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“I bought a 1.9 GTI on an F 1989 (133,000 miles) for my...”

written by lombardo on 27/06/2004

Good Points
Cheap, Handling is on the ball. Fast and light and still has great street cred. The best hot hatch of the 80's.

Bad Points
Learn mechanics as some firms charge loads. Heater goes sometimes. You either love it or hate it and I love it.

General Comments
I bought a 1.9 GTI on an F 1989 (133,000 miles) for my first car. I wanted a fast car and didn't really mind about the insurance as fast is better than slow. I'm 19 and I pay £2600 insurance 3rd party only with admiral. This car was rapid, beating Escort RS Turbos the lot and the car was standard. I had a few problems at first,

1)Laquar on roof come off

2)Dry bearing in crankshaft, making a sweaky noise

3)Fuel gauge playing up

4)Heater motor not working



I thrashed this motor around Romford, Southend, Thurrock and it handled like a go kart, I beat an Impreza round bends once but it was close. A knocking sound from the n/s wheel started and the car was idleing really rough but I took no notice. I put on a max flow induction kit and this baby was even faster. I was losing water by the day and before I knew it a month after I had bought it a pipe split and it overheated. I put a new pipe on which went to the cold water valve and topped up and carried on. I was travelling down the M25 The night after I got the hose and it lost power and come to a standstill. I tried to start it and it was not having none of it. I rang the recovery and waited to get picked up. He managed to start it with the jumpers and the bottom end had blown up and the alternator had gone, I was in a world of shame having paid £460 for it. I had to get another car but I fell in love with mine and I had to get it going. I rang around and got a Brand new recon engine fitted for £1000. It come with a 5 yr guarantee as long as I take it back there to get serviced. The car was running so smoothly it was like it come out the showroom, but the car was still idling funny and it still is to this day, the breather pipes have been cleaned and so have the injectors so I don't know what it is. The clicking from the wheel was still there so I put in a driveshaft and the clicking went. The car is holding back a bit but with a little bit of messing about I'm sure I can get the thing as fast as it was when I first got it. I love this car and all other 205 GTI's, there the nuts.

If you need cheap parts try GSF, they're well cheap. If you wana know the firm about the new engines then email me on [email protected].



Respect to all 205 gti owners.