RE: SOTW: Mk2 Volkswagen Golf GTI
Friday 3rd February 2012
My love affair with the current Golf GTI is well documented in these virtual pages, but VW's iconic hot hatch played a fairly serious role in my formative car years too.
You see, one of my VHS tapes of a film-off-of-the-TV (think it was The Jungle Book. Or possibly Dumbo) had within one of its ad breaks that Paula Hamilton 'changes' advert for the Mk2 Golf GTI. You know, the one where she leaves her husband/lover/other partner and throws all the expensive gifts away, but keeps the Golf GTI.
That's not happened yet, but every time I spot a GTI in the classifieds my eye lingers over it. Normally I'm put off by a previous owner's inadvisable mods, or a deeply ambitious price tag for an over-cherished example.
The interior is in very good condition with only a minor tear in the drivers bolster, which is expected given the age and mileage of the car.
The engine has been cleaned recently as well as the exhaust tips, and has also had a service which includes:
4 New Iridium spark plugs
A new Dizzy Cap
New Leads
Oil Change
New air intake boot (due to the old one leaking air)
New vacuum hoses
Whilst cleaning the engine, I also cleaned out the idle speed valve (ISV), as the car wasn't idling correctly, this then solved the issue.
The car comes with 2 Toyo proxies (front) and 2 Michelin tyres (rear), which are both well-known performance tyres. The car has around 14 years of history, with all of the receipts of all the work that it has been carried out.
The car has been sitting in my garage for around 3-4 months now on trickle charge; it is started once a week until warm then put back in the garage after cooled.
Bad Points
There are a few rust bubbles in the middle of doors, which isn't serious as the rust is not anywhere near the frame. There are some scratches where it looks like the bonnet used to rub on the paintwork (at the top of the bonnet).
There is a dent in the passenger front wing, there is no visible paint damage, just a fist size dent which you can see in the images above.
The car runs really well, and even now in 2012, is still a head turner to the occasional car enthusiast. The main reason I am selling is that I will be soon moving away, the car shouldn't be stuck in the garage.
Please don't hesitate to contact me with any further enquires; I will accept any reasonable offers, as the car is just currently sitting there unused.
SOTW: Mk2 Volkswagen Golf GTI
Shed gets all nostalgic over an 80s icon
This had a dramatic effect on me. I know some people who developed a fairly serious crush on the shoulder-padded Paula, but the power dressing and massive hair had very little effect on me. I was five, after all.
No, what I was interested in was the car. As I grow older I began to realise that the Mk2 GTI was one of the great hot hatches. Chunky, reliable, fun to drive. Not perhaps as engaging as the original, but still a damn cool car. My matchbox 1:72 model would have to be replaced with a real one some day.
Occasionally, however, I find one that really tickles me. And today's SOTW is just such a car. Yes, it's the 8-valve model (boo) and a five-door (likewise). It's also done a hefty-ish 197k miles and runs on some not-especially-chavvy, but definitely non-original, alloys.
But... It looks clean and straight, it's the desirable big-bumper model, the advert makes it come across as though the vendor knows what he's on about and its got plenty of ticket on it. Buy it before I do and stick some BBS cross-spokes on it... Chateau Riggers doesn't have the space for two Golf GTIs...
Advert is reporduced below
Golf Mk2 GTI 8v (Big Bumper) (1991)
197,000 miles £800
Specification: Volkswagen Golf MK2 (Big Bumper) GTI 8v
Mileage 197,000
MOT: September 2012
Tax: 29/02/2012
History: 13/14 years
Good Points
The car is in fantastic condition for its age. The paint work is immaculate, apart from a few surface scratches, where the car hasn't been cleaned properly. The on-board computer is still fully operational as with the after-market head unit.
The engine has been cleaned recently as well as the exhaust tips, and has also had a service which includes:
4 New Iridium spark plugs
A new Dizzy Cap
New Leads
Oil Change
New air intake boot (due to the old one leaking air)
New vacuum hoses
Whilst cleaning the engine, I also cleaned out the idle speed valve (ISV), as the car wasn't idling correctly, this then solved the issue.
The car has been sitting in my garage for around 3-4 months now on trickle charge; it is started once a week until warm then put back in the garage after cooled.
Bad Points
There are a few rust bubbles in the middle of doors, which isn't serious as the rust is not anywhere near the frame. There are some scratches where it looks like the bonnet used to rub on the paintwork (at the top of the bonnet).
There is a dent in the passenger front wing, there is no visible paint damage, just a fist size dent which you can see in the images above.
The car runs really well, and even now in 2012, is still a head turner to the occasional car enthusiast. The main reason I am selling is that I will be soon moving away, the car shouldn't be stuck in the garage.
Please don't hesitate to contact me with any further enquires; I will accept any reasonable offers, as the car is just currently sitting there unused.
Discussion
"Yes, it's the 8-valve model (boo) and a five-door (likewise). It's also done a hefty-ish 197k miles and runs on some not-especially-chavvy, but definitely non-original, alloys".
All minus points for me on these I'm afraid. At this age they are becoming 'classics' and I would need to have the right car.
A funny point really, but I'm also surprised that a top of the range early 90s Golf didn't have electric windows!
All minus points for me on these I'm afraid. At this age they are becoming 'classics' and I would need to have the right car.
A funny point really, but I'm also surprised that a top of the range early 90s Golf didn't have electric windows!
Edited by Hub on Friday 3rd February 08:19
I bought one of these back in the day, from Independent Motor company in South Wimbledon, where Mike Brewer worked at the time. I had the desirable 16v 3 door in dark blue, with BBS alloys, big bumpers, smoked lights etc. I ran it for a year then sold it for more than I paid for it. Where are you now H210 VBD 
Top shed.
Top shed.
These are a very special car to me.
My dad had one when I was a young lad, in silver. I remember going out with him to Tesco once, my brother was in my mam's car at the time. We were on a long, straight B-road, at night. My dad pulled out, got a look down the lane in front of him and powered on, flying past my mam's car and with me in the passenger seat thinking 'wow'. It was a my first real 'moment' as a petrolhead, and as I would later learn, also a textbook police driver overtake.
I even remember fiddling on with the Mul-T-Lock the car had. At the time they were very nickable (my dad also had a white Scirocco that got broken into outside out house one night in the early 90's). It just seems like such a cool car. I can remember the stunning looks of one of his Ford Capris more (black with a blue 'swoosh' down the side), I can remember the excessive summer heat whilst sitting in the back of his XR2 well, but it the best 'driving' memory is still that overtake in the Golf GTI. Sadly, I don't think I've ever seen a mk2 Golf GTI I'd want at that price point. I helped my brother look for one last year, with a budget of around £2500. The exmaples we saw were in terrible condition, some were outright dangerous, most were just sadly abused and neglected.
My dad had one when I was a young lad, in silver. I remember going out with him to Tesco once, my brother was in my mam's car at the time. We were on a long, straight B-road, at night. My dad pulled out, got a look down the lane in front of him and powered on, flying past my mam's car and with me in the passenger seat thinking 'wow'. It was a my first real 'moment' as a petrolhead, and as I would later learn, also a textbook police driver overtake.
I even remember fiddling on with the Mul-T-Lock the car had. At the time they were very nickable (my dad also had a white Scirocco that got broken into outside out house one night in the early 90's). It just seems like such a cool car. I can remember the stunning looks of one of his Ford Capris more (black with a blue 'swoosh' down the side), I can remember the excessive summer heat whilst sitting in the back of his XR2 well, but it the best 'driving' memory is still that overtake in the Golf GTI. Sadly, I don't think I've ever seen a mk2 Golf GTI I'd want at that price point. I helped my brother look for one last year, with a budget of around £2500. The exmaples we saw were in terrible condition, some were outright dangerous, most were just sadly abused and neglected.
The Donster said:
The 8v engine is a cracking unit - I don't see why it gets knocked so much when compared to the 16v lump.
I'd watch out for an iffy steering rack, though - high mileage and age takes its toll on them and they feel terribly loose to drive.
GIB - Get It Bought.
I have also heard many favourable reports of the 8v, a mate had one lightened and balanced, a cracker to drive apparently.I'd watch out for an iffy steering rack, though - high mileage and age takes its toll on them and they feel terribly loose to drive.
GIB - Get It Bought.
chazwozza said:
I have also heard many favourable reports of the 8v, a mate had one lightened and balanced, a cracker to drive apparently.
Yep, enough torque to pull away cleanly in most gears. I actually preferred it over the 16v unit, but I only owned an 8v one (actually, it was the Jetta GTi, but much the same anyway) so perhaps my assessment is a little blinkered. That said, you still can't knock the 8v.It was a white D plate 8v 3 door gti back in the mid 90s that introduced me to the merits of an hpi check when buying. I had taken a deposit when the annoyed buyer turned up demanding his money back as the car was a cat-c write off. I returned the money and as an 18yr old learnt a valuable lesson.
But every cloud has a silver lining, the next viewer offered the asking price, I didn't mention the new info I had and we all went away happy...
But every cloud has a silver lining, the next viewer offered the asking price, I didn't mention the new info I had and we all went away happy...
VCat said:
Can you trust someone as a car enthusiast when they have dangly crap from the mirror?
To be fair, I think you have to approach any old VW with caution. It seems as though their appeal to chavs and Max Power readers has finally died, though an equally odious bunch of bellends, the 'dub t
ts' have moved in on them now.Cracking cars, I've had 4 and all 8vs (although no 5 doors). I prefer the earlier small bumper cars. 197K is nothing to worry about, it's just run in!
THis is my current one:
Bruce_4 by Nicholas R Horne, on Flickr
928org260609038 by Nicholas R Horne, on Flickr
Which is currently undergoing a transformation into a replica of James SHeads class winning 1988 BTCC entry:
Nick
THis is my current one:
Bruce_4 by Nicholas R Horne, on Flickr
928org260609038 by Nicholas R Horne, on Flickr
Which is currently undergoing a transformation into a replica of James SHeads class winning 1988 BTCC entry:
Nick
After a 1600 and 1800 Mk1 we gravitated to a used Mk2, then a new one - all 8v.
Probably one of the best cars we have had as an overall package (in it's time).
I then bought a 16v Corrado and hated the engine and yearned to go back to 8v. Changed to a G60 then VR6 in consecutive years.
Later on bought an F reg low mileage 8v Golf GTi as my wife's car and the biggest mistake was getting rid of it when it needed probably very little spending on it. Would love to have hung on to it and just kept it in good nick.
Probably one of the best cars we have had as an overall package (in it's time).
I then bought a 16v Corrado and hated the engine and yearned to go back to 8v. Changed to a G60 then VR6 in consecutive years.
Later on bought an F reg low mileage 8v Golf GTi as my wife's car and the biggest mistake was getting rid of it when it needed probably very little spending on it. Would love to have hung on to it and just kept it in good nick.
The Donster said:
The 8v engine is a cracking unit - I don't see why it gets knocked so much when compared to the 16v lump.
I'd watch out for an iffy steering rack, though - high mileage and age takes its toll on them and they feel terribly loose to drive.
GIB - Get It Bought.
Donster do these 8v models have cross flow heads? Thats a very clean engine bay but a very basic looking engine.I'd watch out for an iffy steering rack, though - high mileage and age takes its toll on them and they feel terribly loose to drive.
GIB - Get It Bought.
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