Aussie Vortex MK1 thread.

[IML337]

Quote, originally posted by FL00DY »

Those with an old skool dub, how reliable are they and could you use it as a daily driver? This thread has got me thinking and very jealous

Our Mk2 seems like it could do it. It's the temperature issues that plague us the most, though in Winter it runs great, even in traffic.

[Man&Golf]

Quote, originally posted by XXX 1.8T »

They are really reliable as long as you maintain what could go wrong will go wrong rule of thumb. I bought the Mrs the Mk1 to drive back and forth home to work/ shops 80kms a day with out a problem. the only electrical problem was the alternator died on us once but nothing else happened As long as you have a Mk1 thats been maintained it can easily be a great daily driver.

best of all is you'll get to know all the common problems after a while and you become an MKI specialist no mechanic can match

Liam - with fuse boxes it's all a matter of tracing wires. I only recently learnt how to read diagrams and test circuits.

or have a and entire complete loom and copy off that if all else fails.

sometimes it's just getting in there and stuffing things up and learning the hard way.

I think Tim's buy of an MKII is a good choice........still enjoy the creature comforts and abit of old schoolness.

The MKI's now are abit rough by any standards.


Modified by Man&Golf at 6:23 PM 11-10-2009

[mikinoz]

I always maintain that you have to accept that any journey in a classic car may not see you at your destination at the intended time or at all. If you can't risk it, then you probably should not drive the classic that day.

I have always a spare $100 in cash in my wallet in the off chance I need to get a flat tray in a hurry!

[steve2gtis]

Paul, my MkII was ridiculously reliable right up to the point I retired it. Reliability isnt the issue. No A/C and bone jarring ride are the reason I wouldnt want it as a daily now. I think I am too old to put up with it anymore. 7 years was enough.

[IML337]

Actually, my brother drove our GTI daily for a few weeks for some reason I can't recall, and he said he hated it by the end. Daily use also really takes its toll on an older car, so it depends how much you care about the car...

Quote, originally posted by Man&Golf »

I think Tim's buy of an MKII is a good choice........still enjoy the creature comforts and abit of old schoolness.

What creature comforts? There are none haha. We just removed the speakers in the back so we could fit an unmolested rear parcel shelf for that exclusive BNIB feel So there isn't really much in the way of music, and the car also has no heater or a/c (a/c is out of gas and the heater core is ****ed)

[Man&Golf]

Quote, originally posted by IML337 »

Actually, my brother drove our GTI daily for a few weeks for some reason I can't recall, and he said he hated it by the end. Daily use also really takes its toll on an older car, so it depends how much you care about the car... What creature comforts? There are none haha. We just removed the speakers in the back so we could fit an unmolested rear parcel shelf for that exclusive BNIB feel So there isn't really much in the way of music, and the car also has no heater or a/c (a/c is out of gas and the heater core is ****ed)

take mine for a zip next time ur back for pho and you'll get what i mean

[IML337]

I'm down a lot in December, so we could have a small old skool anorak meetup at Livo KK's

[Man&Golf]

I'm up for anything during the silly season.

[steve2gtis]

Quote, originally posted by IML337 »

Actually, my brother drove our GTI daily for a few weeks for some reason I can't recall, and he said he hated it by the end. Daily use also really takes its toll on an older car, so it depends how much you care about the car... What creature comforts? There are none haha. We just removed the speakers in the back so we could fit an unmolested rear parcel shelf for that exclusive BNIB feel So there isn't really much in the way of music, and the car also has no heater or a/c (a/c is out of gas and the heater core is ****ed)

First comment: fair enough. My MkII certainly has been in better nick, but I would attribute that honestly to not being driven, rather than daily use... Neglect can be as bad as use. Daily use keeps the blood pumping through the system.

Creature comforts are abundant in a MkII (even an early one with no A/C or P/S) compared with a MkI.

BTW, I sourced some OEM sized Blaupunkt 4x6" speakers to replace the old ones in my MkII. Work fine even with a rorty early non-luxury pack exhaust. No holes drilled.

[mikinoz]

First it is android phone users taking over the Apple forum :/

Now it is the MK2coolforschool crowd butting in on the unrefined raw original MK1 thread

Like the MKIV>MKV so is MKI>MKII

[FL00DY]

OK thanks everyone for the input. I came across this MK2 GTI on Drive. Just an idea.

[steve2gtis]

Tim started it.

The MkII is everything about the MkI, but more reliable and refined.

[steve2gtis]

Quote, originally posted by FL00DY »

OK thanks everyone for the input. I came across this MK2 GTI on Drive. Just an idea.

Ciaran went and had a look at it and was well impressed. I dont think it was necessarily his decision not to buy it. 125K kms is nothing. Good buy, prolly move on the price as it has been there for a while. Shame about the $50 each alloys...

[mikinoz]

Vortex User Old Car Buyers Checklist?

Is it 8v or 16v?

Is it an Aussie delivered or an Import?

Has it been driven in the rain?

Does it have a pen?

How many KW at the wheels/hubs/fly/local pub?

[Lima]

Does it start?

[mikinoz]

Quote, originally posted by Lima »

Does it start?

I hope to find out tomorrow!

Does it have matching numbers?

Is the dash cracked?

Can you see daylight through the footwells?

Do the wipers effectively clear light drizzle?

Are the headlights brighter than your oven light?

[XXX 1.8T]

Quote, originally posted by FL00DY »

OK thanks everyone for the input. I came across this MK2 GTI on Drive. Just an idea.

Whats the VIN so i can check its a genuine GTI

[FL00DY]

Quote, originally posted by XXX 1.8T »

Whats the VIN so i can check its a genuine GTI

I was waiting for those comments. It does look like a good option.

[IML337]

That silver GTI looks suspiciously like it was owned by a dude out of Brisbane. He had two of them and sold one I think about a year ago. I say this because the wheels look familar too...? He posted here for a while a few years back but I forget his name. Could be completely wrong though.

Certainly looks like a good example.

And man, if I could get $6500 for my GTI I'd sell the bloody thing right now! I would have thought asking even $4k for my car would be a bit cheeky, and it looks comparable to the silver one in the advert?

Quote, originally posted by steve2gtis »

BTW, I sourced some OEM sized Blaupunkt 4x6" speakers to replace the old ones in my MkII. Work fine even with a rorty early non-luxury pack exhaust. No holes drilled.

Tell me more, tell me more (front or back, where did you get them, etc)

[AA003]

Quote, originally posted by XXX 1.8T »

Whats the VIN so i can check its a genuine GTI

What other Golf 2s were sold here?

How will the VIN tell you?

[AA003]

Quote, originally posted by Tank Engine »

Floody - speaking old skool in general (pretty safe bet Old Golfs are like old Escorts) tread carefully!

Old Golfs can be reliable. Escorts were unreliable when they were new.

Quote »

- they need maintenance and care vs. the annual service

No more than a new car, and much cheaper.

Quote »

- they overheat in peakhour

Golfs never overheat unless there is something wrong.

Quote »

- they are less comfortable

Quote »

AND they choose the worse time to break down...

They should not break down.

Quote »

Lima - the black arts of auto electrics is known by no one

There are just a few simple design faults that are easily fixed. Electrical faults are usually caused by retards playing with things that they know nothing about. (usually mechanics)

[steve2gtis]

I agree 100% with everything anna coren just posted.

The VIN comment relates to an amusing thread (or 5) from VWW relatng to MkI's.

Tim, it was about 6 years ago, but I am sure you can still buy 4x6 speakers. The ones I pulled out of the back were that exact size. Have you got door pockets? If so, they are 4" jobbies and the in dash ones were 3.5" (IIRC. Maybe 2.5"). These are the OEM sizes. I replaced all mine and it sounded great. No holes drilled.

[AA003]

Quote, originally posted by steve2gtis »

BTW, I sourced some OEM sized Blaupunkt 4x6" speakers to replace the old ones in my MkII..

The rear OE speakers in late Golf 1 and Golf 2 were 5x3".

I have a set of genuines here if anyone needs them.

[AA003]

Quote, originally posted by Lima »

Anyone got reference for the fuel pump fuse?

What do you need to know.

What year model?

Early ones have the fuse on top of the fuse panel with the fuel pump relay.

[Man&Golf]

Quote, originally posted by FL00DY »

OK thanks everyone for the input. I came across this MK2 GTI on Drive. Just an idea.

thats looks like in dam good nick.

I think you guys would like a 2door MKII GTI better as it's rare.

Totally agree with steve's comments.

go look at the youtube clip with tiff Nidel smashing a 16V MKII GTI on fith gear.......the speed at which you can chuck it into a corner is quite something.

[Lima]

Quote, originally posted by AA003 »

What do you need to know. What year model? Early ones have the fuse on top of the fuse panel with the fuel pump relay.

Nothing now, all sorted. Yep, it has the fuse on top of the relay. I sourced one from Brian at GTI.

[Tank Engine]

Quote, originally posted by AA003 »

Golfs never overheat unless there is something wrong. They should not break down.

Classic quotes.

I'll say one thing. Old GTIs are far cheaper to buy in Australia than the similar model Escorts.

Supply and demand I guess.

[AA003]

Quote, originally posted by Lima »

Nothing now, all sorted. Yep, it has the fuse on top of the relay. I sourced one from Brian at GTI.

What is it that you have?

1600, 1800, 4 speed, 5 speed???????????

[Lima]

1600 Heron, 5 speed.

[AA003]

Quote, originally posted by Lima »

1600 Heron, 5 speed.

From memory, that should be an'82 update model then. (Padded dash, big tail lights etc)

Have you posted photos?

I still have a few Golf 1 and Golf 2 parts laying around. I'll have to put them in the sales now that I've found a few owners.


Modified by AA003 at 10:11 AM 11-12-2009

[Lima]

It's an old skool in betweener, built in March 1980. Small dash, small tail lights.

I've posted threads on at least three forums, too, you should know that.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4591504

I'm after a chrome/red grille surround so I can re-GTI-ify the grille, matching wing mirrors and a Wolfsburg steering wheel horn pad ... among other things.

Modified by Lima at 11:36 AM 11-12-2009

[Tank Engine]

Is it a personal import Liam? Or did VW sell it locally?

It has taken me a few pages but it is a lovely car.
Would be a great weekender - or daily driver if you have a routine that suits.

[Man&Golf]

still nice to see it again.......

[mikinoz]

Many people have missed it as it has not been featured on Ausmotive.

[TheHamofMam]

Porsche Cup wheels FTW.