Classic 80s choice GTi v 944
Discussion
I think I fancy a classic 80s car to maybe do a few European touring or regularity road rally events, in a car that may also appreciate. Must be pre Jan 1 1990.
I'm currently split between seeking a Golf Mk1 GTi 1.8 5 speed or a Porsche 944, which must be an oval dash model, can be an '89 3.0 litre.
Budget would be £15k max. The intention is to keep the car in standard form. My thoughts are that the Golf would be a more popular and more warmly received choice, and better visibility over the many blind crests we'll encounter down the lanes, and generally a more compact car also, but the Porker would be the better car for longer distances, especially for that long schlep home, particularly the return from Dover to the Midlands.
I'd welcome any thoughts and are there other choices I've missed. For reasons I can't really explain I'd prefer a Golf to a 205GTi, nor do I want any other hot hatch. Must be manual. A BMW 325i Sport would be an excellent choice but I think I've missed the boat on those.
Appreciate any thoughts.
I'm currently split between seeking a Golf Mk1 GTi 1.8 5 speed or a Porsche 944, which must be an oval dash model, can be an '89 3.0 litre.
Budget would be £15k max. The intention is to keep the car in standard form. My thoughts are that the Golf would be a more popular and more warmly received choice, and better visibility over the many blind crests we'll encounter down the lanes, and generally a more compact car also, but the Porker would be the better car for longer distances, especially for that long schlep home, particularly the return from Dover to the Midlands.
I'd welcome any thoughts and are there other choices I've missed. For reasons I can't really explain I'd prefer a Golf to a 205GTi, nor do I want any other hot hatch. Must be manual. A BMW 325i Sport would be an excellent choice but I think I've missed the boat on those.
Appreciate any thoughts.
Edited by heebeegeetee on Sunday 25th November 22:30
My only thoughts as someone who remembers Mk1 Golfs and 944s first time round, is that back then I would never had considered them as in any way equal or rivals or a choice to even be seriously thought about. If you could have the Porsche, why would you even be looking at the Golf. I know that was then and this is now but as soon as I read the title that was my instinctive thought. I guess than means it's a vote for the 944 for me 
I've owned both cars and they are very different to drive. My last GTi was a 1984 MK2 which was nippy and responsive, if a little cramped for me at 6'4".
My 1988 944 (bog standard 2.5 Lux) has a lazier power delivery at the bottom end but the handling is sublime and it suits my tall frame much better.
I would imagine an S2 would be the way to go if you can get one within your budget.
My 1988 944 (bog standard 2.5 Lux) has a lazier power delivery at the bottom end but the handling is sublime and it suits my tall frame much better.
I would imagine an S2 would be the way to go if you can get one within your budget.
I've never owned a Golf GTI but I would love a MK2 some day. I have had a 944 Turbo and it was an absolute blast to drive. I sold it as I also owned a 928 S4 at the same time. I really should have kept it and sold the 928. It's a much more fun car to drive.
Unless you're looking for lots of space, the 944 turbo will win on all other accounts. I don't think that i'd consider any other 944.
Unless you're looking for lots of space, the 944 turbo will win on all other accounts. I don't think that i'd consider any other 944.
Worth contacting benjj on here about the 944? He turned one into an endurance rally weapon a few years ago.
This covers the start: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
This covers the start: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
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I've had a few MK1 GTi's a few MK2 GTi's and currently have a 944 S2. The golfs were brilliant when good ones could be had for 1-2k, but now people want more like 5k for really nice cars. Which is why I went for the 944, I'd always wanted one and they're much more interesting cars for the money. They both have great support on forums, so jobs are easy to take on and parts easy to source.
Thanks for the replies guys, very interesting.
The reason for considering the Golf is that for me, it is a true icon that caused a sea-change in the motoring scene, in a way that previous possible incarnations of the "hot-hatch" simply didn't, ie HS Chevette and Lotus Talbot... plus, I think the term 'hot-hatch' was coined for or by the Mk1 Golf GTi. Plus I do think that values will go well up in the future. I mean, look at the prices being asked for some Mk1 Fiestas. https://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/ford/fiesta
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/list/21/fiesta+sup...
But I think there is another 80s car that is only just starting to show investment potential, and it's a nice drive too, and more suited to longer distances, and that's the 944.
The link to the road rally one did the trick for me, also.
Next week I'll probably be back to hankering for a P4 Rover mind.
The reason for considering the Golf is that for me, it is a true icon that caused a sea-change in the motoring scene, in a way that previous possible incarnations of the "hot-hatch" simply didn't, ie HS Chevette and Lotus Talbot... plus, I think the term 'hot-hatch' was coined for or by the Mk1 Golf GTi. Plus I do think that values will go well up in the future. I mean, look at the prices being asked for some Mk1 Fiestas. https://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/ford/fiesta
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/list/21/fiesta+sup...
But I think there is another 80s car that is only just starting to show investment potential, and it's a nice drive too, and more suited to longer distances, and that's the 944.
The link to the road rally one did the trick for me, also.
giveitfish said:
Worth contacting benjj on here about the 944? He turned one into an endurance rally weapon a few years ago.
This covers the start: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
So, decision made... time to start looking. This covers the start: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Next week I'll probably be back to hankering for a P4 Rover mind.
Good choice, but I am biased. I had a 1988 944 S2 and it was a very capable, very practical car with a reasonable turn of speed.
If you need something earlier from the 1980's for entry into events there is the lux or turbo model. My dad had a new 2.5 lux in 1985 and from memory it wasn't that quick (160ish bhp) but having come from a Ford it felt better put together.
If you need something earlier from the 1980's for entry into events there is the lux or turbo model. My dad had a new 2.5 lux in 1985 and from memory it wasn't that quick (160ish bhp) but having come from a Ford it felt better put together.
I think there's little doubt that the 944 is the better car, but then it would have been almost three times the price of an 8V GTi back in 1990 (30K vs about 12K?).
One thing to watch for on Porsche is the parts prices, which can be extortionate even for relatively ordinary components, particularly when they're specific to Porsche or alternatives aren't readily available.
Whichever you go for, I'd recommend one with power steering. All 944 S2s have it and I think that also goes for any other 944, but it was an option on the Golf. Certainly my '87 GTi had no PAS and fairly heavy steering at low speed.
One thing to watch for on Porsche is the parts prices, which can be extortionate even for relatively ordinary components, particularly when they're specific to Porsche or alternatives aren't readily available.
Whichever you go for, I'd recommend one with power steering. All 944 S2s have it and I think that also goes for any other 944, but it was an option on the Golf. Certainly my '87 GTi had no PAS and fairly heavy steering at low speed.
9xxNick said:
I think there's little doubt that the 944 is the better car, but then it would have been almost three times the price of an 8V GTi back in 1990 (30K vs about 12K?).
One thing to watch for on Porsche is the parts prices, which can be extortionate even for relatively ordinary components, particularly when they're specific to Porsche or alternatives aren't readily available.
Whichever you go for, I'd recommend one with power steering. All 944 S2s have it and I think that also goes for any other 944, but it was an option on the Golf. Certainly my '87 GTi had no PAS and fairly heavy steering at low speed.
Parts are not generally expensive for most bits, odd bits are though. Clutches are stupid money though for one thing. Lots of hours to it as well. Some maintenance on a 944 can be expensive & a lot of labour, cambelts if it needs everything could be £300+ just for parts.One thing to watch for on Porsche is the parts prices, which can be extortionate even for relatively ordinary components, particularly when they're specific to Porsche or alternatives aren't readily available.
Whichever you go for, I'd recommend one with power steering. All 944 S2s have it and I think that also goes for any other 944, but it was an option on the Golf. Certainly my '87 GTi had no PAS and fairly heavy steering at low speed.
Not all 944s had PAS and the steering is very heavy without it and retrofitting it is not that easy either.
I wrote a buyers guide which is still on www.tipec.net TIPEC Forum
tr7v8 said:
Parts are not generally expensive for most bits, odd bits are though. Clutches are stupid money though for one thing. Lots of hours to it as well. Some maintenance on a 944 can be expensive & a lot of labour, cambelts if it needs everything could be £300+ just for parts.
Not all 944s had PAS and the steering is very heavy without it and retrofitting it is not that easy either.
I wrote a buyers guide which is still on www.tipec.net TIPEC Forum
Wow, many thanks for that, I’ll register on that site, very interesting. Not all 944s had PAS and the steering is very heavy without it and retrofitting it is not that easy either.
I wrote a buyers guide which is still on www.tipec.net TIPEC Forum
I take on board comments about the 944 being a ‘better ‘ car than the Golf, but I’m looking at from the classic car angle - which is historically the most interesting etc, plus the 944, dare I say it, sits in the shadow of the 911. Both cars are now classic cars and neither will be thrashed to their limits etc.
However,looked at in isolation the 944 is an interesting car in its own right and I think is much better suited to me for what I want to do with it.
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