'02 GTI, need car advice

[lawman]

My wrx died a horrible death last sunday, and I've been forced to used the GS500 when I otherwise wouldn't.  Sad, I know.

A friend of a friend is selling a 2002 Volkswagen GTI 2d 1.8T with 77k miles, immaculate inside and out, timely dealer serviced except when I went under the hood on Monday to fix a vacuum hose.  Minor interior cosmetic issues only.  1 owner car.  2 minor fender-bender accidents, both fixed completely.  She offered it to me for $5k because she knows me, wavered to $5.5k, and may either come back to $5k or down to $4.5k.  Should I?

This is one of those cars that people love, or hate.  Either they're reliable, or they're junk.  This one has enough miles on it that it doesn't seem to have any gremlins.

I need a car, desperately, now.  This one won't put me too much in debt, but it may not last more than 2 years or so.

Should I do it?

[XealotX]

Find out what insurance would cost. Depending on your age some insurance companies lose their minds because its a German car.

[intergalactic]

It will need a timing belt sooner rather than later. You should get it done sooner. Ask me how I know.

By 02 they might have fixed the window clips, if not, I think there is a campaign for that.

It has a clutch that won't take loads of abuse, and it will probably need coilpacks soon. Good news it they are finally cheap.  coilpacks are like $35 each.

Stick or auto? Some people like to hammer 2nd gear in the GTIs.

Those are the common weaknesses. Most are straightforward.

3 things not to do.

A cold (hot) air intake

A K&N filter of any kind (kills the MAF sensor)

Powershifting.

[lawman]

It will need a timing belt sooner rather than later. You should get it done sooner. Ask me how I know.

How do you know?

By 02 they might have fixed the window clips, if not, I think there is a campaign for that.

I think she did that...

It has a clutch that won't take loads of abuse, and it will probably need coilpacks soon. Good news it they are finally cheap.  coilpacks are like $35 each.

just did the coils.  Clutch is softer than the WRX, but aren't they all?  This is a 5'0" 80 lb girl.  She's not what you'd call an aggressive driver.

Stick or auto? Some people like to hammer 2nd gear in the GTIs.

stick.  5 spd.

Those are the common weaknesses. Most are straightforward.

is that an endorsement?

3 things not to do.
A cold (hot) air intake
A K&N filter of any kind (kills the MAF sensor)
Powershifting.

not planning any of those.  I do, at times, powershift 2-4 or 3-5.  May not have to in a FWD

[/quote]

[lawman]

Find out what insurance would cost. Depending on your age some insurance companies lose their minds because its a German car.

about 500/yr w/ the WRX still on while I try to fix it.

... that reminds me - I should post about that too...

[intergalactic]

It will need a timing belt sooner rather than later. You should get it done sooner. Ask me how I know.

How do you know?

Had to replace a head on an 01 after the belt failed at 90K. 7 year old belt, it was rated for 105K miles. The timing belt system is known to not make it to 105k miles. A 2002 might have a 80k mile belt/tensioner in it.  I don't recall on a gasoline golf what the price is. $700-900 for a diesel from an independent specialist.

By 02 they might have fixed the window clips, if not, I think there is a campaign for that.

I think she did that...

I had mine in my 2000 GTI fail. Annoying. But not catastrophic. A 1 hour fix at teh dealer? Might be covered by a recall if it has the plastic clips. If it has the metal clips, the window won't fall into the door. I *think* 2002 has metal clips.

It has a clutch that won't take loads of abuse, and it will probably need coilpacks soon. Good news it they are finally cheap.  coilpacks are like $35 each.

just did the coils.  Clutch is softer than the WRX, but aren't they all?  This is a 5'0" 80 lb girl.  She's not what you'd call an aggressive driver.

Stick or auto? Some people like to hammer 2nd gear in the GTIs.

stick.  5 spd.

Those are the common weaknesses. Most are straightforward.

is that an endorsement?

If the coilpacks are done and you figure on a timing belt, I'd say it is good car. See how it shifts 1-2 when the transmission is cold.

3 things not to do.
A cold (hot) air intake
A K&N filter of any kind (kills the MAF sensor)
Powershifting.

not planning any of those.  I do, at times, powershift 2-4 or 3-5.  May not have to in a FWD

That won't hurt. I mean cramming 2nd gear after a 1st gear full bore launch. Just let the synchromesh cones have time to do their thing.

[/quote]

Yes, it sounds like a decent car. If the T-belt is done, that's even better.

[utgunslinger13]

I own a 2001 and love it.  Its not as quick as my homemade turbo setup on my 97 civic I had before but the luxury of power options is what sold me on this car.  My windown clips broke on me, but VW dealership took care of it right away.  Also the hazard switch was recalled on mine so you might want to check that.

I'm at 75k and haven't had any major problems with the car.  It was however in a front end crash before I bought it so I'm not sure when/if the belt was already replaced but I'll keep my eyes on it!

Nick

[spc]

Don't drive it into a lake or it'll fuching die, ask me how I know...........

[yamahonkawazuki]

Don't drive it into a lake or it'll fuching die, ask me how I know...........

drive anythign into a lake and it will die a

[Yev]

Coilpacks coilpacks coilpacks.. had a 1.8T Jetta. LOVED THE CAR - I regret selling it. What are the first few characters of the VIN #? You can find out if it was assembled in Mexico or Germany.. (I am pretty sure that the GTI were assembled in Germany though).

[lawman]

Coilpacks coilpacks coilpacks.. had a 1.8T Jetta. LOVED THE CAR - I regret selling it. What are the first few characters of the VIN #? You can find out if it was assembled in Mexico or Germany.. (I am pretty sure that the GTI were assembled in Germany though).

Brazil.

[intergalactic]

I prefer Brazilian cars. The fit and finish is not quote the same, but by the time they transition a car to Brazil, all the engineering glitches have been cleaned up. IMO