Avoided a possible bad golf purchase?

[Mullen10]

Hi I'm new here but not new to the golf world after having numerous mk4's.

I just went to look at a 2004 mk5 gti, and I think I avoided a lemon and walked away...

It was a 5 door standard mk5 gti in red with 107k fsh for £3750.

When I got the garage the car was flat as in the key fob wouldn't work no power at all- a quick jump to the battery and it came to life. When starting it up I sat inside and listened for any problems- first thing I noticed was the engine was quite noisy but if it had been standing maybe that's why?-then the lights on the dash- the skid light and flat tyre showed up and stayed on (I dunno the proper terms) then I waited to see if the car would warm up, sat for nearly 20 mins with no budge of the temp needle- went outside and the fan was going like crazy and the engine seemed to be struggling? No warm air out the vents inside the car despite the car running for a while. Then I took a look around the car and the drivers wing was a noticeable shade of red- I asked the bloke and he said its cos it's been replaced due to rust by vw but surely vw would of did a better job?

Inside the car it was a bit tatty and the wipers didn't work (the bonnet was up though at the time)?

So based on all those little faults I walked away, I know I wasn't expecting a minter for less than £4K but the lights on the dash, temp problem (which from previous mk4 experience could of been the water pump or thermostat) and the different coloured wing made it look like it would of cost me trouble,

Do decent mk5 gti's exist for less than 4 grand which don't have massive mileage or need things repairing the moment you buy them?




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[Juliand]

Do decent mk5 gti's exist for less than 4 grand which don't have massive mileage or need things repairing the moment you buy them?

Doubt it....

[r5gtt]

Do decent mk5 gti's exist for less than 4 grand which don't have massive mileage or need things repairing the moment you buy them?

Doubt it....

definitely not. Mine is now a Cat D but still mint and ££££'s spent just so it keeps this way and will spend a coupe of more ££££ to make it a rocket soon  7k for car last year gti 200bhp + 3k in mods and styling and a further 2k in mods to come what's that in under 21 months  a waste of money 

[leebes]

At that price sounds like the chap knew it was a dud and trying to pass it on cheap...but without mentioning the faults.

Job for Wheeler Dealers that one! Buy it for a grand, Edd sprays some WD40 round and takes a rattle can to the body work and interiot...Mike sells it for £200 profit!!! 

[Mullen10]

At that price sounds like the chap knew it was a dud and trying to pass it on cheap...but without mentioning the faults.

Job for Wheeler Dealers that one! Buy it for a grand, Edd sprays some WD40 round and takes a rattle can to the body work and interiot...Mike sells it for £200 profit!!! 

The scary thing is it was a garage trying to flog it and it was up for 4500 a few weeks ago and it's been on the forecourt for weeks and now I know why. years ago I would of bought it and ignored the faults but after owning mk4 golf gti's and they nearly all needed thermostats and water pumps as they were similar mileage means I knew it was a fault as soon as the temp was buggered. I would buy it for £2k with them faults and pay a grand to get them all fixed but some how I don't think the dealer would knock £1700 off haha


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[RetroRaz]

Tbh the lights on the dash would've went off after a quick drive over 20mph they always come on after battery has been disconnected / drained.

But as there were other faults its good u walked away.

There are a few mk5 gtis on sale just under 4k on Facebook groups.

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[Callum45]

Hi I'm new here but not new to the golf world after having numerous mk4's.

I just went to look at a 2004 mk5 gti, and I think I avoided a lemon and walked away...

It was a 5 door standard mk5 gti in red with 107k fsh for £3750.

When I got the garage the car was flat as in the key fob wouldn't work no power at all- a quick jump to the battery and it came to life. When starting it up I sat inside and listened for any problems- first thing I noticed was the engine was quite noisy but if it had been standing maybe that's why?-then the lights on the dash- the skid light and flat tyre showed up and stayed on (I dunno the proper terms) then I waited to see if the car would warm up, sat for nearly 20 mins with no budge of the temp needle- went outside and the fan was going like crazy and the engine seemed to be struggling? No warm air out the vents inside the car despite the car running for a while. Then I took a look around the car and the drivers wing was a noticeable shade of red- I asked the bloke and he said its cos it's been replaced due to rust by vw but surely vw would of did a better job?

Inside the car it was a bit tatty and the wipers didn't work (the bonnet was up though at the time)?

So based on all those little faults I walked away, I know I wasn't expecting a minter for less than £4K but the lights on the dash, temp problem (which from previous mk4 experience could of been the water pump or thermostat) and the different coloured wing made it look like it would of cost me trouble,

Do decent mk5 gti's exist for less than 4 grand which don't have massive mileage or need things repairing the moment you buy them?




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To be fair, the lights on the dash always come on when they have flat batterys. As soon as you drive they go off..

The wings could also be a true story as with warranty jobs vw don't blend so could be a different shade of red.

The wipers don't work with the bonnet open either.

[eddie pk]

if someone goes to the trouble of keeping up a full service history , you would think the general condition would be better. keep looking - i was always told you know straight away if a cars for you or not , sounds like leaving it there was the best option. good luck , a bit of research first and dont rush in,plenty around .

[Tanuie]

I think you done the right thing.

[GTIEagles]

Do decent mk5 gti's exist for less than 4 grand which don't have massive mileage or need things repairing the moment you buy them?

Doubt it....

definitely not. Mine is now a Cat D but still mint and ££££'s spent just so it keeps this way and will spend a coupe of more ££££ to make it a rocket soon  7k for car last year gti 200bhp + 3k in mods and styling and a further 2k in mods to come what's that in under 21 months  a waste of money 

I would have to disagree, I picked up my 90K 2005 GTI, with sunroof, cruise control, leathers, brand new Scorpion catback, FSH for 4K and it's an absolute minter too. I have had to change the cam chain and tensioner and DV but apart from that's it's been perfect.

I think the genuinely cheap ones do occasionally crop up but it's done to luck finding them, you are much more likely to find a better deal privately.

[schmidt_vr6]

The lights on the dash always come on when a battery is flat. Once driven over 20MPH, They go out.

The wipers will not work when the bonnet is up. So once closed they will work.

The Fan will come on too when a battery is flat. Its happened to me, But after a little drive it switches off. Hence why the temp needle didn't move as the fan was on.

Regarding the engine struggling. That could be PCV.

Not too sure about the paint on the wing though.

I'd say go back, Have a little drive for around half hour and then see what you think. 

[shoaybmakda]

The lights on the dash always come on when a battery is flat. Once driven over 20MPH, They go out.

The wipers will not work when the bonnet is up. So once closed they will work.

The Fan will come on too when a battery is flat. Its happened to me, But after a little drive it switches off. Hence why the temp needle didn't move as the fan was on.

Regarding the engine struggling. That could be PCV.

Not too sure about the paint on the wing though.

I'd say go back, Have a little drive for around half hour and then see what you think. 

I would agree with this

[r5gtt]

Do decent mk5 gti's exist for less than 4 grand which don't have massive mileage or need things repairing the moment you buy them?

Doubt it....

definitely not. Mine is now a Cat D but still mint and ££££'s spent just so it keeps this way and will spend a coupe of more ££££ to make it a rocket soon  7k for car last year gti 200bhp + 3k in mods and styling and a further 2k in mods to come what's that in under 21 months  a waste of money 

I would have to disagree, I picked up my 90K 2005 GTI, with sunroof, cruise control, leathers, brand new Scorpion catback, FSH for 4K and it's an absolute minter too. I have had to change the cam chain and tensioner and DV but apart from that's it's been perfect.

I think the genuinely cheap ones do occasionally crop up but it's done to luck finding them, you are much more likely to find a better deal privately.

maybe be the definitely not was a little harsh sounding. There are quite a lot selling that have good history and sellers just want a quick sale but still going to be difficult to find these sales unless you go private and possibly enthusiast owned like me haha

When I said waste of money I was referring to mine not the ops mentioned viewing.

As mentioned check out the facebook TFSI group which you'll need to be added to by niki and I'll keep an eye out as I'm on there too. Btw don't go back to that one  as you mentioned tatty!!!
 

[Paradox1]

Do decent mk5 gti's exist for less than 4 grand which don't have massive mileage or need things repairing the moment you buy them?

Doubt it....

definitely not. Mine is now a Cat D but still mint and ££££'s spent just so it keeps this way and will spend a coupe of more ££££ to make it a rocket soon  7k for car last year gti 200bhp + 3k in mods and styling and a further 2k in mods to come what's that in under 21 months  a waste of money 

3k in mods and your still not mapped

you scene queen

[Paradox1]

For thew age of the car and the cost of it, you bound to run into problems. things wear over time and would need replacing. Juts one of those things when buying older cars