As in title really, i would like to know what these are like for reliability , build quality etc. Insurance wont be a problem neither will running costs, but have always thought these are awesome little cars and i have a shot at getting one!

Had one - its was ok - pretty reliable. But was rotten! My GTD was far more fun - MK2 J reg GTD 1.6 TD with top mount intercooler - normally 75bhp, but tweaked the fuel and boost and got it well over 100bhp. made it quicker than a GTi! 8v! :)

they were built nice , but age and neglect is showing up on alot of them now but theres still sound ones around

if its maintained nicley should be 100% reliable

I've had my 16v 17 ys and a g60 11 yrs now

Presume we're talking Golfs then?

Absolutely lovely cars if you get a good one. Reliable, cheap to run, fairly quick, and all that stuff.

They're one of the most iconic hatchbacks for good reason you know!

I really liked mine, only reason i sold it was because my mate offered me the corrado i now own.

I had the 16v and took a ragging better then my VR. Could surprise a few people when you have 140bhp in something that weighs the same as a mk4 polo.

Most parts a relatively cheap, just a few things that and obsolete and hard to get hold of.

Sold my 6N for one, love it. Its an icon for a reason, still nippy considering its 20 years old too!

I went from Polos to Golfs and haven't really looked back. So much more grown up and nicer. People will argue about how fun Polos are but my Golf still puts a huge smile on my face.

:) this is all positive stuff looking at one tonight :)

I think people on here seem to confuse fun with the joy of making it through a corner without crashing in a ball of flames

Seriously tho the mk2 golf is a great car from the era of proper hot hatches, not necessarily the best but a fucking good car neither the less, 16v's are the one to have tbh, no point pissing about with the 8v unless insurance is an issue imo.

Edited 4 July, 201115 yr by McLOVIN

Lots more 8 valvers around than 16 valvers so you can pay a lot less and they still pull well. People make out they aren't quick but they are. Have a go and see for yourself. Plus the 8 valve can be made a 2 litre for pennies.

And what is stopping the 16v owner picking up a 2.0 bottom end?

I've had a few. a highly tuned 8v digi, standard 8v digi's, and a standard engined 16v. 16v all the way. but doesnt mean the 8v is bad. they are still class

You can't make a 8v a 2.0 for pennies.

You can buy a bottom end but it takes a lot more than that to do it properly.

Bang a 2e bottom end on a pb head and you'll lose torque unless you know what you're doing.

Mk2's are awesome. I'm going to have my fifth one after I'm done with the polo.

I went from Polos to Golfs and haven't really looked back. So much more grown up and nicer. People will argue about how fun Polos are but my Golf still puts a huge smile on my face.

I went from mk2 polos to a mk2 gti and went straight back to a mk2 polo. Whats so great about growing up?

I went from Polos to Golfs and haven't really looked back. So much more grown up and nicer. People will argue about how fun Polos are but my Golf still puts a huge smile on my face.

I went from mk2 polos to a mk2 gti and went straight back to a mk2 polo. Whats so great about growing up?

Personal preference I guess.

And yes you can convert to a 2litre for cheap. Ok maybe not pennies, but cheaper than a lot of other options people chose for engines such as remaps, etc. I'm talking in general here, I know people don't remap mk2 Golfs.

Good to hear guys, thanks for your input! To be honest though, i would pay the costs even IF it was a piece of poo poo, just cos it looks so gorgeous

Either this or an Ibiza Cupra then :)

Good to hear guys, thanks for your input! To be honest though, i would pay the costs even IF it was a piece of poo poo, just cos it looks so gorgeous

Either this or an Ibiza Cupra then :)

When going for a Golf go for one with a solid body, no rust etc. That's the valuable bit. Engines and other parts are cheap and lots around.

Went from a coupe s to a golf gti and then to a polo gt, the golf was quicker but heavy (you really need one with pas). The best bit about the golf was the brakes polo brakes are crap.

Put Golf brakes on the Polo then?

Just bought a mk2 gti 16v monza blue :)

My fave cars. Get one

Had a few now and all i can say is you get what you pay for, allot of gti have been totally ragged by now, and three out of four i have owned have needed a engine rebuild of some sort. However all four of them were very cheap. But if you do get one that hasnt been living life on the rev limiter they are fun to drive and very very reliable.

Its a car that wasnt designed on the Nurburgring haha. I have one with a boot. It has a ski bag in the arm rest and it can go round corners reallllly fast. Enough said. Also if you get a late model with the big bumpers.... Check check checkkkkkkk for rot/rust under the plastics. I haven't bought 2 wings, 2 rear arches and sills for nothing.

I never understood the ski bag at all.

I never understood the ski bag at all.

What you do is pull the arm rest down, open the hatch and pull the bag through. Once the bag has been fully extended out you can safely slide skis, window trim, skirting board and other long things through your car with out it flailing round the car causing nuisance to anyone. Brucey Bonus??? You can still use the backseats where as a golf the seats are made redundant. I locked my keys in my boot once, being a Jetta you can't reach over to get them out. So I donked the hatch open reached through the ski bag, waggled a coat hanger about and got my keys back.