What main car, mk2 Golf?

I think I've convinced the wife that we could have a classic as our main car, the kids are grown up so we don't necessarily need our estate car anymore, it's not a daily as I have a little Citroen C1 for that. It's just used for shopping & weekend trips etc.
I fancied a mk4 Golf R32, I could probably live with the fuel consumption as we don't do loads of miles in it but I'd be worried about big bills & how much work I could do on it myself (I like to do my own maintenance & servicing where possible).
I also fancy a nice MK2 Golf GTi, I love the idea that it's low tech without all the electronic gubbins & I could do all the maintenance myself, but is it up to weekly all year round use or would it ruin it?
I'm happy to keep up with regular washing & rustproofing etc, but is it fair and  practical to use a car like this all year round?
Thanks.

Mk2 Golf.

Though it has become a much sort after 'classic car' there are good reasons for that.

Probably the best built of all the Golfs the Mk2 was put together with lashings of wax and quality materials so that even though your looking at cars built between 1985 and 1991 there are still good rust free good ones to be had! Avoid any with loads of rust as these are usually badly repaired crash damaged ones or hideously neglected cars that probably were wrecked earlier and now because prices have risen they have been turned into 'barn finds'. Also avoid any with sagged headlinings at the rear and or wet carpets as if the sunroof has been used a lot the 4 drain holes not cleaned regularily can block and lead to trouble. Could be missing door card membranes too.

Mechanically their  bullet proof, simple to service and repair with lots of good suppliers and a huge club following. I use 'Mk2 Spares' in Norfolk, as the boss Matty is a good guy.Talk to him though he's megga busy.

The 8v is the one i'd go for if you need a daily car as it's midrange drivability and fuel consumption give it the edge over the rev liking 16v (itself a cool car).
Don't forget the  fabulous GTD (very rare) with its PEPPY turbo, its torque  and massive MPG-if you can find one of those it is a definate daily and their capable of huge mileages and can be tuned easily.  Note: that GTD engine in the Mk2 is completely different to the dreadful one they put in the Mk3 Golf!

I have had, and still own several Mk2's ranging from std 8v's and a 16v to a tuned TSR 8v and a GTD.

Even now  in the modern age, a mk2 Golf is more than capapable of keeping up with modern stuff, and racking up a lot of miles with only basic inexpensive service parts needed.

The best bit? The characture and driving 'feel' you get in a Gti Mk2 that rewards you more- the harder you push it. Oh and it still looks pretty good too! as you will find out if you own one, everybody loves them.

Go for it.


 

I've daily driven mk2's for the last 14 years on and off. 

Currently own this one that I put a 20vt engine in, so sort of modern mechanicals in an old car. Best of both worlds. 

My kids got taken home from hosptial in mk2's, they've never seen me in a modern car. 

I also was going to get an R32, couldn't bring myself to do it… they're money pits. 

Thankyou, I think you've convinced me a mk2 could make a practical family car, it'd have to be a gti so probably an 8v, whichever I can find with the best body condition.
I like the idea of a modern engine conversion such as the 20VT but unless buying from a trusted source I'd be wary of buying one already done as it's difficult to tell how well it's been done.

Yeah for sure. If they've been done properly you don't have to worry. I did mine myself and had my guy wire it all in etc. 

Would I daily a mk2 with an original engine I guess is the next question. 

I did maybe 12 years ago, had an 8v and that blew up down the M25, also my 16v was due to blow up just before I kicked it on too. 

I don't think I would is the answer, unless the engine was fully rebuilt with proof. 

My last ones have been 20vt, pd130, 2.0 turbo, vr6.