checked out a mk2 gti today

[AzzA]

hey there, wondering if i could get some of your opinions.
I checked out a mk2 gti today from a stealer (dealer).
It wasnt a bad little car, although i think he wanted top dollar for it (close to $7000)
It has had only 1 owner, a little less than 140,000 km's, and was a '90 model.
The interior wasnt too bad, but the front seats were looking a little tired.
The front left plastic flared wheel arch thingy had a crazk down the bottom of it too.
Im not too crash hot on the door handles either, they felt a bit tired. (although i think i read somewhere about replacing them with mk3 ones)
Question is, how hard are those plastic arches to get? As it kind of annoys me having a busted one. Secondly, what options do i have for replacement seats in the mk2 gti's? the current ones are fine, but the trimming isn't that brilliant (maybe i could get them retrimmed?)
Besides a few little cosmetic things, the car was very straight, and i couldnt find rust anywhere on it at all.. Apparently it has had a newer AC conversion a while ago too, how could i check this?
I think if i could haggle him down a bit, it might be a half decent buy.
Thoughts? Opinions?
cheers

[h100vw]

Arches should be available from the VW dealers if not they can be bought cheap in the UK but shipping for 4 cost me 120 bucks when I posted some to myself on my way to Australia last year.

MK3 handles don't ift, but if it has a remote alarm fitted then you could fit rear ones to the front which will save you quite a bit. You can always get in through the boot in an emergency.

The foam in the seats can be got from VW too if that has fell apart.

No idea on the Air though, if it works now and is used often there is no reason it should fail

Gavin

[JR.]

If you can take some pictures and post them on here, a few outside shots, interior, engine bay etc this way we can offer an opinion on if he is asking top money? or if its worth it?
Here in the uk some parts for the mk2 are now really getting hard to get as vw have run down its stock (mostly trim parts)

mk2 door handles are well known for getting stiff (and there are cheep copies produced that are worse) a good clean and grease up should make it work a lot better.

[evorobin]

Sounds overpriced. This is what people should be paying

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....4781&rd=1&rd=1

[h100vw]

MK3 style handles are from some chinese VW. I think they make an old Jetta under licence but updated the handles.

I have seen them for sale on ebay in the uk.

Gavin

[RedMk2Gti]

MK3 style handles are from some chinese VW. I think they make an old Jetta under licence but updated the handles.

I have seen them for sale on ebay in the uk.

Gavin

Plenty of them in eBay, I bought one set for AU$50.00

[Golf Loon]

Sounds overpriced. This is what people should be paying

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....4781&rd=1&rd=1

I agree with Robin and I have seen this car and know its history and its a very nice example, for a lot less than the stealers price.

[ausgolfer]

For your ref a mk2 gti wheel arch should cost about 98 dollars from a dealer, they usually have to order them in from sydney(when you live in melbourne).

[AzzA]

Sounds overpriced. This is what people should be paying

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....4781&rd=1&rd=1

yep, im going to try and check that one out today.. Wish it was red though!

Thanks for the help so far guys, i really appreciate it.
Will get back to you with more details when i get them.
cheers

[h100vw]

Red paint on VWs of that era is terrible for fading. I have seen some shocking pink ones in my time. I would buy the best one you can get mechanically, regardless of the colour. Even allowing for them to be thin on the ground.

Gavin