Thinking of getting a MK3 Golf

[brasstinman]

I've been cycling to work for the past 3 years but it's getting to the point where I'm thinking of getting a 2nd car so I can drive when I can't be bothered cycling, plus it's nice to have a 2nd car every now and then when the wife is out and about in the family car.

So I've been checking out what's out and about on the market at the moment and there are some clean looking MK3 (well the pics make them look clean! ) Just trying to get an idea what dollars will get you what as I still need to sell my Norton Commando. Not sure when it will sell so until it does I won't be buying a car.

Started reading up on the CL, GL and of course the VR6 and while my head is telling me to just look at the CL and GL the inner child in me keeps pointing to me towards a VR6. lol
I'd stay clear of the auto (the family car is a 7 speed DSG) and I miss driving a manual plus an auto from an MK3 I'd imagine would drive sluggish and I hear they aren't too reliable.

Does anyone have a CL or GL they advise me how they drive/perform, from what I've read the CL is a 1.8lt and the GL is a 2lt and the power specs aren't too far apart but is that noticable?

Apart from the log books, checking the power options are working, A/C is working and how often they run it (dried seals etc) is there anything else I should be looking out for on a MK3?
All the chatter about what goes wrong on a VR6 is scary but it's like all things only the wrong things are chatted about so it's natural to read things like that. I'm just wondering if the CL and GL has the same things to look out for.
But I wouldn't rule out a VR6 for some fun, they sound really good to drive.

I had a few 60's beetles so I'm OK to do some work myself but this time I'm just thinking of getting something a little more modern with A/C and some creature comforts etc. Plus I've had beetles so it's time for something else.

P.S. Sorry for the long winded post... Didn't realise it was so long until I finished typing.

[Mk3 AAA]

Old euro cars are a pain in the neck no matter what guise, so go the fun one at least, VR6s go for stuff all more than GL/CL and they are in a different league. They don't use all that much fuel if you drive them normally and they're a giggle to boot. It's going to break bits, and probably break down but you'll like it enough not to care all that much and if you're a bit savy parts aren't all crazy prices. If you're on the fence go out and drive one of each and you'll know.

[dark]

Agreed. At the end of the day they're old, Check service history, and be aware that things will need doing unless you buy one from an enthusiast who has done it all. That being said the vr6 is fun to drive and once you do the things that need doing it should be pretty reliable.

Stuff to look out for:

Water pump
Coolant system
Fuel pump
Coil pack
Suspension (get coils)
Engine mounts
Working ac is somewhat rare also

Good luck - lots of help / knowledge here as well.

[VR28LT]

seems like you have mk'3s all sussed out already so i can't really add much

although i will say a VR6 that has been maintained and loved is just as reliable as any mk3 , mine is hitting 200 thousand and it has never broke down or left me stranded without a ride.

there are plenty of mk3s on the market that are quite nice, do your research and choose the right one.....
if you take care of her she is gonna take of you

good luck buddy

[The_Hawk]

Before I bought my Mk3 I was in largely the same boat, kept thinking I should go cheap with a MK2 or a Mk3 CL/GL but after driving a VR6 I was sold, they really are a hoot to drive.

I ended up with something that *just* needed a "regas and a new heater..."


Now for the shameless self promotion...

Stuff to look out for:

Water pump - Check
Coolant system - Check
Fuel pump - Check
Coil pack - Check
Suspension (get coils) - Check
Engine mounts - Check
Working ac is somewhat rare also - Check

Buy mine I'm just a quick jaunt down the M7 if you want to have a look see.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/forums/f23/1996-golf-mk3-vr6-57723.html

[Mk3 AAA]

Now for the shameless self promotion...

That was as subtle as a dog cleaning itself.

[Ben J]

I had a vr6 and now have a cl, soon to have a vr6 in it. In the year I had my vr6 I had no issues that weren't my own fault, sure there are some horror stories but if theyre well maintained theyre pretty reliable.

For what it is the 1.8 in the cl is not bad, pretty gutless though. The vr6 really was in a different league. Not just the engine, the entire car feels much more luxurious and less cheap then the cl. I'm lucky to get 75 more kms from a tank compared to what I use to get in the vr too, so fuel economy isn't all that different.

Haven't driven a gl so can't comment there.

Sent from my HTC Wildfire using Tapatalk

[MattyT]

For all the chatter, cries and screams about what happens to VR6s in their old age I must say mine has been an pretty darn reliable. I just notched 382,000km and the engine still pulls just as good as my housemates vr6 that has just under 100,000km on it. I have had to replace practically ever hose in the engine bay over the last 3 years and my water pump gave out about a year ago. Other then that though, mien dub has been fantastically reliable

PS, They've also got a bit of quirk and charm that most small cheap cars simply dont have. The ladies (even friends of mine in their late 20s / early 30s) love it!

[LeaMedhurst]

Thought I would add my 2 cents

Sounds like we are in a very similar position. I have a MY11 Jetta 147 with a DSG as the family car. Same sort of thing really, we needed a second car just for running around whilst my wife is at the shops for hours on end
I really missed the clutch pedal so when we looked for a second car it had to be manual and we really love the VW brand so we decided on a cheapish early VW.
I originally started looking for a good Mk1 or Mk2 GTi but they where hard to find within my budget. So a Mrk3 VR6 came up and I went and drove it and really enjoyed the drive. It is certainly not as powerful as the Jetta but it can hold its own but the biggest shock to me was just how well it drove. I wish I could be more precise but it is nimble , precise and just fun to drive. Also for the age of the car the standard features are pretty good, things like air con, cruise control etc. We have had it a few weeks now and it is still the first choice car in the drive way. In fact I am fighting the wife off now to get a drive.
However , you have to remember they are old. The previous owner spent a few dollars on mine (heater core , coil overs, this and that) and I have it just a few weeks and spent a bit (dent removal, window regulators, door locks). There is certainly more maintenance than on the 2011 Jetta......
I have enjoyed the car so much I have even started restoring it and with the help of the guys on this forum have started putting the cosmetic stuff on that had fallen off over the years (side skirts, new grille, rear wiper, badges etc)
So would I recommend a Mrk3 , yep, I am old enough to remember when they came out new and the underwhelming press that went with them but I have to say if you want a car that is fun and has bags full of character than you could do a lot worse than a Mrk3 and as others have mentioned the VR6 is definitely the pick (I see there is one on ebay this morning for 4k !!)

[brasstinman]

Thanks for all the encouraging words but I've decided to get the 67 square back on the road and use it as a 2nd car. There's just something about this wagon that won't let me part with it.
So it looks like I'm sticking with an air cooled volkswagens for a while to come.
We've still got the MY11 Multivan so I'm still lurking around the forums.

[Mk3 AAA]

Thanks for all the encouraging words but I've decided to get the 67 square back on the road and use it as a 2nd car. There's just something about this wagon that won't let me part with it.
So it looks like I'm sticking with an air cooled volkswagens for a while to come.
We've still got the MY11 Multivan so I'm still lurking around the forums.

The VW bible states... Golfburg 1:74 'man can't drive on air alone.'