1997 Golf GTI: Anything Special?

[Vanagon Nut]

Hi folks.

Please pardon my ignorance on this but is a 1997 5 spd. Golf GTI anything special? i.e. were many made? Are they worth fixing up?

I have a line on one locally for $500. It has a snapped rad fan blade, clutch slips, driver door doesn't open from outside and I assume other things wrong with it or need attention, but I figured it might be worth fixing up to use as a daily driver.

Thanks

Neil.

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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[Butcher]

Anything special? Probably not but for $500 and a bit of elbow grease, it may be just the ticket for a fun commute.

[Vanagon Nut]

Thanks Butcher. Figured it wasn't anything unique but best to ask first.

Ya, I might go that route, make it a daily ride, but I think it has an ABA engine (owner said '2.0 not turbo' ) so the engine might be a good candidate for a rebuild or keep as spare for my OBD1 ABA Vanagons and the harnesses/ECU good as well though they're OBD2 obviously.

Heresy to mention on this forum possibly, but IF it's in rougher shape than anticipated, (bad sunroof etc) I might recoup some money parting it out. Especially if tranny is ok. However. I am looking for a project now and have never gotten elbow deep in anything but a Vanagon so.... I've always been partial to the Golf.

Neil.
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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[TDCTDI]

They’re a great, dependable beater. The only difference between the Golf & the GTI in ‘97 was $60 in the badges.
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Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[Vanagon Nut]

[Vanagon Nut]

Just viewed this car. Rear end appears saggy (too low) which has me concerned. The exhaust is broken open at mid point and since the rad fan is separated from the motor, the rad fan thermo switch is, logically, unplugged so who knows if the engine was overheated. Interesting to see it has 4 wheel disc brakes, all of which show scoring at rotors so...... but parts appear cheap!

It's a $500 CND car.

Neil.
_________________
1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[D Clymer]

They're good cars, Neil, and very easy to work on. That model wasn't really a true GTI. It was one of the few GTIs VW sold here that didn't have any performance advantages over the regular Golf GL of the same year. But they're durable cars with nice highway manners, zippy acceleration, and good fuel mileage. If you look on Rockauto, the parts are indeed very cheap. I just helped a friend price out front brakes for his 98 GTI and nice Raybestos rotors were $10 each and the pad set was $8.00.

Dave

[Vanagon Nut]

thanks Dave.

I have no doubt about the car design etc, I do like the Golf and am pretty familiar with the 2.0 ABA, particularly Motronic 2.9 OBD1 but I'm concerned that the low rear end might indicate a structural rust issue with the rear "axle" beam. The way it was parked, I couldn't view the underside. And since the rad fan switch has been disconnected a while, I'd assume the engine has been run hot at times; it didn't sound that healthy. Had a bit of a light rumble to it. I'd be curious of the head condition.

But for sure. I did check rockauto and ya, parts are cheap. Ha! Very inexpensive pads!

I do have a line on a $400 '94 Golf with manual windows, non-op previously leaky sunroof and 2.0 ABA. It has some issues but drives. The engine looks like it was maintained. (they were checking oil level at time of photo)

_________________
1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[D Clymer]

[Vanagon Nut]