Help me choose a VR6, please!

[Ch0yc3 0]

I've been looking at buying a Mk3 Golf VR6 for about a month or so, and in the last couple of weeks I've been to see a few, some good, some not so great. I really need to take the plunge at this point as I have no car and public transport is doing me head in somewhat. It comes down to two choices really:

[Car A] - Black, 5 door, R reg 97, c.90k, cloth interior, AC, the two most recent MOT certs, Service History book, nine months Tax left, 4 previous owners.

and

[Car B] - Black, 3 door, P reg 97, c.70k, grey leather interior, AC with climate control, lots of MOT certs, no Service History book (lost), SORN (as sitting on his drive, so needs to be Taxed), 1 previous lady owner (as the current owner has not registered himself on it).

Both are pretty much the same price (although the latter comes out as more expensive due to lack of tax), both have recently passed their MOTs. I called VW customer service, and both their last services registered by VW dealerships were in 1999, after that I guess they were done elsewhere.

What do you think? I am in a bit of a pickle, and don't want to mess either party around.

What would you consider more important - the MOTs or the Service Book. Does the latter car sound honest. I'm confused! Ask me more details if you like, but I would appreciate your amassed expert opinion.

*-)

[petervr6 0]

ok car B well to be hounest mate i wouldnt buy a car with out service history does it have any bill or recipts for the service instead of the servie book ??

car A sound hounest to me to what you have said about the car if it was me i woulnt be to fussed about the car having every mot as long as it has all the service history.

i was lucky when i got mine it has all mots nearly all tax discs and full service history vw bar 2.

[Ch0yc3 0]

I think the case is that the lady lost the book itself, but he has a bunch of other receipts, MOTs and paperwork, so I guess it could have just been an honest mistake. TBH I should have looked at what paperwork he had at the time but was in a real rush so said I would come back to check on the weekend.

The thing is, with the other car (5 door R reg), the ABS light was staying on, I pointed this out and the fact that it would not pass an MOT like that; he stated that he'd forgotten to get it done. The next day he called to say that it had indeed failed because of the ABS, and it was down to the rear wheel bearings (?) - he should by now have had it sorted and MOT'd. DO YOU SEE MY COMPLICATION!? AAARGH!

[petervr6 0]

hmmm well in the long run mate it will always be up to you at the end of the day its you money and it will be your car which ever car you feel most happy with.

the abs light isnt that big of a deal to be hounest.

best this to do is have a think about what i said above and go with what ever you are happy with it doent matter what any body elsr thinks its your money and you will have to live with the car every day nobody else hope that helps mate.

[Ch0yc3 0]

I mean as far as the actual specifications of the car there's not really much between them in my mind. I would prefer 5 door, but also would prefer lower milage! Don't mind about grey leather or cloth (would prefer black leather). So it's really about the milage, the previous ownership of the vehicle etc, which is why I'm finding it hard to differentiate.

If Car B had receipts dating back a few years detailing service would you accept that as adequate to prove it service history?

I've also heard that the official Service History Books can be faked - is that true?

[Ch0yc3 0]

(btw thanks PeterVR6 for the swift informed response, I'm certainly taking what you've said on board)

I suppose the factor that is confusing me the most is the mileage - they were both in good condition, engine and interior. So is the difference in mileage really that big a deal?

[Ch0yc3 0]

Also (so sorry about this), do you know where the VIN plates are located on the car - that's something I haven't checked on either car yet? Do you know of any tell-tale signs of tampering?

[petervr6 0]

the vin plate is black under the bonnet on the slam panel to the left if the recips have the reg on them then i would be happy with that and yes sevice hisrory can easy be faked. miles aint that big of adeal with these engines mine now on 122k and still going strong.

[petervr6 0]

also take a look at our buyers guide mate might help you out a bit just click on the blue highlighted word.

[Ch0yc3 0]

Thanks a lot mate, all duly noted. I've already printed out the buyers guide, and have been trying to read and remember as much as possible whilst on route to various viewings - has been invaluable!

[Jk* 0]

Id go for B on that description, not 100% keen on the S/H missing...but it comes with lower mileage, less doors, leather, climate control, but is a year older....B please Bob.

[mike 6]

id say keep looking.... not keen on either, deffo wouldnt go near one with no s/history! thats a must even with mots. if u like 5 doors go for the first one atho how much money are we talking?

[Earwig 89]

You need to be happy with what you are buying. From what I have read there are a few things you have mentioned which would sway my decision in which car I would choose if I were you.

First thing to note down is that mileage is not really that important on a VR as long as the car has been well maintained. It's nice to have a few reciepts and a history with the car that can go some way to proving this. So in this instance car A :-)

You say you would have preffered black leather as apposed to grey leather. You can pick up a leather interior for around £500 which is not to bad. So again this points to car A :-)

You say you would also prefer 5 door to a 3 door. This again points to car A :-)

Bad points about car A seem only to be the ABS liught being on all the time. This is not a big problem and is more than likely to be a wheel sensor which is cheap to replace. If you don't want to do this you can just unclip the panel and remove the bulb from inside. As long as the light is on, it will pass ;-)

My ABS light has been on for what seems like forever now, and pretty much any other VR is the same.

Car A also comes with Tax so no need to pay for that ! That could be £200 towards a black leather interior ;-) I think there might even be a Black interior for sale in our for sale section. Color concept recaro's :-)

Good luck.

MArk.

[Ch0yc3 0]

The ABS light should be sorted out on that car now, as he stated he's getting it sorted and re-MOTd.

Now I'm not really fussed about 3 or 5 door, just want the legit car!

[mike 6]

if you do go for teh second car (wich id advise against) make sure you get it a hpi check....1 lady owner sounds a bit to good to be true for me.

just keep lookin

[Gibs20 0]

If it were me I would put up with public transport for a bit longer and keep looking. With regard to service books being faked, pretty much anything can be faked nowadays. Buying cars is a bit of a minefield at the best of times, you need to pick the car that a) fits the bill & meets your own criteria, be it a 3 door, 5 door, leather or cloth and with the most comprehensive stack of receipts, stamps, history, MOT's etc as you can. If you're going to split with your hard earned it's gonna have to prove its worth to you, the prospective buyer.

Thats my 2p's

Oh yeah, rather than remembering everything, why not take the buyers guide with you, if the cars genuine they won't mind you checking potential problems.

Good luck

[nivag27 5]

Could'nt of said it better myself, it will come down to personal prefrance but just remember your the buyer and their the seller ,its your cash.If your not sure your self take some one with you who knows there stuff, but only if your sure its the one you want.

[Ch0yc3 0]

Thanks very much for your replies. I think I am erring towards the first car, it does seem more genuine and I shouldn't really be taking any unnecessary risks; it is also a little cheaper AND has tax till the end of the year. Just have to make sure it has genuinely passed its lastest MOT. I don't have a lot of money to spend at the moment; I was in an accident that wasn't my fault and really do need a car immediately for the next month. I was just hoping to be able to get one of these while I need a car rather than buying a temporary runaround which I'll have the hassle of having to sell off in a month's time. Obviously I might have to do that, but I think car A does seem like a more sensible option, as long as all the paperwork is correct. Is 95k miles a lot; just worried about having to change the timing chain - it surely won't need doing for another year at that mileage will it?

[mike 6]

95k is not bad tbh mate its a ten year old car......the timing chains can go anywhere from 60-160k its a bit of a gamble if looked after and driven well you wont need to worry till 120+

you probli wont get a reai low milage one in your price range im geussing?

ideally id want leaher, but seats are avilable down the line ebay ect as has been said

[Dave G 0]

Hi How About a 1993 vr6 demo +1 owners full vw service history 116k stanard bbs wheels full leather heated seats but not the highline! i want like £3495 for the car the car will be on my website sometime next week! email me with ur thoughts david@petersfieldmotorcompany.co.uk

[crish72 0]

I wouldnt worry about the mileage as long as the S/H etc is all good.

I was in a similar position when looking for one, i'd seen a nice lowish mileage 97 plate with full leather etc but no history at all, i never bought it but plumped for mine which had S/H and 92k on the clock and i believe i made the right choice.

Chris

[purple highline monster 0]

^DaveG not being rude but even without seing it 3.5 k for a k reg golf/vento of any sort is extremely high!!! for that sort of money your in full history/near mint Golf highline territory

[Dave G 0]

not bein rude bak at you im in the trade and know wat i can get for the car it is mint for its age iv had a few and is the nicest standard car iv ever seen! i dont think theres many full vw history vr6's at this age around

[purple highline monster 0]

"in the trade" ? then you know what the car guides say...in fact i dont think a vento on a K or L is even in there anymore? its your car dude so its upto you how you price it but i doubt you will sell it at that money despite its history, 2k tops even with the spec, you dont have to be a trader to know true values!!! if you were buying it what would you give for it? ....cue sharp intake of breath through teeth and reply of "its only worth about 800 part ex mate, its an old car now and no body wants em" ?

[Dave G 0]

yea ok then mate ill email u a copy of the invoice wen its sold then shall i lol