Golf or 306 - £1000

[oshta]

Ive got £1000 to spend on a car for the next 18months or so (might keep it for longer).

My dad has a W-reg 306 merdian for sale, which i was just going to buy off him as the simplest option.
- I know its history (he has it from 6months)
- And its been to every service, pug only spares, etc.
- Its a nice car, drives well, half leather seats,etc.
- And at £1000 its dam cheap for its age, being 7yo.

However, it has done 140k of mainly motorwaymiles, and although it runs fine now, its no spring chicken. And there is some bodywork repairs on it, bent doortop from an attemted break-in, replament front bumper (badger) etc.

And i was just wondering if i was doing the wrong thing buying a well used french car!
- And my mates trying to sell my a Mk2 Golf for £600...



Daniel

[davidstone28]

All depends on the condition of each car, and the spec of the Golf, but assuming the Golf isn't a 16v GTi in immaculate condition, then like for like, the 306 is easily the better car and would be my choice because of its service history and superior ride and handling.

[wombar]

I drive a golf and would say you're probably better off with the 306 as you know it's history, that's worth more than anything when you're buying a second hand car.

The MK2's are generally getting on a bit and like davidstone28 said, unless it's a mint condition GTI, you're probably going to be better off with the newer car.

[Zak33]

306

100%

What engine is it in your dad's Meridian?

On a W that'll have half leather, AC etc. That car...no doubt.

Also MUCH cheaper to insure than a Golf.

[oshta]

The golf is a red 1.6l Mk2 with 130k on the clock for the £600
- Then apprently the same guy is also selling a 1.8l black Mk2 golf with simular miles for £650.

Apparently, atleast the latter, is in pritty good shape.

The guy whos relaying all this to me from the seller is a mate of mine at uni (the guy with 3l scimitar, if anyones read any of my other posts) and apprently knows that car fairly well.
- He was just fitting copper breaklines on his drive last week apprently.

In many way the 306 is just stairing me in the face as the obvous option, but at the same time i dont want to just go with the first thing i see.
- The 306 is basicaly the only car ive every driven as well, other than my instructors 2l diesal focus 2 years ago. So i dont have much comparsen in terms of feel/handling. Althoigh i do like the 306, and know where its limits are.


Daniel

[oshta]

The 306 is the 1.6l petrol meridian.
- And it does have the half-leathers, temp controled ac.

Infact, heres some photos of her














She needs a clean, and she had a new rocker cover on last week at her service.
- And i mean, theres a fwe odd dinks, and the slightly crappy RHS doors and bumper spray job.
- But better the devil you know i guess, and you guys seam fairly unilaterally in favour of the 306

Now all i have to do i find my dad a replacement so i can get it upto loughborough asap! (see other thread)


Daniel

[Zak33]

306 1.6 Meridia for the win....

100% Zero Doubt.....certainly.

[arbitor]

I have a 306 and love it, although its a far cry from a meridian, i have driven a meridian,and for a daily driver thats cheap to run ect, then i would go with that every day..

as said if its not a mint valver then dont bother with mk2 golfs, clutch will take you a long time to get used to as will the gearbox as they are not as smooth as the pug, saying that clutches on 306 go stiff quite quick due to the placement of the cable

and you got a nice phase 3 example there, with all the nice looking bits.As also said it will be a better Car in every way

keep it in good nic and they dont give you to much gip

[davidstone28]

306 Pictures

Oh God.

306 without a doubt then. You originally made it sound like the bodywork had been through a crusher.

Infinitely prettier than a Golf as well.

[arbitor]

you can get sexy examples of the mk2 gti but these are rare now, saying that i may be picking one up

go for that 306 mate

[Zak33]

that's a China Blue Mk4 and it's lovely. Thoe lat versions had the GTi-6 side sills, and nice front fogs, crystal headlamp lenses with indicators in one, and I sold LOTS of them

If you were to properly clean and really polish that, get those alloys sparkly and make it mint...it will be a GEM

Has it got the CD Multi Changer in the boot? The kit was quite easy to fit.

A 1.6 is only 90bhp but very very nice to drive, and you can't go wrong mate

[arbitor]

that's a China Blue Mk4 and it's lovely. Thoe lat versions had the GTi-6 side sills, and nice front fogs, crystal headlamp lenses with indicators in one, and I sold LOTS of them

If you were to properly clean and really polish that, get those alloys sparkly and make it mint...it will be a GEM

Has it got the CD Multi Changer in the boot? The kit was quite easy to fit.

A 1.6 is only 90bhp but very very nice to drive, and you can't go wrong mate

its a phase 3 mate there was 3 phases 1,2,3 there were a few that were a mish mash betweeen 2 and 3.. however there isnt a mk4..

should have probably the cd headunit dont know if that model came with \ changer i know my gti-6 does but i dont think anything lower than an xsi did...

[davidstone28]

+ soap

+ water

+ car wax

=

[arbitor]

bah what are those wheels doing on there

looks stunning though, shame you dont find many gtis in that colour in such condition

[SHare]

I'll take it for £1000

[Zak33]

its a phase 3 mate there was 3 phases 1,2,3 there were a few that were a mish mash betweeen 2 and 3.. however there isnt a mk4..

should have probably the cd headunit dont know if that model came with \ changer i know my gti-6 does but i dont think anything lower than an xsi did...

yup...Mk3....my typo...but CD chagers were easy to fit. Look at the Head Unit....bet there's 3 logo's....one is several CD's piled on top of each toher