2002 VW Golf refurb

[David]

Thought it might be best to start a separate thread for this one.
I have been looking for a car project for a while. Looked at MG's and Miatas but since it has to live outside those weren't great choices.
Always liked the Rabbit/Golfs ever since high school when I saw their ad for the GTI where the driver gets out of the car after an early morning spirited track drive, and says "Ausgezeichnet" which translates to "Excellent"
Found an 02 Golf GL with sunroof that needed some work; clutch and "new front springs". Took a look and managed to get it cheap. Like really cheap
An awesome forum member hooked me up with the suspension setup from his 2005 GTI that he removed shortly after he bought the car. Basically NOS
Have a clutch assembly coming and I'm scouting the used market for a set of 17" or 18" wheels. It has 15" factory alloys now but I'd like a lower profile tire to enhance the handling a bit.
I need to give it a MAJOR interior cleaning and redo the headliner. Ordered a new console and glove box lid to replace the broken ones.

 

[YYCHM]

Pics?

 

[David]

 

[DPittman]

I will watch this thread with interest. I just picked up my used Rabbit a couple of days ago and spent the better part of the day surveying the "damage".

 

[David]

I was also looking at a 1991 Cabrio but they seller never responded to me <shrug/>

 

[David]

I will watch this thread with interest. I just picked up my used Rabbit a couple of days ago and spent the better part of the day surveying the "damage".

What year?

 

[Mike R]

Funny enough I've been eyeing a new to me project car like a Miata. My brother has a '68 MGB and while fun, its too much work to keep roadworthy and too hard sourcing spares, plus not nearly as refined a driving experience.

 

[David]

Funny enough I've been eyeing a new to me project car like a Miata. My brother has a '68 MGB and while fun, its too much work to keep roadworthy and too hard sourcing spares, plus not nearly as refined a driving experience.

If I had garage space I'd have a Miata but.... and this is a big but, folks want large money for them out here because they are basically an all-year use car.

 

[Mike R]

They're still big money out here too for ones that Fred Flintstone can't pedal. Only get cheaper after 160000 kms or salt exposure or both

 

[Bandit]

My wife brought a Miata, I don’t fit! It’s a manual shift, which she has a lot of “trouble” with, she had to have it.
Raised the steering wheel as much as possible, slightly better, I am not allowed to remove the door handle/arm rest. Pinches left leg when closing drivers door if I forget and don’t lean to the rite and remember to keep left leg down. Difficult for me to get in and out of, basically drivers area not ment for me! Long distances are painful for me, if driving.
A nice car, fairly well balanced, not over powered, handles fairly well. Has had some enhancement done to suspension and maybe a few other things. As previous owner died, hard to know just what, till is found.
Sadly, car has just sat all this spring. We shall see what happens once all the construction is done.
As to a cars driving experience, that has always been a choice a person must make. Do you want to drive the vehicle nearly anytime, or do you want to work on it a lot, and drive it sometimes! Reliability, and some cost, versus performance, cost, and sometimes a lack of longer term reliability. There is not an answer that fits every one, every age, or every vehicle,
Just my 0.05 cents worth.

 

[DPittman]

What year?

2007. I once drove a 1979 VW Diesel Rabbit and this 2007 Rabbit is light years ahead in comfort and technology but strangely it still has a familiar solid, nimble little car feel that I remember.

 

[MashingMetal]

The “Hot Hatch” I love the VW commercial from years ago where the young man buys the old lady’s car thinking it was gently used, cuts to the lady rallying the car. That’s my mom, a driving standard turbo VW golf at 86 years of age.

 

[David]

My wife brought a Miata, I don’t fit! It’s a manual shift, which she has a lot of “trouble” with, she had to have it.
Raised the steering wheel as much as possible, slightly better, I am not allowed to remove the door handle/arm rest. Pinches left leg when closing drivers door if I forget and don’t lean to the rite and remember to keep left leg down. Difficult for me to get in and out of, basically drivers area not ment for me! Long distances are painful for me, if driving.
A nice car, fairly well balanced, not over powered, handles fairly well. Has had some enhancement done to suspension and maybe a few other things. As previous owner died, hard to know just what, till is found.
Sadly, car has just sat all this spring. We shall see what happens once all the construction is done.
As to a cars driving experience, that has always been a choice a person must make. Do you want to drive the vehicle nearly anytime, or do you want to work on it a lot, and drive it sometimes! Reliability, and some cost, versus performance, cost, and sometimes a lack of longer term reliability. There is not an answer that fits every one, every age, or every vehicle,
Just my 0.05 cents worth.

I've never driven one but at 5'9" imagine I'd fit ok. Now an MG Midget might be a bit more snug.

 

[David]

The “Hot Hatch” I love the VW commercial from years ago where the young man buys the old lady’s car thinking it was gently used, cuts to the lady rallying the car. That’s my mom, a driving standard turbo VW golf at 86 years of age.

I like that ad too. I couldn't find the one I was thinking about.
Driver gets out of the car, takes off his helmet and says "Ausgezeichnet".
I was hooked!

 

[Bandit]

Yeah, I think you would fit, the first generation has more room then the second, the third generation has more room then the second again, least ways, according to a book or 2. Me, 6ft+/- and getting shorter, 185 lb. not well for fitting.

 

[Susquatch]

Yeah, I think you would fit, the first generation has more room then the second, the third generation has more room then the second again, least ways, according to a book or 2. Me, 6ft+/- and getting shorter, 185 lb. not well for fitting.

Miata'a are not made for guys over 6ft. I can't even remotely get into one other than standing in a sun roof or a convertible.

 

[whydontu]

I’ve owned a lot of cars, last count was 42. For my massive 5”10”, 140 lbs frame a Miata fits like a glove. Most fun car I’ve ever owned. Handles great, short throw shift lever feels more like a toggle switch than a gear shift. More than enough ooomph to put a grin on the drivers face.

 

[DPittman]

I’ve owned a lot of cars, last count was 42. For my massive 5”10”, 140 lbs frame a Miata fits like a glove. Most fun car I’ve ever owned. Handles great, short throw shift lever feels more like a toggle switch than a gear shift. More than enough ooomph to put a grin on the drivers face.

Wow 42 vehicles that's amazing.

 

[whydontu]

Wow 42 vehicles that's amazing.

buy crap, when it dies buy another one. Buy a whole slew of $250 cars with the intent of fixing them, three or four at a time, then slowly scrap them one at a time. SWMBO won’t let me do that anymore, sigh.

 

[DPittman]

2007. I once drove a 1979 VW Diesel Rabbit and this 2007 Rabbit is light years ahead in comfort and technology but strangely it still has a familiar solid, nimble little car feel that I remember.

Im also remembering the "thoughtful" little German engineering features of these cars....little plastic tabs, torx screws, triple square socket head bolts, etc. The plastic tabs and covers were probably OK in 2007 until about 2012 or so but in 2025 they are not so fun and pliable.
And one of the most thoughtful designs ...
A place for the ever needed code scanner. (Too bad mine wont read most VW codes)