New Car decision

[TWills]

Don't have a lot of money right now, but want to own my car free and clear. Friends recommended a 1990 or above VW Golf GTI. Good car?

 

[imported_Mike]

"I don't have a lot of money right now" and used VW don't go together buddy...

 

[Kishan]

budget?

 

[TWills]

Sorry, I have $4,000 I'm willing to part with

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

the older MK3 GTis are fairly reliable, they are simpler than hte new MK4 models.

Get it checked out by a competent shop first.

 

[Platypus]

VW = trouble.

 

[MikeMike]

VW is a VERY VERY nice car in terms of interior quality and looks.

but they lack in reliability.

with 4 grand, your limited to:
Low mileage more recent Saturns
High mileage recent Hondas
Low mileage grand prix/am's
older low mileage crown vic's
older cadillacs
newer cavaliers
older camaro's

basically domestic will be newer, imports will be older.

MIKE

 

[sniperruff]

get a camry/accord/altima if you're looking for basic cheap transport. you can fork out the extra money for a maxima but it drinks premium.

 

[Papagayo]

I have 2002 VW GTI.

I can tell you that as long as you do not MOD your car, it is very reliable.

There are couple of recalls but nothing serious (windows regulator is one of them).

I bought it in 2002 and never had any problems with it (except the windows regulator), but I also never MODIFIED my car (except K&N air filter).

Lot of people MOD the car with a chip (most common), because it can increase the HP dramatically.

example:

MKIV turbo prior to 2002 had 150 hp, with the chip it has around 220hp.
That's around 70HP for around $600.
2002-2004 had 180HP stock, with the chip it gets around 220 also.

The drawback is strain on stock parts, that's where the reliability problem comes.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
the older MK3 GTis are fairly reliable, they are simpler than hte new MK4 models.

Get it checked out by a competent shop first.

Yeah, if you're going with a GTi, definetly get a MK3

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: Papagayo
I have 2002 VW GTI.

I can tell you that as long as you do not MOD your car, it is very reliable.

There are couple of recalls but nothing serious (windows regulator is one of them).

I bought it in 2002 and never had any problems with it (except the windows regulator), but I also never MODIFIED my car (except K&N air filter).

Lot of people MOD the car with a chip (most common), because it can increase the HP dramatically.

example:

MKIV turbo prior to 2002 had 150 hp, with the chip it has around 220hp.
That's around 70HP for around $600.
2002-2004 had 180HP stock, with the chip it gets around 220 also.

The drawback is strain on stock parts, that's where the reliability problem comes.

You have no clue what you're talking about. A little more boost, fuel and timing aren't causing the rampant door lock and window motor problems that VW is known for. They make solid motors. They're not great motors, but they're not the worst. They're pretty reliable, motor wise. It's all the accessories that VW cheaps out on that makes their cars crap. I just don't understand why they use so many cheap parts, but then dish out the money to have it assembled with legendary craftsmanship in Mexico.

 

[olds]

VWs are great cars for metrosexuals.

 

[Otaking]

Originally posted by: Papagayo
I have 2002 VW GTI.

I can tell you that as long as you do not MOD your car, it is very reliable.

There are couple of recalls but nothing serious (windows regulator is one of them).

I bought it in 2002 and never had any problems with it (except the windows regulator), but I also never MODIFIED my car (except K&N air filter).

Lot of people MOD the car with a chip (most common), because it can increase the HP dramatically.

example:

MKIV turbo prior to 2002 had 150 hp, with the chip it has around 220hp.
That's around 70HP for around $600.
2002-2004 had 180HP stock, with the chip it gets around 220 also.

The drawback is strain on stock parts, that's where the reliability problem comes.

I had an '02 1.8T too (indigo blue), but mine had a lot more problems, it seems like. The infamous window regulator broke several times, even after having the dealership "fix it."

There was another recall for the ABS where in certain cases, it would start a fire... I think mine were OK.

The damn CEL light came on pretty religiously. Nothing was ever wrong, except when my emissions broke down, so I had less power.. pretty much was like 0-60 in 30 seconds. I don't know what caused the countless misfires.

Also, I never drove the car hard (never went about 4000 RPM!), so I'm guessing I had half a lemon. Regardless, I got the car fixed and traded for a '99 Miata with my Brother in Law. Been much happier since, but the GTI is definitely a great car (I loved the crisp shifting) if you don't get a lemon.

 

[Papagayo]

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: Papagayo
I have 2002 VW GTI.

I can tell you that as long as you do not MOD your car, it is very reliable.

There are couple of recalls but nothing serious (windows regulator is one of them).

I bought it in 2002 and never had any problems with it (except the windows regulator), but I also never MODIFIED my car (except K&N air filter).

Lot of people MOD the car with a chip (most common), because it can increase the HP dramatically.

example:

MKIV turbo prior to 2002 had 150 hp, with the chip it has around 220hp.
That's around 70HP for around $600.
2002-2004 had 180HP stock, with the chip it gets around 220 also.

The drawback is strain on stock parts, that's where the reliability problem comes.

You have no clue what you're talking about. A little more boost, fuel and timing aren't causing the rampant door lock and window motor problems that VW is known for. They make solid motors. They're not great motors, but they're not the worst. They're pretty reliable, motor wise. It's all the accessories that VW cheaps out on that makes their cars crap. I just don't understand why they use so many cheap parts, but then dish out the money to have it assembled with legendary craftsmanship in Mexico.

I've not heard any problems with the rampant door lock and windows motor problem. I used to frequently visit vwvortex for a year looking at problems with MKIV cars when I bought my car. The windows regulator problem was with the guide (they used plastic parts that wore out after period of use, the replacement is metal). Are you talking about MKIV models?

Either way, Check VWvortex for more information about vw cars..
There are lot of VW nuts in that site..

 

[Quixfire]

diesel

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
VWs are great cars for metrosexuals.

i guess im a metro then. see sig

 

[nakedfrog]

Get an aircooled VW

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
VW is a VERY VERY nice car in terms of interior quality and looks.

but they lack in reliability.

with 4 grand, your limited to:
Low mileage more recent Saturns
High mileage recent Hondas
Low mileage grand prix/am's
older low mileage crown vic's
older cadillacs
newer cavaliers
older camaro's

basically domestic will be newer, imports will be older.

MIKE

A 1990 VW has anything but a nice interior. Soviet style black plastic interior. Horrible horrible.

 

[geewilakers]

VWs are NOT good used cars. They are nice when new.

I recommend buying an issue of Consumer Reports and look at cars that are in the 6K price range. Now go find yourself one that has high mileage, therefore lower in value and haggle it till fits into your price range!

 

[radioouman]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
VWs are great cars for metrosexuals.

:laugh:

 

[HardcoreRobot]

super ugly hatchback

blech!

 

[Triumph]

For your price range there are any number of American cars that are pretty reliable and cheap to fix. The GM corporate 3800 series V6 is a freakin' tank.

 

[cjgallen]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Get an aircooled VW

Only if he knows how to fix everything himself, otherwise he'll be paying out his arse for every little thing that goes wrong.

 

[Baked]

Scion tC = Win!

 

[PHiuR]

yeah...vw + $4k. does not go well together.
id take a look at the list nourdmrol gave ya.