Mk2 Golf Buyer's Guide - Thinking of buying a Volkswagen Golf Mk2? Watch this first!

#Volkswagen #Golfmk2 #buyersguide
Drew Wagar has owned a number of Mk2 Golfs of various versions through the years, and is old enough and lucky enough to have owned some from new. This guide is designed to aide anyone who is thinking of buying a Mk2 Golf with an extensive information on the things to look for, the detailed (and accurate!) technical and performance specs and versions.
This video covers both non-GTI and GTI models, but the featured car in question is a 16v GTI. If you have particular questions about any specific model let me know in the comments and I'll look at addressing those.

[@paulwinfield8480]

Excellent and informative. Anymore classic cars planned as I'm enjoying these?

[@drewwagar]

Mk1 mx5 is up next. :)

[@paulwinfield8480]

@@drewwagar Nice. Looking forward to that. Its my favourite MX5.

[@iIuca]

@@drewwagarwould you recommend the mk2 as a first car ?

[@chrisladouceur4093]

I just got gifted an 89’ Jetta Mk2 1.6TD 4DR GL. Has power steering and A/C. No ABS brakes. 5 speed manual. All stock original stuff. Interior is nearly flawless. Exterior is in perfect shape minus a couple very minor rust spots. Previous owner bought it new in 88’ and only drove it in Summer. Has 205,000 KMs (like 125k miles?). Needs a little work but I love it. Wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it but decided I’m going to put some money into it. Don’t plan to keep completely stock though, but will keep most original parts

[@chrismc1977]

That grille GTi 16v badge is incorrectly positioned. Mounted the wrong side of the vertical web in the grille so it’s too close to the spotlight

[@chylimzbydzi]

There's also an IC version GTD with 80hp

[@haggardautomotive]

The greatest car ever made.

[@rinsedetailingUK]

💯

[@dsav77gaming90]

Almost, the shelby cobra exists

[@alexandruduta8102]

[@agustinvarela7001]

Hi, I have a question, did not exists 2.0 16v golf 2? 9A engine code.

[@Patrick-Mckinney]

I have some videos with my mk2 golf i just started im definitely in need of some constructive criticism

[@Shane-zx4ps]

Lovely car, but I think the big bumper model is just the dogs….

[@iephoto]

I got my GL (in the us) for $500. Was working at a shop and customer found it in a field and paid $300. Was missing radiator and fans. She now has 345,000 Miles on her! Looking to get that euro headlight swap for her next. Love the mk2!

[@pluxauag7555]

More of this Drew, also do a bit of food reviews, you seem a bit of a person who likes all sorts. Wonderful, if only you could get Doug DeMuro to have a go in your car, or Hoovie from Hoovies Garage. 10 out of 10, love the car, The Escort XR3i and that Peugeot was its poor competitors.

[@nick_irteniev]

I can't help but love the look of this car. True classic.

[@TrashParty]

This reminds me of that punk teenager who stole his parents camcorder to shoot a garage video about his new ride but it's narrated by David Attenborough Much love 😁

[@KRAMPUS_G60_16V]

I belive PL engines got CAT, not shure fot the PG and 1H. Yours is a KR, and I belive it should have a 50mm intake by the year of the car. Also interesting that you don't have GTI steering wheel with straight bottom arcs. MKII 4LIFE 🙂

[@CMDRaudaxius]

Can't wait for the Buyers Guide for the Cobra Mk III. So much misinformation about that classic these days, I'm sure Drew will set things straight.

[@laszlovona]

advice #1: stuff your pockets with money advice#2: find a decent one... goodl. luck, especially for #2.. at least in Europe.. you are reading the buying checklist as these were mk5 Golfs, or B5 passats.. yes you could check them rigorously, but not the MK2, and especially not GTI .. No accident damage.. C'mon....😂

[@Black4everrulz]

I want a mint 1.3/1.6i, nothing special, just the golf 2 in perfect condition, ready to be a collectioners item

[@SledgeFox]

I couldn't believe it but I learned many things I didn't know, incredible knowledge you share there, thank you very much! What a lovely original car, a real gem!

[@drewwagar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@caitlinwilson2080]

This one has had the scuttle repaired then? 3rd wiper wiper hole has been filled in.

[@Chris.technik]

Is the syncro produced for the UK market not worth a mention???

[@normabradley2544]

thanks it is very informative even though you missed a very important rust area (around the fuel filler) and whether the central locking (if aplicable )works quite enjoyed it even though ,thanks again chas,i know most what to look for

[@Aircooledflat4bug]

Good comprehensive video. Sadly the correct springs for the gti and 16v are no longer available which were slightly lower than the bread and butter models. Eibach lowering springs are very close to the originals though. The biggest improvement can be made, even to stock height springs is to fit bilstein b4 shocks. Considered a ‘stock replacement’ they are stiffer than the factory ones and sharpen the handling a treat without ruining the ride. A nice compromise. Finally you can get stainless arms for the sunroof win deflector second hand. The original ones rust away with enthusiasm. A nice factory upgrade.

[@drewwagar]

I now have that suspension combo on this car. :)

[@lauri3610]

So, any hints on what thermal weapons should be outfitted on 16v GTI? I used to go with a linearly polarized beam laser, but would always end up with some overheating issues when entering superluminal speeds. Should I buy a laser frequency stabilizer, or try something else?

[@drewwagar]

Radio/cassette and shoulder pads are the only mods you need. ;)

[@mnp3713]

01:53 you forgot the 1.6td with intercooler engine type SB/RA a rare 80 Hp diesel

[@cmdrkingslag3509]

Ooww nice I got one of these pretty much totally original apart from a power flow exhaust(not my doing but it does purr) in gun met grey

[@rogerc46]

Good video, mine is a type 19 16v with a GTI Engineering RE2000 engine, totally original, 2nd owner. Fabulous car, very quick and love it to bits ❤

[@oscarhowell4083]

I’ve got a 1989 mark 2 gl with power steering central locking it’s so cool I love it, 1.8 as well

[@shikiagi6226]

Hey, just wanted to ask, does 3.3k sound ok for what looks like a very clean example for a mk2 ryder? Looks really clean, can't see any rust from pictures/videos, supposedly on bbs wheels but they must be replicas since the car is being sold for 3.3k

[@drewwagar]

If its pristine and low miles, that sounds fair to me.

[@shikiagi6226]

@@drewwagar supposedly 61k miles, aftermarket front lights and rear lights, gti grill, bbs replica alloys and a k&n air filter, don't mind those as they look cool on the car and don't think they are hard to swap for original, except maybe the air filter, he said that it had an oil leak but replaced majority of the gaskets and has minor or non existent leak, do u know wat it could be? and if its risky? looking to view it on sunday but am a bit worried still, says finished in diamond silver, is that an original colour or could have been resprayed?

[@arnoldaltamirano7053]

You could have turned it on to finish it off correct. Let hear it!

Actually my GL is fuel injected.

[@ozzodaozzie1165]

Incredibly helpful video!

[@jellowiggler]

That is awesome. My mk2 GTI 8V was one of my favourite cars ever! I wish I could get away with a car that small and fun. Kids, wife and RV do not agree! haha. That is a beautiful example!

[@SoreHands]

Very thorough and excellent info - thanks

[@acid823]

I would purchase the 5 door version. As for the body colour, I would go for turquoish grey. In the early 90's it was common. One drawback is the lack of reliability which means you cannot bring it far away or even on the motorway

[@agustin8160]

So it's not a Toyota in terms of reliability?

[@drewwagar]

They're fine if looked after. Mine does plenty of long distance runs, hundreds of miles in a day.

[@acid823]

@@agustin8160 toyotas might be the most reliable but I would never buy one. Asians cars have awful to mediocre designs. Beside rare cases

[@acid823]

@@drewwagar it depends on the specimen.

[@PaulGheorghe6684]

Guys I need some help, I found a Golf GTI MK2, but in the documents is 1760cc, I repeat, 1760cc. I could not find anything about this capacity, I can see 1781cc everywhere! Please advise!

[@drewwagar]

There is a Golf Rallye which has a CC of 1764, but that's only variant I know of.

[@PaulGheorghe6684]

I actually found few online with 1760cc and 107 hp, I need to wait some time until I am able to go and see the car! But thanks!

[@michealwinlow7133]

Should have shown ALL THE BAD RUSTING PLACES?

[@gavinbae7887]

would take all day haha, they rust anywhere given a chance.

[@FredFlintstone21]

Awesome video! I love old golf's! I had an 87 golf, wife complained about the rust, then I bought a rust free 85 golf, had it a few yrs, sold it due to needing the room. Now I have a large heated pole building and will be buying a sweet 86 golf in 2 weeks. This one has an automatic gearbox.

[@eliasvandehey7950]

I got mine for 1000$ and it's not in perfect condition but it's pretty clean

[@frostyizmo8337]

Bought my Jetta MK2 CL for about 23k Swedish crowns (1,8k pounds) it is a little bit of surface rust but almost no rust underneath. Run for 210 000km (133 500 miles)

[@cmdrvaneia1498]

I know you don't want your comments to just be about Elite stuff all the time, but why do I picture you as a second hand SRV salesman?

[@drewwagar]

Nice little runner, only done 17,000 lightyears... been to Beagle point you know... owned by a famous explorer... ;)

[@garytwinem5275]

@@drewwagar Fully endorsed by The Celestial Warrior.

[@gsylass]

Drew, why waxoil when dinitrol, buzzweld and lanoguard exist? Waxoil hides rust forming/spreading underneath it. Are pattern parts for Golfs as bad as the ones for land rovers?

[@drewwagar]

I was kind of using "waxoil" as a generic term rather than a brand. It's a good point! :) Golf pattern parts aren't too bad, but they need fettling to fit properly.

[@gsylass]

@@drewwagar OK :) would hate to think of your P&J slowly rotting away! We had to replace the chassis on our series for that reason...! Hopefully pattern stuff only needs minor tweaking - we've had stuff with holes drilled in completely the wrong place (etc)

[@Grahame59]

Great review and buyers guide. 17:10 16V cars have half-tinted rear lights. Wipers on GTI models should have a spoiler on the driver's side.

[@superelectic45]

I would add: If buying a Tornado red one be prepared to have it resprayed as it fades badly. PAS makes driving nicer but rare before '89. Check 2nd gear synchro for crunching in cold weather, very common in high milers. 5 speed was introduced as standard in 1980 (same as Porsche 924) IME Digifant gives better urban mpg but K-Jetronic better long distance mpg. K-Jet has snappier throttle response but needs 98RON or they ping and your valves seats will be ruined. Retarding timing will make it take 95RON but it will drive like a slug. Audi based engine is tough but valve guides can wear, look for smoke on hot startup. I would say the listed 0-60 times are about 1/2 second optimistic. If the temperature gauge doesn't go to 85/90c and mpg is pants then it's like to be the sender on the coolant top hose. I've had a lot of VW's

[@user-xl8jm3zy1f]

when the odyssey launch was so badly received that ED creators have skipped branching out to other games and are now branching out to real life

[@drewwagar]

This is nothing to do with Odyssey. ;) I've been meaning to do this sort of stuff for over a year. Just getting around to it. :)

[@user-xl8jm3zy1f]

@@drewwagar yeah I'm just joking, love your videos man. Before you Elite's Lore never really interested me

[@bartlfc480]

I bought the 1988 54 hp golf mk2 with just 69k km on the counter. Extremely good condition! A lot of hype on these cars

[@russelltolley7947]

Hi Drew, I know you from founding the mk1 Campaign owners club and attending a few of the annual meetings. I just want to thank you for that. I bet you wish you still had your, immaculate, mk1. I was always envious of it. Mine was always a bit fat tag compared to it. Anyway, thank you.

[@MrStevecrasher]

A few pointers not correct such as the fan not working on the 3rd speed indicates fan resistor thermal fuse failure, not 1st but not a bad review

[@michealwinlow7133]

Happy with this info -BUT- NO MENTION ABOUT where to find the bad RUST places- ps I have found many.on my g60.

[@marttivuorinen4324]

Very much rust on these mk2: fuel filler neck support and around fuel filler hole.. inside of the wheel arch too.

[@trippersnipper9412]

Great informative video, unlike these carwow or those other knob heads who just make videos on old cars for views..

[@djkenny1202]

I’ve had my 92 16v GTI since 98. It’s the last year in the USA for MK2. Still a blast.

[@ravenmaster6364]

Ahh i think ive been reading your progress thread on pistonheads! (?) when you were talking about your light renovation over the last twelve months the penny dropped 👍👍. Lovely car and yes, standard is the way to go, keep up the great work..

[@hishamjaffer9809]

Great video and informative about the Mk2 recently splashed out for a Mk2 GTi 8v as their is no holiday this to year due to lock down love it way better than the mk3 GTi I had before

[@QuintadosAmarelos]

You forgot to say that some of the Mk2 Gti came out with the Digifiz dashboard, the first digital one and looking like a spacecraft

[@koblichcz935]

can i ask when i want to buy mk2 gti 8v some have in the name PB can you tell me please what does it mean ?

[@drewwagar]

Pb is the engine code. A pb car is a late model 8v engine with electronic fuel injection, also known as "digifant".

[@koblichcz935]

@@drewwagar thank you

[@danjones6279]

Nice thorough review video Drew, v good. Although I have to say it went through me every time you said "agg-zelerate" 😂

[@aygwm]

These are impossible to find in the USA in anything but clapped condition

[@OliverMark0001]

I got my Golf II stolen and crashed. Bought a pimped 59 Beetle after that.

[@SimeonMitev1]

Gl also comes with a 1.6 75 hp carburated engine.

[@EugVR6]

Buy a 16v.....miles faster all round

[@adams7405]

A good 16v is really quick,I have a 2.0 TSI Arteon which is really nice but hasn't the top end punch of my old 16v.

[@noobnaab4647]

JTD is more reliable Sir. belive me...restored many and worked on many...

[@simonhoward6636]

Nice to see a video with someone getting the facts right! I noticed yours has the narrower Corrado/Passat inlet manifold (3hp deficit but slightly more torque lower down to counteract the larger weight of said cars). Nice example you have there. In your plans to make it as factory spec are you getting Montreal (bottle top) wheels and non-tinted rear lights? The BBS RA's were only fitted to Big Bumper cars as I recall, along with the half tint rear lights (16v).

[@xibbz4416]

my friend used to have a 16v gti with ac and it went bad, it was pain in the ass to find a new one so he can replace it

[@rickydub6950]

Nice overview! I have your thread book marked on pistonheads 😁 16v at full chat still gets down the road at decent pace and will surprise plenty of drivers who like to tailgate 😎

[@abrahamgeorge4994]

Excellent video Drew - I have a pre-big bumper 8v on a G plate in the same Tornado red. I’m in Tunbridge Wells- any specialists you recommend?

[@wagarcalendar3596]

I do everything on these old cars myself, haven't found any local garages who can cope without their computers!

[@raylivengood8040]

Great thorough video, much appreciated. 👍🏻

[@chylimzbydzi]

Good advice, but you missed a really important potentiial rust spot, it't the area under the fuel filler cap!

[@drewwagar]

Great point!

[@johnlaw3502]

thanku drew learnt alot,thumbs up great videos

[@FaskaRestoration]

The video is really great 👍. You get a lot of facts right but there are some big points that are not correct.

[@drewwagar]

Which ones?

[@Fresh_Baklava]

So what’s the jump range on her? LoL!! Thx for sharing 🖖🏼👽

[@drewwagar]

She might not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid. ;)

[@russelltolley7947]

#ragtag

[@djsquibby]

Nice jam jar ;)_~

[@dittdummefan8069]

Jetta?

[@drewwagar]

Not many of those left in the UK!

[@mohammadshr]

which year is best?

[@cmdrbudman1ao580]

So you could find a Plymouth/Talbot Horizon and do some cosmetic work to create a "fake Golf"

[@drewwagar]

I think you'd have a harder time finding a Horizon than a Golf!

[@cmdrbudman1ao580]

@@drewwagar Over here they were a "dime a dozen" (does that translate?). Plymouth Horizon and Dodge Omni were everywhere. Fun fact, they had the "bottom" side of the VW engine, but the "top" side bits were applied here. So the same engine had a mix of inch and metric hardware. Side ask: Did you have to replace the plastic retainers on the shift linkage?

[@glenda917]

What do you make of the new golf8 gti. got one, its awesome

[@drewwagar]

Havent driven one tbh! I dont like touch screens much, but I'm sure the rest of the car is good. :)

[@olaniyanmichael640]

Good informations.

[@PAARYNAKAKKU-pd8ej]

NICE ONE

[@christosstamato527]

I'm quite new to the car world, especially the Mk2 Golf world, so this was a very informative video Drew! Truth to be said, I found a very nice 1990 Mk2 Golf (owner said: 'it's a Manhattan', I wonder what that means lol) for around 1500 euros (1300 pounds). It looks pretty niche from the outside but I gotta admit it's travelled like 200000km. I'm a young driver, so should I get this one or look for something else? Any help is much appreciated!

[@electronicguy4550]

Doesn't seem like a bad deal since i have seen golf 2 500000km for about 700eiro. Did you buy it?

[@chessoc7799]

I guess the killer question is do they run on the new fuel? The super unleaded is ok but that may be getting withdrawn within five years.

[@drewwagar]

I would definitely run them on E5 for as long as possible. Not much info on E10 for this era of cars yet.

[@chessoc7799]

@@drewwagar When I had a Mk2 I would occasionally treat it to super unleaded :) Ran great on super. If there is a solution someone will find it I have heard electric being mentioned but that can cost up to 30k pounds. At least the diesel models should be ok they can run on other fuels if need be I rather envy that now :)

[@OliverMark0001]

@@drewwagarAccording to VW, all Golf 2s for which Super is enough can handle E10. The stuff has been around in the USA since 1978. As is well known, there are also 2-series vehicles, including Digifant and KE-Motronic.

[@niallmackenzie99]

Mk2s won't handle E10, as it eats the fuel lines, fucks with your carburetor or fuel injection system and causes cold start issues.

[@bumfluffmcregor3730]

Never liked the golf never seen the appleal suppose it was better made than an escort

[@adams7405]

At 10 years/150,000, my mk2 was going strong at 190,000

[@adams7405]

No comparison. You don't see many escorts but there are still quite a few mk2 Golf's about.My friends RS turbo was past its best

[@djkenny1202]

Any recommendations for purchasing side moldings? My right rear most small one is missing. Great video. 92 American Spec Tornado Red 16v since 98.