I bought a thing today (MK4 GTI content)

Kinja'd!!! "Garrett Davis" (GarrettDavis)
08/23/2018 at 23:53 • Filed to: mk4 gti, golf gti, VW Golf GTI

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It’s a little rough, is going to need some work, but it runs strong and will be a fun, quick little beater/daily. I actually have a spare turbo from my Audi project that I can replace this one’s internals with if/when it goes (the turbo is whining). Everything works but the A/C, has a tear in the driver’s seat along with some other issues in the interior, and is a salvage title due to a hit it took to the rear.

I already have a weekend fun/nice/project car in the Allroad, so a cheap beater just made sense. I have a few VW/Audi buddies who have tons of knowledge and parts for these as well, so I’m not totally in the dark in working on these.

It’s definitely a “looks great from 15 feet” sorta car, but it’ll do. It pulls every bit as strong as 180hp should, feels surprisingly sturdy on the road, and it should make for a practical daily beater.

Oh, and I only paid $1,200 for it, so it was kind of a no-brainer.


DISCUSSION (10)


Kinja'd!!! Future Heap Owner > Garrett Davis
08/24/2018 at 01:35

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NP! You are braver than I;  I am too scared to buy a VW that would need work any time before the distant future.


Kinja'd!!! Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Garrett Davis
08/24/2018 at 01:46

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I wonder if a cheap GTI is an awesome deal or a new nightmare. As long as it’s not rusty or flood damaged , I don’t think it can really be THAT bad in any scenario. Always been intrigued by older GTIs but slightly afraid of the gremlins. Electrical issues scare me. 


Kinja'd!!! Garrett Davis > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/24/2018 at 02:00

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Sou thern Cali here, so flood damage and rust is not likely. The guy just needed it gone and let it go for cheap. Compared to my Allroad this should be a bit easier to work on. Still could be a headache though.


Kinja'd!!! Garrett Davis > Future Heap Owner
08/24/2018 at 02:01

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Was a bit of a risky purchase, but I couldn’t pass it up. Pretty low s takes at that price, though.


Kinja'd!!! Steve in Manhattan > Garrett Davis
08/24/2018 at 03:04

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A/C might be critical ... where do you live?


Kinja'd!!! HoustonRunner > Garrett Davis
08/24/2018 at 09:22

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Are the wheels rattle-canned black?  No issue with that, but it sparked my memory when I was looking for a Mk V almost all of them had something spray painted black.  The first one I looked at had wheels done in black (poorly), the one I bought had the VW logos painted (they actually looked ok).  Seems like a thing for that era GTI.


Kinja'd!!! Garrett Davis > HoustonRunner
08/24/2018 at 09:43

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They sure are, and not done well at all, lol


Kinja'd!!! Garrett Davis > Steve in Manhattan
08/24/2018 at 09:46

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SoCal, so yeah, a little warm but not too bad. The guy had been taking it to a shop for them to try and fix it, the system holds pressure, the compressor is good, but some electrical issue is preventing the compressor from kicking on. My buddy just went through a similar issue with his GF's MK4, so hopefully it won't be too bad to fix, but it's not the end of the world if not.


Kinja'd!!! I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Garrett Davis
08/24/2018 at 14:36

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Welcome to the club! We go to salvage yards on Saturdays.


Kinja'd!!! Steve in Manhattan > Garrett Davis
08/24/2018 at 23:11

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Some solenoid gremlin somewhere? Let us know what happens ...