2.0 8v driving

[spyke85]

Went for a test drive today in a 1999 S reg GTi Cupra Sport at Seat in Derby priced at £2995 (which I think is overpriced). Inside it was immaculate, but concerned about the way it drove.

Firstly the clutch was very heavy, which I know is easily sorted. Car had 57k on clock.

Secondly the gearbox felt very heavy between the gears. Is this common in all the GTi's? I've never driven one before, so after some advice.

And finally, the mpg never went above 22mpg, and i wasn't even giving it some.

What does everyone think? I'm not going to be buying this car, just want to know if this is an abused one? Are there better examples out there...

 

[Ron_Cupra8v]

My clutch has always been heavy and the car only had about 5000 miles on when i got it. Made my leg ache until i got used to it

 

[Cupra Kid]

i know the car, its silver isnt it? They've had it for a long time which is why the clutch and the gearbox will be stiffer than usual although the GTi's ARE stiffer than normal ibiza's.

Yes it is overpriced.

I paid £2300 for a t Reg 2.0l 8v with 45k and fssh, but, it was a private sale.

The reason for the poor mpg is that they have to warm up a lot before they will give good mpg normall about 20mins, plus it has been stood for a long time.

Tidy looking car though, see what you can get them down too, they've had it about 2months now so they might want to get shot

 

[justinking]

yeah agree on the milage thing, takes a while to 'warm up' and give a decent mpg reading. my gearbox in my gti is really light, but the clutch is heavy (which i like)

 

[Smithy]

Gearbox was a culture shock to me when I first test drove an 8v, the rod change is the culprit, but you get used to it quickly and I quite like it.

Clutches are traditionally stiff.

20mins driving like a granny on flowing roads and you'll see above 34mpg

 

[spyke85]

i know the car, its silver isnt it? They've had it for a long time which is why the clutch and the gearbox will be stiffer than usual although the GTi's ARE stiffer than normal ibiza's.

Yes it is overpriced.

I paid £2300 for a t Reg 2.0l 8v with 45k and fssh, but, it was a private sale.

The reason for the poor mpg is that they have to warm up a lot before they will give good mpg normall about 20mins, plus it has been stood for a long time.

Tidy looking car though, see what you can get them down too, they've had it about 2months now so they might want to get shot

Yeh its a silver one. It is pretty tidy yes, few ripples down doors though and looks as if its been keyed on the drivers side. Girlfriend was sat in the back when i took it out and she said it was very noisy. Have a feeling exhaust was going on it.

 

[Cupra Kid]

Yeh its a silver one. It is pretty tidy yes, few ripples down doors though and looks as if its been keyed on the drivers side. Girlfriend was sat in the back when i took it out and she said it was very noisy. Have a feeling exhaust was going on it.

Mate theyre noisy things as standard, mine has a new standard exhaust on it and it still sounds close to a scooby works . Infact i love the noise it makes!
Obviously if your serious get underneath it and have a good check of the system.

Your gonna get a few bumps and bangs on any cars this age unfortunately, as long as theres no sign of rust or paint work damage i wouldnt worry about dents as Dentmaster people will come and sort your car out for a reasonable fee.

The keying thing u dont sound sure on? has it got a traintack down it or does it look touched up?

Being a dealer i would be getting some warranty off them if you decide on the car.

Any idea on how they mite budge on price PX or value of your motor?

Finally I have had it for 6months now and i still smile everytime i get on an open road in the GTi!

 

[spyke85]

Mate theyre noisy things as standard, mine has a new standard exhaust on it and it still sounds close to a scooby works . Infact i love the noise it makes!
Obviously if your serious get underneath it and have a good check of the system.

Your gonna get a few bumps and bangs on any cars this age unfortunately, as long as theres no sign of rust or paint work damage i wouldnt worry about dents as Dentmaster people will come and sort your car out for a reasonable fee.

The keying thing u dont sound sure on? has it got a traintack down it or does it look touched up?

Being a dealer i would be getting some warranty off them if you decide on the car.

Any idea on how they mite budge on price PX or value of your motor?

Finally I have had it for 6months now and i still smile everytime i get on an open road in the GTi!

Its definitely got key marks down side, scratched down to the white paint underneath. I just wasn't that sure on it in general really. My 1.4 felt better

 

[Cupra Kid]

Well if your happy with what you have, then stick to it mate. Nothing worse than buying something u'll regret. Took me 10months to find my car and came accross some rotten ones on the way.

 

[Lanky_barry]

I got my GTi Cupra Sport for £2500 with 58k on the clock!!! The gearchange used to be quite stiff until I got the linkage on the gearbox sorted out now its well easy!!!
Never had the heavy clutch though, always felt very light although I did used to have a Clio!!!!
No need to worry about the MPG, but for £2995 you would expect it to be an absolutely mint condition all round!!!!

 

[CupraRich]

I have had two cupra's both 20.8v and they both have heavy clutch and stiff gear change.My current one is a 98 S reg with less than 25,000 on the clock and the clutch is very heavy.As for MPG they are very good for a 2.0ltr on a long run i get high 30's to low 40.

 

[ACH]

Dont worry about stiff gear changes thats easy sorted by greasing the linkages

Clutches - Just get used to the fact they are heavy. I've replaced the cable on mine though which seemed to help a lot.

The noises - all mk2's seem to have a few rattles to them and for the age they are at now they ain't too bad. The main culprit always seems to be the exhaust system, the heatshield will go eventually which does my head in but that can be removed.

MPG - If you were reading the computer value make sure it was on option 1 and not 2 as that gives you all journeys average and if the car hasn't been on much and only moved short distances it'll report a low amount. Hold it to the left on option 1 and wait till it refreshes. Once the engine temp is up you should easily see 30 to 35 mpg if not caning it.

Overall if your not happy then walk away, theres a few on autotrader always in my experience. I waited a while for my 8v. While I was watching autotrader for a good while you'll notice that some never sell and there'll be a reason for that Minters/good examples do come up but they seem to sell alright

Hope that helped and you could understand that *yawn*

 

[Lukea6]

22mpg seems a little low?? Mine gets up to that withing 5 or 10 mins...

 

[spyke85]

Well after changing my mind a hundred times, think my mind is made up. Looking at a 6 month old FR TDi with 10k on the clock. Got a test drive Friday, so may not have the mk2 next week!

 

[Cupra Kid]

If you dont mind me asking, why were you considering the old mk2 GTi if you could afford the new FR?

 

[spyke85]

If you dont mind me asking, why were you considering the old mk2 GTi if you could afford the new FR?

Very valid question! Basically I love the Mk2 shape, but had a chat to parents about it, and as they said, the cars are going to be coming up for 10 years old now and finding a decent one is going to be harder and harder. So they have offered to help me buy one, with me paying them back over time

 

[Cupra Kid]

Does make sense yeah, and if they are giving you an interest free loan then i can understand why your going for the mk4. I stuck to the mk2 because i aint so keen on the shape of the newer cars myself, but finding a good example is very difficult and even when you do it will still need more maintenance than a newer car.

The FR's a nice car, I had a short drive in one and its definately as good performance wise as the MK2 and giving better economy, sure you'll be happy with it

 

[cupra_mike]

I had the same sorta test drive to but i just had to have the car S reg 8v gti kiwi! Clutch and gearbox the same as u described but hasnt caused me any problems part from a manifold hose disconnection that cost me 90 quid to sort! been nearly 4 mnths now. Just go for it as im the same with new shaped cars! Just have no character!

 

[Add]

Does This or anyone elses car have a fuel computer on there dash??

with people on about MPG readings i thought i'd ask

cheers

 

[hopkinsgm]

GTi's and Cupra Sport models got the standard VW group MFA trip computer thingy - gives you journey time, journey distance, average speed, fuel economy, oil temp and outside temp on the digital clock display. Scroll through modes using a push button on the end of the wiper stalk.