Mk3 Golf Cabriolet's - Any Advice

[gadgetgricey]

It's a long time coming, but planning on trying to reduce the number of cars I have, as 9 is a bit excessive. So the first thing I need to do is buy another car to make it 10.

 

The wife will only drive auto's and has a Focus as a daily driver. If that's off road for whatever reason I have other cars that she could drive but she says they are too big. Hence the query.

 

Anyone have any knowledge of these, what to look for. Would have to be an auto.

They seem to come in 1.8 and 2.0ltr form, and assume the 2.0ltr would be the better option.

 

Vaguely remember there being issues with the electric windows popping off runners, but any other advice would be great.

 

Thanks again

 

Dave

[Fabergé Greggs]

I've got one which had been throughly cherished before I got it, hence it drives as new. I got one cos they're ace value at the moment- there ain't a massive amount of options out there for a similarly practical floppytop.

 

Mine is the 1.8 and I have to say it really doesn't set the world on fire in the performance and handling department, but it can be hustled on with reasonable pace if you're in the mood. What it does do is feel completely solid and dependable.

 

I was initially sceptical of the power hood but it seems dead simple and I'm loving the convenience.

 

If you're in London you'd be welcome to take it for a spin but it's a manual. I'll also be selling it shortly to fund getting my X1/9 back on the road as a daily.

[Pillock]

Electric window mechanisms are utter tripe, but not hard to fix. Look for an aftermarket one instead of the nasty OEM ones, there's a few different types that are better than original.

 

The floors rust, I'm told they improved it with later ones (when they gained the Mk4 front end) but originally they were as bad as the tintops, which is to say terrible.

 

Everything else is readily available from breakers if it's shared with a hatch, there's loads of them out there. I got a full GTI interior without bolster wear for £40. So assuming the hood is good and the floor is metal, everything else is a cheap fix.

[Vince70]

I had one on a P plate quite a few yrs back and have to say it was a brilliant car and never had a spot of trouble with it in the two years I owned it.

 

Mine was also a 1.8 and the only downside is at 75 odd bhp it' was never going to win a drag race but a very dependable old detuned engine like that should go on forever and a day and I think the engine of choice though is the later 1.6 as its supposed to be a bit quicker and a bit more economical.

 

Also for such a small car it's surprising how big it is inside plus the boot isn't a bad size unlike its predecessor which had a big strengthening beam in the boot and at the time I had a big German Shepard who could easily sit in the back no trouble and I replaced it with a big old Audi 80 cabriolet and although it was twice the size it didn't seem to have any more space inside really.

 

My one had the the electric roof and although it was trouble free I did see a bill for repairing the thing for £800 in the cars history so it might be worth looking for a manual roof version but I think again that goes for most cabriolets.

 

It was also completely rot free but it had only done low mileage as with a lot of cabriolets So I guess it had been kept clear of salty roads but I did have to clear loads of old mud and crap out of the lower wings behind the arch liners and I think if I hadn't it would of ended up needing a couple of wings a few years down the line.

[doobietoo]

Personally I would go for a 3.5, better looking imho and much higher breaking value. its still a mk3 under the skin though. everything that applies to a mk3 golf applies so central locking pumps fail for fun but are interchangeable with 3 door saloon versions so are easy to get. power hood is electro-hydraulic so pumps can go especially if someone has tried to open it manually, and hydraulics are a faf to replace as you have to take a million plastic bits off to get to them ...cheap though at about £40. second hand hoods are around £200. double that for a new one... mohair is way better than vinyl. Engines were 1.8l 1.6l and 2.0l in that order as the 1.8 was the entry level and had less power than the 1.6. If you need an auto go for the 2.0l which they all were after about 2000 iirc.

 They can rust underneath but if you see any just walk away as there will be a good one around the corner...colour concept was best for interior as recardo seats and much comfier than hard cloth seats but did come in some awful shades personally I had cream but black is also good. front seats are same as 3 door iirc if you have the dreaded bolster wear. Typically golf to drive, a bit wooden and handling worse than a saloon but not really that bad.

 Very blowy in the back and from the back so get a windcheater if its just the two of you and do make sure the heater works well as it can get cold even on a warm day. All in all a good car and cheap as so buy a good one with full history etc. or expect to pay the difference in extra bills along the way.  

[gadgetgricey]

Cheers all, looks like I'm keeping my eyes open for a 2.0ltr auto then

[overrun]

Dom Littlewood will sort you out.

[gadgetgricey]

Well got my hopes up when I saw this ad.

Leak from rad , but seems an honest description.

 

https://www.gumtree.com/p/volkswagen/classic-vw-volkswagen-golf-cabriolet-convertible-in-silver.-2001-51-plate-automatic./1228959291

 

Then got to picture 7.

 

Slight body work issue???????? That's caved in man.

[Bren]

Offer £250.

[AlabamaShrimp]

Don't forget you'll need a Pineapple.

[gadgetgricey]

Don't forget you'll need a Pineapple.

Forgot about that, but already have one from my Secret Santa last xmas.