Anybody ever owned a MKII Golf GTI?

[teambeechstreet]

A friend is looking at purchasing a 2nd gen (86 or 87 if I remember right) Golf GTI 5spd for $500 and called me up asking about them. I know nothing about them other than what I've read on wikipedia. Found a website dedicated to that model but its in a foreign language. Anyone ever own one or know anything about them? Worth fixing up? Easy to repair or a nightmare waiting to happen? Apparently it just needs a new clutch and a good waxing.

Thanks for any info!

 

[Popinski]

what's he using the car for?

 

[mpvue]

great cars, but since they are old, and most likely been ragged on most of its life, I'm sure it'll need some work. they are easy to work on, though. if its an 8valve, its a non-interference engine, timing belt pretty easy to change, but some pulley bolts may be rusted frozen. oil changes slightly awkward due to A/C lines being in the way of the filter. rust may be an issue, rear brakes a little quirky.
make sure you use bosch cap and rotor and plugs only!
btw, I had an '86, then had a '87 some time after that.

 

[teambeechstreet]

Originally Posted By: Popinski
what's he using the car for?

daily driver

Originally Posted By: mpvue
great cars, but since they are old, and most likely been ragged on most of its life, I'm sure it'll need some work. they are easy to work on, though. if its an 8valve, its a non-interference engine, timing belt pretty easy to change, but some pulley bolts may be rusted frozen. oil changes slightly awkward due to A/C lines being in the way of the filter. rust may be an issue, rear brakes a little quirky.
make sure you use bosch cap and rotor and plugs only!
btw, I had an '86, then had a '87 some time after that.

Thank you for all of the info, I'll pass it along to my friend!

 

[Popinski]

In my honest opinion, $500 seems too much. I mean, it needs a new clutch and other things. I would say $350 and take it.

 

[addyguy]

My BIL a couple of weeks ago picked up a 1994 Jetta 2.0 5-speed for $275 that had been 'sitting for a couple of years', and needed quite a bit of work. He's in the process of nursing it back to health....I foresee a lot of work for him!

 

[mpvue]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
My BIL a couple of weeks ago picked up a 1994 Jetta 2.0 5-speed for $275 that had been 'sitting for a couple of years', and needed quite a bit of work. He's in the process of nursing it back to health....I foresee a lot of work for him!
the 2.0 is an unloved engine. that generation of golf/jetta doesn't have the soul of the mk.II cars. and a mk.II GTI isn't just a trim pkg golf, either; completely different personality.
a GTI w/ a techtonics tuning exhaust and borla muffler is a sonic delight.