Which VAG hatch?
Discussion
Hi,
I am in a bit of a minefield. At the moment, the family car is a Citigo, bought for cost of ownership rather than any other signiicant reason however it was always intended to buy something to 'play with' immediately upon retirement (very soon and we might keep the Citigo if the replacement is affordable otherwise it goes back to the dealer rather than cough up the final balloon payment (£4,7k) and we squander our money on something (see below)
First choices after 30 very reliable years of VAG are:
1. Must be red, 3 drs
2. Golf II late digifant (must be in VGC order)
3. Golf TDi
4. A3 TDi
The local VAG tuner, Paul just outside Shaftesbury, advises that we steer clear of any VAG hatches 06-09 as the 2.0 TDi's were not best pleased with the emmissions controls ant post 09 cars are far better.
Given our limited funds of £10k, we could go for broke and buy the latest and best example of either the Golf/A3 TDis but my favourite is the old Golf II (Nostalgic grey vote)
Advise is gratefully sought and accepted, we just want something that will keep up with the general traffic when we visit Germany for the annual hols.
Thanks
I am in a bit of a minefield. At the moment, the family car is a Citigo, bought for cost of ownership rather than any other signiicant reason however it was always intended to buy something to 'play with' immediately upon retirement (very soon and we might keep the Citigo if the replacement is affordable otherwise it goes back to the dealer rather than cough up the final balloon payment (£4,7k) and we squander our money on something (see below)
First choices after 30 very reliable years of VAG are:
1. Must be red, 3 drs
2. Golf II late digifant (must be in VGC order)
3. Golf TDi
4. A3 TDi
The local VAG tuner, Paul just outside Shaftesbury, advises that we steer clear of any VAG hatches 06-09 as the 2.0 TDi's were not best pleased with the emmissions controls ant post 09 cars are far better.
Given our limited funds of £10k, we could go for broke and buy the latest and best example of either the Golf/A3 TDis but my favourite is the old Golf II (Nostalgic grey vote)
Advise is gratefully sought and accepted, we just want something that will keep up with the general traffic when we visit Germany for the annual hols.
Thanks
Tim Hale said:
Hi,
I am in a bit of a minefield. At the moment, the family car is a Citigo, bought for cost of ownership rather than any other signiicant reason however it was always intended to buy something to 'play with' immediately upon retirement (very soon and we might keep the Citigo if the replacement is affordable otherwise it goes back to the dealer rather than cough up the final balloon payment (£4,7k) and we squander our money on something (see below)
First choices after 30 very reliable years of VAG are:
1. Must be red, 3 drs
2. Golf II late digifant (must be in VGC order)
3. Golf TDi
4. A3 TDi
The local VAG tuner, Paul just outside Shaftesbury, advises that we steer clear of any VAG hatches 06-09 as the 2.0 TDi's were not best pleased with the emmissions controls ant post 09 cars are far better.
Given our limited funds of £10k, we could go for broke and buy the latest and best example of either the Golf/A3 TDis but my favourite is the old Golf II (Nostalgic grey vote)
Advise is gratefully sought and accepted, we just want something that will keep up with the general traffic when we visit Germany for the annual hols.
Thanks
Buy the best you can afford and with VAG you should be ok. The general quality of these cars is absolutely excellent. Best test is when did you last see a rusty one? There are very few about because VW have sorted te quality control. Diesel engines can be expensive to maintain I would follow your mechanics advice on that. Best of luck to you I think these cars are quite exceptionally well made.
I am in a bit of a minefield. At the moment, the family car is a Citigo, bought for cost of ownership rather than any other signiicant reason however it was always intended to buy something to 'play with' immediately upon retirement (very soon and we might keep the Citigo if the replacement is affordable otherwise it goes back to the dealer rather than cough up the final balloon payment (£4,7k) and we squander our money on something (see below)
First choices after 30 very reliable years of VAG are:
1. Must be red, 3 drs
2. Golf II late digifant (must be in VGC order)
3. Golf TDi
4. A3 TDi
The local VAG tuner, Paul just outside Shaftesbury, advises that we steer clear of any VAG hatches 06-09 as the 2.0 TDi's were not best pleased with the emmissions controls ant post 09 cars are far better.
Given our limited funds of £10k, we could go for broke and buy the latest and best example of either the Golf/A3 TDis but my favourite is the old Golf II (Nostalgic grey vote)
Advise is gratefully sought and accepted, we just want something that will keep up with the general traffic when we visit Germany for the annual hols.
Thanks
Buy the best you can afford and with VAG you should be ok. The general quality of these cars is absolutely excellent. Best test is when did you last see a rusty one? There are very few about because VW have sorted te quality control. Diesel engines can be expensive to maintain I would follow your mechanics advice on that. Best of luck to you I think these cars are quite exceptionally well made.
Left field thought:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
...but if it's got to be a hach then having the later CR 2.0 TDI is worth it as your mechanica says, much better engine than the 'PD' version it replaced.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
...but if it's got to be a hach then having the later CR 2.0 TDI is worth it as your mechanica says, much better engine than the 'PD' version it replaced.
Facelift (2009 onwards) Octavia VRs?? My 10 plate TDI Octy is far better all round than the late MK 5 Golf GT Tdi we had and the boots twice the size. Good value for money and you will get a lot younger car than you will looking at an equivalent Audi for the money.... Its also satisfying seeing all you mates retreating tails between their legs having taken the piss only to realize its actually a bloody good car!! ;-)
You could buy a glorious mk2 Golf for £2-3k eg this rather lovely looking tornado red 16v http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C440679 (although it has got a modified oil breather pipe which is a little odd but far from a deal breaker) and have plenty left to cover the balloon payment on the Citigo.
911ked said:
Facelift (2009 onwards) Octavia VRs?? My 10 plate TDI Octy is far better all round than the late MK 5 Golf GT Tdi we had and the boots twice the size. Good value for money and you will get a lot younger car than you will looking at an equivalent Audi for the money.... Its also satisfying seeing all you mates retreating tails between their legs having taken the piss only to realize its actually a bloody good car!! ;-)
From Op - 1. Must be red, 3 drsA 3-door Octavia vRS does not exist. I am very happy with my 2012 vRS CR DSG but it does meet the OP's requirements.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Red, 3 door and a VAG hatchback (of sorts).
I'd be looking for something like this.
Red, 3 door and a VAG hatchback (of sorts).
I'd be looking for something like this.
For £10k I'd be straight onto a nice Mk6 Golf. Why look at something old and baggy when you're comfortably into budget for something newish? The 1.9 TDI engine is ancient and rough as hell. The Post-09 2.0 TDI CR is silky smooth with good reliability records.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
And note that is in no means the cheapest of its kind
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
And note that is in no means the cheapest of its kind
If you're not fussed about running an older car then I'd be buying the latest MK2 GTI I could find or Corrado VR6. Certainly a good MK2 GTI especially 16V will appreciate. None of the more modern (boring) stuff will be doing that. As someone who has had a good few 80's/90's GTI's and Corrado's and a whole plethora of modern stuff, some fast others more mundane, the MK2 still is a car I'd happily run today. They have enough toys and comfort as a daily driver, I'd probably just budget a bit for a suspension refresh and maybe a small brake upgrade.
The favoured option is to use a PPI refund to purchase the best possible GTi red 3dr Mk2 for the available funds and spend the next two years fixing the faults and minor mods:
1. Replace front seats with 3dr driver/GL and refinish all the trim.
2. Find five BBS RA cross-stich alloys
3. Overhaul power-plant and drive train
4. Fit effective security system and make sure MFA works correctly
The result should be a reliable but comfortable car with the ability to return 35+mpg (my last Mk2 averaged 37mpg), if the car is cosemetically sound then the above minor mods and repairs should help retain the upward trend in value. The odd decision to replace the front seats is born of the effects of seats designed for Kylie Minogue, ironically all my Skoda's have proved to a joy to drive on exceptionally long journeys (and the material lasts longer)
The car may not be an autobahn monster but our F-reg 5dr once covered Munich-Dunkerque in 7hrs with everyone inside and a bike on top, although it didn't manage 37mpg for the journey.
Thanks
Tim
1. Replace front seats with 3dr driver/GL and refinish all the trim.
2. Find five BBS RA cross-stich alloys
3. Overhaul power-plant and drive train
4. Fit effective security system and make sure MFA works correctly
The result should be a reliable but comfortable car with the ability to return 35+mpg (my last Mk2 averaged 37mpg), if the car is cosemetically sound then the above minor mods and repairs should help retain the upward trend in value. The odd decision to replace the front seats is born of the effects of seats designed for Kylie Minogue, ironically all my Skoda's have proved to a joy to drive on exceptionally long journeys (and the material lasts longer)
The car may not be an autobahn monster but our F-reg 5dr once covered Munich-Dunkerque in 7hrs with everyone inside and a bike on top, although it didn't manage 37mpg for the journey.
Thanks
Tim
Are you thinking 8V? I'd go 16V if it were me, certainly the better unit. If the 8V the definitely upgrade to 16V brakes as a minimum. I personally had 16V and G60's on the 2 8V's I owned, certainly worth going for the g60 disks and pads.
Surely putting the GL seats will have a negative impact on the value of it, stick with the GTI seats. They're still some of the most comfortable seats I've ever sat in.
Surely putting the GL seats will have a negative impact on the value of it, stick with the GTI seats. They're still some of the most comfortable seats I've ever sat in.
missing the VR6 said:
Are you thinking 8V? I'd go 16V if it were me, certainly the better unit. If the 8V the definitely upgrade to 16V brakes as a minimum. I personally had 16V and G60's on the 2 8V's I owned, certainly worth going for the g60 disks and pads.
Surely putting the GL seats will have a negative impact on the value of it, stick with the GTI seats. They're still some of the most comfortable seats I've ever sat in.
Agree, with the budget you have available you ought to find a good 16v or G60, I would struggle to spend more than £1k on a 8v in less it has a 2.0 8v engine, upgraded/new brakes, suspension, seats, immaculate paintwork etc and then I'd shove a 2.0 16v ABF on DIGI3 management in!Surely putting the GL seats will have a negative impact on the value of it, stick with the GTI seats. They're still some of the most comfortable seats I've ever sat in.
Also swapping to GL seats, are you mad?? A late rainbow interior or better still Recaro interior is perfect.
I am biased but I strongly suggest having a look at some Corrados to, I absolutely adore mine and see it as a good upgrade from a mk2. The Corrdo feels like a newer/better built mk2 with better equipment a genuine coupe look & feel all without any of the overweight under dampened feel of mk3 Golfs.
aka_kerrly said:
Agree, with the budget you have available you ought to find a good 16v or G60, I would struggle to spend more than £1k on a 8v in less it has a 2.0 8v engine, upgraded/new brakes, suspension, seats, immaculate paintwork etc and then I'd shove a 2.0 16v ABF on DIGI3 management in!
Also swapping to GL seats, are you mad?? A late rainbow interior or better still Recaro interior is perfect.
I am biased but I strongly suggest having a look at some Corrados to, I absolutely adore mine and see it as a good upgrade from a mk2. The Corrdo feels like a newer/better built mk2 with better equipment a genuine coupe look & feel all without any of the overweight under dampened feel of mk3 Golfs.
Pretty much agree with all of that, I couldn't imagine spending too much on an 8V. Maybe worth looking for a Rallye?Also swapping to GL seats, are you mad?? A late rainbow interior or better still Recaro interior is perfect.
I am biased but I strongly suggest having a look at some Corrados to, I absolutely adore mine and see it as a good upgrade from a mk2. The Corrdo feels like a newer/better built mk2 with better equipment a genuine coupe look & feel all without any of the overweight under dampened feel of mk3 Golfs.
Corrado certainly feels a good step up from the MK2 Golf.
aka_kerrly said:
Also swapping to GL seats, are you mad?? A late rainbow interior or better still Recaro interior is perfect.
The Driver/GL seats are comfy (no thigh bolster) and I have no intention of retaining the 24 year-old trim, leather is the only option.The 1850 8v is a unburstable lump that responds well to upgrades and runs on lower quality fuels, the 16v needs feeding the right stuff.
Thanks for the input but I think we have a winner. Maybe not everyone's choice but I always wanted a good MkII 3dr in red with BBS RA's.
Tim
I had full leather including door cards in one of my previous mk2s,was lovely. I also fitted a mk3 golf highline leather covered handbrake an mechanism, leather steering wheel and leather Golf Ball to complete the look. Combined with the votex and mk3 wiper stalks it was my favourite interior out of all the mk2s I've had.
Having bought a late spec big bumper 16v 18 months ago and put 10k+ miles on it since, your making the right decision!!
I would urge you to go 16v as the residuals are better and they are rarer so they will only go up, also it gets exciting when your at 4500+rpm but I understand people like the torque from the 8v.
Make sure you get one without any 2nd gear crunch issues and a solid chassis! Was recently offered double what I paid for mine but I have spent a bit of money on it and don't think anything similarly priced would offer the same fun and practicality, happy hunting
I would urge you to go 16v as the residuals are better and they are rarer so they will only go up, also it gets exciting when your at 4500+rpm but I understand people like the torque from the 8v.
Make sure you get one without any 2nd gear crunch issues and a solid chassis! Was recently offered double what I paid for mine but I have spent a bit of money on it and don't think anything similarly priced would offer the same fun and practicality, happy hunting
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