99gti - do i or don't i?

[99gti]

Hi All,

A quick intro on me - in the market looking for a car again and I have found a nice little gti (in melb). I took it for a test drive and I loved it but thought it was a bit gutless down low. I did also have 4 people in it at the time - 8 if we're including my multiple personalitys.

It's advertised at 16990 + orc and has 113k on the clock. I was a bit put off by the k's at first but after driving it and seeing the service history I'm leaning more and more towards it. My other option is a pug 206 gti which has significantly less k's (40k).

A few questions I hope u folks can answer for me:
1. What are your average servicing costs?
2. Can anyone recomend an insurer for a male under 25 in a high risk area? (my best quote to date is $1300)
3. I've read claims regarding having them chipped and curious as to know what is the favoured chip or program (theyre a re-programable ecu I believe). What gains did u make in the real world?
4. Do the Mk4's have any common problems I should check for in the event I do buy the car?
5. How many k's do u have and how's your car still running?
6. It seems the recaro interior fades from use. Has anyone had anything done to restore it and what did it set you back?

I'm favouring the golf because I've always had a soft spot for them but also IMO it is a better platform than the pug and offers far more potential for quick upgrades.

I have the next 2 weeks to come to a decision and obviously the answers I get here are going to be biased towards the vdub. I guess i'm more curious to see why your so pasionate about them - so feel free to rant and rave.

Thanks again

[h100vw]

It shouldn't have felt gutless. I would suspect that the MAF is dead. A common problem with VWs and Audis.

You need to get someone to check it with VAG-COM or insist on a VW service before buying. Make sure VW checks the MAF out.

Gavin

[Tim]

depends how u define gutless. with 4 people in the car it may be a little sluggish wouldnt it? it is just a lil 1.8L engine and ya adding maybe 3-400kgs there!
Take it for another drive on ya own and see if it feels any better. surely thats the obvious solution.
but yes definately have it checked out by a decent workshop that knows their way round a VW.

[99gti]

What is a MAF?

The area where I got to drive was round the backstreets of ringwood in vic and if you've been there you'll know the place has a ridiculous amount of speed humps. So I didn't realy get to stretch it's legs. Well - I did twice but it's still hard to get a real feel for the cars potential.

[gpk_gti]

hi mate,
MAF is your mass airflow meter.
sounds a bit odd that it didnt have alot of down low grunt,but if you had all those people(8 hehe) in the car,that would probably be the problem.
ill answer your questions as best as I can/
1-servicing costs are the same with any holden /ford/audi etc,go to a dealer and you can get ripped off.go to HANVIC SOUTH YARRA spares and buy the parts and take it to your local mech and it will be as cheap as any car.
2-$1300 sounds pretty good for insurance.im paying $1070 ,full ncb,over 30.normal area.a mate of mine is paying $1900 and he is your age and same car.
3-CHIPS..ohh god... its a raw nerve.if you are interested ,PRIVATE message me,and ill explain a little to you.
4-check that the windows close nicely as the motor and some little plastic brackets tend to brake very easily.check the dipstick(orange sleeve)as that tend to be very brittle over time.check the clutch pedal,top part inside as this tends to be broken.should have a square box with a platic square inside.look for bits missing or sheered off.check for good oil service history.must with any turbo car.check drivers side recaro for the bolster collapse,thats next to your thigh.costs about $120 for new bolster.cant think of any more atm.
5-ive got a 2000mod with 117k and all is fine,knock on wood.
6-what did you mean by fade?? mine looks new.black with grey stitch.what colour is that?? maybe a good steam clean??
if I think of anymore ill get back to you!!!

[phaeton]

Welcome to VWwA 99gti

[fuzion]

With a 99 model you are buying the first of the GTI's so you have to take in account a fair few things; vehicle will need more attention then the later 01+ gti's, the age of the actual car of course causing this. its the first of the gti's so you'll notice it feeling a bit more rougher then the later ones as well.

theres benefits from the earlier models and also nons if you ask me. full size spare (alloy itself) unlike normal steelies found later on. Recaro Bucket Seats where later on it was the generic recaro's not being as bucketed as the earlier models (easier to get in and out of the car is why they apparently changed, maybe cost cutting too).

As mentioned, get the car scanned with VagCom is your best bet or take it if you are genuinely interested to a VW/Euro Specialist for a check. (not some local mechanic, dont be a cheap ass on it lol)

Theres a fair few golfs for $17-20k in Sydney with under 80k and are 01-03 models. I suggest keep looking as well..

Good luck

Hi All,

A quick intro on me - in the market looking for a car again and I have found a nice little gti (in melb). I took it for a test drive and I loved it but thought it was a bit gutless down low. I did also have 4 people in it at the time - 8 if we're including my multiple personalitys.

It's advertised at 16990 + orc and has 113k on the clock. I was a bit put off by the k's at first but after driving it and seeing the service history I'm leaning more and more towards it. My other option is a pug 206 gti which has significantly less k's (40k).

Regarding your chip and without having to be "PRIVATE" msg'd (sorry but come on), i suggest you do your own research and go with who you find best supportive to you and that you think has the best results. Check VWVortex Threads, GolfMkv5 and threads on here (dyno day too maybe) for more information regarding that. Chips: GIAC, Oettinger, REVO, etc are all very well known with reputable results (to an extent).

A few questions I hope u folks can answer for me:
1. What are your average servicing costs?
2. Can anyone recomend an insurer for a male under 25 in a high risk area? (my best quote to date is $1300)
3. I've read claims regarding having them chipped and curious as to know what is the favoured chip or program (theyre a re-programable ecu I believe). What gains did u make in the real world?
4. Do the Mk4's have any common problems I should check for in the event I do buy the car?
5. How many k's do u have and how's your car still running?
6. It seems the recaro interior fades from use. Has anyone had anything done to restore it and what did it set you back?

I'm favouring the golf because I've always had a soft spot for them but also IMO it is a better platform than the pug and offers far more potential for quick upgrades.

I have the next 2 weeks to come to a decision and obviously the answers I get here are going to be biased towards the vdub. I guess i'm more curious to see why your so pasionate about them - so feel free to rant and rave.

Thanks again

[99gti]

Thanks for the info. I took it for another spin yesterday with out the extra head count and there was a big difference. I'm residing to the fact my mates a fat bastard! I was so proud of myself when I walked away the second time but those sneaky car salesmen found out I took it out the day before as well. On my way back home the salesman from the day before rang me on my mobile and asked what it would take for me to sign my life away. I replied 16990 including ORC and it's sold.

I know have the contract in my hands and have just had my first almost sleepless night. Hopefully I'll soon have my electric blue gti in my garage and will be able to return to a normal sleeping pattern.

Doctor - is this a normal phenomenom with buying my first VW?

[mikinoz]

yes - and welcome!

[spa]

I think $1300 for insurance is pretty pricey, I'm under 25 and have my stock 03 gti insured for under $950 (with just cars), and that's with one crash (my fault) in the last year. The excess is quite high however. But i guess don't crash it

The worst quote I got was $2500
Most places refused to insure me though.

i'm also quite interested to hear how much people are paying for servicing though... I have my 60k coming up soon, anyone here from adelaide who can recommend a good servicer...?

hi mate,
MAF is your mass airflow meter.
sounds a bit odd that it didnt have alot of down low grunt,but if you had all those people(8 hehe) in the car,that would probably be the problem.
ill answer your questions as best as I can/
1-servicing costs are the same with any holden /ford/audi etc,go to a dealer and you can get ripped off.go to HANVIC SOUTH YARRA spares and buy the parts and take it to your local mech and it will be as cheap as any car.
2-$1300 sounds pretty good for insurance.im paying $1070 ,full ncb,over 30.normal area.a mate of mine is paying $1900 and he is your age and same car.
3-CHIPS..ohh god... its a raw nerve.if you are interested ,PRIVATE message me,and ill explain a little to you.
4-check that the windows close nicely as the motor and some little plastic brackets tend to brake very easily.check the dipstick(orange sleeve)as that tend to be very brittle over time.check the clutch pedal,top part inside as this tends to be broken.should have a square box with a platic square inside.look for bits missing or sheered off.check for good oil service history.must with any turbo car.check drivers side recaro for the bolster collapse,thats next to your thigh.costs about $120 for new bolster.cant think of any more atm.
5-ive got a 2000mod with 117k and all is fine,knock on wood.
6-what did you mean by fade?? mine looks new.black with grey stitch.what colour is that?? maybe a good steam clean??
if I think of anymore ill get back to you!!!