2000 high mileage Golf GTI - what to look for?

[DanceswithUnix]

Mini Cooper? Beemer? Old Alfa? All a bit more desirable than a golf.

Certainly loads of Alfa options. You can get 150bhp from a diesel 1.9jtdm (has to have the M on the end, power is something like 140 to 170 depending on model), 2.0l petrol (150 to 170) or anything with a V6

How about an 04 plate GT: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...01405134168202
Bit of a git reversing in/out of a parking space, but glorious going forwards. Based on the floorpan of the 156 estate you get loads of space for lugging stuff. That one has the climate pack which is a really nice option, or perhaps it is just me that likes my leather seats heated. 165bhp should be enough.

Fairly low mileage 147: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...01405023874432 http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...01404283747996
The 2005 facelift model (check the light clusters) comes with re-worked suspension for extra roundabout fun, but for the money these look pretty good. It is the Lusso model, so fairly high spec with the same dual zone climate control and cruise control you get in the GT.

[wasabi]

Not disagreeing on technical grounds on the Focus thing - they mostly just don't float my boat.

Minis too small/low.

BMWs not much in the way of midsize hatches?

Grew up with Audis (dad had a couple of A4s) so feel at home.

Wife has 1.4 Golf Match Mk4. Gutless as hell but comfortable and reliable. Same but with more than 2 gerbil power would be OK IMO.

[wasabi]

Certainly loads of Alfa options. You can get 150bhp from a diesel 1.9jtdm (has to have the M on the end, power is something like 140 to 170 depending on model), 2.0l petrol (150 to 170) or anything with a V6

How about an 04 plate GT: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...01405134168202
Bit of a git reversing in/out of a parking space, but glorious going forwards. Based on the floorpan of the 156 estate you get loads of space for lugging stuff. That one has the climate pack which is a really nice option, or perhaps it is just me that likes my leather seats heated. 165bhp should be enough.

Fairly low mileage 147: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...01405023874432 http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...01404283747996
The 2005 facelift model (check the light clusters) comes with re-worked suspension for extra roundabout fun, but for the money these look pretty good. It is the Lusso model, so fairly high spec with the same dual zone climate control and cruise control you get in the GT.

147s are the type of car I'm after. Love the styling and suspect I'd enjoy it, but it is Italian... and read a few reports of poor visiblity which is a bugbear of mine on a lot of modern cars trying to chase NCAP ratings by building a steel wall you can't see round.

Also just added Volvo C30 1.8SE to my list of need-to-research...

[DanceswithUnix]

Visibility on the 147 is fine, I have a facelift diesel model and have never had an issue. Perhaps people are comparing them to a people carrier or something.

The GT is the only Alfa I have driven with poor visibility. Nothing to do with NCAP though, low volume cars don't go through NCAP ratings and frankly most Alfa buyers aren't going to bother reading those anyway. So I expect with the GT it is all about making the car low and good looking. Besides, how often do you reverse?

Have mostly driven Italian cars for the last 20 years. Get them serviced properly and there really isn't a problem.

[wasabi]

After very nearly buying a Golf GTI with 75k on the clock at local auctions, it now seems I'm likely going to be the owner of an Audi A3 1.8T Sport as of Monday. Strangely the A3 is a third of the price of a spec-wise almost identical Golf, supposedly the lower marque in VAG-land.

Car pricing at auctions makes no sense. Saw an immaculate 03 Mazda 6 2l petrol sell for £450 then 10 mins later a Golf of similar specs sell for £1800.

[DanceswithUnix]

If it is traders buying, then I expect they will be going for the boring stuff that they know they can easily sell.

Congratulations, sounds like you got a fun car bargain

[kalniel]

After very nearly buying a Golf GTI with 75k on the clock at local auctions, it now seems I'm likely going to be the owner of an Audi A3 1.8T Sport as of Monday. Strangely the A3 is a third of the price of a spec-wise almost identical Golf, supposedly the lower marque in VAG-land.

This has been the case a while now - hence why I also drive an A3 It seems loads of people blindly look for a second+ hand Golf, so demand is very high, while there's a ton of ex-fleet A3s on the market and people miss them because they don't think they can afford them.

[DanceswithUnix]

This has been the case a while now - hence why I also drive an A3 It seems loads of people blindly look for a second+ hand Golf, so demand is very high, while there's a ton of ex-fleet A3s on the market and people miss them because they don't think they can afford them.

They probably think the fuel economy, maintenance cost and insurance are going to be expensive compared to the Golf, without actually looking into the costs. Some will think that it is a sporty car and so must be dangerous. People make amazing assumptions about cars, but if it keeps the costs down for us them I'm OK with that

[wasabi]

If it is traders buying, then I expect they will be going for the boring stuff that they know they can easily sell.

Congratulations, sounds like you got a fun car bargain

The bargain would have been the immaculate ex-fleet Mazda 6 2l petrol that went for £400. If I hadn't been waiting for the Golf auction I'd have nabbed it.