I'm considering buying an 01 GTI with a 1.8T... mostly because its a vehicle on which I filed a lien here at the shop so its cheap.
Basically, it has 81k on it, manual, leather, monsoon. We put a reman head on it for the customer after he snapped a timing belt and then he couldn't pay. We have about $1600 in the reconditioning and its worth somewhere north of $6k. The shop needs money right now so I need to find an offer that will make it worth it for the boss to take it off the market, but doesn't saddle me with a nightmare.
Problem is, as a manager of an import car repair shop, VWs like this are putting my kids through college. (even though I don't have any kids) I would guess that 30% of our big dollar repairs are all VWs from 98-05; expensive, proprietary parts, high failure rates, cheap materials.
Whaddya think? I love the GTI from a daily driver/performance perspective, but detest them from a maintenance/repair standpoint.
Basically what I'm saying is: I'm biased toward hating this car as a wise purchase. I need opinions from folks who are either objective about it, or passionate about them so I can see if my distaste for them is valid.
If you don't like money in your pocket go crazy!
Sounds like you've already talked yourself out of the purchase. Good work sir.
If you're buying it for $2000 then it's a decent 12 month investment. If you need to pay more it is a less wise move.
I would rock it for 2000-2500.
DON'T BUY IT......
silverfleet/psuedosport chime in?
Ok, that's what I wanted to know.
I'm out 
I have a lot invested in the initial purchase of my 2005, but it is still worth my investment, and someone else has paid for all the maintenance.
I wouldn't touch a VW with an extended warranty.
Otherwise there'd be a new GTI in my driveway instead of Speed3.
Ian F
Dork
8/28/10 6:57 p.m.
I'll play devil's advocate, since my '03 MkIV passed 225K this week and is still relatively issue free. If you can get the car for maybe 50% of book value, I'd say it'd be worth a shot.
I would guess that 30% of our big dollar repairs are all VWs from 98-05; expensive, proprietary parts, high failure rates, cheap materials.
This should about cover talking yourself out of it.
Working on VWs and Audis paid for my B2-chassis car.
That said, I really wouldn't mind any A4-chassis car, provided that it isn't a POS. VW people are... funny. Either they maintain the snot out of their car, or they are VW Vortex types and they are proud of the fact that they neglect their cars. (Ever see the giant MIL window stickers? ....yeah) I remember an ad for an '00 Golf four-door online, seemed a decent price, but his response to "is the check engine light on?" (emissions county) was: "It's a VW, of course it's on." Pass.
The gotchas are that, like practically all VWs, the transmissions are kinda weak - automatics eat torque converters, manuals slip the ring gear rivets. A 1.8t should have the 02J transmission, which does NOT tolerate moronic driving. Many stories of a single missed 1-2 shift resulting in folded-over synchro collar splines, meaning you can't shift into 1st anymore, probably 2nd too.
(Why is my entire post italicized? Weird)
