View Full Version : OMGZ "new" car!
Well, after 6 months of driving round the biggest pile of crap in the entire universe, I've gone and got me a new motor. Erm, did I say new?? It was built when I was 6 yrs old, so I don't suppose you could call it new really :D
I was resigned to the idea of just getting a £500 Mondeo and running it into the ground until Leon mentioned a MKII Golf GTi to me. It would provide me with a fairly economical, easy to fix car, which I would actually enjoy driving. I started having a look around, but all the sub-£500 ones were complete dogs. After a couple of weeks I gave up searching.... until yesterday.
Leon found it on Retro Rides and emailed me the details at work. 10 months MOT (which it sailed through), never welded and very solid, immaculate interior and just 1 spot of rust on the bootlid. It just felt "right", so I rang the guy and we went up to Sheffield to see it last night.
I am now the proud (and rather excited, hence being up at this hour) owner of a 1987 MKII Golf GTi, complete with LHD wipers and original steel wheels :D :D It's done just over 100k miles and it was £350, which was an utter bargain. I was given a pair of 60mm lowering springs with the car, which will be put to good use ;)
I can't believe the condition it's in. It needs a ruddy good polish and a new bootlid, but apart from that, it's great. Leon drove it home, but I had a quick spin in it last night and it pulls like a train. Feels SO positive to drive. I'm amazed at how good it feels; no rattles, squeaks or strange noises. I wasn't keen on the idea of a white one initially, but it's grown on me and I actually think the paint will come up really nicely.
Anyway, here are a few pics from the guy who sold it to me. Tomorrow will be spent trying to get the paintwork to shine (it's matt at the moment) and generally giving it a thorough clean. I will also be trying to source a new bootlid for it at some point and buying a new rad as the current one has a small split in it somewhere.
I'm sure Leon will post with some more techy info :p
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/golf004.jpg
That chavvy tax disc holder will be gone by tomorrow. Eurgh!
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/golf005.jpg
As will the sticker
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/golf006.jpg
This is the only rust on the entire car which we've found so far...
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/golf007.jpg
Interior really is as good as it looks. The seats look brand new!!
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/golf002.jpg
I know it's not everyone's bag and people will think "why's she bought a 21 yr old car", but I honestly don't give a stuff. I think it's great :cool:
Looks like a winner!! I'm one of those that's of a mind that if it's lasted this long, it's going to go for another 10 years without a cough. I always liked those VWs.
Stan_Lite
11-10-2008, 05:03
Looking good :cool:
Get those lowering springs on, tart up the paintwork and get a cheap set of alloys and she'll look the dogs bollocks.
Nice car for the money :)
leowyatt
11-10-2008, 07:01
Awesome car :D Always had a soft spot for older VWs. Was looking at Sciroccos the other day :D
TinkerBell
11-10-2008, 08:09
Really pleased for you hun :D I have always had a soft spot for old golf's, looks in really good nick, think you have got yourself a bargain there :D
Should have got a poo brown Micra!
Very nice, it certainly looks in really good condition :)
Excellent motor and a bloody bargain! Has Leon told you about all the engines that can be dropped in yet? :D That being said IIRC they are rather light to start with.
The rusty bootlid is a well known weakspot/design flaw - many of them have a rotten boot but the rest of the car is fine. This one has never been welded etc, it has gallons of sticky factory Waxoyl pouring out of the seams which means the engine bay is very dirty but totally free from rot.
Needs a sodding good polish, and new plastics. I think the steel wheels will stay (for now) but probably with a fresh lick of paint just to brighten it up a bit.
Pulls well, no knocks no bumps no untoward rattles, no vibration. It makes the Manta feel like a Model T Ford.
leowyatt
11-10-2008, 09:24
I think Leon should start working on commission for finding us good cheap motors :D I know who I'll be "employing" next time we need a car ;)
I knew you wouldn't get something boring :)
It's white and 80's so you know I like it!
Justsomebloke
11-10-2008, 11:07
I Love it :)
My last Mk2 was a 16v 2dr in Aqua Blue :cool: Great little motors.
Lovely :D I love those cars.
Leave the steelies - they suit the car perfectly, just give 'em a polish.
My favourite of all Golfs that. :)
So glad you went for it! 8v yes?
Enjoy!
Oh, and when you go to take off the sticker in the rear window, if it comes off in one piece can I have it for my Jeep? :p
A Place of Light
11-10-2008, 18:35
What happened to the 200?
/confoosed.
looks a right winner for that money :)
What happened to the 200?
/confoosed.
Got written off when something ploughed into it I think.
leowyatt
11-10-2008, 20:41
Got written off when something ploughed into it I think.
that something was an uninsured tommy tanker
Kell_ee001
11-10-2008, 21:02
So glad you're happy! :D
Eaton M45 :p
Cracking wee car.
*n
Haha, my Mum HATES it :D The first thing she said was "it's rusty" and pointed to the rust on the boot lid, then she said "well it'll do for now". Bless. Dad made some "mmmm" nosies and admired the interior.
Spent yesterday and today driving it around and getting used to it. Leon drove it home on Friday and said "you're going to love this!", and I do :D I just can't believe it's 21 years old. The suspension is great, it doesn't make any annoying noises, it GOES when you put your foot down and it's fine driving behind some old Grandad doing 30mph along the lanes.
We've also started G3'ing it and man does it make a difference. One side beads up beautifully and the other is matt. I'll be finishing that off today whilst Leon does bathroom things. Then I'll wax it, blacken the trim, spray the steelies and it'll look great.
Getting back into car ownership feels GOOD :D
What happened to the 200?
/confoosed.
http://www.boat-drinks.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7653 Major :(
I haven't looked at the photo on the first page of that thread for months now and even then when I just clicked on it and saw it, my heart dipped. Really do miss it!
Look forward to seeing the G3 results :)
A Place of Light
12-10-2008, 14:10
http://www.boat-drinks.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7653 Major :(
I haven't looked at the photo on the first page of that thread for months now and even then when I just clicked on it and saw it, my heart dipped. Really do miss it!
A shame, but at least you weren't injured.
I'm curious why you didn't buy it back immediately as you suggest that airbag deployment was the deciding factor on writing it off.
Anyway, nice choice on the Golf. IIRC the Polo is now heavier than the Golf 2, and they're a good solid car to fettle with.
I couldn't afford to have a car off the road and with the amount of time and money it would have cost me, it just wasn't worth it. They wanted 30-40% (iirc) for buyback, which was too much in my eyes. I had to be practical and buying back the car would have been more hassle than it was worth. The money went to good use though. I spent it on a new kitchen, which we desperately needed. It was the right choice.
The G3 is bringing the Golf up lovely, but my arms/hands/fingers ache!!
leowyatt
12-10-2008, 15:02
You not finished it yet???? :p
/awaits photos
You not finished it yet???? :p
/awaits photos
No :p It started raining 1/3 of the way through G3'ing yesterday and then we had to go and do the family thing for my Grandparents' 60th Anniversary last night, so I didn't get back to it until about 1pm today.
I've G3'd the whole car apart from the bottom of the doors/boot, which I need to do. Left them until last because they're filthy. I also started to put some horrible black snot on the trim to get it back to black again. It involved masking tape, patience and a little swearing :p
Anyway, it's shiny at last :D :D
To give you an idea of how dull it was before, compare this
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/golf011.jpg
to this
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/golf010.jpg. Improvement indeed.
Shine at last!
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/golf012.jpg
Here's the back after I attacked it with the black snot
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/golf014.jpg
Leon sorted the interior yesterday and I gave it a hoover tonight. I can't believe the condition it's in. It's like it's been stashed away in a garage for the past 20 years!
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/golf018.jpg
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/golf019.jpg
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/golf020.jpg
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/golf021_1.jpg
And a couple of shots of a half-done driver side. I need to finish off the trim and then sand the wheels back so we can spray them.
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/golf022.jpg
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/golf025.jpg
Piggymon
12-10-2008, 20:22
Looking ace ! :cool:
Transformation!!! Nice motor :D
leowyatt
12-10-2008, 20:28
Looking good lady :D
I didn't think they had steelies as standard? Didn't they have the P style ones? Anyway, I now have loads of respect for you because I had a MkII as my first car and loved it. It was so resilient, even though the first owner never changed the oil in 13 years of ownership. :) I have a haynes manual somewhere if you want it.
Actually, I really want to go out and look for a VR6 highline golf now :(
Yep the steelies are standard mejinks. It was an option to have alloys :) If you manage to find that manual, I'd be very grateful if you're prepared to part with it :)
It's going to look much nicer once the wheels are sprayed.
Ooh looks lovely and shiny now!
A Place of Light
13-10-2008, 18:29
Yep the steelies are standard mejinks. It was an option to have alloys :) If you manage to find that manual, I'd be very grateful if you're prepared to part with it :)
It's going to look much nicer once the wheels are sprayed.
You'll just need to learn to drive "Golf" now.
The trick is, at no point should the car have more than any three of it's wheels in contact with the road surface.
Get Leon to read this post and see if he nods as he's reading :D
A Place of Light
13-10-2008, 18:30
Actually, I really want to go out and look for a VR6 highline golf now :(
Nice car to have on a long journey, but too heavy (and particularly too nose heavy) for a hoon-mobile.
I'm a bit late getting here but.....loving it. How cool a car is that? it's aces :)
A word of suggestion? The white bit under the rear bumper would look SO much better in either a matte or flat black to match the bumper.
Other than that it's coming up nicely!! Very good job on the waxing. I wish my Jeep would look that good. And it's just over half the age of your car!!
20 year old white VW's FTMFW :)
http://www.pief.net/ringrocco2.jpg
That was at the Nurburgring in May this year :)
Your golf does look pretty awesome, wish my paint was that good, not sure I can be bothered to do all that rubbing though, can I drop it round sometime.... ;)
Errrrrr, nah I think I'll pass on that one ;) Haven't finished this one yet!!
A word of suggestion? The white bit under the rear bumper would look SO much better in either a matte or flat black to match the bumper.
Other than that it's coming up nicely!! Very good job on the waxing. I wish my Jeep would look that good. And it's just over half the age of your car!!
Thanks for the suggestion, but I like it as it is. It's how it's supposed to be as standard and I don't think it'd look right with that bit black.
If it's any concellation, it's bloody filthy now after driving around for a week in the crappy British weather. Boo!! :(
Just a little update. Bought me some some 15 x 7 RH Cups for the Golf last week and finally got around to putting them on tonight. Tyres are gently stretched, which I think is just about right.
My rusty old (but original!) steelies:
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/golf026.jpg
New wheels :)
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/golf027.jpg
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/golf028.jpg
It doesn't sit quite right at the moment, but I have some lowering springs which came with the car when I bought it, which should sort that. I was going to put them on at the weekend, but unfortunately there was a little incident with a completely knackered CV joint, which took priority and prevented that. Hopefully I'll be able to do it this weekend if the weather's good.
Really pleased with them. I'd been saving up for some BBS's, but couldn't really justify the price in the end. These were only £150 and are a little curbed, but I can refurb them one by one over the summer. Dead chuffed :D
btw, I say "I"... what I really mean is "with MUCH supervision from Leon" :D
Matblack
14-01-2009, 22:17
rl5c7Ih2GW4
MB
Leon suggested I do it that way :confused:
I know someone who did it recently. MIND THE SPOKES with your hands etc.!
I know it's not everyone's bag and people will think "why's she bought a 21 yr old car", but I honestly don't give a stuff.
**** 'em, it's none of their business. Good for you :)
**** 'em, it's none of their business. Good for you :)
I've been quite suprised actually. In the 3 odd months of owning the car, more people have had the reaction "oooh I have a soft spot for those old Golfs" than "WTF why did you buy such an old car?". People always ask me how its doing :) It's got character and has certainly grown on me.
TinkerBell
15-01-2009, 22:21
Ooooo looking good :D You are right though will look better lowered abit :)
I bet it is a right hoot to drive! I would love an old car to have a laugh in, but I would be worried about it breaking down and not being able to fix it!! :p
Hopefully it's going down at the weekend :D
I know how you love to go down ;) :D
They look alright those wheels :) After bringing in the MR2 I'm forever being asked about it at work. As you said, the older cars get more attention. You just get more feel through the thing as you are going along.
Case in point is when the Focus understeered badly on a roundabout last night. Bugger all feel coming back through the steering, just slid. ZZZzzzzz but it is my commuting motor.
That being said...... extra feel still doesn't stop me spinning mine :D
Down she goes :) We fitted the lowering springs this morning. They're still settling down, but it looks SO much better. The only problem now is that the wheels are rubbing on the arches when I turn sharp corners. That can be sorted out by removing the plastic trim, cutting down the metal arch and then glueing the trim back on again, but it's not a job for today. :)
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/golf029.jpg
She was looking a bit stinky, so we took her down the jetwash and I'm just about to go out and start polishing/G3'ing. Fun fun fun!!! :D
That looks tonnes better!
The rubbing on corners is a problem that event the new Golfs have and the fix is exactly the same.
leowyatt
17-01-2009, 15:14
Looks great Kate :) The old VWs are great.
Thanks guys :)
Before/After. Like I say, it still needs to settle a bit more
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/golf034.jpg
And after a damn good cleaning and blacking of bumpers. I'm going to finish it off tomorrow and then take some proper pics down the industrial estate.
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/golf031.jpg
leowyatt
17-01-2009, 17:47
Below the front bumper plate looks a bit grubby :p ;D
Below the front bumper plate looks a bit grubby :p ;D
Yeah it's because it's stonechip and impossible to clean. We'll be respraying those in the summer :)
leowyatt
17-01-2009, 17:52
:o
Looks very nice Kate :)
Should think so too you cheeky monkey!!! :bangbang:
leowyatt
17-01-2009, 18:12
See here (http://www.boat-drinks.co.uk/showpost.php?p=267214&postcount=57) :p
Looks amazing! I want I want!!
Finished cleaning old Betsy today and took her down the industrial estate for some photos. Quite pleased with the results. I think she looks absolutely mint!! Settled down onto her new suspension now too and looks just right :)
Considering I only really bought this car for a stop gap because it was cheap, it's REALLY grown on me. At the moment, I don't think I'll ever want to get rid of it :)
http://ocukroguesgallery.com/lopez/Golf11.jpg
http://ocukroguesgallery.com/lopez/Golf06.jpg
http://ocukroguesgallery.com/lopez/Golf07.jpg
http://ocukroguesgallery.com/lopez/Golf08.jpg
http://ocukroguesgallery.com/lopez/Golf09.jpg
http://ocukroguesgallery.com/lopez/Golf10.jpg
:D
Looks cool on the new setup. What tyres are they?
The fronts? Nexen 3000.... never heard of them, but they look cool :p
Me neither. They look similar to some that the TSS crowd use. They do look cool :D
Piggymon
18-01-2009, 19:05
:D
I know it's a Mk1 but it should be made compulsory to make all Golfs look like this:
http://rennfotos.de/galerie/berg/2007/i_berg_teil1/Bilder/DS2_1231_jpg.jpg
Jibber. Nanny, please.
Looks a darn sight better than when you bought it - I'm glad you kept the window sticker :p
Looks a darn sight better than when you bought it - I'm glad you kept the window sticker :p
I was going to remove it, but I actually quite like it :D
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