Help with buying used Golf

[Shady2001]

Hey all,

I'm strongly considering buying a second hand golf from a dealer. Specs are golf generation 2.0, 130k kms done, auto. Looked at service history and its good so far but honestly this will be my first car and I know next to nothing.

My main point of concern is that the timing belt has been changed in 2009 @ 85k kms. When do you think it will next have to be replaced and do you think this golf will run well for its age?

[MCiN7]

Generally the timing belt will need to be done around 170,000km (85k *2).

Have you taken the car for a test drive? Did the auto feel & shift okay? No torque converter slips?

[brad]

I had a Golf Mk3.5 Cabrio & by 130,000km it had so many issues that repairs (engine mounts x4, suspension issues, gearbox issues) were going to cost about 30% of it's value so I waived it goodbye.

While I think that VWs are great cars & a fun, involving vehicle, be prepared to spend a bit more keeping them in good codition & maintained.

I asumed it is priced well under $10k?

[JustCruisn]

I asumed it is priced well under $10k?

You would hope so, unless it has super low KM like under 50k,
Mk4 GTIs can barely get $10K.
MK5s are getting down to that point now.
I'm hoping to change mine over for a mk5 next month.

[Shady2001]

thanks v much for all your opinions guys,

sad to say that i may not be getting a VW after all, taking maintenance concerns into account it just doesn't seem prudent for a uni student like me to purchase a heavily used one. someday maybe i will be getting a new golf, i hear it is a very good car...

[MCiN7]

thanks v much for all your opinions guys,

sad to say that i may not be getting a VW after all, taking maintenance concerns into account it just doesn't seem prudent for a uni student like me to purchase a heavily used one. someday maybe i will be getting a new golf, i hear it is a very good car...

It's really not that bad, one thing I'd suggest is a manual

[brad]

It's really not that bad, one thing I'd suggest is a manual

true.

It's a case of buying wisely, not letting things get too worn out & either having a bit of mechanical ability (or somebody that can help) or access to a good specialist workshop that knows where to get cheap aftermarket parts.

Maybe for a Uni student cars don't have to be "perfect" but I do 25,000km a year & am a bit anal-retentive/OCD with cars.

[Bug_racer]

I had a Golf Mk3.5 Cabrio & by 130,000km it had so many issues that repairs (engine mounts x4, suspension issues, gearbox issues) were going to cost about 30% of it's value so I waived it goodbye.

While I think that VWs are great cars & a fun, involving vehicle, be prepared to spend a bit more keeping them in good codition & maintained.

I asumed it is priced well under $10k?

MK4's only have 3 mounts , one engine one gearbox and a stabiliser dogbone that bolts to the gearbox .

[brad]

MK4's only have 3 mounts , one engine one gearbox and a stabiliser dogbone that bolts to the gearbox .

Fair enough. IIRC, the LHS one was quoted at $350 for parts, the RHS was quoted $200-ish. The gearbox had a leak through the rod that actuates the clutch - nobody that I spoke to had heard of that. All of the hydraulic actuators for the roof had blown their seals (at least there was no chance of rust in those panels ) and a few other issues.

If I had the knowledge & contacts then that I have now, I probably would have persisted a bit more but at the time, all signs said "money pit"