Hey
Posted
#797358
(In Topic #95736)
Settling In
Hey
I don't actually own a mk1 (got a boring old mk3 because my dad wouldn't let me get an 'old, unreliable car'). Just out of interest, how hard is it to run a mk1 doing around 8,000 miles a year? I'm at uni atm so it'd be used for going to the shops etc. and driving home once in a while (from lancaster to near watford - 260 miles). Although my Dad is convinced that my current car is bulletproof, I'm sure it's not (head gasket is on its way out, suspension probably needs replacing soon and it has surface rust on the passenger side arch which I'll sort out next time I'm home and it's sunny - atm I've just sanded the worst of it down and put hammerite on to protect it for the time being. It's only done 72,000 miles!). I won't get one for 2 years or so (got to wait for my brother to pass his test so I can offload it onto him) but can anyone give me any ideas on how hard it is to keep a mk1 running (both financially and whether I can fix it myself!). I'd love a mk1 that's a bit tatty but fairly solid that I could just restore bit by bit.
Thanks in advance for any advice,
Tom
Posted
Local Hero
Posted
Local Hero
Welcome to the site tho..
Its going to be easier to work on than the MK3 as its more basic..
I've just done a 450 miel round trip, gave it some stick, got an average of 37MPG from my 1.8 GTI, so fuel economy aint that bad either…
As long as you get a good ne to start with, you should be ok
Posted
Settling In
With regard to the amount of money spent on a car, I don't think a mk1 would be too bad as I could quite easily learn how to do most of the jobs you mentioned. A friend of mine has an old mini and after a year of ownership he's taken the engine out and cleaned it up then put it back in, as well as refurbishing a gearbox and switching that for his knackered one (all this with no previous mechanical experience).
Posted
Old Timer
Short & sweet!
Posted
Web Team
Posted
Local Hero
If you can be hands on and do most of the stuff yourself they can be pretty reasonable - time mostly.
Hubby does just about everything on mine himself, and because parts are reasonable it doesn't cost us much to run.
You do need to keep on top of everything. Service regularly and attend to anything that comes up straight away.
I use my 84 GTI daily and it's relatively trouble free. It went for it's last MOT and passed with no advisories with no more than a service and a wash and brush up beforehand.
There's only been one day it wouldn't start in the last 18 months or so and that was because the plugs and points hadn't been looked at in a while.
Get one!!!!! :mrgreen:
Posted
Settling In
I have an image in my head of what would do to it (nothing tacky) but insurance companies don't like mods at my age so it would have to wait (all I would do is lower the car a bit and fit some nice wheels to it, along with a single headlight grille). However, I'm getting ahead of myself - best persuade the old man first!
Posted
Local Hero
:wink:
Posted
Web Team
Posted
Old Timer
Posted
Settling In
Thanks to all the advice so far anyway - I now love mk1's even more and I've never even sat in one!!!!!!!
Posted
Old Timer
Posted
Web Team
You just cant help it can yaautocab said
Its a fast vr6 thing though ew, i know i have ridden shotgun in it, if you want a cabby there was a beautiful RED sportline on here a while back but it sold really quick (private joke for ew), they are a lovely cabby though good luck 8)
ichbintk, get yourself along to a local meet if there is one nearby, most people would be happy to let you have a good look around or even take you out for a blast.
Posted
Settling In
Posted
Settling In
ew said
You just cant help it can yaautocab said
Its a fast vr6 thing though ew, i know i have ridden shotgun in it, if you want a cabby there was a beautiful RED sportline on here a while back but it sold really quick (private joke for ew), they are a lovely cabby though good luck 8)
ichbintk, get yourself along to a local meet if there is one nearby, most people would be happy to let you have a good look around or even take you out for a blast.
Just noticed your post ew. Does anyone know of any good meets around Lancaster/Blackpool/Preston? Failing that any near Watford area? I'm gonna try head down to a show in the summer - which are the best ones and roughly when are they?
God I want a mk1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :pray:
Posted
Local Hero
Posted
Life Member
I live just outside Preston and lived and worked in Watford for 11 years!!!
If you're up this way when we are having a meet then you are more than welcome to visit. There is also a meet at the Lea Pub on the Blackpool Road, Preston on 1st Tuesday of every month. It not organised by this club, more of an 'all comers' event.
Personally I'd look at a none GTI version first for age/ insurance advantages and then progress upwards. I've had a few Mk3's and have liked them for the comfort aspect and the increased additional options. the 16v was a cracker!!!
Dan
Posted
Local Hero
The 1.3's are 70hp, and weigh bugger-all too of course. Even mine at 54hp can keep up with a 1.7DTi Astra (similar 0-60 time) no probs, so you get the idea of power to weight ratio stuff.
Your decision though. You can have a good look round at shows and meets. :mrgreen:
Posted
Local Hero
ew said
(it's a noise thing :wink: )
:y: :wink:
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