What size rubber are you running with those. Mine has 205/55-16 on them. Standard issue was 195/65-15 which I actually wish I had instead. I'd happily trade some of the "sporty" feel of the low profile tire for a bit cushier quite riding tire.
Yeah, at a certain age hardtail bikes and a go-cart ride starts to lose their appeal.
These are 195/65-15's.
Rewind 9 years our kids were in high school and just started driving. We had to pay a fair bit for school bus service so decided to put that $ towards a used car for each one. After a fair bit of searching I found two near identical very low mileage 2005 Corolla LEs. Seemed senseless to get newer/more expensive cars for new drivers. Neither one put so much as a scratch in their cars.
Agree with the situational awareness aspect 100%.
...but most of them were just fun little daily drivers...
I hear you on the computer stuff. Took the locksmith 90 mins to program a new key this morning. He was telling me horror stories about inexperienced locksmiths brickingI've always had a soft spot for German cars. I've owned at least a dozen VW's over the years. I've never owned one newer than 93 though. 3 were snazzy beaters, 1 was my "shop truck" with a stroker motor that liked ripping up stock clutches
The basic 4 cyl engine casting was shared so well through the generations, engine swaps were easy...
I think the best reaction on ppl's faces is when you are cutting into a hard corner and the inside rear wheel lifts off the ground...That's on the GTI's mostly, I never got either of my Scirocco's or any of my Jetta's to do it. But all of my hatchbacks did. Worked on and helped work on my share of MK3 n 4 cars...
A decent 150 pc tool set + the aforementioned Triple Square bit set, and a fella can have one of these cars apart in a weekend.
I have also heard of the MK4 slushbox woes, essentially if you take it in and get the auto flushed, you may have signed it's Death Certificate. BUT every brand has their quirks and issues.
I've a buddy who imports cars from Japan, and he's brought over some really nice VW products from there. Low kms, usually with aftermarket bits like wheels n exhaust, and in rust free shape...He keeps tempting me with newer models lol...I'll stick to the older ones. At least those I can still take apart without much fuss or worry about expensive computers etc.
I do have a friend in town, who's got a bit of a dismantling yard up at his farm. If you're looking for specific stuff, let me know, I can always ask if he has parts.
very expensive European cars when they screwed up doing key replacements.
I've got a rigid frame I've been wanting to drop an Iron Sporty engine into for years. When I finally get 'round tuit, my back probably won't be able to take it.
This was my sentiment as well....... Put it into a slide and learn why it happened and what to do about it, in a nice wide open space.......
Parts are starting to arrive
GTI suspension bits; springs, struts and shocks. Basically NOS!
Thanks @Tecnico!
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Well if you are talking to me.....ya no performance mods are going g to be happening for my kids to have more fun! My girl wouldn't know the difference and my boy would likely only know the limits by pushing things until it broke, increased power means more broke things.
Fortunately the kids don't drive manual and won't be learning on this carIF a fella were looking to wake that 4 cyl up...I'd look at doing a cam n lifter upgrade. I realize it's purpose is for the kids to drive...but you gotta have some fun Dad...
I helped a guy with a MK4 2.Slow Jetta do one, after we'd swapped out his exhaust.
His reasoning was, my MK2 "shop truck" shouldn't be faster than his nicer, newer car.
It didn't help him much, mostly cuz he was hauling around an easy 500 plus lbs in extra weight. Power window motors, power adjustable seats, working AC, plus, the MK4's are just bigger.
The shop truck was a fairly trimmed down 4 door, with manual everything.
That 2.Slow loved that cam though. Just enough chop at idle to let you know something wasn't quite stock. We had to be cautious when picking the profile, so as to not set off the knock sensor.
Definitely picked up a little in the torque dept.
But I could still pull away from him in every gear...even when he had the AC off
You souped up four banger guys make me chuckle. Countless times some kid pulled up beside me at a light with some form of hopped up turbocharged whatever car. If I'm serious about leaving in a hurry I need to warm the very soft compound M&H street tires I use ( that's what the line lock is for), and then come out easy or I'm just going to put them up in smoke for 300'. On the other hand when it's a typical hopped up 4 banger I can give the 300' smoke show and still be 20 cars ahead by 2nd gear;-)IF a fella were looking to wake that 4 cyl up...I'd look at doing a cam n lifter upgrade. I realize it's purpose is for the kids to drive...but you gotta have some fun Dad...
I helped a guy with a MK4 2.Slow Jetta do one, after we'd swapped out his exhaust.
His reasoning was, my MK2 "shop truck" shouldn't be faster than his nicer, newer car.
It didn't help him much, mostly cuz he was hauling around an easy 500 plus lbs in extra weight. Power window motors, power adjustable seats, working AC, plus, the MK4's are just bigger.
The shop truck was a fairly trimmed down 4 door, with manual everything.
That 2.Slow loved that cam though. Just enough chop at idle to let you know something wasn't quite stock. We had to be cautious when picking the profile, so as to not set off the knock sensor.
Definitely picked up a little in the torque dept.
But I could still pull away from him in every gear...even when he had the AC off
