VW Golf Mk III

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Mon 11 Mar 2002 12:13
VW Golf Mk III - Ron

Dear All,

I am looking to buy a VW Golf Mk III. I have test driven a 1.4. But am not really impressed with it. I would rally appreciate any advice regarding the following:

Would the Mk IV be a decent car to go for?

What kind of price should I expect for a 1.6 P-reg should I buy it from a dealer?

Also what would be my best bet, to get it from a dealer or private?

Cheers!!...
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Mon 11 Mar 2002 17:37
Re: VW Golf Mk III - Honest John
No such thing as a P reg Mk IV, unless it's on cherished plates. But the 100bhp 1.6 engine fitted in the last Mk III GLs instead of the 1.8 did turn the Mk III into a reasonably good car.

HJ
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Mon 11 Mar 2002 17:53
Re: VW Golf Mk III - Dan Brownstone
I've owned a K reg Golf 1.4 since 1997, it is maybe a little bit underpowered, but you can make fairly decent progress if you use plenty of revs. When I bought mine, Top Gear magazine reccomended the 1.4 as the best buy.

The 1.8 isn't much better as it is tuned so that it only gives 75 BHP in standard CL trim, there is a 1.8 90 bhp engine fitted to some "driver" models which gives much better performance.

It has been a good reliable car though, I would recomend one, try and find a TDI model if you can. no need to go to the VW dealer for a car of the age you have in mind though, unless you want to pay WELL over the odds.

Dan
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Mon 11 Mar 2002 21:39
Re: VW Golf Mk III - steve
I agree - try the 90bhp TDi. A pretty good car.
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Mon 11 Mar 2002 22:02
Re: VW Golf Mk III - Richard Hall
I think there are at least two different 1.6 motors, possibly three with HJ's 100BHP version. A lady friend of mine had an 'M' plate 1.6CL which was very gutless. It looked as though it had monopoint fuel injection. When she crashed this car sideways into a telegraph pole, she replaced it with an 'R' plate 1.6CL which has multipoint injection and is decently nippy and very comfortable. Still handles as though the tyres are made of jelly though, and I wouldn't be inclined to pay more than £3K from a dealer for one. You might struggle to find a decent example at that price, but if you want to pay more, there are better value cars to be had.
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Tue 12 Mar 2002 22:02
Re: VW Golf Mk III - steve
you are right you will not find a decent one for £3k. I gave up looking for used ones at a sensible price and bought a new one.
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Wed 13 Mar 2002 15:59
Re: VW Golf Mk III - Graham
Of course for a few grand you could get a Skoda Felicia. Audi paint, Polo/Golf running gear 1.6 engine. Not worth paying silly money just for the VW badge shirley.
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