Want to know what all the fuss is about? Here’s our bite-sized guide to buying the original Golf

Driving

The real question here is ‘are your expectations high enough?’ There’s a reason the Golf GTI has always traditionally worn the hot hatch crown. It wasn’t the first of its kind, but is often referred to as such, simply because it set the bench mark.

The GTIs are highly-agile machines with taut handling and surprising performance. Steering is responsive and road manners generally inspire confidence (think sports car, only with a bit more body roll). The standard Golf is no slouch either, but to get the most out of these cars you’ve got to drive them close to redline. Don’t worry, the engine can take it.

If there’s anything to fault it’s the anchors in the right-hand drive cars: an extension pipe bridges the gap between brake line and servo. This delays brake response. If you’re in a Cabriolet then expect some scuttle shake, especially if there’s no strut brace fitted.

Engine & Gearbox

VW engines are generally built to last as long as they’re treated to oil and filter changes every 5000 miles. But as they rack up the miles valve guides can wear – best bet is to get a mate (or check yourself) that blue smoke isn’t billowing from the tailpipe.

Most Golfs are Bosch fuel injected – be sure to start from cold and keep your foot away from the throttle. If all is well revs should shoot to over 1000rpm before settling to roughly 850rpm. If not keep your fingers crossed that it only needs tweaking, otherwise you may have expensive compression problems.

Oh, and the cambelt needs changing every 40,000miles. If there’s no proof in the service file then book it in or do it yourself as a matter of course – it’s a lot cheaper than replacing bent valves...

Transmission-wise, Series 2 GTIs are fitted with a five-speed ‘box while the earlier ones along with the non-GTIs are four-speed. Finding gear shouldn’t be a sloppy affair, if it is then the linkages will need replacing. Watch out too for crunching synchromesh in second.

To read the rest of this buying guide see the February 2012 issue of Golf+.

Back issues available here.