Mk2 GTi - 8v? What are they like?

[li21]

Hi all,

I've been searching for a stock Golf MK3 GL for a while now.. and I think my search has been unsuccessful because of my budget..

Ive noticed there are a few Mk2 gti's in the trading section here that might be in my price range.. They have 4 doors, 5 seats and a hatch back so that kind of fits the bill.

Just want to know:

- How are they to drive? Everyone know ths 8v isnt the 16v wonder they have overseas.. but how bad can it be in a light car?
Are they still as fun as the o/seas model minus a bit of power?

- How are they to live with? They are old and getting on.. but how tough are they ? Are they money pits or will regular self servicing be enough to get my by for a few years ? (Just looking for cheap, fun, practical car for 2-3 years)

- Practicality? I know the car is smaller than mk3s and 4s ..But how big is the loading space? Big enough for groceries? Dog ? 42" Plasma in the rear seats? An Ikea flat pack ?

- From what year did they have power steering + air con?

- Any thing else I should be aware of?

- Are they prone to rust? I plan to leave mine parked on the roadside. (and in rain)
Are they thief magnets, easy to steal?


Thanks

[RedMk2Gti]

Hi, li21
Mk3 GL price are very cheap nowaday you should be able to get one for 4 to 5K. The couple of Mk2 for sales here are close to that budget range. Having said that if I have to choose I'll still go for a Mk2 I owned a Australia release Mk2 before so I can give some comments.

Every say oz release Mk2 is slow, and it is true. so if you are aim for fast car, that's definitely not your choice. Its handling is still af fun car to drive.

If you are handy and can do a lot of DIY maintenance, it is a reasonably cheap car to maintain, otherwise when everything go wrong will drain your bank account.

I found the Mk2 interior has quite a lot of space, definitely can fit your dog, the back seat can be fully folded down so it can also carry large flag items, not sure about 42" TV though.

I believe all oz release Mk2 has power steering, air cond may be optional.

Mk2 body is wax injected inside, rust is generally not a problem, except UK import which may have more rust problem.

Good luck with your Mk2 hunting.

[li21]

Thanks RedMK2GTi..

Would you say the 8V models are zippy? Or just plain slow?
Is the handling/suspension bits the same as in the overseas 16v models?

What are the things to look out for and can go wrong?
whats the most expensive thing to fix?

thanks

[ozgti]

Hi all,

I've been searching for a stock Golf MK3 GL for a while now.. and I think my search has been unsuccessful because of my budget..

Ive noticed there are a few Mk2 gti's in the trading section here that might be in my price range.. They have 4 doors, 5 seats and a hatch back so that kind of fits the bill.

Just want to know:

- How are they to drive? Everyone know ths 8v isnt the 16v wonder they have overseas.. but how bad can it be in a light car?
Are they still as fun as the o/seas model minus a bit of power?

- How are they to live with? They are old and getting on.. but how tough are they ? Are they money pits or will regular self servicing be enough to get my by for a few years ? (Just looking for cheap, fun, practical car for 2-3 years)

- Practicality? I know the car is smaller than mk3s and 4s ..But how big is the loading space? Big enough for groceries? Dog ? 42" Plasma in the rear seats? An Ikea flat pack ?

- From what year did they have power steering + air con?

- Any thing else I should be aware of?

- Are they prone to rust? I plan to leave mine parked on the roadside. (and in rain)
Are they thief magnets, easy to steal?


Thanks

I should have taken some pics of mine before I left, but I managed to get:
9 BBS wheels without tyres,
1 80l back pack
2 BMW e30 Dashboards
1 BMW E30 rear spoiler
1 set of BMW E30 arches and side skirt
1 90l tote all
2 50l back packs
1 supercharger
1 set of 4 pot calipers
1 set of front arms

Pics to follow. I'll get my mate to take a pic.

I managed to fit a BMW e30 tailgate into the back of a golf, and it could have had the seats up to fit. I'm using Corrado seats so only the seat back folds down.

You can just see how much room there is with the seats down.

Still room to drive, but not see out the back! Could still fit more in if I had time!

It's a MK2 K Jet which was in need of a tune up, but otherwise was fine. As for being outside, it's an 84 model from the UK, with bugger all rust on the body or underside.

Admittedly, it's not that quick, but it's more the fun factor of owning a Golf. If I wanted, I'd whack my blower onto it.


8v has the smaller one piece brake carrier/hub assembly, the 16v has the 239mm (I think ) brakes. I uprated mine to 288mm calipers clamping 280mm discs. Awesome stopping now!

Most expensive thing to fix-on a Kjet? the engine. On a digi, the engine I'd say, but no idea really.

As for Ikea, Some things yes, some no. Depends on what you want to fit in. 42" on the back seat, No chance ina 2 door, but 5 door should be ok. Boxed or unboxed???

With the seats up, there's more than enough room to fit groceries in.

Hope this helps!

[velly_16v_cab]

i have just bought a mk2 8v but with a blown head gasket so sorry i cant tell you how slow they are lol

the car is a 91,
power steering and aircon

[Spyda]

Redmk2gti prity much said it all.

Its slow, not quick, not zippy, just 77kw slow BUT the handling is amazing. It generaly due to the toilet bowl exhaust manifold, if you change that with a mk3 manifold and downpipe it should be zippy.

It will need a bit of DIY and you will have to maintain it regularly as things will start to fail one by one because of its age, these things are only small usaly, rubber and plastic bits, a few sensor etc. The motor is very strong and will generaly last forever as long as you keep the fluids up.

Because of the big tyre in the back that pokes out from the fool in the boot i found that the boot space wasnt great but it will fit the shopping in the boot and maby a 62cm tv on the back seats.

Easy to drive, easy to park, not very prone to rust and I dont think anyone would steal it. At least if they tryed to steal mine they wouldnt know the trick of how to get it in gear haha.

[jayjay]

lol. most of the australian delivered spec mk2s are in pretty tidy condition. minimal rust compared to the imports, slow motors, but lots of goodies. (power steering, some have aircon, central locking) i'm not too sure how well all of these things work, but i've been using my import (87 from South Africa) as a daily for the past 9 months or so. it's a lot more fun than any mk3 i've ever driven..

hmm.. it has a lot more character than later model golfs/306s

[tommymac]

if i bought a mk3 it would have to be a vr6 - I still love the classic Mk1 - Mk2 shape over a Mk3 any day.

the only thing i found with mine when i first had it was wiring it can be a pain on a mk2

[RedMk2Gti]

I dont think anyone would steal it. At least if they tryed to steal mine they wouldnt know the trick of how to get it in gear haha.

LOL, I remember the car wash boy didn't know how to put in reverse gear of my Mk4..

[AusScare]

You buy the car more for the looks and practicality than performance.

Mine has aircon, pwr steering, tint, 17s, soon coilovers, ok stereo, good space front and back, sounds alright, trip computer, 6 lights at the front

Good enough for what I use it for anyway.