MK1 GTI 'specialist' in Guildford/ Surrey area

Keep thinking this one looks nice for the money

Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1, Mk2 cars for sale - PistonHeads UK

It's had a repaint I would think - tell tale not replaced the black stripe along bottom of tailgate, but from pictures alone looks very good.

Only real downside is it's located at the other end of the country!  However, I think that Massbad69 knows something about this car and I would trust his judgement in deciding if it was worth the trip.

RichardHall this is my mate Gary's car or Stretch on the forum. It is sold awaiting pick up and it's an absolute peach.

I think it was Drew Wagers car and was on Top Gear with a page 3 model in the back.

It also was in last years Practical Clasdics mk1 spread through this club.

It was only resprayed through Gary wanting it to be perfect as I think it was already in very good condition.

Massbad69 said

RichardHall this is my mate Gary's car or Stretch on the forum. It is sold awaiting pick up and it's an absolute peach.

I think it was Drew Wagers car and was on Top Gear with a page 3 model in the back.

It also was in last years Practical Clasdics mk1 spread through this club.

It was only resprayed through Gary wanting it to be perfect as I think it was already in very good condition.

Yes, it does look nice - I didn't follow it up as apparently not available to view until early February - someone obviously got-in early doors!

It's because Stretch works off shore

Thanks for all the info Simon.

I was going to give you a summary only of my opinion - Walk away!! But it sounds like you are now.

This one is well worth a look Simon and a lot less money if you're happy with a restored car. There's a link to Bob's thread which shows you everything done.

It's worth spending the time looking through this one

http://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&id=classifieds%2Fcars-for-sale_2%2Funtitled_27

Massbad69 said

RichardHall this is my mate Gary's car or Stretch on the forum. It is sold awaiting pick up and it's an absolute peach.

I think it was Drew Wagers car and was on Top Gear with a page 3 model in the back.

It also was in last years Practical Clasdics mk1 spread through this club.

It was only resprayed through Gary wanting it to be perfect as I think it was already in very good condition.

Yes it is Drew's old car

Hairyarse said

Thanks for all the info Simon.

I was going to give you a summary only of my opinion - Walk away!! But it sounds like you are now.

This one is well worth a look Simon and a lot less money if you're happy with a restored car. There's a link to Bob's thread which shows you everything done.

It's worth spending the time looking through this one

http://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&id=classifieds%2Fcars-for-sale_2%2Funtitled_27

I wondered why this had come up for sale again, saw it on Car & Classic, shame for the seller, good news for any buyer.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C538514

Bobs car is a superb build thread but it's gone up a bit too much in price as I would have considered it if it was less.
I had a chance to buy it originally after it was complete and should have 😁

Hairyarse said

Thanks for all the info Simon.

I was going to give you a summary only of my opinion - Walk away!! But it sounds like you are now.

This one is well worth a look Simon and a lot less money if you're happy with a restored car. There's a link to Bob's thread which shows you everything done.

It's worth spending the time looking through this one

http://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&id=classifieds%2Fcars-for-sale_2%2Funtitled_27

I'm looking for an original rather than restored car, which is why this car appealed to me (except the price)
Why "walk away"? Condition, price or both?

In the classic car world a low mileage car will always be worth a lot more. It looks like the car can easily be brought up to as new condition if required. An original car can be a much better buy than one that has been restored and hiding a lot of gremlins.

Even though I have posted on this thread I never realised what car it was.

For the money being asked for the car I would want it to be absolutely spotless.

I am fortunate to be at a stage in my life where I can treat myself and thought about this car a few timew, then remembered the price  

I know its a completely different beast but I got my 4 door 30k mile series 1 GLS which is immaculate for a quarter of their asking price and if I was to drive for hours to see any mk1 with a £20k + asking price it would have to be equally as good as mine, with the low miles and every single box ticked as perfect and IMO that car doesnt go near that.

It is potentially a £12-15k car at the most.

Simon M said

I'm looking for an original rather than restored car, which is why this car appealed to me (except the price)
Why "walk away"? Condition, price or both?

That makes sense, I understand why.

Kind of both. If the body is genuinely rust free and it's only a case of replacing/refreshing a bit of running gear then it will maintain its originality well. But I don't think it's worth anywhere near what they're asking.

I agree with Rajan and Chris, both on it commanding a higher price and the valuation of about half what they're asking.

At that money it's a worthwhile investment, but for me only if it needs no welding/paint and the interior is mint.

Graham Yomp would be a good one to give opinion. His black GTI has few miles but he did still have to give it a full restoration to bring it to the level it's now at.

If you are comparing values then you need to take into account there is around £2k commission in the selling price as the car is being sold on behalf of the owner.

I remember when you could pick up a nice example of a GTI hatch for £5k. But then who is to say GTIs will not reach the heights of £30-50k such as the top Escorts, etc for such an iconic classic.

Hairyarse said

Simon M said

I'm looking for an original rather than restored car, which is why this car appealed to me (except the price)
Why "walk away"? Condition, price or both?

That makes sense, I understand why.

Kind of both. If the body is genuinely rust free and it's only a case of replacing/refreshing a bit of running gear then it will maintain its originality well. But I don't think it's worth anywhere near what they're asking.

I agree with Rajan and Chris, both on it commanding a higher price and the valuation of about half what they're asking.

At that money it's a worthwhile investment, but for me only if it needs no welding/paint and the interior is mint.

Graham Yomp would be a good one to give opinion. His black GTI has few miles but he did still have to give it a full restoration to bring it to the level it's now at.

Wise words I think! As Oscar Wilde said,  I am probably,

"A man who knows the price of everything, and the value of nothing.
And a man who sees an absurd value in everything and doesn't know the market price of any single thing."


Cheers

I've just read this thread from start to finish and can't really add anything to what's been said already and it looks like you've already been swayed but..

One thing I can't find is what you want the car for?

Its certainly not a show car and as said previously the uniqueness of the mileage is reflected in the price so if you drove it  much you'd lose that value and feel guilty while driving it!

If it were a pampered 16,000 mile car then it wouldn't have degraded as much as it has and would be worth the money imo.

My own car was an unloved low mileage example (42,000 when I bought it 2008) in similar condition but as I wanted to use it occasionally I felt the only way to preserve it was to refinish it both underside and on top.

The underseal had degraded and was lifting off in places but never gave any evidence until I started scratching away at it and sections of it (say the size of a 50p piece were no longer attached to the steal and there was hidden surface rust behind. Probably caused by  small stone chips creating  pinholes in it allowing moisture in.

I try to class mine as sympathetic restoration rather than a full one as the insides have never been removed, just the running gear and exterior parts. I never noted how many hours I put into it but it must be around 3-400. If you have to pay a restorer to carry out that work at say £35 per hour then you get an idea of how much more needs spending on it to just make it a tidy driveable car thats worthy of putting into a concours event.

On a plus side for it, I've owned high miler GTI's and my current low miler and the low miler drives so much better. Changing suspension etc on a high miler is just the tip of the iceburg. The low miler has I nice tight steering rack, steering column, pedal linkages, gear change, window winders, switches and stalks etc etc  which when added together give a completely different feel to the car.

If that car was half the price I'd probably buy it myself along with everyone else!

My car's thread is here if your interested.

Good luck in your continued search

Yomp said

I've just read this thread from start to finish and can't really add anything to what's been said already and it looks like you've already been swayed but..

One thing I can't find is what you want the car for?

Its certainly not a show car and as said previously the uniqueness of the mileage is reflected in the price so if you drove it  much you'd lose that value and feel guilty while driving it!

If it were a pampered 16,000 mile car then it wouldn't have degraded as much as it has and would be worth the money imo.

My own car was an unloved low mileage example (42,000 when I bought it 2008) in similar condition but as I wanted to use it occasionally I felt the only way to preserve it was to refinish it both underside and on top.

The underseal had degraded and was lifting off in places but never gave any evidence until I started scratching away at it and sections of it (say the size of a 50p piece were no longer attached to the steal and there was hidden surface rust behind. Probably caused by  small stone chips creating  pinholes in it allowing moisture in.

I try to class mine as sympathetic restoration rather than a full one as the insides have never been removed, just the running gear and exterior parts. I never noted how many hours I put into it but it must be around 3-400. If you have to pay a restorer to carry out that work at say £35 per hour then you get an idea of how much more needs spending on it to just make it a tidy driveable car thats worthy of putting into a concours event.

On a plus side for it, I've owned high miler GTI's and my current low miler and the low miler drives so much better. Changing suspension etc on a high miler is just the tip of the iceburg. The low miler has I nice tight steering rack, steering column, pedal linkages, gear change, window winders, switches and stalks etc etc  which when added together give a completely different feel to the car.

If that car was half the price I'd probably buy it myself along with everyone else!

My car's thread is here if your interested.

Good luck in your continued search

Just wanted to say a big "thanks to everyone who has contributed to my rather messy (sorry I am, new to this! - not quite sure which button to press) thread.

I think you have confirmed what I already knew in my heart of hearts - that this particular car is 'interesting' in terms of it's mileage and ownership, but just too much money given what clearly needs to be spent to get it into A1 shape. The car was already over my total budget and I certainly would'nt have been able to start spending lots on it at that kind of price.

You probably have helped save me from myself on this one!

I am still really keen to find 'the right car' and if you know of any lovely, low mileage, cars which might be for sale, please could you let me know?

This is a great forum and I am looking forward to being part of your Golf community

Cheers

Simon

Glad to be of service Simon, that's what we're here for  

I'm sure the right car will come along soon enough - they are out there

Hairyarse said

Glad to be of service Simon, that's what we're here for  

I'm sure the right car will come along soon enough - they are out there

I wondered if anyone on the Forum knew anything about this particular car?

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C576618

I do particularly love a series 1  - this one looks quite unlikely to be stolen :-)

Any info or thoughts would be much appreciated

Cheers

I think that's an interesting one, low mileage and a very early car, just would need to see how much corrosion it's hiding, one wing had already gone before and rust on pillars - could be an honest description and that's all there is or hiding a nightmare underneath - but to be fair that could be the same with any MK1.  I would want to see more pics of interior and the seats to ensure don't look too worn or faded.

This one pops up now and again and has done for the last 6 years. It also had the same mileage 6 years ago so either hesdisconnected the cable or he doesn't use as much as he claims but you can confirm that with the MOT's.
 He has set his stall out in the "don't need  the money" statement. So even if you find faults there maybe not much bartering to be had.  
I nearly bought a similar one 2 years ago for 7K but walked because I knew I'd end up spending the same again to bring it to where I'd want it to be.
Might be worth a look though. You'll struggle to find one that hasn't been repainted.