Hi

I am looking to purchase a small car for my wife.
I am thinking of golf as one of my options.

I was wondering if there are any major differences
between the mark 3 and 4th generation Golf.

Is there any particular model to get or avoid.?

thanks in advance
David

a mk4 is way superior to a mk3....a little more interior room ,less road noise a better chassis...same as a A3/TT audi/new bug...there is a price to pay in hard dollars and cents between the two models....a 20v mk 4 is more powerful versiopn over the 1.6 which is highly economical..if fuel isn't the limiting factor a GTI mk4 is the dogs bollucks,,,,stk 110kw very easy to drive but only in 5sp g/box...upgrade later to 143kw only with a chip tune a great car to pass on down to yourself after a couple years..win win I think cheers steve ps seen some 99 gti for 18-19k good buy at that.

I wouldnt say the Mk4 is a superior chassis. The Mk3 is quite capable. Both are great cars. The main thing that goes wrong is window regs, which can be quite expensive. This applies to both. Mk4's have a rare sump problem, as it is set quite low, and can hit on very uneven terrain. The Mk4 has by far and away a more substantial list of mod cons. The Mk4 will be more expensive to run, particularly when it comes to tyres, although a bigger rolling radius smooths out the bumps a bit. Mk4 is also a bit bigger than 3 in all dimensions, however, neither is tiny. Pick of the bunch engine wise is the 2.0 for effortless torquey round town and highway cruising. A Mk3 VR6 or Mk4 GTI is a lot more entertaining, but will be more expensive.

A low mileage Mk3 could be a better buy than an equivalently priced high mileage Mk3. Depends on your budget.

apparently many electrical problems with the mark 4

I have heard of a couple with the windows, but like I said, they arent common. The only common problem with Mk3's and 4's are the window regs. They fail. Once they replace the old plastic items with metal ones, the problem is solved. Have to disagree. Not many. I have known a whole bunch of Mk4 owners through vwvortex, and the information I have given is borne from their experience.

i have also heard of the computers dying in mark 4's and new beetles. perhaps not all but its certainly happening.
would definately love a mark 4 GTI myself

MkV GTI is better. Far better. If performance is your thing, go really old or new. Mk3 and 4 were too soft. Coilovers helps a bit, as does a chip. But give me my genuine Mk2 GTI anyday...

I have not heard of any computers dying. No one has mentioned it on VWVortex.

Thanks for all the replies so far.

I had rang GTI imports in SYDNEY. HE has confirmed that even a
new waterpump was around $ 100 , so I think I will be definately a
buy a late Golf. So may be a late mark 3 or a early mark 4.

is 2000 the year when mrk 4 came out?

Budget is aound $ 18000 , but we do have a car to trade in.
So I guess its the swap over price for me.

I will look for a 2 litre engine size....but is it like the aircooled engines
where I can fit other engines into the same bay? As I plan to
keep the car for a few years.

But I just wanted to have something for the wife that I know
its reliable and I can do some general service work on it myself.

thanks
David

Mk4 came out 1998 with a 20V 1.8. In late 99 (i think) they swapped with a torquier 2.0 8V.

Definitely go with a 2.0. 1.6 is slooooooooooooowwwww.... But economical. You wont be changing the engine. Modern cars are a PITA when it comes to engine work. A 2.0 will last you, and is more than sufficient for trouble and worry free motoring. The engines are bulletproof. If performance is your thing, 18K will get you a sweet late model Mk3 VR6. Nose heavy, but quick.

Yes, all VW watercooled engines (apart from late passat, touareg and phaeton) are interchangeable.

$100 is a cheap water pump when there could be $10000
dollars difference between a mk3 and similar mk4

be aware now that mk 5 golf has arived mk4 prices are almost certainly going to plummet so psyche your self up for the money youre about to lose over the next 6 months on that mk4

a mate of mine is trying to sell his a3 audi 1.8turbo for $18000 It has depreciated about the price of a new commodore in 4 years ouch:o

or import whatever you like from the UK, they've got boxes of em for stuff all, and Corrados' too.....they too are on the RTAs okay list......I vote the Mrk2 GTI 16v. Height of GTI finesse and the only thing to give Peugoet 205 1.9 a decent run for their money. After that everyone got gay if you ask me.

Explain how everyone being homosexual affected cars after the 16V?

Also, the 8V was a sweet a handler as the 16V. In fact, most people acknowledge the 8V was nearly as quick, and you didnt have to change cogs as often as in a 16V. Torque was right where you needed it. Mk2 8V and 16V arent quite the handler the 205 was, but they were not far behind and werent french and therefore built well.

As for just importing any car from UK, only up to 1990. After that, new laws prohibit importation.

With depreciation, bear in mind Mk4 prices have plummetted already because of the MkV and wont go too much lower. This does mean Mk3 is an absolute bargain. Doesnt mean Mk4 is overpriced. You like mod cons, go the Mk4. Otherwise it all personal.

http://carpoint.ninemsn.com.au/DesktopDefault.aspx?UsedCarID=781837&TabID=3328&Alias=carpointau

Then compaire to what you get on the http://www.autotrader.co.uk. 

I guess that's why I thought good import price, might get one here for 6k not 10k.nn[ Edited on 29-7-2005 by crewcabconnection ]

So we are agreed. The 8V wasnt too far behind, though... I have driven both. Maybe I drove a Friday 16V and a Wednesday 8V... The 205 was an incredible car, but too small. And too French. RCS carries on the tradition.

I had a Golf Mk III. Great car, except the right rear window regulator gave in. My New Beetle had both regulators replaced. This is in fact, a very common fault with all the VWs. Cheap parts.

The NB and Golf IV have a seven year warranty replacement on window regulators (and more particularly the surrounding plastic clip which holds the motor in place). If your car has this bad by design clip, VW will replace it at no charge. If your regulator fails and it has this plastic clip, make sure that VW fix this under the program, not from you paying for it. It's their fault for implementing such a crappy design, not yours.

Andrew

7 year warranty program ? This is a US thing . You probably got yours changed under goodwill . They never question window regulators under goodwill . Also VW Germany denies that the regs are a problem . It was VW USA that created the superceded part .