Discussion
1.6 is one to avoid. Not particularly frugal, higher tax bracket, weak gearbox, not especially fast or refined old 8v TU engine.
The 1.8 is a different car. Post 1998 will be the 16v - avoid the 8v like the plague, it's a rubbish engine. The difference is easy to spot looking under the bonnet as the 16v inlet manifold looks like a bunch of black plastic bananas.
I had one for five years. Mine was a late phase 3 so gti-6 style bumpers and skirts, leather, air con etc. I covered nearly 70k in it and at one point was doing 25k a year and in that time it was comfortable, reliable, quick enough and just generally faultless. The only criticism is that they are fairly juicy compared to a more modern engine and mine was typically running low 30's on a combined cycle. They will go on to big miles if looked after properly.
Lovely car and I almost regret selling it for the rattle can I have now. Weak points are sagging rear beams, wishbones (cheap), interior fans not working (very cheap - scrappy part will fix) and broken air con. the 1.8 needs a cambelt at 70k and it's expensive so make sure it's had one. My one had an oil change every 10kish - much more and it started to sound a bit crappy.
The 1.8 is a different car. Post 1998 will be the 16v - avoid the 8v like the plague, it's a rubbish engine. The difference is easy to spot looking under the bonnet as the 16v inlet manifold looks like a bunch of black plastic bananas.
I had one for five years. Mine was a late phase 3 so gti-6 style bumpers and skirts, leather, air con etc. I covered nearly 70k in it and at one point was doing 25k a year and in that time it was comfortable, reliable, quick enough and just generally faultless. The only criticism is that they are fairly juicy compared to a more modern engine and mine was typically running low 30's on a combined cycle. They will go on to big miles if looked after properly.
Lovely car and I almost regret selling it for the rattle can I have now. Weak points are sagging rear beams, wishbones (cheap), interior fans not working (very cheap - scrappy part will fix) and broken air con. the 1.8 needs a cambelt at 70k and it's expensive so make sure it's had one. My one had an oil change every 10kish - much more and it started to sound a bit crappy.
This sounds ridiculous but bear with me.Providing you arent 18 I would just get the GTI-6
The reaseons for this are:
I'd wager you could actually get a nicer one for the money than any other model, The values are at an all time low and there are some serious bargains kicking about on the owners club at the moment.
They are just as reliable than the smaller engined ones.
And mine does about 27mpg on the combined cycle, which isnt much worse than a 1.8 going of what stoatinacoat says.
Worth thinking about.
The reaseons for this are:
I'd wager you could actually get a nicer one for the money than any other model, The values are at an all time low and there are some serious bargains kicking about on the owners club at the moment.
They are just as reliable than the smaller engined ones.
And mine does about 27mpg on the combined cycle, which isnt much worse than a 1.8 going of what stoatinacoat says.
Worth thinking about.
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