Looking at getting a 1999 (low mileage) Golf GTi 1.8 (non turbo) 125 bhp model. Using for local trips and some longer motorway drives. I like the price(!), leather, comfort, spec etc but wondering if it'll be fun (a bit of zip and motorway cruising comfort ie. not revving too hard) or a bit breathless?
Anyone got any experience of it?
Cheers
Absolutely the low spot of GTI history. It not so different from any standard other 2.0 petrol car. Fairly boring and defintely not fast or worthy of the badge. TDi owners will be overtaking you for fun.
the original gti only had about 100bhp - however that was considerably lighter than that one. The 125bhp will feel pretty underpowered for a gti and not much nippier than an average hatchback.
or, ignore the GTi badge and look at the spec level/price.
Look at it like the old Golf Driver.
No but my friend had one for several years and we went on several road trips with it, TBH its a bit of a cheak to call it a GTI, its not fast or sporty, and most family hatches have more power these days. He also had a load of problems with it i.e. electrics, head gasket, and was glad to get rid of it.
I am sure other people have had a better experience.
^^^^^^^^
What they said
what year did the Golf GTIs start to pick up again ?
Mmmmm - doesn't sound too inspiring. Wanted something that had a smidgeon of fun / zip. Moving from a VR6 Corrado so that'll prob make it seem worse!
Anyone tried the 180bhp GTi of the same era. A bit more expensive but I imagine, more fun?
Mmm, VR6 Corrado. I keep looking at those and thinking I really ought to save up a few more quid.
The MK5 GTi is generally considered when they got good again, I believe. A 180 will have a bit more oomph, but still be soft and saggy in the corners... And unless it's been really well maintained the engine could well give you a lot of trouble. The 1.8T is good, but not as bulletproof as the VW rep would have you believe.
What about a car that isnt made by volkswagen?
If your middle aged and ride at trail centres, are you only allowed to drive volkswagens?
[i]If your middle aged and ride at trail centres, are you only allowed to drive volkswagens?[/i]
Don't those people drive Audis ?
I have a 180 one of these, contrary to the above it has been bulletproof (going strong at 135k) and is fine in the corners...
No no no no no.
That is a dreadful engine riddled with issues. VW very quicly pulled production. The 2.0GTi is slightly better (but lower powered at 115bhp) but the 1.8T is the one to have - even then it's pretty average. And despite being slow, they all attract silly insurance premiums.
Get a 2.0 Focus for far better handling with a nicer engine and much cheaper insurance.
[i]Don't those people drive Audis ? [/i]
But they are made by VAG too.
Audis = Volkswagons for golfers, or when you think you've made it.
If you're after a Mk4 Golf I'd be looking at the V6 4motions or R32's otherwise you'll be regretting getting rid of the Corrado.
Wonder what the new Polo Gti drives like?
That must be the same size or bigger than the MK1 gti now?
OP - If you are looking to use it for local trips/motorway chilling it will be fine, just don't expect it to excite you.
A Gti with low milage & Leather will always be easy to sell on for the badge, as long as its been looked after and not a silly colour or modded.
Not worth it.
Insurance companies love anything badged "GTI" and as a GTI afficionado of old I was quite shocked as to how ordinary the MkIV car actually was.
You'd be better served buying a 1.6 or Seat Leon something or other.
I looked at a similar model.. but bare in mind the 1.6 standard golf has 105BHP IIRC, is group 5 insurance rather than 10, is less thirsty and still pretty quick. However, that era of VAG cars has a crap gear box that works fine when its working, but when it splits in half, dumping all the oil on the road it wont work at all and you're looking at about £2k to get a new one fitted (very few reconditioned boxes due to prolific failures!)
Look at it like the old Golf Driver.
Exactly. VW UK badged them as GTIs as the name sells well here. Rest of the world had it as a 1.8 Golf.
I suspect a VR6 Corrado is about 170 brake in 1.1-1.2 tonnes? You'll want a 180bhp 1.8T or chip a 150bhp 1.8T GTI. Seat did a nice line in GTIalikes...
If you're after a Mk4 Golf I'd be looking at the V6 4motions or R32's otherwise you'll be regretting getting rid of the Corrado.
Even the standard V6 4 Motion handles poorly. Not sure what they did to the R32 but it handles about 12521512515 times better than all the other mk4s - I had one for a year and it was great.
ski - that age Polo GTi has 125bhp and was a fairly decent car. Lupo GTi drives better though and is pretty nippy.
A Corrado has a 2.9l V6 that produced 193bhp.
The chassis was fantastic too, the passive steer rear axle from the Passat made it feel very agile and wieldy on the road, far, far better than even a Mk2 Golf GTi - and that's saying a lot.
And yes, I've got plenty of driving experience of both.
Didn't even know they did a 1.8 - the 2.0 was slow enough and doesn't deserve the GTi moniker - as others have said a Tdi will leave you for dead, use less fuel and cost less to insure....
It would be no replacement for a Corrado - one the best fwd cars ever !
A few people have mentioned the 2.0 'GTI'...
The UK was the only country in the world where the 2.0 Golf MK4 was even marketed as a GTI, everywhere else it was simply called the 2.0.
That's because it was just a 2.0.
The never less than greedy UK VAG dealership network wanted to cash in on this country's insatiable appetite for hot hatches and allegedly refused to stock it unless it was badged as a GTI.
That's what a salesman at Breeze Volkswagen in Poole told me anyway.
I seem to remember that all petrol engined VW's of that era were just plain shocking, and come to that the handling was pretty awful too.
ie dont get a VW !
justa - the 1.8 was actually more powerful than the 2.0 but a terrible engine and soon stopped.
My Aunt's 2.0 Golf was just labelled a 2.0 - not GTI on it anywhere. My sister has one labelled GTI though - it's a pretty naff engine. Thirsty and gutless.
thanks all - confirms my suspicion that it might be a tad dull. Does make me hugely regret selling the Corrado ... goes back to scour for another one!
Aus - do you hate Ford/Hondas?
A Racing Puma is a fantastic car as is an older Integra Type R.
I'm actually really tempted by a Puma (Racing or 1.7) - also looking for a car. Either that or a nice MKII GTi or Corrado!
Puma is the best handling FWD car I have ever driven. The Racing Puma is even better.
Beware Corrados - lovely cars but I know two people who have had them (one a G60, one a VR6) who had to spend silly money sorting out major issues with them - total money pits. Good ones last well though.
Aus whats your budget?
Can't believe what TG said about the
best handling FWD car
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Can't believe what TG said about the
FFS I haven't actually heard TG ever mention the Puma. I have DRIVEN one many times not regurgitated media cr4p.
An Elan is a very niche and very expensive car. A Puma isn't.
Have you driven an Elan then?
surf-mat - no views on other makes, but have had 3 Corrado's in the past and loved each of them. Then moved to a family estate (yawn) and now in the position where I can 'justify' having a 2nd car! Thought a slightly more modern Golf might be a good option (and cheaper) than another Corrado. And have some VW experience that's been good so am biased from that point of view.
Not interested in having an outright sports car as need some practicality (3 dogs, 2 kids, often need a bit of room for work stuff etc) and some relative cost efficiency (my Corrado got low 30's mpg, nothing broke over 150K miles and consumables seemed reasonable).
Budget is £3.5K max - difficult to get a good C for that as they go for silly money. Lots of Golfs around at that price. Just not thought about others ... except poss a Sub Impreza estate!
3 dogs and two kids?! I think you might need something quite big!
If going for a Golf, I don't like the handling but you'll get a reasonable mk4 130bhp TDI for that sort of money. My sister has one with a nice spec and really likes it.
2004 Subaru Legacy Sir?
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An Elan is a very niche and very expensive car. A Puma isn't.Have you driven an Elan then?
I've not driven one but it has a reputation for being the best FWD car EVER. And it's not expensive in the slightest!
"Even the standard V6 4 Motion handles poorly. Not sure what they did to the R32 but it handles about 12521512515 times better than all the other mk4s - I had one for a year and it was great."
Just install the R32 ARB on the V6 4Motion and swap the springs for some stiffer ones and they handle identically - that is pretty much all that separates them chassis wise.
R32 also has an engine brace (I seem to remember) and much better brakes. And more power. It all adds up.
4motion 2.8 V6 is brilliant in a straight line and sounds great.
Agree on the Puma however its now long in the tooth.
WHY COULDNT FORWARD SELL ON THE TOOLING ETC TO SOMEONE ELSE?????????????????????
surfmat - we've got the 'family' car. But the 2nd car needs to be able to take some of them in varying combinations occasionally so 4 seats and a boot help my case!
My neighbour had a V5 and a V6 at different times - loved them but v v thirsty which puts me off. Hadn't really thought of the diesel versions ... will have a look.
The V6 is very thirsty - I get low teens around town and just scrape 30 if I sit at 70 on the motorway.
I also made the mistake of modying mine (Brembo GT brakes, re-map, R32 chassis upgrades) and the insurance is horrendous as modded car gets you classed as a nutter when it comes to risk. This years quote for 40 year old with 20 years no-claims in low risk town is £1k.
Wait a minute. You're moving FROM a V6 Corrado?
What's wrong with the classic?
because of work, sold the Corrado (a lovely one too) a year back. Regretted it immediately. Now can justify having a second car. A Corrado would be my first choice without doubt, but just v hard to find a reasonable mileage one for reasonable money
Ah, I see.. Corrado was your last cool car 🙂