Have a friend interstate who is looking for a car for me as a second daily run about type thing.

He told me he has found a

2000 VW Golf Rally edition

with 112 000 kms on it.

I know absolutely nothing about these cars or the "Rally Edition".

More into old schoool but the leader of the opposition wants a "good" car to drive around in. LOL

Seller wants $6400 for it?

Any ideas, thoughts, warnings?

My mate is a car guy and has pretty decent eye but he isnt a VW person.

Thanks in advance

The Golf Rally was not a 'racing' or 'high performance' version of any kind, in case you are wondering!

It was just a limited edition special trim model of the normal Mk4 Golf. It was released in celebration of the Golf winning the Australian F2 Rally Championship in 1999. The Golf Rally came with 15” Amaroo alloy wheels, slightly dark taillights, and special badges. Otherwise they were identical to the normal Golf Mk4. There were two levels available - the GL Rally (1.6-litre) and the GLE Rally (2.0-litre).

112,000 km is a fairly lowish sort of mileage for a 10-year old car. I had a quick look at http://www.carsguide.com.au/  and most 2000-model Golfs seem to be going from around $8k to $12k at the moment. There are actually 4 Golf Rallys listed on there right now; 3 GLs from $7496 to $11,999, and one GLE for $11,990. So $6400 sounds like quite a bargain - assuming the car isn't damaged and has nothing wrong with it, etc etc.

If it's in good nick, it would be a very nice 'collector's edition' to have.

is it a 2L??

Pretty good price

Make sure the Timing belt has been replaced. Expensive excersize.

Didn't these things have gearbox issues? I've heard of them having to be replaced / rebuilt. Also the same power window problem as the NB?

Gear box issues and expensive timing belt changes.

How often does the belt need to be changed?

Oh no not sounding good.

The timing belt is just your usual 100,000 km thing
If it hasnt been done it is a $700 service and alls good. or get them to do it and add the price on.
That way if it brakes on the way.................

The gear box issue would be sorted by now
It affected 1st gear in manuals.
Could be a bit hard from neutral

110,000kms for $7k i reckon it is a great buy

why on earth does it cost $700 for a timing belt change? It's only a 1hr job on my mitsubishi. Done it myself twice now. Back the air con off 2 bolts, remove serpentine belt, remove power steer pump 3 bolts, jack under the sump, remove engine mount 3 bolts, remove timing belt cover 6 or 8 screws, mark belt with liguid paper pen on each pulley, release tension on the belt one bolt and its off, transfer the marks onto new belt and reverse procedure. For $700 they must have to pull the engine out and do it on a bench!

Volkswagen also replaces the tensioners at the same time, and will probably replace the water pump as a matter of course.

From reading UK Golf Mk4 forums, it seems many them replace the timing belt at 120,000 MILES over there, but VW UK recommend 60,000 miles, which is 100,000 km.

It's a pretty straightforward procedure for a VW workshop, and the Haynes Mk4 Golf manual describes the job in detail if you want to do it yourself.

Thanks again everyone.

Well I am leaning towards getting it.

Will have to find out more info though. Anything else I shold be asking as a matter of course?

Looks tidy, i would go for it if's what you are after.

I would never buy a new VW with a warranty as you get the above mentioned costs. Being forced to take your vehicle to a VW dealership to get a shitty service that costs an arm and a leg for no reason is rediculous! VW service centres are a rip off!!!!

We're in Bris and we have a mobile mechanice that services golfs and has the required disgnostic equipment to do exactly that at less than half the cost, even better he comes to you.

Check the basics - is there money owing on it? Has it been stolen?

See if it's been hit - does the paint match everywhere? Check the body panels with a fridge magnet - does it stick everywhere? If not there's bog underneath (accident damage). Maybe that's why it's a bit cheaper than similar cars on CarsGuide. Look under all the carpets, and under the rear cargo carpet to look for repairs. It should be factory fresh. Are the alloy wheels in good nick or have they been kerb scuffed?

There shouldn't be any rust on such a new car, but have a good look anyway - around the window frames, under the sills and mudguards, in the door jambs etc etc.

Does it run OK? Is the motor nice and smooth or does it shake a bit? Blow smoke? How does the clutch and gearbox feel? What about the brakes? Does the front end feel nice and tight? Bounce the front - is it tight? Does everything work - lights, radio, air-con, electric windows, door locks?

Is it neat and clean inside or is it a neglected, stinky smokers' car? How is it presented?

Do a Google search on 'buying a used car' for more tips

Presented very well on the pics

1.6 L

No rust or repairs or any other major issues.

Power windows don't work but guy said he would get them fixed if I decide to buy.

Mind you I still havent seen it yet!

Will post a pic if anyone is interested later

1.6 was what i had

In a a manul you have to give it a bootfull to take off
We now have a NB TDi and the difference ...................... well ..................... night and day is an understatement

There is nothing drastically wrong with the 1.6L ................. just a bit...............well.................under achieving

mileage was a solid 10km/L no matter what.

besides that GREAT car

Dont worry about the window regulators.

They are about $110 each and have fixed the fault in the design.

For the money it is a solid car

Regret selling mine now i have a few spare $$$$
Should have kept it for the kids run about

Just thought you should know i didnt buy the Golf.

If anyone wants a cintact number etc let me know

car is in nsw

Never mind, there are plenty more nice Golfs on CarsGuide and Drive.com

Or what about a Polo instead - or even a New Beetle??