Golf 1999 GLS 2.0 or 1997 GTI VR6 or 1996 BMW 318ti?

650 Views 14 Replies 12 Participants Last post by SchnellFowVay, Feb 7, 2002

mr_mbuna

Discussion Starter · Feb 6, 2002

This post is being posted in both the Golf IV and Golf III boards.
For a 16-year-old's first car, would you all go with a 1999 Golf 4-door GLS with the 2.0 liter engine, or would you go with a 1997 GTI VR6? Both are worth around $9500 private party, according to Edmunds.com True Market Value. Less money is better. And what about a 1996 BMW 318ti with an Open Air Roof? Anybody have experience with the relative insurance costs and reliability of these various models?
Is it possible to mod the older GTI to look more like the Golf IV? I really don't like the look of the Golf III front, especially the headlights, compared to the Golf IV. And how much play does one have with the 2.0? Can you chip it, or turbocharge it, or make it perform better (for little money!)? Does the 2.0 have enough power for non-racing activities? Is it still a fun, zippy car, even if it doesn't have "pocket rocket" status?
Any pictures of these cars that haven't been so disgustingly riced-out? I like the Project 1.8t feature on vwvortex.com, but CANNOT STAND any of these riced Golf IIIs - I looked through the entire Golf III thread and couldn't find a single respectable one. Is the Golf IV just innately classier?
Ben

[Modified by mr_mbuna, 11:29 PM 2-6-2002]

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

Seans01GLX

· #2 · Feb 6, 2002

Re: Golf 1999 GLS 2.0 or 1997 GTI VR6 or 1996 BMW 318ti? (mr_mbuna)

Go with the 97 GTi you'll have lots of fun

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dex

· #3 · Feb 7, 2002

2

Re: Golf 1999 GLS 2.0 or 1997 GTI VR6 or 1996 BMW 318ti? (Seans01GLX)

quote:[HR][/HR]Go with the 97 GTi you'll have lots of fun

[HR][/HR]

Second that. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

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Blue Flame

· #4 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: Golf 1999 GLS 2.0 or 1997 GTI VR6 or 1996 BMW 318ti? (dex)

definitely the '97 VR6

keoni004

· #5 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: Golf 1999 GLS 2.0 or 1997 GTI VR6 or 1996 BMW 318ti? (mr_mbuna)

This forum is overrun with 1.8T/VR6 drivers, so here's some input from a 2.0 owner. It is strictly a commuter car. It's fun to drive, and I love the car. But don't expect to get any substantial performance out of the 2L without shelling out bucks for a SC or turbo. Sure, you could chip it, get an exhaust, blah, blah, blah, all for 10+ horsepower? Not worth it. If you're gonna mod, go for the GTI. If you want a fun car to get from here to there, go for the 2.0.
The 318ti is a low-rent bimmer. I've got a friend with one, but it's not as fun to drive as you would expect. If it's betweeen this and the GTI, go GTI.

[Modified by keoni004, 7:58 PM 2-6-2002]

mr_mbuna

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 7, 2002

3

Re: Golf 1999 GLS 2.0 or 1997 GTI VR6 or 1996 BMW 318ti? (keoni004)

The most very interesting thing I've noticed so far (you guys like that english?

) is that in the Golf MkIII board, everyone says that I should get a Golf with a smaller, safer engine. However, in the Golf MkIV board, only one person has had any reason - everyone else has said " '97 GTI definately ".
A 2.0 is a commuting car, huh? Hmm... well, I guess at this point, in high school, what I really want is a classy, comfortable, and powerful car to get me here there and somewhere else once in a while. I won't be doing autocross or track racing or anything (though maybe on the street...

)
Anybody selling their Golf?
And what do you guys think about me getting a '94 Corrado?

Heh heh heh.
Ben

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mr_mbuna

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: Golf 1999 GLS 2.0 or 1997 GTI VR6 or 1996 BMW 318ti? (mr_mbuna)

On another note, my family is buying a Volkswagen this weekend! (This car search, for my mother, is what turned me on to Volkswagen's high-value high-quality cars.) My mother will probably be buying a 2002 Volkswagen Passat GLX Auto 4Motion (do you see any other options?

I don't see any other options!)
That is, unless someone would like to go against the VW faith and recommend one of these cars over the Passat:
Saab 9-3 5-door
BMW 325i Sedan
Volvo S60 2.4
Acura 3.2TL
Ben

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cdog

· #8 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: Golf 1999 GLS 2.0 or 1997 GTI VR6 or 1996 BMW 318ti? (mr_mbuna)

the VR6...

adityaax

· #9 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: Golf 1999 GLS 2.0 or 1997 GTI VR6 or 1996 BMW 318ti? (mr_mbuna)

Go with the Ti.
Once you got bored, do this:
http://www.rogueengineering.com/Mer...en=CTGY&Store_Code=RE&Category_Code=1995330ti

Ducky 2.0T

· #10 · Feb 7, 2002

5

Re: Golf 1999 GLS 2.0 or 1997 GTI VR6 or 1996 BMW 318ti? (adityaax)

Corrado all the way hehe http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif .. I would say go for the mkIII GTI.. used aftermarket parts are floating around.. And the vr6 is a solid engine (not that the 2.0 isn't) .. As far as the lights you can get aftermarket ones that look like the new ones... as far as looking crystal http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif .... ask around the mkIII forum about what they like.. and what they dislike.. The mkIV is a nice car.. not flawless and has some kinks.. but over all nice.. besides you can make a jetta look this classy http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

[Modified by DuckyGTI, 9:46 PM 2-6-2002]

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Sappa

· #11 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: Golf 1999 GLS 2.0 or 1997 GTI VR6 or 1996 BMW 318ti? (mr_mbuna)

take the 97 gti vr6.

Spiro SU

· #12 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: Golf 1999 GLS 2.0 or 1997 GTI VR6 or 1996 BMW 318ti? (Sappa)

'96 318 ti.
P.S. - Whatever car puts a smile on your face when you look/drive it.

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tjl

· #13 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: Golf 1999 GLS 2.0 or 1997 GTI VR6 or 1996 BMW 318ti? (mr_mbuna)

quote:[HR][/HR]
For a 16-year-old's first car,
[HR][/HR]

Get an old Volvo 245/240 station wagon.
Insurance prices can be found by calling insurance companies. A 16 year old new driver will be expensive to insure, so relative insurance rates will be a huge factor in car choice, unless you are made of money.

Ducky 2.0T

· #14 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: Golf 1999 GLS 2.0 or 1997 GTI VR6 or 1996 BMW 318ti? (tjl)

i had an 87 celica as my 16 year old car.. it was 8 years old.. insurance was cheap till i wrecked it.. then i bought an explorer.. that is a great kids car...

SchnellFowVay

· #15 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: Golf 1999 GLS 2.0 or 1997 GTI VR6 or 1996 BMW 318ti? (mr_mbuna)

The BMW is the way to go if A) you can find a manual 318ti (they are very rare and if you buy an automatic I will follow you around whereever you are just to point and laugh at you) and if B) you can afford the repair costs (EXPENSIVE). A BMW is a BMW. Solid as a rock. Don't let anyone try to convince you that the VW is a better car -- it may be faster, but over, the Bimmer is the way to go. I LOVE VW's, but go with the Bimmer!

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

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