Anything reliable for ~$8k in Brisbane?

[itsanobscureid]

Hi Guys,
This, as you can see, is my first post - as seems common on this page I'm another pom moved over to brisbane last year - love it

Since my better half and I arrived we've been driving a festiva we picked up cheap the week we landed. I've now reached the point where I've had enough, this thing may be fairly reliable but it is awful to drive and feels about as solid as a red rooster takeaway container.

In the UK I drove a number of VWs and always loved them - a polo 1.6, a Mk2 Golf GL and then a couple of nice Mk3 Golf Drivers.
However, the VW market here seems a little different from the UK. A number of people I have met have told me to not buy a VW as parts and servicing is prohibitively expensive, from what I remember though these things are fairly reliable. I've also been told that they weren't designed for such a hot climate and are more prone to failure over here. Is this all talk?

What I'm looking for then is something reliable that won't cost a fortune to service (ideally 1998+) - money is still fairly tight so we have around $8k to spend. My question is - will ~$8k buy me anything decent that I can rely on - ideally I'd like a golf or a bora.

To give you an idea of the stuff I've been looking at I've been in touch about this bora - the owner seems fairly honest but I've no real idea if 200,000kms is just too much for one of these, if not what should I be looking for if I go to see it?

As you can see I'm a little confused about what my options are, therefore if anyone has any advice/wisdom/suggestions they wish to impart it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for reading
Dan

PS. Great forum guys - it's good to find a nice active community of VW fans on the otherside of the world

[Golf Loon]

Gday mate.
I`m a Pom too and have been here 7 years.
I reckon its all talk about servicing costs and parts being expensive.
Its like anything, you have to know where to go.
You found this forum that is a good first step. In Brisbane JMac is highly recommended and knows his dubs from all angles.
For under $8k, you could buy a very straight and tidy Mk3 2L, I`d avoid a VR6 if you want reliability. Get a manual 2L and drive it till it stops. ks dont hurt those things.
You might get a budget Mk4 for $8k, but I reckon you`d need to spend another couple to get a decent one. I`d avoid a 1.6 manual as the gearboxes are weak.
Consider an Audi A4 Turbo, they are cheap to buy at the moment and a lot of car for the money.
I reckon dump the Festiva and be glad to be back in a dub.

[evorobin]

Welcome Dan. As matt mentioned you actually get more car for your money with Audi as VW's are in higher demand.

THIS ONE?

[Golf Loon]

The Mk4 Robin linked to is a bargain.
Get it for $6k and save a couple of grand for when you blow the gearbox up.

[itsanobscureid]

Thanks guys, much appreciated I've been trawling carsales and hadn't seen that one. Hopefully the gearbox isn't going to fall out straight off - but to be honest we don't do a lot of kms at all maybe 15k per year.

Just got off the phone from the seller, he seems a nice enough chap and I'm going over to view it tonight - looks pretty darn good for the money.

When I do inspect is there anything in particular I should be looking for?

Thanks again, I can see I might spend some time here

[h100vw]

Speak to jmac if you want it going over before you buy. Look in the business section for his details.

Gavin

[itsanobscureid]

Thanks Gavin, I've dropped JMac a PM concerning a potential inspection so hopefully I'll here back from him.

Cheers

[KI11Z]

Hey! There's nothing wrong with festivas, i have one as my daily!

[KI11Z]

There was when it still had chromies on it...

chromies! it never had chromies and definately doesnt have now black steels ftw!

btw it'd be great to have another mk4 in the brisbane crew, suprisingly there aren't many

[itsanobscureid]

Hi all,
Just to give you an update, I went to see the 1.6 on Saturday and Jmac came along too to give it the once over - he was invaluable & a great bloke - thanks mate

At the end of the inspection I put a deposit down (ended up paying $6250) and should be picking up the golf on Wednesday.

Nice one guys, your assistance has been great. I look forward to posting some pics.

Dan