Is this a daft idea?

Been wanting a new car for a while. With a budget of 10k. Looked at all sorts of modern hatchbacks. Basically I don't like any of them for various reasons.

Then read an article on MK1 Golfs , that they have recently stopped production of in South Africa. What a great idea a modern car in a retro shell.

I've always liked the MK1s. So I got thinking. Buy a tidy MK1 GTI for 2-5k? And spend the difference on replacing loads of bits and parts to try and make it as reliable as possible. As the car will be a daily driver. Obviously I won't get the money back on what I spend, but I wouldn't on a brand new dull box either.

So good idea yay or nay?

Its as good an idea as any other. Obviously, don't expect "modern car" features like central locking, electric windows, ABS, airbags, etc But then if you were expecting these, it somewhat misses the point of the Mk1 Golf GTI. Its a fairly basic car but its a very enjoyable one to drive.

i would say

buy the mk1 you want

and another car just for daily use

you have a big buget of 10k then you can get a mint mk1 and a nice enough daily driver

this is what i do and i wouldn't have it any other way

just my opinion

paul_c said

Its as good an idea as any other. Obviously, don't expect "modern car" features like central locking, electric windows, ABS, airbags, etc But then if you were expecting these, it somewhat misses the point of the Mk1 Golf GTI. Its a fairly basic car but its a very enjoyable one to drive.

I don't need any of that stuff.  

jellybelly said

i would say

buy the mk1 you want

and another car just for daily use

you have a big buget of 10k then you can get a mint mk1 and a nice enough daily driver

this is what i do and i wouldn't have it any other way

just my opinion

Already have an E30 cab in the garage for nice days/ weekend car. The new one would need to be a daily.

How much is a mint GTI?

The problem is, the ones the seller thinks are "mint", probably aren't. Everyone has a slightly different idea of what a mint car is, and lots of people out there will try their luck, when selling, unfortunately. This means that even with a £5000 car you need to thoroughly check it, just as much as a £2000 car. Having said that, sometimes its plain to see that a car's been well cared for, garaged all its life, etc. but these kinds of cars don't come along too often, and there will be a number of resprayed ones too, which look just as good from 10 feet away, but once you look underneath or probe further, some of the rust repairs might not have been done as well as they ought to have been. My pet hate is a superficial respray on a rotten car!

a mint one

could be anywhere anywhere above £3000

i see what your saying didn't know about the other car in the garage

if you did get a mint condition car and used it as a daily it would need to be well looked after to hold the value and the condition

My pet hate is a superficial respray on a rotten car!

i know that feeling!!

I,ve got a MK 2 1.8 GL with 20k on it. Might sell it if the money's right :wink:

Go for it! With a tidy budget like that you can turn a great car into a special car.

Mine's been my daily for getting on four years now, and because hubby keeps an eye on it and deals with any minor niggles or jobs as they arise I can say its one of the most reliable cars I've driven. Yep I've had to make use of the AA on a few occasions, but then who doesn't even in a newer car?   :dontknow:

I've just paid the princely some of £475.00 for a '91 black cabriolet and is in standard spec. 140000 miles, fvwsh up to 100000 and my dad has just taken it to his mechanic for a full service and wheel bearing.

The point i'm trying to get to is this has to be my daily driver, i have had vw campers T3/T25 that i used to run as both recreational and daily drivers i can't do modern cars, the only thing is i would miss A/C but with a cab, not to much need……….