Volkswagen Golf Hatchback 1.8 GTI 16V 3d (1991/J) Owner Review
Want to know everything there is to know about this car?
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Economy
Value
+ Is a very good second hand buy for the money £2k should get you a pretty good one now, - Lots of thrashed, modified ones about so beware best to buy original and unmodified
Costs
+ Buy Haynes manual (quite easy to tinker with) & source parts through German Swedish, service at VW specialist or find a good mechanic! - High insurance gp (14), quite high fuel consumption round town (25mpg)
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On the road
Driving
+ Well designed dash layout & driving position, good multi function computer (especially for its time) - Prone to 2nd gear crunch (esp when cold), one of my biggest concerns is safety - old design and very few safety features no airbags, no ABS..
Performance
+ Mk2 16v still gets best Golf GTi rating in Evo magazine, when revved hard (>4500rpm) car flies! - Does not have enough low down torque, 8v supposedly quicker to 30mph...
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Living with it
Reliability
+ In over 2 years of ownership it has always started first time every time and has never broken down, get one with FSH to maximise chance of reliabilty - Has needed a few parts replacing but it is a 13yr old car
Image
+ Still cool to be seen in one and still gets respect from others on road and looks from people in street, try finding a car with better image for £2k from that era (1.9 205 Gti maybe..) - Not much..
Comfort
+ Comfortable seats, ride not too firm, plenty of space in back and boot - Could do with higher spec (eg you wont find one with air-con..), noisy at motorway speed (@80mph it revs at 4k)
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Security and Service
Security
+ Its a 13 yr old car so not very tempting to thieves (unless yours is mint see above..!) - May be targetted by joyriders, very easy to break into: Fit armour door locks (very easy + cheap) and an after market immobiliser/alarm
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Problems and Ownership
Problems
Engine
Needed new engine mount, starter motor
Other
Rear brake caliper went: these cost £300 new buy a reconditioned one for £100
Ownership
Did you buy the car new?
Used
Would you buy the same model again?
Yes
Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?
Yes