going to look at a gti

davesimmo · Post by **davesimmo** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 7:37 pm

I am going to look at a Polo GTI tomorrow, it is up for Â£5199 on a W-Reg, 3 door, black, 51,000 Miles.
Is this about right for the asking price???
I have heard stuff about this pedal box recall, how will i know if this car has been done, and what if it has not.
CHEERS
DAVE

PhilGTi · Post by **PhilGTi** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 7:43 pm

Lol, where abouts is it? Sounds like one i went to see...

- Check to see if the pedal box has been done.. Ask the owner

- Drive it to make sure the clutch is okay, should be really light

- Look at the black seals on the windows and see if there is any overspray, this will give you an idea if there has been any body work.

- Feel down the inside of the doors to make sure it dont feel matt, this normally means its had spray work.

- Check the spare tyre is intact

The price seems about right, you could probably get a few quid off, look for any corrosion on the wheels and use it as a bargining tool... (ah i see the wheels are corroded a bit, would you take an offer so i can have them repaired with the spare cash?)

Get an HPI check done @ http://www.hpicheck.com/ to make sure that the car isnt on finance or been in a crash!

Hope this helps, sorry if i seemed a little patronising, was just being thoughough!

Phill.

PhilGTi · Post by **PhilGTi** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 7:46 pm

Oh and if the pedal box hasnt been done this normally indicated that the car hasnt been looked after, the car is @ 51k now and so if he hasnt had it done he/she clearly doesnt pay much attention as all GTi owners received letters regarding it.

Do you really want a car that is going to need it doing in the future, because its going to get gradually worse until you have it fixed?! They will do it free at the VW garage tho so aint the end of the world.

Phill.

davesimmo · Post by **davesimmo** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 7:55 pm

Thanks for the quick reply mate, it is at a used car dealer, (not VW.)
I have printed your list off, so will go over it with a fine toothed comb....lol.
I will take my camera with me too, because i am serious about buying one of these and if it adds up to my expectations i will buy it, so i will post some pics.
I love the VW brand and have a 1998 polo 1.9D at the minute, bit of a difference i know, but GTI's have always been to high in the price bracket until now.
What is the handling like on them???
Anyway, thanks alot for your help, much appriciated, and i hope to get to know some of you guys if i buy this beast.
CHEERS
DAVE

PhilGTi · Post by **PhilGTi** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 8:17 pm

I had a 2001 1.4 8V until a week ago, i had Eibach springs on it and 7.5inch wheels so the handeling and grip was really good. I can safely say that the stock GTi's handeling is better!

They have this electronical differential thing, so that if you loose grip on a corner it brakes each side differently to compensate for this. I totally love the polo gti and think that going from a 1.9D you will be smiling all the way home from the dealership.

Don't be too eager to jump in there and buy 1, have a look at a few because i almost bought the first 1 i saw and im so pleased i didnt now! I drove 6 before i bought this 1, even a one with 24k on the clock and none of them even slightly compaired to the one i bought.

Make sure it hasnt had alot of owners because people tend to buy them, thrash them for a few month then sell it. If you could get 1 with a lady owner or older owner that would be perfect.. Hope some of this helps!

Phill.

mikegti · Post by **mikegti** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 9:18 pm

just to add... at that mileage its close to needing the cam belts done, in fact its fairly common for the belts/tensioners to break early so its a bonus if thats been done already!

check the rear washer jet squirts water, if not then the pipe's probably broken somewhere and is making something wet inside the car!

I also had a problem with my cd changer skipping a lot.

good luck with the search!

davesimmo · Post by **davesimmo** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 10:32 pm

thanks again for your help people, i will check all these points you have mentioned.
Is the air conditioning ok in these or does this need checking too?
I will check it anyway to be safe.
Thanks again, will be on the board to tell you about it tomorrow afternoon.
CHEERS
DAVE

mikegti · Post by **mikegti** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 10:39 pm

davesimmo wrote: Is the air conditioning ok in these or does this need checking too?
I will check it anyway to be safe.

I dont think there's a particular problem with the a/c.
Most GTi's have climatronic, but there are some with just a/c

Si_GTi · Post by **Si_GTi** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 11:14 pm

The only thing to check with A/C is that it definitely works! I didn't check mine before buying and had to have it regassed at my own cost when the next bout of hot weather came around (I bought in September, I first thought of using the A/C in May

). In fact make sure all the leccy toys work to be sure, don't want any hidden costs of ownership!

Good luck mate

davesimmo · Post by **davesimmo** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 12:25 pm

I am gutted they sold it this morning!!!!

Oh well looks like i am stuck with mine until another one comes along.
Thanks for all your help anyway!!
CHEERS
DAVE

PhilGTi · Post by **PhilGTi** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 2:20 pm

Don't worry about it. I looked at loads and was disapointed! I almost bought a Clio because i was getting so despirate, just be patient, the right one will come along!

Phill.