mk1 gti cab as a daily driver

iv had my 1982 cab gti for two years now but i only did about 300 miles in it in summer and then stored it all winter im selling my 1992 mk2 gti soon and will run my cab all thruw summer and on into winter just want to know whats it like to drive every day   :?

Hi joel welcome to the site, TBH you're best answering that question yourself  - its your car - why don't you use it as a main car before you sell your mk2 that way you get to see what its like before you commit to selling. You may find you love it  Its no more likely to go wrong than the mk2 if you look after it well.

Mine does a 30 miles round trip everyday, only had one event when I didn't get home…8 inches of snow 8O

I find it a very nice fun comfortable drive, only recomedation is to upgarde the headlight loom. Makes night driving in traffic allot safer

Rob

thanx for that info my car  its only done 65,000 so it will be reliabul just have to get use't to no power stering or electric windows
do you know if the wirering loom upgrades on ebay are any good and how can i get better brakes thay are very hard with not much stoping power 8O
plus how cold is it in winter with a rag top i have a 2 year old dont want her to get too cold  :crhttp://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f248/joelgti/apriltojuly2005211.jpgy:

I use mine as a daily and have no probs. i wouldnt bother with the ebay looms as they are way over priced. (see PM)

have fun and enjoy.

I use my 1984 cabby as a daily driver. Without wanting to tempt bad luck, its reliable and warm once the engine has been running. Cabbies are just as good as a 'normal' car once they get going.

Enjoy!!!

Dan

thanx for the info only 2 more months till its back out of storage

Mines done 159000 and going strong I don't find the car cold or drafty and we've had snow this week :wink:

Rob

Just to concur with everyone really, out of the 4 golf's I have owned (mk 2 GTI, mk 3 GTI 16v, mk 4 GTI 1.8T) my current car is my beloved 1988 Helios Blue GTI Cab and frankly I wouldn't swap it for any of the other 3, its older and done more miles than the other 3 (in fact more than they had all done put together) but its the better car, adjust your driving to No power steering and minimal braking and I much prefer it as a daily driver than the more sanitised feel of modern transport.

Its been my daily driver for the last 5 years, in all weathers, as long as you properly maintain them they are bombproof and great fun

Nick

Mine's my daily, so was the one that's due to be restored. I've driven other cars as daily inbetween (Renault & Sierra), and far prefer my Cab.

I almost enjoy the winter more. Lovely crisp, cold, sunny day. Huge scarf, sunglasses, heater on full, roof down - lovely. :dance:  Who needs aircon?!!

(Its well worth the occasional wet arm getting in and out in a downpour!! )

Deb

I'm not really qualified to add anything to this thread other than, get a wind deflector (from bodi windchottes) and never put the hood down in cold weather or you will end up cracking your roof at the folds!  

Hmmm

Sunny day today. Shall I preserve my roof a bit and leave it up?

Naah, cracks or not, sorry its going down!!!  I'm afraid my car will never be concourse condition - I have far too much fun in it. I'll see the cracks as a sign of character!!!!!!!

I used to know a couple who would never double up with lifts when everyone was off somewhere in case it used more petrol or put more wear on the tyres. And they would decide what to join in with by how many miles they had put on the clock so far that year!!!!

I'm afraid I like to jump in, drive off, and enjoy.

Each to his own tho!

Debs

My 1989 Cabrioletwas intended to be a project car when I picked it up in November 2005.  But it turns out it is such a joy to drive that I have been taking it to work as a daily driver.  And when conditions warrant, I drop the top right away.

A suggestion to expedite your top down conversion: leave the two front velcro straps of the cover on the front of the package tray attached.  When the top is up, you just neatly fold it on the package tray.  When you lower to the top, flip the cover onto the rear seat.  Then you can flip it over the lowered top without spending too much time fiddling with the fasteners or folding down the rear seat.   8)

And to help your passengers appreciate top down on colder days, keep a blanket or a spare jacket handy.   ops:

Enjoy the drive.  Looks like you have a fine car!

Like a lot of you I also just planned the car as a bit of fun at the weekend, but its far to good not to drive every day.   

Yeah it takes 15 minutes to heat up before you can feel your fingers and if like me, you had a leaking roof, turning up to work with a wet arse isn't pleasant but I still couldn't resist!  :roll:

The exciting part is that summer is definately on its way, and nothing beats turning up to work with the roof down….

Its almost impossible to wipe the smile off your face  

I also use my 1990 cabby as a daily driver. It starts first time in wind ,rain and snow. And who needs power steering! It gives you muscles on your muscles :y:  8O

I've used my 93 cabbie for over a year now as a daily drive. It has been towed twice, once the clutch cable snapped, and the other time gear linkage problems.  Though from reading this forum i seem to be against the norm.

I do find it cold during the winter and water drips in when you open the door in the rain.  I don't have a/c so the windscreen is hard to demist fully in the winter too.

Like most of you i got no power steering but like to look at it as a chance to give my arms a workout :p

Henry

daveyyoung said

The exciting part is that summer is definately on its way, and nothing beats turning up to work with the roof down….

How about all the people who all winter say stuff like 'wouldn't you be better with a proper car?'  and then look on as you drop the roof at the end of a hot stuffy day at work!!

I know you can get cool quick with aircon, but how many vectra and mondeo drivers do you see setting off with a daft grin once they've switched it on???????????

 :lmao:


Debs