Need help with purchase decision - 1999 VW Golf

"Dennis" wrote in message

> She has found a 1999 VW Golf with 128,000 miles on it. It's got an
> automatic transmission and sun roof.

Is this the mk3 or mk4 style 1999 model? The mk4 was introduced 1/2way
through the model year.

mk3 style (license plate in hatch is the easy way to tell):
http://images.intellichoice.com/used/98580GolfGL%5B%5B%5D%5D%5B%5B%5D%5D4352.gif

mk4 style (license plate in bumper):
http://www.web2carz.com/images/nctd/99vwgolf.jpg


>1) Car pulls to the right significantly. This might be because the left
>front tire is the spare, which has lots of tread on it, whereas the right
>front is nearly completely worn.

Only way to tell is to have the swap the tires left-right and drive it
again and see if it pulls the other way. But it sounds like new tires are
in order anyway so that's an expense that they'll have to incur after buying
the car. However in the event that the tires are directional, don't drive
it for too long like that (with the tires swapped)...just drive it long
enough for the test.

>Do VW Golfs of that vintage have any alignment problems?

Nothing inherent in the design that causes a problem, no.

> 2) Plenty of rear brake pad left, but fronts are almost gone, although not
> touching rotors yet. How expensive are Golf brake jobs? Can you
> resurface Golf rotors, or does VW automatically replace rotors when front
> pads need replacing?

They're not real cheap although there's a lot of mail-order places to get
brake parts from and do it yourself if you're handy. VW dealers will always
be expensive on this. Rotors should be measured for thickness but in
general they're never turned/resurfaced.

For what it's worth, on my old Mk2 Golf I always replaced the rotors at
every other pad change and it was fine.

> 3) Perhaps most significant: I opened the oil fill cap, and there appears
> to be a light coating of gritty sludge. The oil on the dipstick is pretty
> dirty. Do Golfs of this vintage have any sludging problems?

What engine is this? If we're talking about the basic 2.0L 4-cylinder, the
only issue I think it sometimes had was consumption but otherwise it's a
tough engine. It's not particularly powerful or anything like that but it's
dependable transport. Sounds like it needs an oil change though

> 4) Do Golfs have timing belts, or chains? If a belt, how much does it
> cost to replace them?

Again, what engine? If the 2.0L four, it's a belt. If a VR6 (GTIs and you
didn't mention GTI so I guess this isn't it), it's a chain. Probably
looking at about $400-500 for replacement of a timing belt.

I'd be a little nervous about this particular sample because it sounds like
it may not have been maintained too well and the selling dealer isn't even
interested in changing the oil. Could be not a very wise choice for a
single mom + 4 kids because it sounds like it'll need some catch-up
maintenance. Although if you're a good friend and are handy with helping
out with car projects and can volunteer to help out with some of the DIY
stuff on this car, it might not be a problem.

Back to "is this a mk3 or mk4", in North America, '99 was the last year for
the mk3 (so most bugs were worked out of it) and the first year for the mk4
(had some bugs). The most notable bugs in the mk4 were not horribly
critical though...the most I can remember is the window regulator clips that
would fail. On the other hand, the mk4 is safer than the mk3 (although the
mk3 is hardly a deathtrap either) and more refined, nicer interior, etc.
 >> Stay informed about: Need help with purchase decision - 1999 VW Golf 

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 >> Stay informed about: Need help with purchase decision - 1999 VW Golf 

I agree......pass on this one since it sounds like it already has issues.
If that mom wants to buy one and keep things cheap in the long run, I
recommend a 94-98 Jetta with a 2.0l engine, manual transmission and manual
windows.
She should be able to get one for under $3000 and maybe as low as $1400 is
she looks and acts quickly.
craigslist.org will be her friend.

JMHO
--
later,
dave
(One out of many daves)


"Madesio" wrote in message


>
> Tell your woman friend to forget about this car and move on. Something
> this old is better purchased from the private sector and not a used car
> dealer. Just by the description alone, I'd pay 1000 - 1500 for that car.
 >> Stay informed about: Need help with purchase decision - 1999 VW Golf 

"Nate Nagel" wrote in message

> Belts. Never paid to have one done so I don't know. Most 8V engines
> won't crash valves if it breaks

IIRC the only 8V VW engine that won't have this issue is the older 1.8L 8V.
The 2.0L 8V found in Mk3 and Mk4 VWs (high chance that's what this engine
is) will have this issue if the belt breaks.
 >> Stay informed about: Need help with purchase decision - 1999 VW Golf 

Most of the 1994-1998 (Jetta/Golfs) 2.0l 8V engines come in with a broken
timing belt and leave running well with a new timing belt. I think the Audi
80s with their 2.0l 8V engines will usually not have problems when their
T-Belt breaks, but I am not totally sure on this.

The worse one I have seen is a VR6 engine after the timing chains jumped.
yuck! lol
http://vwdoc1.tripod.com/personal/index/Passat_Pictures/valves_bent_head.JPG

Still have that mom pass on this car!

"Matt B." wrote in message

> "Nate Nagel" wrote in message
>
>> Belts. Never paid to have one done so I don't know. Most 8V engines
>> won't crash valves if it breaks
>
> IIRC the only 8V VW engine that won't have this issue is the older 1.8L
> 8V. The 2.0L 8V found in Mk3 and Mk4 VWs (high chance that's what this
> engine is) will have this issue if the belt breaks.
>
 >> Stay informed about: Need help with purchase decision - 1999 VW Golf 

run the other way fast and keep looking.



"Dennis" wrote in message

> Hello everyone,
>
> I apologize in advance for this newbie question
>
> I am helping a single mother (4 kids!) purchase a car for her oldest
> child, who is 18. Finances are VERY tight and she's pretty much limited
> to about $4,000 or less.
>
> She has found a 1999 VW Golf with 128,000 miles on it. It's got an
> automatic transmission and sun roof. It's being offered by a used car
> dealer "as-is" for $3,000. She asked me to look it over. I know that on
> *any* car with that number of miles on it will have some issues, and that
> how well it was maintained is the major factor, but I do not have access
> to any of the maintenance records. I am unfamiliar with VWs, and really
> need input from the perspective of an experienced VW enthusiast who knows
> the weak points and what to look for. Here is what I can find:
>
> 1) Car pulls to the right significantly. This might be because the left
> front tire is the spare, which has lots of tread on it, whereas the right
> front is nearly completely worn. Dealer claims this is why it is pulling
> right. I do believe this *could* be a cause, or it might simply be an
> excuse to cover up a more significant problem. Do VW Golfs of that
> vintage have any alignment problems?
>
> 2) Plenty of rear brake pad left, but fronts are almost gone, although not
> touching rotors yet. How expensive are Golf brake jobs? Can you
> resurface Golf rotors, or does VW automatically replace rotors when front
> pads need replacing?
>
> 3) Perhaps most significant: I opened the oil fill cap, and there appears
> to be a light coating of gritty sludge. The oil on the dipstick is pretty
> dirty. Do Golfs of this vintage have any sludging problems?
>
> 4) Do Golfs have timing belts, or chains? If a belt, how much does it
> cost to replace them?
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Need help with purchase decision - 1999 VW Golf 

In article , Dennis wrote:
>how well it was maintained is the major factor, but I do not have access to
>any of the maintenance records.

A bad sign. Given the other obvious problems, this particular car does
not sound like a good choice.

--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Timothy J. Lee
Unsolicited bulk or commercial email is not welcome.
No warranty of any kind is provided with this message.
 >> Stay informed about: Need help with purchase decision - 1999 VW Golf 

Well, my friend took the Golf into their mechanic. The first thing he did
was put it on a lift. It took him less than 30 seconds before he came out
and said, "Run, Don't Walk away from this car"! He said it was very obvious
it had been in a major accident, and the repair wasn't done very well.

Wish there had been enough clearance for me to look under there...The
mechanic refused payment for the inspection, saying he had hardly done
anything to warrant a charge.

So - Many thanks for all the advice - my friend has avoided a bad purchase
decision she could ill-afford to make.

Regards,

Dennis
 >> Stay informed about: Need help with purchase decision - 1999 VW Golf 

"Dennis" wrote in message

> Well, my friend took the Golf into their mechanic. The first thing he did
> was put it on a lift. It took him less than 30 seconds before he came out
> and said, "Run, Don't Walk away from this car"! He said it was very
> obvious it had been in a major accident, and the repair wasn't done very
> well.

that explains the alignment problem I guess.
 >> Stay informed about: Need help with purchase decision - 1999 VW Golf