I have been saving some extra bucks to pick up something that wont anally rape me on gas mileage like my truck does. So I finally found this gem. Its a 98 Golf GL with about 200k on the clock. The maintenance was maticulous done with about an inch thick of receipts for proof. Picked it up for a little under 1/2 of blue book so I think its a pretty damn good deal. It needs a couple small things… replaced valve cover gasket, new lower radiator support (rotted out pretty good) and the ebrake needs to be tightened. Now to just deal with DMV and get it on the road hopefully Thursday.
Pics:
The only real rust issue… which I’m not worried about b/c if I really wanted to fix it, I’m sure I can find a good condition hatch at a junkyard for fairly cheap.
how much you pick up this beater for?
^^^
it was $700
so u came back from germany? good to know. lol.
how do the front strut towers look around the seams?? they are notorious for rotting from the inside out.
also, if you need a set of tail lights for this, i have a mint set, cheap.
i almost bought this for 900 last year…from a guy in toga…it had 213k on it…i left to go get the money after he assured me i had first dibs on it cuz i was the first one to show up and look at it and i called him 5 min after i left and he said he sold it cuz someon showed up with cash right after i left…guy was a fuckin DOUCHE :Idiots
hey man, cash talks. you would have done the same. if you gave him a deposit, thats wrong, but by the sounds of it, you didnt… gotta seize the opportunity and seal the deal
i did…gave him 80 bucks…it was all the cash i had on me…at least he gave it back…
and dj check the strut towers like brett said but also the floor pans were the seat bolts are. thats bad on almost every mk3…
oh yea, that looks like the same tree it was parked under LAST YEAR…
i was underneath the car and everything looked solid too…looks like shit rotted up since i looked at it…
thats not a deposit. atleast 25% of the cost or i would have laughed at you.
he said that that was fine…it was all the cash i had on me! lol
+1 had both problems with my mk3
The strut towers looked 100% solid. I will take another look when I get home and have some light. The seat seemed pretty solid but I’ll check that too. I got underneath it with a big flashlight and there was very little rust anywhere with the exception of the lower radiator support (atleast I think thats what it was… lol) That tree it is parked under is my house… lol. This guy was very cool. He actually got a higher offer than I offered but he still gave me first dibs. Very down to earth guy. The engine bay was actually very clean with the exception of some oil, but even running it for about 30min, it never once dripped. From the looks of it, I am 90% sure its coming from the valve cover or top cover… probably just the gasket which is a cheap and easy fix.
Doesnt look like i’ll be getting it on the road this week. $150 registration fees plus $50 first month ins. is just not in the finances right now… I spent everything I had saved up on the damn car… lol.
God, the DMV blows. I spent 100 there switching plates over on Monday for a $500 car. Half of it was tax, but 60 dollars to switch plates I already own? Fuck that.
well since I cant drive it, I think I might replace the valve cover gasket and maybe powdercoat the cover between today and tomorrow to give me something to do. I know that the valve cover gasket is pretty straight forward but anything I should look out for on this?
Got it on the road and took her out for her “maiden” voyage and here are some thoughts:
- Definately need to take a look at the exhaust. The guy fixed it himself and I give him an “A” for effort, but a FAIL for completion… lol. There is a def. leak somewhere and its loud and sounds like crap. not a big deal, I’ll prolly just get under there and fix some pipes and possibly replace the muffler/cat depending on if either is bad. Also needs a few hangers as it rattles like hell (which he did inform me of). Nothing major, just a little fixing up.
- Gotta adjust the e-brake. Im not used to leaving a vehicle in gear and the 2 times I got out of it, I forgot to leave it in and had to jump back in quick… *facepalm
- She needs a good cleaning. Has a slight cig. smell which Im not a fan of.
- She shifted smooth as butter. every gear went in and came out practically on its own… lol. The clutch was very tight and smooth as well.
- Checked the floor pans under the seat as I was told these are prone to rotting out big time… they seemed to be pretty damn solid. Tapped the area with a screwdriver and nothing felt soft.
- the front lower rad. support (or w/e it is) is barely hanging on by a thread but it just wont let go. I tried speed bumps, potholes, etc and it just wont let go… lol.
- I put an extra Alpine radio in and the audio system def. needs work. Only the dash speakers are working and they are both blown. For an audiophile, thats just unacceptable… lol.
I think thats about it. Def. happy so far and we shall see how she does going to Voorheesville tomorrow for work.
Sounds like my old MK3, lol. I had the same thing with the front support, rotted to hell. Mine at one point didnt have an exhaust, and it was alot louder than any Civic w/o exhaust I have ever had. The rear speakers never worked at all in mine. I miss it tho, it was a fun beater, and I love the 4dr hatch style. Well GL with it!