Hi,

New to the forum but i'm thinking of buying a 1980s Polo think its a Mk 2 ?? haha

Just wondering if any of you could let me know what to look out for when buying one?

Some nice cars on here btw.

Thanks

Jack

Hello Jack, welcome

Watch for rust under the battery (the tray can rot out and can need welding)

Watch for filler neck rust on the fuel tank which is basically exposed to all the road dirt in the rear arch. Tanks can be replaced though and often have albeit with little rust protection.

Sometimes the carb struggles to idle but can be figured out. A good service can give these cars a continuing long life (I'm on 114K and theres other folk hitting near 200)

Genarally rust under trim on arches and if neglected a number of places.. these are getting old cars now (all over 20 years) so be prepared for wheel bearings, potential head gaskets causing leaks on alternators, CV joints, rotten brake pipes, depends on treatment of car... all very affordable to fix mind and loads of knowledge and old threads on here.

Here's good guide for you...

http://www.clubpolo.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=12474

Hello Jack, welcome

Watch for rust under the battery (the tray can rot out and can need welding)

Watch for filler neck rust on the fuel tank which is basically exposed to all the road dirt in the rear arch. Tanks can be replaced though and often have albeit with little rust protection.

Sometimes the carb struggles to idle but can be figured out. A good service can give these cars a continuing long life (I'm on 114K and theres other folk hitting near 200)

Genarally rust under trim on arches and if neglected a number of places.. these are getting old cars now (all over 20 years) so be prepared for wheel bearings, potential head gaskets causing leaks on alternators, CV joints, rotten brake pipes, depends on treatment of car... all very affordable to fix mind and loads of knowledge and old threads on here.

Here's good guide for you...

http://www.clubpolo.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=12474

Ahh, Thanks mate just what i was after. Really can't make up my mind it would be my first car and its cheap to insure and to buy, but its the age that puts me of need a cheap and reliable motor.

What do you think of this?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv...e&logcode=p

Jack

Howdo.

I had a 1987 1043cc breadvan for my 1st car. Cost £860 tpft insurance (which i didnt pay anyway ) and was real good on fuel. I only had 2 issues in the 160k miles i did in it (carb idle as stated above - gave it a good clean and fixed it) and one of the earths becoming loose which was a simple fix. things like that should be expected tbh but the car was reliable and always started first turn of the key.

Howdo.

I had a 1987 1043cc breadvan for my 1st car. Cost £860 tpft insurance (which i didnt pay anyway ) and was real good on fuel. I only had 2 issues in the 160k miles i did in it (carb idle as stated above - gave it a good clean and fixed it) and one of the earths becoming loose which was a simple fix. things like that should be expected tbh but the car was reliable and always started first turn of the key.

Seems like there isn't much to go wrong just a few simple problems, Why am i doubting buying one haha. I seem to be swaying more towards the 6n/Mk 4 really not sure on models and ages at the moment, they seem to be around to same price range as well. Wish I could get my insurance paid for, some people have all the luck

Jack

Edited 24 January, 201016 yr by jack92

I'm driving my other halfs 6n at the moment whilst i get my mk3 G40 running and i cant wait till it is. Driving isnt as much fun in the 6n as the mk3.

I'm driving my other halfs 6n at the moment whilst i get my mk3 G40 running and i cant wait till it is. Driving isnt as much fun in the 6n as the mk3.

Really can't decide just want something reliable and cheap, obviously get some subtle mods. Just don't know wether to save up some more and get a better example of one or buy now and get no claims started? need something cheap so I can pay for insurance with money I have saved up whilst I look for a job.

buy a mk2, you wont regret it... they are amazing fun, drive like a go-kart when you lower them and keep up with modern cars no problem... 6n's tend to be a bit bland, in a sort of everyone has one sort of style... if thats your thing then fair enough... but you hardly ever see a mk2...

I've had alot of em.. the worst thing to go wrong was losing oil pressure in my saloon.. just needed the oil pickup in the sump cleaning and was fine.

*look for rust in battery tray

*if hunting on idle , lean on the air filter while its running, if that clears it up then you just need to replace the base gasket of the carb. (12quid) and easy

*look for leaks from petrol filler neck (common but 70quid tank fixes that)

*holes around the sills at the rear edges.

*holes in the arches behind the wheel (bumper side)

*and pushed in bumpers....

other than that pretty fault free... obviously take it for a drive... any slop in the front end is allways and easy and cheap fix....

can I also just add a little thanks for everyones advice. I have had a mk2 bready for a short while now and as said above I cant really fault it, such a pleasure to drive, much better tha my mk4 and as good as my mk3 was :)

I've just gone from a Mk3 golf to a Mk2 polo coupe S..

To be honest mate, i would never look back now!

you could always buy mine :)

Sorry people i went and bought a 6n, although i do regret it not sure why haha it will do for my first car.