Wanted 205CJ or Mk1 Golf convertible? Help!

[Fabergé Greggs]

Since viewing, bidding, and subsequently missing out on a lovely 205cj I've decided I can't live without one. 

 

The back seats fold down so they're practical, they're small, nippy and economical for that London, and a convertible for high days and holidays. What's not to like? 

 

I had a loan of a Mk1 golf convertible for a while and flipping loved that too, it was rapid being the GTI model. They seem a bit pricer compared to the 205CJ though. 

 

I don't like the look of the 205CTI, too hot hatchy, and I can't stand even the slightest pineappling of a golf.  And no big bumpers either. 

 

Then I looked at the prices of Mk3 golf convertibles, which seem waaaayyy low. And although undeniably duller than the other choices, might be that bit more useable for long motorway blasts..

 

WHAT TO DO?I WANT ONE NOW!!!

 

BX for sale promptly afterwards!

[chodweaver]

"I didn't get where I am today by liking Golf convertibles!"

 

"yes, CJ, sorry CJ"

 

...I'll get my coat

 

Sent from my GT-S5830i using Tapatalk 2

[Ghosty]

...BX for sale?

[Fabergé Greggs]

...BX for sale?

 

Yeah I've enjoyed it immensely but I need something less practical. 

 

Once the replacement is found it'll be up on here in a flash. Turbo diesel, estate, moon miles, lots of lacquer peel but solid and FSH..

[chodweaver]

Could be up for some of that!

 

Sent from my GT-S5830i using Tapatalk 2

[Pillock]

Mk3 Golf offers best value I guess but doesn't have the character. I'd be looking around for a CJ if you want to enjoy it, or the Mk3 if you want floppytoppage for little cash.

 

If you can find an affordable mk1 then go for it and you'll probably make money but there's a lot of tired, bodged ones out there.

[Fabergé Greggs]

Mk3 Golf offers best value I guess but doesn't have the character. I'd be looking around for a CJ if you want to enjoy it, or the Mk3 if you want floppytoppage for little cash.

 

If you can find an affordable mk1 then go for it and you'll probably make money but there's a lot of tired, bodged ones out there.

 

So true. I had a suspicion I'd like the CJ but completely fell for its charms when i tried it. I think I'm bored of the Mk3 already. 

[Timewaster]

On my "get away from the desk" stroll this lunchtime I spotted a pretty dark red mk4 Astra convertible. 52 reg I think and up for £875

 

I don't know what your budget is but you could do a lot worse.

Sadly most CJs are looking fairly scruffy now.

[vulgalour]

Anything is better than a Mk1 Golf floppytop.

[strangeangel]

When I first had the idea of getting a convertible I did consider a Golf, but the higher road tax and the Dubber connotations put me off. That, and the fact that Golfs are ten a penny. The CJ is ace: unlike most cabrios it looks good with the hood up or down, it is cheap to run, simple to maintain and is a complete and utter Fanny Magnet*. On a freezing cold December morning when it ain't safe to ride your scooter there's nothing better - hood down, heater on full and woolly hat deployed. And who could resist no power steering, wind up windows and plastic wheeltrims?

 

Granted it's not great for trips to the tip, but you can always buy something like a BX for practical issues and days when it's raining

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*this is a complete and outright lie. Mrs SA hates it and refers to it as 'that hairdresser's car'.

[strangeangel]

DO EEEEEEEET

 

[Fabergé Greggs]

DO EEEEEEEET

 

Pahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

 

1360/10

[carlo]

My brother's trying to sell his 1989 model now, PM me if interested.

[Fabergé Greggs]

My brother's trying to sell his 1989 model now, PM me if interested.

Pm'd, thanks.

[Fabergé Greggs]

YAWN but also BARG, no? 

 

​The power hood and power steering puts me off though- I hate weight and complexity. I'm like Colin chapman but without talent or motivation. 

 

[3VOM]

I don't think there are many if any Mk3 Golfs without PAS. Also, as has been said, nearly all the Golf convertibles fall into the over 1500cc pre 2001 high car tax bracket. (There are some early 1500cc Mk1s I think but otherwise they are 1600, 1800 and 2000 in the Mk3 versions).

[Ghosty]

No mention of PAS on convertible mk3s in my Glass's Car Checkbook. The 1.4 L/CL also don't (and possibly early 1.8GLs - can't tell).

[anonymous user]

I had a CJ back in 1991 as my work car, my memories of it: mine did not like hot starting something the Peugeot dealer never sorted (not sure if they are all like that; hopefully not), the clutch burnt out under 12,000 miles (not due to my driving, I got more than 120,000 out of the clutch in the Cortina before the release bearing got very noisy so it was treated to a new clutch), it felt quite wobbly in the corners, more so than the standard 205 (I drove a lot quicker then), the wheel-trims used to fall off (I got quite good at finding them again), the blue interior cloth was very difficult to get the dog hair out of and mine was supposed to have had the electric hood but didn't (probably just as well). Unfortunately it was a bit of a pain having a car that would not re-start reliably and after a year with it playing up it went back. It was, however, used to deliver Father Christmas to the Christmas Fair at work, but on that occasion was driven by the Mayor's chauffeur rather than me.

 

It was ok, but not a car that I would have bought with my own money; any that are left are interesting and more so than a Golf as there will undoubtedly be fewer around.

[P304r5]

Love the 205, wanted one for years but ended up with a 304 cabriolet instead!

[EssDeeWon]

The MK1 Golf Cabriolet built up to 1993 was the last of the really well built VW's, these are really heavy cars with a built to last forever type engineering.  Very tough cars, heavy to drive for quite a small car, but I guess they are quite pricey these days.  Only problem I remember were fuel filler necks rotting out on them.

[Fabergé Greggs]

Thanks for the input everyone!

 

I had a look at an early 205 CJ today, and it was nice only the clutch wasn't as light and springy as the other one I tried (admittedly that was a new clutch) and it was a bit reluctant to go into first sometimes and it crunched going into third sometimes too. The gear linkage also felt a little sloppy compared to the other one.

 

The biting point was nice and low however.

 

Could it be a tired linkage and clutch or just a bit of adjustment needed?

[Timewaster]

There was a recall for clutches on 1.4 205s when they were new.

This would have been 1990. I wonder if they were all done?

Might explain the different feel of some.

[BavarianRetro]

I'm afraid there's only one late 80s/early 90s saloon based convertible.

[chaseracer]

I'm afraid there's only one late 80s/early 90s saloon based convertible...

 

You are misinformed, sir...

 

 

 

 

[BavarianRetro]

Sorry, I carelessly omitted the words, "worth buying".

 

Cavalier is a cool enough thing though, The local BMW dealer parts delivery van driver has one.

[HillmanImp]

My housemate had one about 15yrs ago when I had my GT6. We had a shared car policy in the house which basically meant we just used whichever car was at the end of the drive if we were just popping to the shops or owt.

 

One day I went to Tesco and they had a special offer on some absolutely massive houseplants. Me and everyone else were swarming over these and queuing up at the checkout with our bacon, eggs, Special Brew and plants congratulating ourselves on our savvy purchase.

 

It wasn't until everyone got outside that they realised that the plants wouldn't fit in their cars. Except me as by chance I had driven the 205cj to the shops that morning.

 

As such I found myself in the unusual position of everyone looking at me in awe whilst they struggled to get the plants in their BMWs as I minced my way out of the car park in my white 205 with the roof down, the plant sat proudly in the passenger seat and Barry Whites 'You're my first, my last, my everything' blasting out on the stereo.

 

This probably doesn't help your decision of course, as I could've probably done the same in a golf clipper.

[BavarianRetro]

I bought a large chest of drawers out of the yellow paper years ago. Turned up to view it in the Stag I had at the time. Agreed price, paid and the chap says,

"Are you coming back with a van?"

"No, no. Just give us a lift down the stairs and into the car please. "

Roof down. Chest of drawers lifted into back seat and away.