Is the Mk5 Golf GTI still a decent hatch nowadays? £5K daily
Discussion
Bought one recently and it’s a perfect daily driver. The engine still holds its own today looks wise it has aged well.
I think more and more people are realising that they’re a modern day bargain and it’s probably reflected in the fact that quite a few threads on PH have popped up lately about people considering them!
I think more and more people are realising that they’re a modern day bargain and it’s probably reflected in the fact that quite a few threads on PH have popped up lately about people considering them!
shotta287 said:
Bought one recently and it’s a perfect daily driver. The engine still holds its own today looks wise it has aged well.
I think more and more people are realising that they’re a modern day bargain and it’s probably reflected in the fact that quite a few threads on PH have popped up lately about people considering them!
What year and mileage did you get Shotta? I think more and more people are realising that they’re a modern day bargain and it’s probably reflected in the fact that quite a few threads on PH have popped up lately about people considering them!
Reviews at the time said they were a return to form for the Golf GTI from the frankly rather rubbish Mk3 and Mk4s, and they were generally regarded as class leading, so its not a massive surprise to find they are still decent today when they really haven’t changed much in the last 14 years or so.
I would consider one if I was in the market for that sort of car. Compared with its successors, it still looks modern and fresh today, and most non-car nuts would struggle to tell it wasn’t a new golf really.
I would consider one if I was in the market for that sort of car. Compared with its successors, it still looks modern and fresh today, and most non-car nuts would struggle to tell it wasn’t a new golf really.
HannsG said:
Did around 220 miles on weekend. Mostly motorway.
Dipstick was full level when I set off. When I got back home it was half after 220 miles.
My MR2 is like that, but I put some thicker oil in and its lasting much better. Maybe something to try. Then again, I reckon you fancy a new toy. Dipstick was full level when I set off. When I got back home it was half after 220 miles.
I don't really have much to add, but is a 10-12 year old Golf really worth £5k?
I know your Panda is not as well built (maybe) but they could be had for £8k new, 2nd hand cars are crazy money.
Also £5k, 100k miles and 10 year old is possibly the worst combination in car buying. Everything is just about coming to the end of its serviceable life, so starts throwing up bills. The main one being suspension and bushes, and driving around in a saggy GTi doesn't sound right. I suppose what I'm saying is be careful what you buy and don't be surprised if a car needs a grand spending on it in the first year to get it back to its best.
I know your Panda is not as well built (maybe) but they could be had for £8k new, 2nd hand cars are crazy money.
Also £5k, 100k miles and 10 year old is possibly the worst combination in car buying. Everything is just about coming to the end of its serviceable life, so starts throwing up bills. The main one being suspension and bushes, and driving around in a saggy GTi doesn't sound right. I suppose what I'm saying is be careful what you buy and don't be surprised if a car needs a grand spending on it in the first year to get it back to its best.
xstian said:
I don't really have much to add, but is a 10-12 year old Golf really worth £5k?
I know your Panda is not as well built (maybe) but they could be had for £8k new, 2nd hand cars are crazy money.
Also £5k, 100k miles and 10 year old is possibly the worst combination in car buying. Everything is just about coming to the end of its serviceable life, so starts throwing up bills. The main one being suspension and bushes, and driving around in a saggy GTi doesn't sound right. I suppose what I'm saying is be careful what you buy and don't be surprised if a car needs a grand spending on it in the first year to get it back to its best.
I kind of understand what you're getting at, but in this instance I'm not sure it's a strong argument.I know your Panda is not as well built (maybe) but they could be had for £8k new, 2nd hand cars are crazy money.
Also £5k, 100k miles and 10 year old is possibly the worst combination in car buying. Everything is just about coming to the end of its serviceable life, so starts throwing up bills. The main one being suspension and bushes, and driving around in a saggy GTi doesn't sound right. I suppose what I'm saying is be careful what you buy and don't be surprised if a car needs a grand spending on it in the first year to get it back to its best.
For £5k plus a £1k slush-fund, you get a car that's basically as quick, drives almost as well, is arguably more classy and is just as well screwed together as its £27k brand new equivalent.
Surely that makes it a bargain?!
(Am I helping, OP?)
I still see my old Mk 5 regularly as I sold it to a friend and drive it now and again. It still feels as solid as the day I got it with 50k on the clock and it’s into 120k now 9 years down the line.
Issues I had were the customary rusty front arches that they are renound for (inner arch liners trapping crud and water), a split diverter valve that’s a common culprit for boost leaks ,a PCV valve failure and one set of coils 2 weeks before selling.
I would recommend one. Some scaremongers on the internet would tell you they are worth avoiding like Donald Trumps barber but I have known and know many owners who have been more than happy with them.
Issues I had were the customary rusty front arches that they are renound for (inner arch liners trapping crud and water), a split diverter valve that’s a common culprit for boost leaks ,a PCV valve failure and one set of coils 2 weeks before selling.
I would recommend one. Some scaremongers on the internet would tell you they are worth avoiding like Donald Trumps barber but I have known and know many owners who have been more than happy with them.
I had a remapped 2008 Mk5 GTI with 107k miles as my weekday/train station car until a few weeks ago, when I replaced it with a Mk7 GTI. Was worth around £4.5k. The Mk7 is a big step forward in terms of quality, technology and (remapped) performance - but it was nearly 4x the price. My 10 year old Mk5 was a great car - quick, reliable, well built (no rattles!) and understated.
In my experience they aren't as bomb proof as some make out, with regular maintenance required to keep them fit and well. They can use a fair bit of oil as I mentioned, and interiors get tatty with age - cloth seat bolsters wear easily soft touch plastics scratch and peel, and dash displays fade etc. Air con system is weak, cambelt required every 4 years, some minor jobs are expensive (eg thermostat replacement). Still good all round fun and classless cars though.
Hub said:
... and interiors get tatty with age - cloth seat bolsters wear easily soft touch plastics scratch and peel, and dash displays fade etc.
I went to look at one once, and this is what put me off it, interior was too tatty to consider it, despite seller telling me it was the best of the bunch he had seen, as had only bought it a year prior from a VW main dealer.johnnyBv8 said:
I had a remapped 2008 Mk5 GTI with 107k miles as my weekday/train station car until a few weeks ago, when I replaced it with a Mk7 GTI. Was worth around £4.5k. The Mk7 is a big step forward in terms of quality, technology and (remapped) performance - but it was nearly 4x the price. My 10 year old Mk5 was a great car - quick, reliable, well built (no rattles!) and understated.
Totally agree. I did the same and now have a 7. Feels better but not enough to warrant the x4 price I payed over the 5. What map are you running btw. I’m about to go down that route.
Section 8 said:
johnnyBv8 said:
I had a remapped 2008 Mk5 GTI with 107k miles as my weekday/train station car until a few weeks ago, when I replaced it with a Mk7 GTI. Was worth around £4.5k. The Mk7 is a big step forward in terms of quality, technology and (remapped) performance - but it was nearly 4x the price. My 10 year old Mk5 was a great car - quick, reliable, well built (no rattles!) and understated.
Totally agree. I did the same and now have a 7. Feels better but not enough to warrant the x4 price I payed over the 5. What map are you running btw. I’m about to go down that route.
Agree on the comments re interior getting scruffy - I remember the tartan fabric on bolsters looking worn when I was looking at Mk5 GTIs that were (at the time) only 3-4 years old. I had a leatehr interior, which wears much better.
As others have said, maintenance needs to be kept on top of, particularly timing belt/water pump every 4y.
As others have said, maintenance needs to be kept on top of, particularly timing belt/water pump every 4y.
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