Thinking about getting a GTi

tom_mk5 · Post by **tom_mk5** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 1:28 pm

Hiya,

At the moment I have a 2001 Mk5 Polo 1.4 16v. Very nice car, but lacks 'oomph'.:p

I'm itching to get a new car, I was planning on getting a Cooper S, but now planning to get on the property ladder, and as a result, don't really want to be financing a car just yet.

So, i've always loved the GTi's, and my insurance for the year is nearly up, I can get insured on a GTi for Â£1600 which isn't too bad. Basically i'm looking for advice on what I should look out for when searching for my GTi. Common problems at a certain age? Certain things to avoid? I don't know which is why i'm asking here. I know the Polo pretty well, but i'm aware the GTi is quite a different car to mine so I want to make sure I know what i'm buying.

Also, what should I be looking to pay for a GTi at present? I want as new as I can get (51?) with as little miles as possible. Seen a few around for Â£7kish but they don't have leather and that's something i've definitely got to have as I really am not a fan of the '1' seats.:p

So, any suggestions and recommendations very welcome.

Tom

Si_GTi · Post by **Si_GTi** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 1:43 pm

Hi chap,

Well, first off, if you don't like red, black or silver you're jiggered

But seriously, the usual used-car checks are always good, check for accident damage, any evidence of resprays, have a good look around the car both inside and out for any damage, especially the interior, and especially if it's gonna be a leather interior!

Five things spring to mind at the moment, with regards to the GTi:

1. Pedal box recall: make sure it's been done! If the owner hasn't got receipts for the work (which was done under warranty as it's a manufacturer recall), you can check with VW to see if it's been done. All Polo GTi owners had a letter to advise them of the recall so it's usually not been missed.

2. Cambelt/toothed belt assembly: this can go far too early in it's life, a few of us, including myself, have had the cambelt tensioner fail, in my case whilst at speed. Check it out to see if any problems have been encountered - depends on mileage too as to whether it has failed or been replaced at any time, they should last to 60,000 miles!

3. Corroded BBS alloys: the original BBS RX2 alloys suffer from corrosion in a big way, I believe this is down to how they were lacquered, and water damage can occur from the inside out, so check all four alloys and make sure they're straight! Whilst you're down there, check the tyres too...

4. Electrics: Make sure everything works, radio, CD changer, lights, sunroof, windows and so on. If you get the car in a private sale you won't have a 12 month warranty to cover any electrical (or mechanical for that matter) faults!

5. A/C or Climate Control: Be absolutely certain the A/C or climate control works, and blows out both hot and cold air when asked to do so. Re-gassing costs about Â£100-120 from a VW dealership IIRC so you could do without that cost if the A/C isn't working right. I didn't think to check it on mine and had to have the system regassed at cost 6 months after buying the car, as VW refused to do it unde rthe warranty or as a goodwill gesture, so I ended up a little out of pocket over that one...

Thats all I can think of right now, I'm sure there's more though. Over to everyone else!

Cheers

tom_mk5 · Post by **tom_mk5** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 1:45 pm

Thank you very much Si, just the sort of thing i'm after.

Does the CD Changer come as standard in the GTi then? As the last one I looked at didn't have one...

I definitely want a black one! Will settle for silver.

Si_GTi · Post by **Si_GTi** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 2:01 pm

Yup, the 6-CD changer was standard and sits in a protective bracket on the left of the boot near the hatch. DMWRIGHT scanned the Polo 6n2 original brochure and posted it in TsN's albums area. You can find it here and it will show you what was standard on the GTi as well as lesser models. Early GTis were "pre-alignment" which is why cars like mine have an odd mix of spec. A 51-plate GTi will be a late model and should have Climate and all the standard spec listed!

mjwigham · Post by **mjwigham** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 2:02 pm

The exact thread i was looking for !!
I'm going to look at a GTi tomorow and fairly certain i'm gonna make an offer.
Any more common faults to look out for ??
Now i got to sell my Mk3 Coupe, just to get it off the drive !

tom_mk5 · Post by **tom_mk5** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 2:05 pm

Suberb.

I don't suppose you have any pics of the interior of yours do you? I just want to get an idea of what the centre console is like with the climate control etc. And what the seats without leather are like as they look much more 'sporty' than the ones in my SE.

I just have to decide now if it's going to be worth me taking out my MFD and putting it into my GTi, or if I should sell it with the car for more and get another unit. Hmmmm.

dubpolo · Post by **dubpolo** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 4:47 pm

Not all GTi's came with all those extras. I think I am driving the least equipped GTI in the world! I have fans, no boot changer, no alarm, no remote central locking.

Oh well it only had 7500 miles on the clock!

Good luck with the search! Most extras can be fitted after, go for good mileage and condition of the car. You can always get a re-trim!

tom_mk5 · Post by **tom_mk5** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 5:01 pm

Yeah true i'll defo look out for the vital things more importantly.

Doubt i'll find one with sat nav though.

mjwigham · Post by **mjwigham** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 5:06 pm

according to parkers.co.uk, Sat Nav adds Â£2400 to the resale value.
That i'm not sure !!

Chris C · Post by **Chris C** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 6:30 pm

Here are a few photos I have just taken:

Centre console with climate

Climate control

Standard GTi seats. All have red belts and some (earlier ones I think) had red door panels. Make sure the carpet mats with red edging are included. They were standard when new.

Instrument panel with 'chrome' surrounds. Also has analogue clock (outside temp guage where clock normally is)

CD changer Si_GTi mentioned

Sorry, forgot to resize that photo!

Hope this helps a bit.

Chris

tom_mk5 · Post by **tom_mk5** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 6:33 pm

Chris those pics are fantastic- thank you very much for going to the trouble to get them for me. Really appreciated.

Looks really good, i'm loving that climate control, nice touch to the centre console and the chrome rings around the dials.

Aye that's the CD changer i've got in my 1.4 at the moment, mounted in the same place too.

Del_GTi · Post by **Del_GTi** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 9:07 pm

They didn't all come with red seatbelts. Mine is a 2000 W-reg and has black seat belts and red door panels.

Also don't be bothered if it doesn't come with the mats with the red stitching.
How many second hand cars have you bought that came with the original mats, Chances are they would be worn out anyway.

mikegti · Post by **mikegti** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 11:59 pm

You might want to check that the rear wash/wipe works. Sometimes the washer hose pops off either in the boot panel or behind the left hand rear trim panel (3 door). This can cause trouble with the boot lock, or make your car damp!

I had trouble with my cd changer too, Sometimes it used to skip a lot. It took up too much space for my liking anyway!

Prash · Post by **Prash** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 12:22 am

ahh i'm getting randomly reoccuring damp patches in the passenger side rear bench and had no idea where it was come from, until now, cheers mike gti

tom_mk5 · Post by **tom_mk5** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 9:50 pm

Thanks for all the posts and advice guys- very much appreciated.

Going round a few places tomorrow where i've seen some advertised, hopefully might be able to have a drive in one. I will post back here tomorrow and let you all know my thoughts.