Opinons on this second-hand Golf ???

vi edit

Elite Member
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Oct 28, 1999
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It's $3600 USD. Without knowing milage and previous maintanence it's hard to say. Overall the MKIII Golf/Jetta's weren't too bad. The engine looks to be off a bit...VW was using the 2.0L engine as the base motor. Unless it's a Canadian thing...not sure why they listed it as 1.8.

Overall it's a pretty reasonable price on a car that will hold up fairly well, get decent milage, and is pretty functional. It's a manual so you won't be looking at major transmission repair with a high milage car like you would with an Auto. The 2.0L is a very mature motor and is easily repaired by independent mechanics. The '97 was before they really started going all out with lots of sensor and electronic gizmos so there is a lower chance of any gremlins in that reguard.

Assuming it's a clean car and was taken care of well, it's a decent buy. I'd rather pick the golf than a civic/corolla/accord/camry that was 3-5 years old and roughly the same price. Again, assuming the milage isn't sky high.
 

UnatcoAgent

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Oct 25, 1999
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Originally posted by: vi_edit
It's $3600 USD. Without knowing milage and previous maintanence it's hard to say. Overall the MKIII Golf/Jetta's weren't too bad. The engine looks to be off a bit...VW was using the 2.0L engine as the base motor. Unless it's a Canadian thing...not sure why they listed it as 1.8.

Overall it's a pretty reasonable price on a car that will hold up fairly well, get decent milage, and is pretty functional. It's a manual so you won't be looking at major transmission repair with a high milage car like you would with an Auto. The 2.0L is a very mature motor and is easily repaired by independent mechanics. The '97 was before they really started going all out with lots of sensor and electronic gizmos so there is a lower chance of any gremlins in that reguard.

Assuming it's a clean car and was taken care of well, it's a decent buy. I'd rather pick the golf than a civic/corolla/accord/camry that was 3-5 years old and roughly the same price. Again, assuming the milage isn't sky high.

Sorry I should have posted this, it's at 160'00 K
 

vi edit

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Sorry I should have posted this, it's at 160'00 K

160,000 kilometers or miles?

If that's kilo then 96,000 miles ain't bad.
 

Stark

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Jun 16, 2000
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$3600 is pretty cheap for a car. i wouldn't buy it, but if she wants a VW, more power to her.

I wish i could find a car i liked for that cheap! ;)
 

UnatcoAgent

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Oct 25, 1999
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Originally posted by: Stark
$3600 is pretty cheap for a car. i wouldn't buy it, but if she wants a VW, more power to her.

I wish i could find a car i liked for that cheap! ;)

Hmm.. so it's not a bad deal then I take it.

Hmm...
 

vi edit

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Originally posted by: KoolAidKid
I can't find any reference to a GL 2 door on www.kbb.com. If it's a 2 door it's probably a GTI, which is better than the standard Golf.

Edmunds has the 2DR GL on it.
 

JulesMaximus

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Jul 3, 2003
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My wife had an '88 Golf and that thing was a horrible pile of crap. It was falling apart by 90k miles and we couldn't get rid of it fast enough.
 

jagec

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Apr 30, 2004
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She shouldn't buy it...per the description, it has no doors!!!:p

manual, 0 dr., 1.8L, 4 cyl., gas, green exterior, alloy wheels, sunroof, am-fm stereo, cassette, power locks
 

Thegonagle

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Jun 8, 2000
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I'd say no unless I saw it, test drove it extensively, inspected it more, and determined that it was a cream puff. Condition and maintenance history is the most important thing with any car at that age and mileage. It's not easy to find a good car in that price range either, so if it really is a good car (not just a "nice" VW), I would say yes. You may gather that I can't say yes or no because I haven't seen or driven the thing.

What's your impression of the car? (Taken as a car and a car alone, disregarding the brand and any prejudices you might have against VW or for another brand.)
 

Vic

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Jun 12, 2001
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I don't see how your friend is an idiot. The price seems about right provided the car is in good condition. I'm assume she just has a tight budget and can't afford anything better. Golfs of that year are decent economy cars for the most part.
 

UnatcoAgent

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Oct 25, 1999
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Originally posted by: Vic
I don't see how your friend is an idiot. The price seems about right provided the car is in good condition. I'm assume she just has a tight budget and can't afford anything better. Golfs of that year are decent economy cars for the most part.

Ugh yeah, but she's going into a debt for it after bailing from university.