Mk2 gti as first car?

[Golf Loon]

You wont find a 16v in Oz, they are super rare.
The 8v Mk2s are great cars, safe reliable the 8vs rev forever and wont die and you can always do a 16v conversion later.
The aussie delivered cars 1990-1992 had a downtuned 8v motor 90Hp, as opposed to the 110hp south african and British cars.
My South African Mk2 GTI weighed 910kg on the papers. I just sold it for $3500, but you can pay up to $8000 still. Realistically they are worth $5000ish.
Get a good car and you can always swop engines, or tune em up later. There are guyson here who can help with parts and advice.
Welcome to our forum, please post your location.
Cheers

[Roscoe]

The Mark2 GTi is a great all round car, as much as I like the Mark 1 the Mark 2 is just more comfortable and practical but still a great car to drive. There is plenty of room in it for a small car, fuel consumption is good and they are reliable. Didn't realise that the Aussie version was so down on power but it would still be a decent car and a lot better than any Korean or Jap tissue box.

[syncro]

I think the Aussie GTI was 102hp. (77kW)
The Cabrio was 90hp. (70kW)

Weight is 1019kgs

[aprr32]

I thought the Aussie GTI had the wheezy 105 hp, but it didn't matter anyway as they were a poor excuse for a GTI, but thats Australia.

[syncro]

I thought the Aussie GTI had the wheezy 105 hp, .

Could be. What's 77kW

[ausgolfer]

Mk2 gti as first car?

Don't mean to correct people but what syncro said was incorrect.
While he was correct about the weight and power of a mk2 Gti, they weren't equipped with all the luxuries available at the time. As I have never seen a Aus delivered Golf with power windows a sunroof or electric recaros. Although in Europe Gtis were fitted with either sunroofs or aircon, being a bloody cold country most opted for the sunroof as aircon isn't needed.
Yes all the Aus delivered cars were all fitted with power steering, aircon, and electric mirrors.
Also most of the European Gti's "were" fitted with power steering contrary to syncro's thinking, it is infact rare to find a mid-late mk2 Gti without power steering.
No offense meant.

[Golf Loon]

Re: Mk2 gti as first car?

[quote="ausgolfer"]They weren't equipped with all the luxuries available at the time. As I have never seen a Aus delivered Golf with power windows a sunroof or electric recaros. Although in Europe Gtis were fitted with either sunroofs or aircon, being a bloody cold country most opted for the sunroof as aircon isn't needed.
Yes all the Aus delivered cars were all fitted with power steering, aircon, and electric mirrors.
Also most of the European Gti's "were" fitted with power steering contrary to syncro's thinking, it is infact rare to find a mid-late mk2 Gti without power steering.quote]

I remember GTIs in Britain withough power steer, although more had sunroofs. The aussie ones are a funny model, 5 door GTIs without suroofs! Although I cant open the roof in Oz anyway. THey also mostly have ac, but no electric windows. By 1990 all GTIs in Britain had leccys.

[dj_daniel88]

hrmm i think i might have to up my budget a bit. i have a good feeling the aussie gti might disappoint.

a bit of a step up in price, but i might try and find a golf vr6 for a good price. if i can't find one in my price range, i'll go for a mark 3 golf 2 litre. only cost a little more than the gti and has more power, and all power options (eg windows etc).

there is a vr6 on carsales right now in victoria,being sold by a dealer for only $7,200. it has done 200,000k's but still $7k is very cheap. anybody know why?

i'm not in a hurry to find a car, i have until april, but its good to start looking now and wait for the right car to pop up.

Oh and i'm located in melbourne. i can up my budget to $7k or the absolute max $8k... i know i'm dreaming of a good vr6 for this price but you never know. like i said before start looking now , see how i go.

thanks again for all your help guys

[Golfwise]

I've had all the discussed models and wouldn't base my purchase on gimmicks like air or electric windows or a few less kilowatts of power all that seems shallow.we are on a Golf forum so must love the product.
I see nothing at all wrong with Aussie sold mk2 GTis if thats your choice .they have a great handling chassis and are fun to drive.
There are a lot worse brands about for the same money.
While everybody has the right to be enthusiastic about their own brand, it's really a case of weighing up their opinions and making your own choice. You could always buy a boring Toyota!
I suggest you buy your mk2 and enjoy.

[Golf Loon]

Id buy a VR6 over a MK3 2L as they cost the same. A cheap VR6 would have the potential to cost you a lot of money though.
Any Mk2 is a lot of fun to drive and they are rare, so you feel a member of an exclusive club.
Good luck in your quest.

[ausgolfer]

Hey Loon, when you quoted me, you basically repeated what I said??? Also I did say "most" Euro Gti's had Power Steering not all. I'm still sure what I said was correct, unless someone including you has more information than I do.
Back to the AUS Mk2 Gti's, personally I have never owned one. My best mate has had 3 and they've all had(the same in each car) some sort of electrical fault that seems to stop them performing. But otherwise a great looking(based on my own oppinion), handling and reliable car.
If your budget got a boost and you wanted something a little quicker, I(me) would go for a Seat Ibiza Cupra Sport with the 2L ABF 16v motor. My best mate has just bought one over a VR6 golf. The VR6's sound great but they don't(in my oppinon) "feel" as quick as the Cupra or my car for that matter. You can also pick up a good Cupra, given they're available for about 8-10 grand.

[Golfwise]

Its a shame that in Aus SEATs have an image problem therefore a resale problem.Otherwise a top car.
Have one in the household at the moment (daughter)