New to Mk1s - Hello & questions...

Hi All,

I'm coming from the world of 205 GTis and fancy a change - I've always liked the Mk1 GTi and now the time's come, so…a couple of questions:

Realistically what sort of Mk1 GTi am I likely to get for around ?1k? Obviously I'm not after a minter for this money, but some idea would be good.

Anything specific to look out for when buying one?  For instance most 205GTis need head gaskets, wheel bearings etc.. between 80k-120k - and I see lots of golfs around with more miles like this - is something with 130k on the clock likely to be too tired to be fun?

Cheers for any replies!


Sy

My advice is that you should save up because you will need the following; a good mig welder, a trolly jack, boxes of latex gloves, some back pain tablets and a big wallet irrespective of price. If you want a hard life buy a Golf mk1.

mad

A grand would get this…?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VOLKSWAGEN-MK1-GOLF-GTI-CAMPAIGN-IN-BLACK-VW-MK-1_W0QQitemZ4634439970QQcategoryZ9873QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Only really cosmetic defects to tidy up for a while. Unless you spend ?3,000 on a minta, you're gonna need to do some repairs at some point on a GTI!   :wink:

My general advice would be to go for a car with as good condition bodyshell as possible. While everything is repairable, the body and paint are more awkward/time consuming/expensive (if someone else is doing it for you) than anything mechanical.

For example, if you buy a ?1000 car and the engine blows, its a weekend's job and say ?150-200 for another engine. Beware though that things can add up alarmingly over time, especially if you're not quite sure what is the faulty part and you replace other items, or if many components are 'generally worn'.

Compare this to, say, rear chassis leg corrosion. You'd need to remove some of the interior, the rear axle and fuel tank, disrupt and probably replace brake lines, fabricate patch repairs, possibly respray affected areas, etc.

Don't let this put you off though. There are plenty of cars out there which are not mint, but useable daily driven cars which would need only minor items for the MoT, and are well undersealed so don't have chassis corrosion issues. And they're not too costly to maintain compared to newer cars.

Check out our buying guides - links on the home page.

there should a few to pick from for a grand, just make sure you look carefully and you'll be fine. On high milage examples expect to have to do some head work - like valves and guides etc, engines are normally strong for 200k depending on owners  :wink:

You'll find that mk1 Golfs are generally stronger than the 205, but this is offset by the fact they are quite a lot older, the last mk1s were built in 1983, so the youngest is now pushing 23 years old.

A Mk1 GTI will feel heavier and softer than a 205 in standard trim too, it's  quite a different feel. Whereas the 205 is a bit snappier in handling, the Golf won't do the 'backwards into a hedge' stuff if you overcook it.

Bodywork is key really, mechanicals are easier to keep running. The Golf injection engine (in both 1.6 and 1.8 guises) has a virtually bulletproof block, though valve guides and seals tend to get marginal at 100k miles or so. Decent oil and regular servicing keeps them going way past 200k if looked after.

Most mk1s on the road now, other than exception examples, are past the 100k mile marker and still going strong. Mileage is pretty much irrelevant to be honest, condition is everything.

?1000 should get you a solid, if a bit scruffy mk1 GTI which will need a bit of TLC but is otherwise sound.

Look at lots though, there is quite a bit of dross out there!

Cheers,

Drew.

Thanks a lot for the replies guys, there's a lot of respect for the Mk1 amongst the 205 fans…and the 'backwards in a hedge' thing made me laugh, the answer is, of course: Don't lift off!

Sy355 said

…and the 'backwards in a hedge' thing made me laugh, the answer is, of course: Don't lift off!

Always said with hindsight I'm sure  

I remember back in '93 I had a nearly new 205 1.9 GTI after takeing it out for its first drive into the country I had to stop and check the rear tyre pressure at the first garage as it felt like some had over inflated them - the rear end was constantly trying to step out 8O of course this I learnt was normal :wink: and once mastered was an exceptionally fast point to point car :notworthy: I still think they were one of the best cars to take over from the mk1 Golf GTI
Golf GTI MK1 '76 - 84
205 GTI '84 - '92 the natural successor in terms of size and power to weight.

Sy355 said

Thanks a lot for the replies guys, there's a lot of respect for the Mk1 amongst the 205 fans…and the 'backwards in a hedge' thing made me laugh, the answer is, of course: Don't lift off!

Set a mk1 up with a couple of degrees negative camber and you'll feel right at home  

You can get a good honest mk1 GTI for around a grand, you just have to be prepared to look hard, travel and be decisive.

Alternatively for a grand you could get a very good scirocco…..