable. If anyone is struggling to find a decent one give us a shout and I might be persuaded to shift it early

[Pistuphead]

That looks rally nice Alex

[big dub]

leonski said:

Hi,
but if you can find a nice original G60, and your budget will extend to it, I would always go for one over any other mk2.

I concur whole-heartedly. I owned a Mk2 Golf G60, best car I've ever had, what a noise from the charger! I'd have one tomorrow if I had more surpless cash (recently seperated, feck all cash!).
I was 26 when I had it and it was around £550 fuly comp

my old G60

[Darlo74]

I'm not so sure. I had a 16v big bumper years ago (think it was 5 years old when I got it), bought with 100k on the clock and although it was a hoot to drive when it was working, it also had a lot of problems.

My advice would be seek out a good one and get it mechanically checked before you buy. There are a lot of old dogs out there!

[MichM3]

..buy a good decent 8v...owned both 2 16v and 2 8v's...16v are thrashed most of the time and it's hard to find a good one...8v's are more common and more chance of finding a good one. Lots of torque in that 8v makes it a quick car...the 16v is less responsive at low revvs and they tend to surge oil.

When I was your age it was a 16v that I wanted and nothing but that...keep in mind that the 8v is in fact the better car:-)