Best Golf GTi for 10k

[baconsarney]

As per title.. OH wants a golf gti, we have a budget of 10k. I had a VR6 some years ago but I know nothing about gti models and the difference between them.. please help!
Richard

[Heathwood]

From a budget point of view, you’re probably looking at a Mk6 (which I think ran from about 2009 to 2013) or a Mk7 (about 2013 to 2019). I know little about the mk6, but i believe they’re more of an evolution of the mk5 and, from what i recall, the motoring press suggested they were a tad dull. The only other thing i remember reading is that they can suffer with timing chain issues, which is something my Mk3 VR6 also had. The mk6 does seem somewhat forgotten about, but this might be in your favour at your budget, if you can find a good one.

The mk7 gti (and particularly the 7.5 facelift (which will be out of your budget)) is widely regarded as peak golf gti. They came in normal or performance pack (PP) flavours, but you’ll likely find a better non PP car for your budget. You’re towards the bottom end of the market, but if you can find one that’s been well looked after (concentrate on condition, history / evidence of maintenance and perhaps number of owners rather than mileage), you’ll have a cracking car. It’s where my money would go.

.

[Belle427]

I would say MK 5 onwards which is 2005, budget will dictate what but they are all decent really.
I have had 2 MK5 versions, a standard and an Edition 30. The latter I preferred as it just looked better, had a stage 1 remap which took it to 300 Bhp and it was a quick car.
Finding a good one is a bit tricky but they are around, depends which one you prefer the look of.
The MK6R is often overlooked but a nice car, ok it's not a Gti but still a Golf!

Edited by Belle427 on Saturday 8th August 09:03

[ZX10R NIN]

Auto or manual?

[Its Just Adz]

You will get a higher mileage Mk7 GTI for your budget.
Quite a few advertised on AT and also on Facebook.

Definitely a step up from the Mk6, as said above, peak Golf.

Few things to check for on a Mk7 are all covered very well in the buying guide and it's comments.

Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk7 | PH Used Buying Guide - PistonHeads UK https://share.google/JLKrEOuanCuy38b78

[Doesitdrive]

Heathwood said:

From a budget point of view, you re probably looking at a Mk6 (which I think ran from about 2009 to 2013) or a Mk7 (about 2013 to 2019). I know little about the mk6, but i believe they re more of an evolution of the mk5 and, from what i recall, the motoring press suggested they were a tad dull. The only other thing i remember reading is that they can suffer with timing chain issues, which is something my Mk3 VR6 also had. The mk6 does seem somewhat forgotten about, but this might be in your favour at your budget, if you can find a good one.

The mk7 gti (and particularly the 7.5 facelift (which will be out of your budget)) is widely regarded as peak golf gti. They came in normal or performance pack (PP) flavours, but you ll likely find a better non PP car for your budget. You re towards the bottom end of the market, but if you can find one that s been well looked after (concentrate on condition, history / evidence of maintenance and perhaps number of owners rather than mileage), you ll have a cracking car. It s where my money would go.

.

Imo older is better in this case lol, my MK5 gets a lot of use, by son, his partner and myself, about 20k a year, now on close to 170k and it is magnificent tbh.

10k should get a very good one, maybe a Japanese import?

Have owned mk7 and a brand new Mk8, GTD and Gti, the Mk5 is just better.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mk7 GTI Performance:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606153...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607304...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605202...

GTI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608064...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607224...


Mk6 Edition 35:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608034...

MK6 R:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605032...

If your OH doesn't mind a MK6 then the Scirocco R is a very good buy at your price point, it's also aimo a good looking car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606103...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606303...

[Heathwood]

Doesitdrive said:

Heathwood said:

From a budget point of view, you re probably looking at a Mk6 (which I think ran from about 2009 to 2013) or a Mk7 (about 2013 to 2019). I know little about the mk6, but i believe they re more of an evolution of the mk5 and, from what i recall, the motoring press suggested they were a tad dull. The only other thing i remember reading is that they can suffer with timing chain issues, which is something my Mk3 VR6 also had. The mk6 does seem somewhat forgotten about, but this might be in your favour at your budget, if you can find a good one.

The mk7 gti (and particularly the 7.5 facelift (which will be out of your budget)) is widely regarded as peak golf gti. They came in normal or performance pack (PP) flavours, but you ll likely find a better non PP car for your budget. You re towards the bottom end of the market, but if you can find one that s been well looked after (concentrate on condition, history / evidence of maintenance and perhaps number of owners rather than mileage), you ll have a cracking car. It s where my money would go.

.

Imo older is better in this case lol, my MK5 gets a lot of use, by son, his partner and myself, about 20k a year, now on close to 170k and it is magnificent tbh.

10k should get a very good one, maybe a Japanese import?

Have owned mk7 and a brand new Mk8, GTD and Gti, the Mk5 is just better.

I really like the mk5 too; I very nearly bought one 20 years ago. However, I’d struggle to recommend a circa 20 year old Gti over a far more modern (and equally well regarded model) at nearly half the age. Especially with their propensity to rust. Yes, I know a jap import might reduce this but unless it’s a fresh import and undersealed etc promptly, it’ll arguably be even worse after a few winters and will ultimately still go the same way as every other mk5.

[Doesitdrive]

Heathwood said:

Doesitdrive said:

Heathwood said:

From a budget point of view, you re probably looking at a Mk6 (which I think ran from about 2009 to 2013) or a Mk7 (about 2013 to 2019). I know little about the mk6, but i believe they re more of an evolution of the mk5 and, from what i recall, the motoring press suggested they were a tad dull. The only other thing i remember reading is that they can suffer with timing chain issues, which is something my Mk3 VR6 also had. The mk6 does seem somewhat forgotten about, but this might be in your favour at your budget, if you can find a good one.

The mk7 gti (and particularly the 7.5 facelift (which will be out of your budget)) is widely regarded as peak golf gti. They came in normal or performance pack (PP) flavours, but you ll likely find a better non PP car for your budget. You re towards the bottom end of the market, but if you can find one that s been well looked after (concentrate on condition, history / evidence of maintenance and perhaps number of owners rather than mileage), you ll have a cracking car. It s where my money would go.

.

Imo older is better in this case lol, my MK5 gets a lot of use, by son, his partner and myself, about 20k a year, now on close to 170k and it is magnificent tbh.

10k should get a very good one, maybe a Japanese import?

Have owned mk7 and a brand new Mk8, GTD and Gti, the Mk5 is just better.

I really like the mk5 too; I very nearly bought one 20 years ago. However, I d struggle to recommend a circa 20 year old Gti over a far more modern (and equally well regarded model) at nearly half the age. Especially with their propensity to rust. Yes, I know a jap import might reduce this but unless it s a fresh import and undersealed etc promptly, it ll arguably be even worse after a few winters and will ultimately still go the same way as every other mk5.

Mine was a 2k blind purchase 4 years ago. Zero rust, bought on 101k,

Been equally as reliable as the MK7 GTD, far more than the brand new 21 plate mk8 Gti which I absolutely hated and was happy to see the back of.

It gets driven hard too, out in all weathers and has been a joy to own.
Thought it was bog standard, looks bog standard, bought from a mature lady, but it pisses all over our Mountune ST focus from the same year.

Find a good one, guess I got lucky. But with 10k it should buy the best available, and not need bloody software updates every 5 minutes and will deprecate very little if looked after.

[biggbn]

Jeez, am I out of touch. I was going to say buy a decent mk2 16v and protect your 10k as that will buy a good one and your money is safe...i had no idea that these had rocketed in value....so yes, what everyone else has said...but maybe don't discount a really decent mk5 if you can find one. I always think they are the last clear 'link' between the boisterous, lightweight nature of the early cars and the more mature, civilised nature of the later ones..

[baconsarney]

Thanks for all the great posts guys, I now know where to look! Very muchly appreciated!

[baconsarney]

biggbn said:

Jeez, am I out of touch. I was going to say buy a decent mk2 16v and protect your 10k as that will buy a good one and your money is safe...i had no idea that these had rocketed in value....so yes, what everyone else has said...but maybe don't discount a really decent mk5 if you can find one. I always think they are the last clear 'link' between the boisterous, lightweight nature of the early cars and the more mature, civilised nature of the later ones..

Yep being an older car fan I did check out mk2 prices and OMG! I had a MK2 gti as a courtesy car back in the eighties and hankered for one ever after

[Belle427]

There was a thread here not so long ago where someone bought a Mk2 for silly money and decided it wasn't for them a few weeks later. They must have lost a fair chunk of money.
May be in the readers cars section.

[BUG4LIFE]

Quite a lot of Japanese import GTi s always seem to be for sale - might get more for your money (as in a newer one with less miles on the clock).

[DaveyBoyWonder]

mk5 ED30/Pirelli edition or a higher mileage mk7. I'd skip the mk6 which were just a mk5 in a frock with a slightly less reliable engine (although I do like the look of the mk6 and their rarity vs the mk7).