Early 2000s VW Golf GTi or Audi A3?

[Rock84]

Hey guys, I'm hoping someone can help me out with this. I'm soon to be buying a car after having solely owned a motorbike for the past 6+ years and it boils down to these two cars: The Golf GTi or the A3.
I'm wanting to spend under $15,000 which makes my choice somewhere between the 2000-2003 years of manufacture. There seems to be very little difference spec wise between the two, but at the moment I'm leaning more towards the Golf. Why? I dunno, I just like it a little more, maybe it's cos I have really liked the last few latest models and buying one, despite being 9 years old almost feels like having a brand newy.

Anyway, I haven't been able to find any head to head comparisons or reviews between the two cars, but I'm just wondering if there are any reasons to go for one over the other. I guess it mostly comes down to value for money in terms of overall performance, handling, reliability, fuel economy or the fact that one has better cup holders than the other.

I'm just looking for something that is small and economic yet has a little bit of bite and class, and can be fun to drive.

Cheers.

[JedR32]

Mate, if I were you I'd look at Audi S3's not A3's as the S3 is around that price and has 4WD. And as I am a 4WD/AWD guy I'd go the S3 haha. Plus it's got more POWERRRRRR

[h100vw]

That was S3 money a couple of years ago. TheZoneR32 bought a MK5 GTI for 14000 at Christmas.

You could get a MK4 Golf and have a pile of money left over.

S3 would be the pick for me, all the toys and 8/100 out of mine.

Gavin

[Bflat]

Polo gti plus mods?

[Rock84]

An S3? For sure but I haven't seen any advertised for less than $18k, well out of my range at the moment, maybe one day
And I'd go a Polo but I want a 5 door, as the car is gonna double up for work and I need the extra accessibility to the back of the car.

[h100vw]

Mine was 16k 3 years ago. There's got to be more out there. They are 3 door so no good either.

[Rock84]

For an S3 I'd make an exception to that rule.
I'll definitely keep an eye out.

When buying a Golf GTi, what are the main things to look out for on inspection? Are there any common faults with the Mk4 models?

[governor22]

check the struts and shocks, but also the bushes. And timing belt. Maybe leaks (oil or water). As for the S3/GTI, get a mechanic to do a look over the turbo, you want one that hasn't been ridden like the town harlot (which will be hard).

[Rock84]

Thanks Gov. What are the signs of an overdue timing belt? (It's a belt not a chain?)
As for the turbo, I guess the main thing to look for is shaft play, are they easily accessible without too much mucking around?

[h100vw]

Thanks Gov. What are the signs of an overdue timing belt? (It's a belt not a chain?)
As for the turbo, I guess the main thing to look for is shaft play, are they easily accessible without too much mucking around?

Turbo isn't the best to access IMO. As long as there is evidence of regular servicing and oil changes then the motor is very tough.

You can get to check the belt with a few tools, intervals are circa 90000Ks or 4 years. You should do the water pump and tensioners at the same time. About $500 for the parts.

The rear bushes in the front wishbones are likely to be well gone. Cheap from ECStuning etc. $20 each or $80 for a pair from Audi.

The water outlet on the side of the head is something else that fails on all Vws and Audis eventually. They are cheap to do but you must use genuine coolant.

Bottom ball joints had gone on mine, they looked original. The CV boots have all gone too in the last 3 years.

Thats about it

Gavin

[Rock84]

Thanks again man. I've got a bit of mechanical skill, though doing a timing belt I really don't have the required patients to do myself, but none of the stuff mentioned is too severe. Any cars that are around the 80-100k mark I'll be sure to ask questions about the timing belt etc.