Clipper now or wait for a gti??

Hi guys

I have been looking for a mk1 cabby for a few weeks now, ideally I want a gti. 

However there appears to be more clippers available and probably in better condition. So far I have steered clear as I always wanted a gti but now I am wondering if I should go for a clipper. I guess i am being impatient and I think I should probably wait for the right gti but my question is do you think I would be disappointed with the performance of the clipper?

Also, other than auto trader, eBay, gumtree,schpock and this site is there any where else I should be looking for mk1's?

Thanks

Wes

Wes can you tell us why you're hell bent on a GTI version of the convertible?

I always wanted a mk1 gti when I first started to drive and am now in a position to have one as a weekend car. 
If I am honest I am not bothered about the soft top but the Mrs has always wanted a cabriolet although she is not bothered what the car is. Therefore as a compromise I have decided on a mk1 cabby as we both get what we want and as a bonus the Mrs said she would be happy to attend shows and meets. 

I guess I have just answered my own question in a way but would be interested to find out if there is much performance and handling difference?

Wes_france said

I always wanted a mk1 gti when I first started to drive and am now in a position to have one as a weekend car. 
If I am honest I am not bothered about the soft top but the Mrs has always wanted a cabriolet although she is not bothered what the car is. Therefore as a compromise I have decided on a mk1 cabby as we both get what we want and as a bonus the Mrs said she would be happy to attend shows and meets. 

I guess I have just answered my own question in a way but would be interested to find out if there is much performance and handling difference?

Well as you've guessed it was a loaded question.
But I'd rather have a really nice example of a Clipper than an average GTI to be honest.

Of course the GTI to the uneducated is a bit more manly, the cool factor and they do make a bit more money, which is fair enough.

But the Clipper is cheaper on insurance not that older drivers like me care.
So it's just a little better performance but who really cares about an extra few ps?

I've got the 98bhp engine with the Digifant II fuel injection system. Same engine gearbox as a GTI just with a little less power. I can change the chip for a few quid with the GTI one so it would be the same.

I've had it up to over 100 mph for an hour at a time down the Autobahns in Austria, top up and even top down.

Did I feel I needed an extra handful of ps?
No.

One thing I would say and I'm sure you know this but just for the record. If we were talking tintop it would be a whole different conversation! 😀

Good luck with finding one and I hope you and your dear wife enjoy it. 👍

Sent from my mobile phone 📱

If you really want a GTi then I would wait for the right one.
The Gti will feel a bit quicker and will be better on fuel but you need to make sure the fuel system is in good condition and the filler neck has not been left with holes in it or it is a right faff to clean out the fuel system. Not so much a problem with the Carb cars as a lot easier to clean out the fuel system.

If do get a cabriolet get a windblocker as well keeps the "other half" even happier as it get very blowly above 30mph in the front with out one.

Thanks guys. I am just being impatient I really want the gti so will just have to hang on for the right one. 
It's just annoying that I have been looking for a few weeks and lost out on two, especially when I have this week off (before I start a new job) and cash waiting. 
It will happen though …. is there anywhere else i should be looking?

Look on here as well

Find Classic Cars & Motorbikes | Car and Classic

If you've the mind set for a GTI then that's decision  made.
I had a clipper 1.8 Automatic and it was brilliant. Better on fuel than my polo automatic which is a 1.6.
The clipper was plenty fast enough and never had any issues pulling away at lights or roundabouts etcetera.
Miss that car to be honest and only had to get rid of it because I lost the use of my right arm.

The guy who I sold it too used to send pics of it and where he'd been in it.
Out of nostalgia I did a check on ot but it's SORN at the moment.

But would I swap it back for my Rivage GTI….???

Nope..
You do feel the few extra HP but it's a trade off for a good condition one.
If you're concerned about power get a really good clipper and put a different engine in..

Now there a challenge Lols..



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The engine swap sounds like a good 'last resort'. 
Thanks richardhall there are a few other options on there and somewhere else for me to obsessively search!!!

I want something that needs a bit of work as I like messing with cars and last year bought a house with a large garage so I can work in relative comfort!
I don't mind if it's been modified but I will most likely return it to standard and the performance parts can be sold off to help fund the project. 
But I don want something I can drive away and use straight away so it does need to be roadworthy. 

We had a Cabby GTi AND a Clipper automatic…since 2001..! The GTi had to be sold to get a tow car…..we still have the Clipper auto. Although I still miss the GTi a bit I prefered, and still do, the 'lazy' auto….I swear that it was faster away from the lights than the GTi….The Clipper has a replacement Weber carb and is very reliable…the GTi could be a ***** when not set up 100%……but it was fun…and sounded good….would I have it back? NO NO NO…..
Now getting old and one arm is not 100% with other problems….no power steering is a *****..!
 

I was thinking the same before I got my car…and tbh getting a good condition clipper and not a gti that's been raced about with rubbish halfords bits on..well I made a right choice ( as 2 weeks for me looking was 2 weeks to long ) I got a clipper with 115k loads of service history/parts etc and I never race it about…I have the r32 for that I always cruise in the mk1 i don't want to race it and start breaking things

It's a good option and I am really tempted however I am going to hang on a bit longer to see if I can find a gti

Hopefully I won't regret it but it was always the gti that I wanted and whilst the sensible older side of me says just get a decent car, the kid in me says get a gti!

Wes