Hi All,
Thanks for your varied and helpful responses earlier about a flash little motor for me - after much consideration, I'm off tomorrow to look at a 2000 W reg Golf GTI 1.8 turbo - it's got 23000 miles on and is £9k - how does this look to you guys - it's at a main VW dealership BTW. Should I get the milage verified & what's the best way?
Thanks, Ben
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Ben,
check the service history and MOT mileage records to see that they match up (obviously from when the MOTs start).
My main question would be why has it only done 23k after 5 years. You should find out what they offer in terms of warranty etc and possibly get an AA or RAC inspection on the vehicle to make sure it is in reasonable nick, and that the wear on it matches the mileage it has done. Also see if you can take it out for a couple of hours to really get a feel for it.
I'm sure it'll be fine, but after a friend buying a low mileage beemer that was 6 years old from a main dealer and having loads of problems with it (albeit fixed under warranty) I'd just be a little cautious.
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24k in 5 years is low I suppose but not unheard of. However, I'd be asking the question - why buy a Golf GTi and never drive it? I'd be out in it every day. I'm out in mine every day for the hell of it!
Maybe it's just be but I agree with Chris. Check it out.
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Adam
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My thoughts exactly... if it was a 'granny car' then maybe it would make sense, but a 150+ bhp GTi is the kind of thing someone buys to have fun in. First instincts would be either it's had loads of problems or has been sat in a driveway/garage for long periods doing nothing.
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Yep. I'd agree with that.
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Adam
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Also check that it isn't one of the 1.8Ts that had problems with the coil. It just could be that with that low mileage this is yet to happen.
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I've heard about this problem - I'm not mechanical, how can I investigate / ask about this? And do you think from a VW dealership I should still do an RAC inspection?
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Coils should be OK at this age. Problems started on cars made between mid 2001 and late 2002.
Perleman - why don't you go and try a Seat Leon Cupra. Here you get 180BHP, 6 speed gearbox, climate control, 6-CD changer in the glovebox and tons more smiles per miles. Obviously you'll not get to much kudos in the golf club car park as HJ says, but in all other ways you'll be getting a better, more exciting car for less outlay than that 5yr old £9k Golf.
You could at least try and report back on your findings.
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With such low mileage it may have been used as a shopping trolley! Check for multiple dings in the doors and that it's been serviced once per year as prescribed. Nothings worse than a car that's had short journeys and has had servicing neglected.
Or it could be that they only took it out at the weekend. I know someone who does this with his new Focus, as he requires an older car to lug his tools around in during the week.
You'll only know when you see it.
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Mike Farrow
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I had one on a T plate, brand new. From day one it needed a new gearbox....
My suggestion is to totally check it out. VW are not as reliable as perceived.... but that's another story (and I've had a Golf GTI 1.8T, 2 x Passat 1.8T Sport).
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Am I the only one who thinks that nearly £10k for a 5 year old Golf is on the hilarious side of steep?
Thats proper prestige car money, that is.
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Am I the only one who thinks that nearly £10k for a 5 year old Golf is on the hilarious side of steep?
No, I do as well. Suggest original poster hunts around, it seems expensive even for a Golf!
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It looks like the dealer is trying to push up the price for the low mileage. It's probably low because it's been off the road a lot in five years with problems.... but that's my guess.
Does seem expensive for what you get. When I got one in 1999 I thought the quality of the interior etc was great. But all cars have moved on now and I'd not be impressed now.
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Didn't even think about the price when posting before... but indeed it does sound high.
Take a look here for example -
www.cargiant.co.uk/cars/search3.asp?Id=241319
1.5 years old 15k more on the clock but only a grand more...
Shop around and don't be flattered by the fact that its on a dealership forecourt.
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