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Newbie seeks advice - mk 1 GTI ... 1.6 or 1.8?

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Which GTI better?

Hi all -  if I can get it past SWMBO - I'm after a mk1 GTI. Back in the day, I had a Mk 1, 1.6 4 speed, V reg RHD conversion, a mk1, 1.6 5 speed X reg, and a B reg mk 2 1.8 5 speed. If my very old memory serves me, I think the best ( as in most fun to drive) was the 1600 5 speed…. right or wrong? I haven't driven one of these for 30 years ish.
hope this is not boring question - did a search, but didn't find anything…thanks Steve S

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Personally not much in it, really can depend on mileage and condition of car by now. I did run a LHD 78 GTI 1.6 and my 1.8 Campaign together a long time ago and the 1600'seemed a bit more eager to rev, but the 1.8 had the extra torque.

I would say let condition and price be your selection criteria rather than engine size.

Golf GTI Campaign 1983 Mars Red, Ford S-Max 2015, Audi TT 180 quattro 2003, Fiat 500C 2013, Golf GTE MK7.5

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Newbie seeks advice - mk 1 GTI ... 1.6 or 1.8?

Agreed Rich.
A lot of folks tend to plump for the 1.8.
So that may leave a bit more wiggle room price wise for a 1.6 of others see it as less desirable.
You've had a myriad of golfs  so I'm sure you'd be gap with whatever you get.





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"Making Cabbies More Beautiful One Roof at a Time" 

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Thanks both - I think I agree. now to find one, and far harder, get permission!

The old adage "better to beg forgiveness than to seek permission" seems relevant, but I have a Stag coming this month, so I will have to curb my enthusiasm for a few months. I shall keep my eyes open! Cheers. Steve S

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I'm sure by the time you have broken down or over heated at the side of the road in a Stag your other half will be begging for you to buy a Mk1 Golf Gti… :lol:

1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.

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Ouch Mark! But you have to admit that the Stag will sound nice, if it's working!:lol:. Cheers Steve S

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I found 1.6 under power low revs
If you keep revs high ( red line every gear ) was a rocket
 18 more low end grunt.  But 1.6 smother drive
Now I'm 2,0 16v  :cool:

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Mdoftw said

Ouch Mark! But you have to admit that the Stag will sound nice, if it's working!:lol:. Cheers Steve S

I must admit a stags engine does sound nice and I do like them, it was just a shame they were built at the wrong time in history with all the problems Triumph had with quality control and there work force. At least now you can buy the new bits to improve the reliability.   

1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.

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Yes, you are right Mark - brill car, wrong time. Such a shame, like so many other Brit cars of that time. Still, by and large, those that are left now have been fixed - I have 2 other triumphs which (apart from the crappy new parts) are pretty good. Hope my Stag will not disappoint!
Now here's a question - sorted late Dolly Sprint, or Mk1 GTI? Yes, I know, that's just going too far!  :o  SteveS

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My uncle had a Dolly Sprint when I was younger and I always enjoyed going out in it but I was to young to drive it so I've not driven one.
My brother also had a couple of drop top TR7s which was fun to drive, we even drove one around Europe for a month and got to Austria, I was surprised how much camping stuff you could fit in one.
I also had a Herald 13/60 cabriolet for about 6 months before I had to sell it, how easy was that to work on the engine as the whole front just lifted up when the bonnet was opened, not a pocket rocket but fun all the same. So I've also had fun in a Triumph.

Decision, decision…… Dolly Sprit or Mk1 golf…. tricky one….


If you do decide to get a Mk1 golf go for the 1.8 Gti as more torque lower down the rev range so you don't need the thrash it to get the most out of it.

I use my 1988 Mk1 Golf GTi cabriolet every day as it's my main car, it lives outside and always has and I've owned it for 21 years, it's never been welded on or let me down in the 220,000 miles I've coved in it, the engine needed a rebuild after 270,000 miles and it's now on 281,000 miles so plenty of live left in the old car yet. This is why I'm a VW Mk1 fan, easy to work on and very reliable what more could you ask for. 

Last edit: by mark1gls


1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.

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Hi Mark. Those mileages are pretty impressive! I had two GTI cabs red (ORA 271W) and silver blue (BRW444Y) which was nicer with the lower roof folding, but the first one was a bit raunchier. Might have been a 1600, sad to say - I can't remember now.
further thought on the Dolly Sprint / GTI issue, I think it would be fairer to compare a Mk 2 to the Dolly. We had a Mk2 (B705 LSF), a 5 door (a real boon with young baby!) - was a bit more civilised than the Mk1, but not so lively. I think the Dolly -4 door, wood dash etc etc - is closer to the mk2 than 1. As they say in exam questions - discuss!
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