2004 Golf MK 4

MasimbaY said:
Today I came across a very good looking 2004 golf highline 2.0 with 210000km on the clock going for 75000.

The car looks well maintained, apparently owned by one lady and serviced at VW upto the latest service, although when I looked at the books it was last stamped in 2017.

I test drove it and it just felt so much better than getting an i20 or Figo.

Any thoughts on this car? Am I getting myself into trouble with an old car?
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I am really struggling to find a decent car at this price. A friend of mine is Selling a Merc C200 2008 with 178000km and that is currently my only other alternative.
People are selling ghosts out there.
 
MasimbaY said:
I am really struggling to find a decent car at this price. A friend of mine is Selling a Merc C200 2008 with 178000km and that is currently my only other alternative.
People are selling ghosts out there.
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If you have to settle for an old car it better be a simple, straightforward one like the Golf, stay away from kompressors and turbos.

It's very nice when it works but hell when it doesn't. All you need for the Golf if something goes is Goldwagen and some basic knowledge.

I just don't understand why used cars are so expensive and scarce in Cape Town, we have a lot of choice here In Joburg, settling is not what we do.
 
I am notbsure that JHB is any better. I also search from that side. Nothing I can find
 
thechamp said:
If you have to settle for an old car it better be a simple, straightforward one like the Golf, stay away from kompressors and turbos.

It's very nice when it works but hell when it doesn't. All you need for the Golf if something goes is Goldwagen and some basic knowledge.

I just don't understand why used cars are so expensive and scarce in Cape Town, we have a lot of choice here In Joburg, settling is not what we do.
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I'm in jhb and all of my cars the last 15 years have come from CT. As fate would have it one is arriving tomorrow.

What I can say is that there are plenty turds dressed as roses out there. It's a minefield
 
MasimbaY said:
the service history isnt partial really, its upto 2018with VW
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I'd just concern myself with that missing year then. But the price they are asking is way off in my honest opinion.

In 2014 I bought Hyundai's Golf equivalent to the Golf 4 for about R100k with lower mileage than the one you are asking about. Sure it may not be a Golf, but it had more features and has been very reliable (touch wood).

Gumtree puts the average listed value of a 2004 Golf at a smidge over R60k. The Golf 5 was launched in 2004 so actual value may be lower due to Gumtree grouping Mk. V Golfs in with the 2004 spread:

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Overpriced. Take that same car to that same dealer and they would probably only offer you 20k on a trade in, if youre lucky. Theyll start mentioning things like gaps in service history, Dents and scratches etc...
 
Quite simple, get the repair history on this vehicle and if you find nothing major replaced (apart from regular service replacement parts) , then you know it was well taken care of and the car is as good as it looks.
 
Having had my fair share of older used cars, just stay away. Car is overpriced, mileage is too high and suspension parts etc... will either have started or will start going in the near future.

For the same price, rather get a newer, smaller and safer vehicle. Don't spend your savings on only repairing and maintaining a money pit.

If it was a 132kw 6-Speed GTI or the GTI R, then it would be understandable that you might like the vehicle. But this one is not a good idea bud...
 
Way over priced!

same price as the Golf 5 1.6 BSF basically.... id spend my money else where or knock plenty 1000's off that listed price
 
MasimbaY said:
Today I came across a very good looking 2004 golf highline 2.0 with 210000km on the clock going for 75000.

The car looks well maintained, apparently owned by one lady and serviced at VW upto the latest service, although when I looked at the books it was last stamped in 2017.

I test drove it and it just felt so much better than getting an i20 or Figo.

Any thoughts on this car? Am I getting myself into trouble with an old car?
Click to expand...
Okay, Thank you all for the help. I have only managed to negotiate down to 70000. Guys are being sticklers. I drove the car yesterday and this is where my heart is at, however, I know very well not to buy from the heart but from the head. I have two other options though, A 2007 VW Polo with 98000km on the clock (guy says he bought it from a granny who parked the car for about four years, I believe him) and the guy is asking for 70000, no Service History, guy says he will get it from the lady though. Another car is a Hyundai i20 2010 with 174000 on the clock, one owner with full-service history from Hyundai, asking for 80000.
 
I am not sure if it is well priced but if it were me I would choose it over an i20 or Figo. The MkIV platform is still relatively easy to work on, affordable to run and maintain and most issues are well known. I would prefer the 1.9 TDi VE110 engine though.
 
MasimbaY said:
Okay, Thank you all for the help. I have only managed to negotiate down to 70000. Guys are being sticklers. I drove the car yesterday and this is where my heart is at, however, I know very well not to buy from the heart but from the head. I have two other options though, A 2007 VW Polo with 98000km on the clock (guy says he bought it from a granny who parked the car for about four years, I believe him) and the guy is asking for 70000, no Service History, guy says he will get it from the lady though. Another car is a Hyundai i20 2010 with 174000 on the clock, one owner with full-service history from Hyundai, asking for 80000.
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A car that stood for four years is going to have all manner of issues. Did it go for the annual service at least? Off the top of my head you'll be looking at brake pads possibly welding to the rotors, suspension bushings will have perished, the tyres will need to be replaced, the wipers too, possibility of rust in the tank and moisture in the sump If the engine wasn't properly prepped. Rats also like stationary vehicles so you may find electrical issues as they gnaw through the wiring looms. After four years of standing the battery is most likely toast too.
 
PhireSide said:
I take it you would go for thei20?
A car that stood for four years is going to have all manner of issues. Did it go for the annual service at least? Off the top of my head you'll be looking at brake pads possibly welding to the rotors, suspension bushings will have perished, the tyres will need to be replaced, the wipers too, possibility of rust in the tank and moisture in the sump If the engine wasn't properly prepped. Rats also like stationary vehicles so you may find electrical issues as they gnaw through the wiring looms. After four years of standing the battery is most likely toast too.
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