buying a GTI, advice needed (NAC)

[ODIE]

How is it lowered?
cut coils or is it on h&r's eibach??
if there cut your going to have to get new struts, springs and bushings
as for the sloppy shifting it's probebly the linkage bushings that's about a
$15 fix
the way to tell if it needs a new clutch is pull the e-break and give it gas
while letting out the clutch
if it starts to stall out it's good if it just starts to slip it needs a new
one also you can drive it shift into 3rd at about 2000 rpm floor it if it
revs without going any faster it's bad
also check the roof line for rolls or ripples if there are any it has been
wrecked

I agree with rave racer GTI's are alot cheeper to fix\buld up than hondas
and thay will eat just about any of them on the track
but thay do NEED alot of attention so if you hate to work on cars you
probebly don't want one
thay are just like Audi's
I'm working on my 13th GTI project

----- Original Message -----
From: Rave Racer <Ravewar at home.com>
To: <quattro at audifans.com>; Douglas Frank <frank at zk3.dec.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2001 9:39 PM
Subject: Re: buying a GTI, advice needed (NAC)


>
>     Hmph.  I'm a member of the VW of Toronto club/list, and of the Triumph
> list so many of your remarks don't go over well here, HOWEVER....  I'll
help
> anyway for a fellow lister.
>         I'll start by disclaiming the price.  I can't speculate because it
> often varies from region to region and time to time.  Also all my price
> knowledge would be based in Canada and you are in the US.  I do think that
> this is a fair price for a good car here but like I said this is Canadian
> we're talking here.
>         Check the Transmission.  If the code says 2Y in it, it'll be the
GTi
> tranny.  These are EXTREMELY expensive to replace (BTDT).  IF the tranny
is
> going, you may want to try to talk the price down but keep in mind a
rebuild
> is difficult and expensive on these.  A good idea is to consider a tranny
> swap.  ANY pre 93 (all A2's and some A1's) tranny's can be used.  My
> personal fave is the Turbo deisel 1.8L tranny.  Durable with a long 5'th
> gear for good gas mileage at cruise, and considerabley less $$$ then a
GTi.
> You'll need to change the clutch spline and the clutch will have to be for
> the 1.8L but you'll be able to get a really, REALLY nice clutch for less
> $$$.
>         If the shifting is sloppy then check the shift rod and bushings
> first.  Likely to be the real culprit.
>         If it's a 91, then it should be the 2.0 16V, they changed from
1.8L
> in 90.  Also check the VIN.  I know alot of people think this isn't all
that
> important, but which plant the car was made at makes a difference to some
> (but keep this one to yourself when looking at the car)  if it starts 3VW,
> then it's a Pueblo car.  If is starts WVW, then it's a Wolfsburg car and
> some consider worth more.  I found my W to be more reliable then my
freinds
> with the Mexicans in FL when I lived there.  The Wolfsburg cars did have
> some small differences.  I think the rubber under body coating from the
> factory is one of them.
>         As for motor, check the compression.  Seriously that's a big one.
> PVC valve too.  If I think of anything else, I'll let you know.
>         If it'll ease your mind about his finances, these cars are easier
> and cheaper to work on for Shade tree / grass roots / back yard mechanics
> then Hodna's.  Kits and bolt ons might be more money, but they are more
> unique and you can make a VW look really different with less money.  Don't
> beleive me.....   check the link below, and know that I did all the
stripes,
> mouldings, and engine work (other then the tranny) for under $100 Can for
> the body and less then $200 for exhaust and intake crap.  I did do it all
> myself though and some consider me to be quite the MacGyver (one said
Martha
> Stewart and I kicked him in the nuts.  He won't make that mistake again.)
>         Hope that helps.  Good luck.
>
>        Rave Racer
>  89 Jetta GTX 1.8 16V (Frankenstein) http://www.vwot.org/members/Pete.html
>  87 Audi 4000 Quattro Sedan
>  72 Triumph GT6
>
>
> > Hi all,
> >
> > My nephew phoned last night and wants me to hold his hand while looking
> over a
> > car.  I'd just like to know what you all think:
> >
> > '91 Golf GTI 16-valve
> >
> > no rust (yeah, right, this is a New Hampshire car, probably means it's
not
> > dropping crumbs yet)
> >
> > Nephew test drove it and car is a pocket rocket, runs around corners on
> > rails.  However, sloppy shifter-- needs a transmission rebuild I expect,
> dumb
> > not to do the clutch also.
> >
> > "zero" body roll
> >
> > lowered, aftermarket wheels (don't know what)
> >
> > tires-- unknown
> >
> > Recaro seats
> >
> > aftermarket steering wheel (don't know what-- Sparco, maybe)
> >
> > seller is asking $4800.  Nephew had enough sense to talk him down to
$4k.
> I
> > think this is probably more likely a $3-3.5K car *after* the tranny is
> fixed.
> >
> > your thoughts?
> >
> > If I can't talk him out of it and have to go for a look, what weaknesses
> > should we watch for?  Kid is a junior in college next year and I, old
f*rt
> > that I am, do not want him in this car due to potential repair bills, of
> car
> > and of him.  I'm thinking, '95 Accord, with transplanted 43 bhp Triumph
> Herald
> > engine.  How do you sell an uncool rice cruiser to the MTV generation?
> > --
> > Douglas Frank Compaq Computer Corp.
> > ZKO           110 Spit Brook Rd.       The older I get,
> > 603-884-0501  Nashua, NH USA 03062       the better I was.
>
>
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