Not feeling so good

[Fridgy]

Hi everyone
Noob to this site.
This has come about on my search for information.
I have just yesterday put down a deposit on a 1999 Golf 4th Gen Rally GLE.
It's Navy Blue and has done 151k. The price we agreed on was $ 7500
This is to be my daughters 1st car (she did save and is paying for it herself).
She originally was after a Corolla but there was nothing in her price range.
I started looking around and found this car from a wholesaler. She was ok about it and said ok.
But now friends tell me I'm mad, the cost to maintain and repair is enormous and that I should have looked at cars that are common and not from Germany.
On top of this the car was advertised as a 1.8ltr when actually it is 1.6ltr and no log books (both of which I overlooked when I had a look at it. The test drive went well and absolutely everything appears to work.
Have I stuffed up? Give it to me straight!


P/s When is the belt meant to changed?

Thanks for any responses

[Mr Messy]

Welcome!

The MkIV is a cracking car with what I reckon could be the highest quality interior you
ll find in any hatch <$30k.

Corolla is an excellent if predictable/forgettable first car. The Golf should be okay but I think there might be gearbox issues with the 1.6L, then again I'm no expert. I did my timing belts on a 1.8T at 70,000... some do it earlier, some later.

Parts aren't the cheapest but find a good mechanic and you will be set.

Good luck with the car!

[dubbed]

I'd opt out if you can, especially considering the false advertising. As said above, the 1.6s have a lot of problems with the gearboxes breaking making it a costly exercise.

Parts can be expensive, but if you shop around they're usually pretty reasonable.

If you can opt out, look for at least a 1.8 or 2.0 model. If worst comes to the worst, keep hunting for a 'rolla.

[sierra055]

The 1.6's are unfortunately known to be a bit troublesome when it comes to gearboxes. Craig the German on here has done a couple now I think? (poor bugger!)
Aside from that, the servicing/maintenance side isn't that much different to other Japanese/Euro cars we've owned

[thekraut]

On top of this the car was advertised as a 1.8ltr when actually it is 1.6ltr and no log books (both of which I overlooked when I had a look at it. The test drive went well and absolutely everything appears to work.
Have I stuffed up? Give it to me straight!
P/s When is the belt meant to changed?

Belts AFAIK are commonly done every 4 yrs or 90,000kms - not a cheap maintenance item either when parts & labour are calculated. The fact it was misleading advertising suggests that seller knows bugger all about the car, so anything they have said about it MUST be verified.

The fact there's no books suggests its definitely a multiple owner car, and probably hasn't been looked after too well mechanically - people tend to keep records etc if they intend on keeping it regularly maintained and using that as a benefit when selling. Might pay to see if you can contact the previous owner to find out where they had it serviced at the very least.

Along with the others, I've also heard about gearboxes being a weak link in the drivetrain.

My advice: Steer clear. Would also be a good idea to let us know what the budget is so we can also have a look around for you and make an educated suggestion - servicing and maintaining a second hand golf is reasonable for cost, so long as it has been looked after in the past.

[Mrk_Mickey]

To be perfectly honest about European cars, I personally think that's a load of bollocks. Golfs and their parts are readily available in VAST majority on this forum (and it's information/links to websites) alone. There are also wreckers for parts and if you use your head and don't fix things with the first quote you get, I've found that a European car can even be cheaper to fix than cars without a bad parts reputation!

[CHASSY]

I just so happen to have gotten the same car, '01 1.6 "AVU" engine... even in nav blu ......lol

The parts for the 2ltr and 1.8 are ALOT more common in terms of golf engines, although dub parts are a touch more expensive across the board pricewise anyways..

no log book means you have no idea really when the timing belt and water pump were done, you'd prob wanna look at a major service inclusive of these items typically equating to around $800 - $1200 cookies.. this is including labour btw

timing belt is a biggie with interference engines such as this and is recommended replacement @ 60.000Ks and then every 60.000Ks thereafter by VW although it could be stretched realistically to around the 80-90.000 mark with a grandma driver or easy country KMs senario.

Look I think I'd like to have gotten the 1.8 or 2 ltr of course but I'm a dude and at fear of being sexist will say very kindly that maybe your daughter is not such a power hungry person when it comes to getting from A to B....

as far as a great car, YES YES YES, class all the way and the VW range just gets better from the golf up... I have not a regrett and at $7500 that is around the trade in price expected for that model and year, the KMs are a touch high so be wary of worn parts around the motor and sounds like knocks when starting the engine hot or cold.

they have apparent "mysterious electrical issues" but I've never had an probs ...



Didn't know about the gearbox issues,

Anyone like to elaborate on that one?

[Mrk_Mickey]

My advice: Steer clear. Would also be a good idea to let us know what the budget is so we can also have a look around for you and make an educated suggestion - servicing and maintaining a second hand golf is reasonable for cost, so long as it has been looked after in the past.

I think I'd agree on that advice too...1.6 may not be a great option. Keep looking if you can, and don't be disheartened about getting your daughter a golf. They're awesome!!

[h100vw]

If you end up with this car, in spite of what you feel is wrong. Don't despair.

The Gold Coast isn't too far from Brissy and there are plenty of independent VW people you can go to. There are several on the forum, check the business pages.

Gavin

[CHASSY]

...and yeah so agreed that NO LOG BOOK could be heading for big trouble.

contact prev owner for sure!!

[Fridgy]

Hey everyone, thanks for your straight answers.
These are answers with no emotional attachment and therefore probably the best answers
I am feeling a bit stupid about the no log book thing, that would give so many clues as to the maintenance performed, therefore the likely condition of the car.
We intend to look after the car from now on (don't want any late night call outs), but when it is time to upgrade (later) no log books will be a problem then too.

But............It did drive very well, no knocks and noises? It felt tight.....I don't know.

[h100vw]

Hey everyone, thanks for your straight answers.
These are answers with no emotional attachment and therefore probably the best answers
I am feeling a bit stupid about the no log book thing, that would give so many clues as to the maintenance performed, therefore the likely condition of the car.
We intend to look after the car from now on (don't want any late night call outs), but when it is time to upgrade (later) no log books will be a problem then too.

But............It did drive very well, no knocks and noises? It felt tight.....I don't know.

I dont know about dealers here but in the UK you could chat you the girl on the service desk and have her look up the car and see what dealer history it had.

Has to be worth a visit, they would print it out too.

I found out I had bought a clocked 16v MK3 by this method. It was well out of warranty but actually had a full VW history up to 150000 miles. Including a VW clutch 500 miles before I bought it.

Gavin

[Mrk_Mickey]

Just to re-iterate something said before (as I think too much of one opinion can be a little daunting) if you can't back out of the deal then don't worry. You're not DEFINITELY set in for trouble with the 1.6! If it sounded and felt right, then maybe that's a sign .

Oh, and maybe you can do the REVS check with the vin number to give you some information on whether or not it's been in any trouble or not?

[Fridgy]

Thanks Gavin, but I'm buying privately from a wholesaler who bought this car for his daughter who didn't like the colour.

Mrk_Mickey thanks for your two cents worth, I will do a REVS check tomorrow.

[Mrk_Mickey]

Haha I think I gave 6c but hey, no problems Good luck with it mate, hope it all works out for you