VW Golf GT TDI buying advice??

[Minnybae]

Hi

I was wondering if someone could please give me some advice about a car I am thinking of buying. The description is below

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.9 GT TDI 130 3dr , 3 Doors, Manual 6 speed, Hatchback, Diesel, 2002 02 Reg , 32,000 miles, Grey. Radio/CD, central doorlocks with remote control, Electric Adjustable Mirror, Traction Control System, Air-Conditioning, Alloys, Clear Lense Kit, Multi Airbags, ABS, Adjustable seats, Adjustable steering column/wheel, Anti theft system, Front armrest, Full service history, Folding rear seats, Power assisted steering, Remote locking, 1 previous keeper. alloys,electric pack,1st class condition,was £9995 now only £8,995

Could you please advise if this is overpriced for its age or should i have a go at the dealer to get more off he simply will not budge on the price the now? Do you know anything i should be looking out for when checking the car over for a second time e.g. common problems

I know this car has been sitting on his court since august now and he still has not been able to move it plus it needs 4 new tyres.

Any help or advice would be great?

[devonutopia]

Seems OK price. Low mileage for a 4+ year old car - make sure thats genuine. I thought the GT TDI golfs were all PD150, not 130, so thats something to check out - If its ASZ engine code - its 130, if it's ARL engine code it's a 150 (and keep quiet if you find out it is a 150 being sold as a 130 as they're awesome cars )

Dad just sold a Mk5 Golf 2.0 TDI with 67k for £9k cash with 67k on the clock, so this one will need to be pretty good to be worth the same money.

[Eshrules]

as above, clarify the spec, although there are 130 gt tdis, the 150 is the better of the two if you can afford the insurance. id be cautious though about the fact that it has been sat on the forecourt for nearly 6 months, an apparent bargain should never be sat on the forecourt for that long. go thorugh the service history with a fine tooth comb, you may want to push for the timing belt and tensioner, although low mileage, it is now 4 years old,the reccomended time period from VW for the timing belt change.

also, take it for a good test drive, no stereo or noise to distract you from the sound of the engine, make sure you give the engine a good rev through the gears, listen for any bindings/knocks/bumps or lack of power/responsiveness.

also, if a warranty is offerd, clarify the terms of this, a lot of dealers wind you in with the promise of a warranty for you to only find that when you need it, the part you need replacing is not covered!

[herby0001]

check this: h**p://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/used-prices/Valuation.aspx?deriv=21556&plate=69&buysell=buy
Even at £8995, it's not THAT good a bargain really.

[Eshrules]

check this: h**p://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/used-prices/Valuation.aspx?deriv=21556&plate=69&buysell=buy
Even at £8995, it's not THAT good a bargain really.

personally, i wouldnt rely on parkers for valuations, they are inaccurate to say the least try getting a proper traders book, there is a black book, the name of which i can't remember. but TBH 9k for an 02 plate 130bhp GT TDI with a full service history and only 32k on the clock, assuming the rest of the car is as good condition as the mileage, i wouldnt have any hesitation in buying it. yes, you can get them cheaper but its unusual to find a low mileage car like that. the only bind could well be the timing belt/tensioner change. apart from that, if it were me, id knock the dealer down around 600/800 quid or get a major service and cambelt change thrown in with a 12 month warranty thrown in. check to see how long the car has been sat on the pitch though, a car which sits for months, does not give a good omen.

[NicholasP]

wouldnt think the TB would need changing yet would it? Thought it was done at 60ish..which means car has a good few miles on it. I would go for it....it's probably dropped in price cause its a diesel and a majority of the britain still think petrols are the way to go....

thats a quick car you're getting

[Eshrules]

wouldnt think the TB would need changing yet would it? Thought it was done at 60ish..which means car has a good few miles on it. I would go for it....it's probably dropped in price cause its a diesel and a majority of the britain still think petrols are the way to go....

thats a quick car you're getting

i understand your point about the TB, but the vw reccomendation is 60k OR 4 years, whichever comes first, the cars now 5 years old, obviously isnt due according to mileage, but overdue on the age.

with only 32 k, this cars barely been broken in, if its been well looked after so far and is continued to be, there is no reason why you shouldnt see 200k out of it

i agree with you on the diesel, my brother is a petrol head but this is my first diesel and i have to say, its converted me, i love the amount of torque you have and their not slow cars either, the MPG is unrivalled and for longevity, diesel is the way to go.

[NicholasP]

definately..when i got my golf tdi my friends laughed..when i chipped it they told me I was wasting my time, "great now you can race white vans..." is what they said.

They've stopped laughing now having been in it

Im still a student at the mo so diesel seemed the best option, good mpg...car that will last for 200k etc etc..

However im still not totally converted...i guess when economising is on the mind, diesel is the solution. However if i get to the stage in life when im financially comfortable...ill get a BMW 130i...petrol I know but simply my favourite car

If i get very comfortable, i'll have a Golf MK5 TDI 2.0 cause that's a fine car, and then a sporty petrol, maybe the BM or the r32...nothing bigger. I love GERMAN hatchbacks!

[Eshrules]

LOL, well just to compare, i had a 2001 fiat brava 1.2 16v, 80bhp. now, dont get me wrong, i had a K&N on their and it went like stink for a 1.2, left a lot of corsas and other supposed 'hot hatches' at the lights. but when i got the golf, although only an extra 25 horses, that s**tload of torque is defintley noticeable. ill give you the r32 though, thats one car id love to drive, probably not own though LOL

japs are renowned for their sports cars, germans are renowned for reliability and build quality, god knows what italians are known for apart from ferrari and britain.... ? suggestions? LOL

[NicholasP]

Aston Martin....


Not a fan of Japanese cars. I wouldnt buy an Impreza. Dam quick but it's something about German cars. As you said, they're so dam solid.