To Golf or not to Golf....
Discussion
Hi,
I am just looking to get my first car and had been considering the Golf Mark 3 (1995 roughly) and was looking at the 1.6CL version. I was just wondering whether anyone had any idea of how reliable an M-Reg Golf would be? They are getting on a bit, but on the other hand VW are meant to be reliable...
Any help appreciated!
PS I'm considering getting it against a Peugeot 106 or '95(ish) Honda Civic.
I am just looking to get my first car and had been considering the Golf Mark 3 (1995 roughly) and was looking at the 1.6CL version. I was just wondering whether anyone had any idea of how reliable an M-Reg Golf would be? They are getting on a bit, but on the other hand VW are meant to be reliable...
Any help appreciated!
PS I'm considering getting it against a Peugeot 106 or '95(ish) Honda Civic.
Its probably not as reliable as you might suspect, although I had a K reg Vento once and that was supremely reliable.
Generally check for regular oil changes at least and as much as service history as possible. Provided it is okay mechanically test all the electrics, windows and central locking etc as these can go wrong often in my experience!
Generally check for regular oil changes at least and as much as service history as possible. Provided it is okay mechanically test all the electrics, windows and central locking etc as these can go wrong often in my experience!
A well cared for mk3 will last many years and easily see 200k
So long as it has been serviced and has been kept reasonably well then it is worth a punt. There arent that many components that fail on a 1.6 and it isnt the most complicated engine going so if/when it does give you grief it is easy enough and cheap enough to sort. Parts can be bought cheaply from GSF/Euro car parts and the many other specialist VAG parts suppliers. At the age they are now they are starting to require new suspension/bushes/starters/alternators and other accessory parts that maybe reaching the end of their life. These parts are easy/cheap enough to get second hand though.
For a first car a 1.6 will have enough poke to allow you to do all manor of silly things, if people manage to crash cars with sub 1.0L engines having enough power when you have a 1.6 isnt a issue. Although its a joke paying so much extra tax compared to a 1.4 which isnt that much slower.
How much are you looking to spend on one, there are plenty of mk3 golfs in good condition for under £1K these days, only a mug (or a "clueless" person) would pay significantly more than that for a 1.6.
dave
So long as it has been serviced and has been kept reasonably well then it is worth a punt. There arent that many components that fail on a 1.6 and it isnt the most complicated engine going so if/when it does give you grief it is easy enough and cheap enough to sort. Parts can be bought cheaply from GSF/Euro car parts and the many other specialist VAG parts suppliers. At the age they are now they are starting to require new suspension/bushes/starters/alternators and other accessory parts that maybe reaching the end of their life. These parts are easy/cheap enough to get second hand though.
For a first car a 1.6 will have enough poke to allow you to do all manor of silly things, if people manage to crash cars with sub 1.0L engines having enough power when you have a 1.6 isnt a issue. Although its a joke paying so much extra tax compared to a 1.4 which isnt that much slower.
How much are you looking to spend on one, there are plenty of mk3 golfs in good condition for under £1K these days, only a mug (or a "clueless" person) would pay significantly more than that for a 1.6.
dave
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