Why buy a Campaign over a late series 2 GTI?!

Recently there has been several discussions on the forum about campaigns and how they are the cars to buy as they hold a higher premiums.

I really don't see why campaigns deserve higher values than the price of tidy late series 2?s. I had a decent enough budget when shopping for my mk1 and I deliberately went for a late series 2 over a campaign.

Firstly I feel the mk1 looks better with a single lamp grille. There isn't going to be a noticeable amount of difference in nightime driving visability (I've fitted an uprated headlamp loom and high watt bulbs.)

Next is the steering wheel…. whoopy do a leather wheel which is prone to wear and the stitching comes undone.

The sunroof (a biggy in my opinion)…. On campaigns these are prone to rusting and can lead to all sorts of problems. I wanted a non sunroof model because not having a sunroof means it wont leak, rust or increase cabin noise and in fact leads to a stiffer shell. A lot of mototsport disciplines state that sunroofs are disallowed for safety. I know I've got a black car and in summer I?m not benefiting from a sunny, airy cabin, but I have windows don?t I?

P-slots…. I was not fussed about them as I'm not a huge fan. I wanted to fit aftermarket wheels whichare period and I feel compliment the car.

Metallic colours… I think black looks best. I do quite like helios blue though. 8)

Green tinted windows….. pretty cool I would like this feature.

What else erm…. oh yeah dimpled door snickets….. oh my life how am I ever going to survive without these???? Some how I think I'll manage.

At the end of the day the Campaign was introduced by VW to shift some cars before they brought out the mk2. It's a transitional model nothing more nothing less.

Why pay over the odds for a Campaign when you could buy a tidier late series 2 gti? :dontknow:

Understandably original series ones mk1?s in partically the GTI and swallow tales fetch big money because they are rare. I would love a series one GTI in black (just like the one dubboy has :mrgreen: ).

Campaign owners don't hate me I just want to stick up for the series 2.
People always go on about the campaign and personally I just don?t see what the fuss is about.  

I can see that a lot of Campaign owners are probably going to spit their dummies at this post but I just wanted to voice my opinion. I welcome disussion on this topic and that's what forums are for. Lets hear your views peeps ( in particular late series 2'ers and campaigners )

Peace out

Karl

I got a nice diesel  :wink:
Bert

Thanks for that Bert

i have got mk1 diesel van  

Yeah thanks for that 3piece! :roll:

Any more diesel drivers want to chip in "I got a diesel!"?

I only originally wanted the Campaign because of the wheels, tinted glass and steering wheel. I wanted to keep original wheels and just don't really like the 9 spokes that came on the S2 GTI's. I know I could have bought a late S2 GTI and changed these things but my car came along at the right time and the right price for me!!

Oooh, you've started something now :wink:

I actually kind of agree with pretty much of what you've said. I've always preferred series 1's for they 'simple' looks (I have a black s1 gti), but it's all about  personal preference. I can certainly uderstand why the Campaign model is popular and  the rarity factor will probably keep values slighty higher than the standard series 2.

Are there fewer series 1 GTI's surviving than Campaigns??

I pretty much agree with everything Kins has said, but then I didn't just jump in, instead looked at the wide variety of variations on the Golf GTI there are available, and chose the one I liked. For me, the single headlamps, black, series 2 rear lights and dash, 9 spokes and 1800cc did it.

The Campaign model is only higher in value because of its "perceived" rarity. One day (maybe 10 years time….) everyone will have preserved the Campaigns and not so much the earlier series 2s, making them just the same rarity. I have been around classics for a long time and often, the things that affect the market value, aren't a direct correlation with how nice, or practical, the cars are.

Now if they'd have done as standard a turbo Mk1, or a 2.0l 16V, then these would command a higher premium than any other variant.

Forgot to say if I could have it without the sunroof, I would!

Hmmmm….interesting point.  For a brief moment, i considered buying a late mk2 GTI 16V, big bumpers and in ultra rare oak green.  However, i went for my Helios blue campaign.  My Campaign cost me a lot more, but god i'm glad i went for the mk1.  The mk1 GTI handkes a LOT better than any mk2.  It was a marketing gimick that the mk1 GTI 8v was only 0.1s to 60 slower, its a lot slower in reality!  A mark 1 corners a damn site better, and you need to get well up in the revs for the 16v to get max bhp.

As for the Camapign over mk1 GTI, there isn't much difference is there??!!  The extras don't make up the difference, cost-wise.  However, they are a lot more exclusive, and i like the idea of having a mk1 on an A-plate, rather than a Y-plate.  Helios is an awesome colour i think.  

Tell you what though, i love a mint '79 GTi in black, standard 4-speed please, as it came out of the factory…drool!!!!!!!!!!

I thought this topic would raise some eye brows…..

Ok so the Campaign is more exclusive I agree. But have you seen the examples of  low mileage Campaigns that have been sold recently? Mega Bucks! I like the fact they are fetching big money as it should put the premium up on all mk1's.

I'm just waiting for the value of our cars to rise dramatically. I truly believe in the not to distant future the price of our cars is going to rocket.

I constantly get asked "Do want to sell that mate?" or "How much are they worth nowadays?" (Usually at the petrol station) Anyone else back me up there?

Look after them people and what ever you do don't be tempted to sell… you'll regret it!

Dubboy any chance can we see some pics of your black series 1 gti?  

kins what's with the new avatar :roll: i preferred the other one

Bucky O hare man! 8)

I don't know I was getting bored of Rude dog. Maybe I'll go back….. just giving it a try.

I love yours Andy it cracks me up every time you post!

im only kidding…..bucky o hare's cool 8)

You know it ha ha! 8)

 

i'm with you on this Kins, don't see the big deal about campaigns.

Not knocking them of course! They're just late mk2 with a few stick on bits, nothing wrong with that.

TI think the only reason that theyre value are so high at thte miment is 'retro' 80s classics etc are coming more fashonable, as you said I get people 'offering to buy' (whether theyre serious or not i dont know…) all the time in the street.  these people probably dont know jack about them , but lots of recent publicity and a quick scan of magazines etc will tell them 'campaign is top spec model. so off they trundle with ?Ks in the theyre pocket to find one.

guy a few doors down offered to buy a few days ago, I told him ?3K and no less     .

Kins, you're a hero. From now on, the 22nd January 2006 will be known as "the day the Campaign is no longer the best Mk1 Golf" and we can now all be judged equally, or on merit alone.

paul_c said

Kins, you're a hero. From now on, the 22nd January 2006 will be known as "the day the Campaign is no longer the best Mk1 Golf" and we can now all be judged equally, or on merit alone.

That's a brave statement.  
It really does depend how you define best.
For me I think the best mk1 would be a well used mk1 that?s more than exceeded its design intent. A car that?s done warp speed mileage and is still going strong. The best mk1 will have been "well loved" and have brought enjoyment to one or even several owners. A car that the owner is proud to own, enjoyable to drive and has been the least troublesome.

I think all mk1 owners deserve respect. It does not matter if you drive a clapped out banger or a pristine show car. The mere fact people love the mk1 and still drive them today out of choice tells me the mk1 is a superb vehicle and I hope people still drive them to day the world runs out of oil. Maybe people will convert them to alternative fuelled mk1?s!

On a separate note I?m still waiting for VW?s remake of the mk1 golf. The mk1 series 3. Where is it VW? We demand a light weight sporty hatchback that has retro styling of the mk1. You?ve done the beetle and the camper now please do the mk1! And no I don?t want to buy a Lupo!

kins said

paul_c said

Kins, you're a hero. From now on, the 22nd January 2006 will be known as "the day the Campaign is no longer the best Mk1 Golf" and we can now all be judged equally, or on merit alone.

That's a brave statement.  
It really does depend how you define best.

This is it - technically a Campaign is only very slightly better than a Series 2 1800cc. So, it wouod be based on condition and merit of the car, not just "being a Campaign".

I have a Diesel Caddy!

I also have a early S11 1800, no sunroof, single head light and clear glass it?s probably much rarer than a Campaign but not worth as much. This means that price isn?t based on the supply side of the economic argument but the demand side. Campaign has become a brand and in the modern world it is very powerful. How else would BMW sell Z3s or X3s? :dontknow:

You could have a situation where a late S11 had lots of options fitted making almost indistinguishable from a Campaign but would still not be worth as much. People will pay a premium for the ?name?.