RE: SOTW: Mk2 Volkswagen Golf GTI
Discussion
No the 8v isn't cross flow although you can fit the cross flow 8v head of the later MKIV Golf/Beetle engine.
My engien looks not too bad when it's clean!
IMG_7049_edit by Nicholas R Horne, on Flickr
Nick
My engien looks not too bad when it's clean!
IMG_7049_edit by Nicholas R Horne, on Flickr
Nick
Nothing wrong with 8v models at all - that's not to say 16v isn't a brilliant unit. One of those cars that's feel quicker to drive than it actually is - fantastic fun to drive in both guises - say what you like about the 205 but to me growing up in the 80's the mk2 GTI was the daddy
Great you tube clip from old top gear about them:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TLbwJxZqtg&fea...
Great you tube clip from old top gear about them:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TLbwJxZqtg&fea...
I just love the gti, I had a mk2 very early 8valve gti, (also had a Mk1 gti) I'm not sure but I think it was either an A or a B reg, and just loved the Pirelli P alloys, but for some reason mine had a vinyl roof, but it was a typical VW and was so solid.
There are two old Mk 2 golfs (not gti) round the corner from where I live, both original and rust free with just a bit of faded paint, If it was a Vauxhall or ford of that vintage they wouldn't have any bodywork.
Everytime I see them I think of the advert on Tv when the guy closes the car door, like a golf but not a golf, proper build quality and VW at there best.
There are two old Mk 2 golfs (not gti) round the corner from where I live, both original and rust free with just a bit of faded paint, If it was a Vauxhall or ford of that vintage they wouldn't have any bodywork.
Everytime I see them I think of the advert on Tv when the guy closes the car door, like a golf but not a golf, proper build quality and VW at there best.
I had a 16v 3 door, which has the distinction of being the most unreliable car I've ever owned. 3 idle control valves, that poxy heater bypass valve, earthing problems, gear linkage broke, water pump leaked, sills rusted through and so on. It didn't even feel "premium" either, with a dashboard full of blank switches and plastic grommets shoved in where the window winders would be. Didn't even feel that nice to drive. Never again.
These are great great cars. For me they offer the perfect compromise of; performance, economy, handling, ease of maintenance, space and acceptable comfort.
I bought a 1990 16V in 1997 which already had 112k on it and we sold it 13 years later with 221k miles, it was still a strong performer. My daily driver is an '89 8V which, at 130k miles is hardly run in. The 8 valve engine is so tractable and easy to live with. It completely outperforms its own numbers of 112bhp and something like 110 lb/ft torque. It's the fact that the torque curve is so flat and the gears so well matched. On country roads around here I can comfortable dribble along in 3rd at little over 1000rpm and still gain speed smoothly when the "obstruction" clears. But if you wind it through the gears it picks up with relish (less than a tonne to drag around).
Seriously, buy it, use it, be amazed when people look twice at you 22 year old car that cost you peanuts.
Sermon over. They really are great little cars.
I bought a 1990 16V in 1997 which already had 112k on it and we sold it 13 years later with 221k miles, it was still a strong performer. My daily driver is an '89 8V which, at 130k miles is hardly run in. The 8 valve engine is so tractable and easy to live with. It completely outperforms its own numbers of 112bhp and something like 110 lb/ft torque. It's the fact that the torque curve is so flat and the gears so well matched. On country roads around here I can comfortable dribble along in 3rd at little over 1000rpm and still gain speed smoothly when the "obstruction" clears. But if you wind it through the gears it picks up with relish (less than a tonne to drag around).
Seriously, buy it, use it, be amazed when people look twice at you 22 year old car that cost you peanuts.
Sermon over. They really are great little cars.
My uncle has a 211,000 mile C plate 8v GTI which, apart from some free play in the steering, still drives remarkably well. Lovely, responsive engine with lots of midrange punch which makes it feel a lot more substantial than its 112 bhp. Still surprisingly taut in terms of damping and fixtures and fittings, too. It's his daily driver, and has a very good reliability record, even now.
With the later big bumpers, I reckon these cars still look fantastic.
With the later big bumpers, I reckon these cars still look fantastic.
I seem to remember a period when loads of the journos and photographers at Car magazine ran big bumper Mk 2's as their own wheels.
I was more into my Alfas at that point but the GTI's were obviously great all rounders. (and were getting better at a point where the Alfa's weren't).
I'd still have a 145 Cloverleaf over one of these though. Just.
I was more into my Alfas at that point but the GTI's were obviously great all rounders. (and were getting better at a point where the Alfa's weren't).
I'd still have a 145 Cloverleaf over one of these though. Just.
Mr2Mike said:
Thoroughly crap shed. Why would you pay £800 for something 21 years old with 200k miles when you could get something much, much newer and with fewer miles, unless you are one of those people that feel the need to knock one out at the site of the VW badge?
Maybe, just maybe, someone wants a Golf GTI. It isn't like the mileage is relevant on a car over ten years old anyway. Most if looked after will be gaining Triggers Broom status rather than being original.
Had a mk2 and mk3, in both 8v and 16v guises back in the day.
I've always wanted a mk1 Campaign, but this is the ultimate all-time best most complete car; it can Ve driven by your mum, your wife, be driven as fast as anything else on the road and is great for track days.
I'd actually sell my mint Impreza WR1 to buy a mint low miles mk2 16v, that's how much I rate it!
Not sure I'd feel comfortable with this one, I saw one for sale locally a few months ago for similar money, similar miles, with full VAG and specialist service history, with the receipts to back it up.
I've always wanted a mk1 Campaign, but this is the ultimate all-time best most complete car; it can Ve driven by your mum, your wife, be driven as fast as anything else on the road and is great for track days.
I'd actually sell my mint Impreza WR1 to buy a mint low miles mk2 16v, that's how much I rate it!
Not sure I'd feel comfortable with this one, I saw one for sale locally a few months ago for similar money, similar miles, with full VAG and specialist service history, with the receipts to back it up.
Mr2Mike said:
Thoroughly crap shed. Why would you pay £800 for something 21 years old with 200k miles when you could get something much, much newer and with fewer miles, unless you are one of those people that feel the need to knock one out at the site of the VW badge?
Beacuse the mileage is nothing. Because at that age it means it was made when cars weighed less, had less driver aids and were of a time when being the best sporty hatchback was all the company was about.Mine has around 190k and still pulls to the redline without any fuss. Still goes really well amd makes you laugh every time you get in it. Granted a 5 door isn't the best looker but for £800 that would be a great fun thing to drive.
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