I'm looking to buy a used Golf, GTI, or TDI Jetta. I want to spend between $5,000-8,000. What are the major things I should look out for when buying one of these cars? Most of the cars I've found in this price range are between 1997 and 2001 and have 70-140k miles on them. The exception is the TDI. I've found that these are generally more expensive. I heard from a VW dealer that TDI's aren't so good for normal short-trip town driving, as the diesel engine doesn't warm up adequately and this causes carbon build-up(?), and VW doesn't recommend the use of Biodiesel in their TDI engines. Any idea about this stuff?

Also I would like to know what to expect for maintenance and other stuff down the road when these cars have more mileage, like 150-300k (if any of you have put that many miles on a VW). Please offer any advice you can. Thanks!

-Jean

 

I have a 97 Golf III, i boought it with 240K kms on it and put 137K kms on it in 13 months, great on gas; with its 1.8 liter gas, but the parts list is adding up,
new front wheel bearings,
timing belt (@ 260K)
new front struts
new coil
new wires,cap and rotor,
now the good stuff....
...head gasket and clutch.

all prices were cheap, clutch $108, and I hoping to get another 150K from the little car.
work is 130kms one way so the mileage adds up.... but its cheaper than my 99Sunfire GT or the 05 Jeep Liberty.hehe
I would buy another Golf.
p.s. check with me this time next year, should be over 500K's by then,cross fingers.

 

the TDI is by far the most reliable engine VW has made in the generations you are looking at. BY FAR. next being a tie between the VR6 and 2.0 liter. the 1.8t is reliable enough, but all these engines need regular maintanence that all cars need, like oil timing belts (or chains for the VR). but as far as watching for stuff, with the 2.0 you are pretty solid. the TDI you are solid solid. and with the 1.8t and the VR6 make sure the previous owner hasnt done nay crazy modifications that were not well executed. any more help, ask again.