Which MK3 Golf for me? GL vs VR6 vs Pug 306?

**li21** · 04-05-2009, 12:05 AM

Hi all,

I'm looking to get a 2nd car.. a 5 door hatch for practicality reasons but on a low budget of $5k tops.

Now there's other cheap hatches but I'm drawn to the Golf 3 (as opposed to say Civics, Peugeot 306 and Pulsars of the same age)

Just wanted to ask:

a) Is the Golf Mk3 a decent car as far as reliability and quality go?
The cars I'm looking at are fairly old so issues might be popping up. I really want something that will go for a good 2-3 years without costly repairs. I plan to just do basic DIY maintenance.
(Hondas go forever and not much goes wrong with them and they are very simple to service)

b) How is the handling on a Mk3 Golf vs say a 306 ?
(Even the base 306 is said to be a fantastically handling hatch of its time)

c) How easy are they to service? Well I really only change stuff like air filters, oil, maybe change the intake.. How easy are MK3's to work and how hard is it to change oil filter.
(VR6 i heard is squashed in to the engine bay and makes it hard to reach bits like oil filter?)

d) GL or Vr6?
Ive seen cheap VR6s and GLs around $5k...
If I want trouble free motoring with decent poke.. would the GL 2.0L better choice than a VR6?
I'm not after huge speed but would like satisfying fun/acceleration. I tend to rev my cars hard at times.

e) Whats actual fuel economy people are getting from VR6 and 2.0 GLs?
(not rated, but real world)

Thanks for any input

**Golf Houso** · 04-05-2009, 12:17 AM

Get a CL, 1.8L single point injected car with no power windows will save you alot of headaches and go into the next millennium. I myself own a VR6 but only after owning a GL, I would only recommend a VR6 to those who have already owned a MK3 and developed some level of understanding for the problems which are common with the model.

My VR6 gets a realistic 12.5-13L which is a combination of city and hwy cycle, a GL or better yet CL will save you a good 30% on the fuel bill and around that on maintainence.

So based on my previous experience with both models I would get a GL or better yet a CL vs a VR6 which needs a great deal of patience and budget which has to stretch one way or another.

Good luck with whatever you choose, I doubt you will be disappointed with a MK3 golf

**Mrk_Mickey** · 04-05-2009, 12:30 AM

Mate do NOT get a VR6 if you've only got 5k to play with. At these times you'd need over double to happily drive a VR6 around town.

I don't know anything about the bug, but the mk3 GL and the aforementioned CL are great cars. Get one of those

a) In a word, yes.
b) Not sure about the bug; golfs tend to be alright if the suspension components are fresh. Things like strut-top mounts and bushings are a good thing to replace if the car is 14 years old or older, and with the infinite combinations of aftermarket options, the golf can be toughened right up for hardly any dent in the pocket

c) I find my VR6 really easy to fiddle with, and I've been told their an arse of an engine to handle. I learnt from the bottom at 17 with a VR6, so a GL/CL can only be easier by my understanding.
d) First statement made...^^^^
e) I don't thrash about in my VR, but I do give it a good drive and I easily get 400-450km's a tank (55L tank for mk3 golfs). That actually averages to about 12L/100km. GL's are anywhere from 8 to 10 on average as far as I know.

**The_Hawk** · 04-05-2009, 08:16 AM

What's the second car for, a Mk2 GTI might be a good buy for about that money and still be good on fuel and a bit of fun to drive. (although, yes it's a little older).

As has been said a VR6 can be an expensive beastie to run with fuel bills and commonly broken parts (which when replaced will probably go for the next 10 years without incident). Mind you the CL still has a heater core and a roof lining to break, but otherwise they seem to be pretty solid.

edit: If you can stretch that budget a bit you can can get into a base model Mk4 Golf, mind you with listings starting from just under $8k, even with negotiation it's going to be a few extra $$.

**li21** · 04-05-2009, 03:30 PM

thanks all for the input.

The second card is just for me to get to work daily and perhaps load stuff in the back from Ikea etc.

I assume the seats fold down in the MK3 too..

I would love the Golf GTI mkII but theres not many and they would be out of my budget I dare say.. and even the VR6 now that i think about it

The 2.0 GL is my pick at the moment Anyone have one to sell?

Up to what KM's would be okay for a GL? up to 200,000kms?

**Mrk_Mickey** · 04-05-2009, 03:44 PM

It depends on the year model. If it's a 1996 model, then 13 years of driving SHOULD make it see 260,000km (because the average is 20,000km/year) but none of the golfs are that high at all. Most have km's anywhere betwen 100 and 200 so it would seem, and they are timed with belts not chains so there's nothing too major for servicing.

**Golf Loon** · 04-05-2009, 03:58 PM

2L GL is bulletproof.
Dont be scared of ks. I see ones that have done 350 and still going strong.
Get a manual one as the autos are shocking and expensive to fix.
Check electric windows all work, air con works (its never just gas to fix) and that the heater works.
All else is cheap and easy to fix.
I have driven a few Pug 306s and they are great considering the suspension was filled up with jelly. The Golf will win through any corners

I know a nice couple who are selling their 2L in Penrith, it goes great and they want $4k. Call Ian 0413 583345 if you are interested.

**li21** · 04-05-2009, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by Golf Loon

2L GL is bulletproof.
Dont be scared of ks. I see ones that have done 350 and still going strong.
Get a manual one as the autos are shocking and expensive to fix.
Check electric windows all work, air con works (its never just gas to fix) and that the heater works.
All else is cheap and easy to fix.
I have driven a few Pug 306s and they are great considering the suspension was filled up with jelly. The Golf will win through any corners

I know a nice couple who are selling their 2L in Penrith, it goes great and they want $4k. Call Ian 0413 583345 if you are interested.

Thanks for that
Called him already

**hokenmk3** · 05-05-2009, 09:46 AM

I love my GL. Acceleration in the low revs is crap but after driving it for a while you quickley learn how to account for this in driving style.
I get 36mpg in town and 42mpg out of town.

ie. 36mpg and 42mpg
12.7km/L and 14.9km/L
or 7.9L/100km and 6.7L/100km

My car has a K&N airpod and a sports exhaust which probable helps fuel economy. Fuchs synthetic oil is $35 for 5L but only needs oil changes half as often so it cancels itself out. Self servicing only takes me 10mins as everything is very accessable.

I have also owned a Pulsar. Just as easy to service. Much much better acceleration but handling at high speed kills it. You would have to be crazy to drive a pulsar over 120km/h. Golf stops and turns at 140 and is quite comfortable at 160. Much better fuel economy in the golf.

SOHC in the Golf is majorly sluggish after driving a DOHC car but the Golf's high speed handling makes it all worthwhile