Buying a Golf GT

[deewhy]

Hi guys. Sorry if this topic has been covered many times....

Interested in the GT's but don't really know much about the car and it's 1.4 TSI engine. I've heard there are reliability issues as well.

2007 Volkswagen Golf V GT MY07 Direct-Shift Gearbox

This one has caught my eye. Having done 120k is there anything I should be wary of and be on the lookout for when I drive it? Or would it be wise to just spend some extra coin and go for the GTI?

Any comments/suggestions are very welcome.

Cheers

[Dr Haldex]

Hi deewhy

Have you physically inspected that car? I did when I was looking for a GT. PM me if you want my opinion

[Diesel_vert]

Or would it be wise to just spend some extra coin and go for the GTI?

Absolutely no question and without a doubt, yes.

[kane9522]

120000km's means second major service, see if that has been done

As far as I am aware the problem 1.4TSI engines are in the MK6's

I have a few niggly issues, but then I have done about 70000km's of my GT Sport's 125000km's in the last 2years

[benough]

Yeah, at this stage in the life cycle of the MK5, the GTI is on par in price and a superior car.

I've driven both extensively, even though I own the TDI GT Sport, and the GTI is a much better car. Also parts are easier to come by.

[Dr Haldex]

Absolutely no question and without a doubt, yes.

...and we comparing fuel consumption too?

[Diesel_vert]

...and we comparing fuel consumption too?

Comparing like for like (i.e. petrol vs petrol), I would not be swayed by the GT's (slightly) lower fuel consumption in the slightest.

[poyta]

Comparing like for like (i.e. petrol vs petrol), I would not be swayed by the GT's (slightly) lower fuel consumption in the slightest.

True, he is talking about the Petrol 1.4L GT here so I'd rather a GTi. You should also have a look at the Diesel GT as an option.

[Dr Haldex]

Comparing like for like (i.e. petrol vs petrol), I would not be swayed by the GT's (slightly) lower fuel consumption in the slightest.

...with all the money I save on fuel costs, I'm gonna buy a honeycomb grill and some Detroits.

[Diesel_vert]

...with all the money I save on fuel costs, I'm gonna buy a honeycomb grill and some Detroits.

On an urban route, compared to a 2.0 GTI, the 1.4 GT would save around $240 annually in fuel costs.

The difference is further reduced if the car is predominately driven on the highway.

It basically amounts to one extra cup of coffee per week, per year.

[ian]

I own a Gt diesel I might be bias but I can fill up in Sydney drive to Brisbane and still have fuel to drive around for a day or so . the 2.0 litre diesel is very economical ive had mine down to 4.9 on a trip, Just make sure the injectors have been changed under the recall and the DSG box has been serviced .

[Dr Haldex]

On an urban route, compared to a 2.0 GTI, the 1.4 GT would save around $240 annually in fuel costs.

The difference is further reduced if the car is predominately driven on the highway.

It basically amounts to one extra cup of coffee per week, per year.

$240 eh? might have to settle for Denvers.

[poyta]

Just make sure the injectors have been changed under the recall and the DSG box has been serviced .

Also check the condition/ life of the Diesel Particulate filter.

[Mattlock]

I bought my 1.4GT last year with 92k on the clock. I love it. I looked at GTIs and GT TDIs and the ones in BNE at the time were costing more (~$2k) and were going to cost more for me to insure (as a 39-yo with Rating 1 for Life, that was a bit galling).

I get good fuel economy from it and I'm a sucker for the supercharger whine (which I've liked since the original Mini Cooper S). I like the fact that it's a bit unusual and not a GTI. I think it's a great car and with a smaller engine over the front wheels certainly feels a touch more nimble than the GTI. Granted, the GTI is faster but 125kW with the supercharger providing heaps of torque from idle means it pulls in a similar fashion to a diesel.

Yeah, there's less bits available for it (from an engine perspective) but a lot of the other parts are either swappable with a GTI or stock Golf.

My only issues have been an A/C compressor failure (well-documented fault with this age of Golf, costs around $1200-$2000 to get done depending on who does it) and a N249 & N75 failure (again fairly common and an improved N249 diverter was issued by VW so see if you can check if it's been replaced. If not, budget around $300-$400 to get them both done at a mechanic).

Other than that, I think they're great. Find Poyta's build thread and you'll see that plenty can be done to them, if you desire.

[Diesel_vert]

$240 eh? might have to settle for Denvers.

If low fuel consumption is the overriding concern here, one could simply save $580 in annual fuel costs by purchasing a 2.0 GT TDI over a 1.4 GT (or $600 with a 2.0 TDI).



As far as second hand Mk5 Golf purchases go, on balance, I think the GTI makes for much better value and offers more for the driver in terms of the ownership and driving experience.

The 1.4 GT and 2.0 GT TDI are nice cars, but as a second hand purchase, I would strongly suggest to the OP to conduct their research carefully and thoroughly.