The vRS is nearly 5 now. 75,000 miles, and things are going to start going wrong with quick succession soon I fear.

Modern cars, especially diesels, are not something to be tampered with without full technical knowledge and plug in diagnostics. Big money generally speaking.

So, I'm just 'toying' with the idea of swapping it for something classic, 20 years old say, that is a little more user and DIY friendly....just an idea at this point, not a final decision.

On the basis that mine's worth probably £4500-5000, what would be a good car of similar value to buy, small ish, economical, easy ish to work on, with an extensive availabilty of parts still available.

Tar burning performance really not that important, but not an absolute slug eeither, as Mrs Ree would be driving it most of the time...she doesn't know yet .... and me for regular polishing and for showing at classic car shows.

Your ideas and suggestions for my further consideration?

mk2 golf 16v,lots of parts still available easy to maintain and still relativly cheap,but bag one quick as mint 16v's are going up in price on a monthly basis

what makes you think things are going to start going wrong, mine is 6 years old at 77k miles, and other than the grubby seats, there is nothing wrong with it, the PD diesel engine can last many miles with regular servicing, VAGCOM leads are cheap enough on Ebay to do your own diagnostics

I think im onto a winner with my vrs. Its getting to the point where more of them are turning up after being nicked/crashed and can get hold of parts easy enough, and not mega expensive. Not only this, but the only pricey thing that breaks is the turbo, which can be picked up and diy fitted cheap enough. Also, the more of them that go off the road, the more mine goes up in value. I know its a long way off being at the point the GTi is above, but it`ll go that way one day, they are good cars, and theyll always be worth decent money.

Matt

what makes you think things are going to start going wrong, mine is 6 years old at 77k miles, and other than the grubby seats, there is nothing wrong with it, the PD diesel engine can last many miles with regular servicing, VAGCOM leads are cheap enough on Ebay to do your own diagnostics

The difference Ric, is that you are a mechanic / technician (I think, so my son tells me who vistis your dealership regulary ) so you know how to fix it when it goes wrong.

I on the other hand, am NOT a mechanic with a degree in electronics, so I'm at the mercy of those that know how to fix them.

I was brought up on a diet of spanners, hammers, screwdrivers, feeler guages, plugs, points, condensors and carburretors (sp), not plug in diagnostics.

I can't make my mind up.

Golf 16v looks good on the face of it, but isn't that full of electronic gadgetry too?

mine is 6 years old this may and 93k on the clock other than wear and tear items I've got and had no problems albeit I had to replace the ERG last year. I will agree the older cars are easier and cheaper to work on but if you are using it as a every day car you have to out weight that against the safety features in the newer car verses the older car.

Most of the route maintenance you can do on the newer cars, there are plug in fault code readers that will tell you of a problem and to be fair with a forum like this, it is possible to do your own work.

The difference Ric, is that you are a mechanic / technician (I think, so my son tells me who vistis your dealership regulary ) so you know how to fix it when it goes wrong.

I on the other hand, am NOT a mechanic with a degree in electronics, so I'm at the mercy of those that know how to fix them.

I was brought up on a diet of spanners, hammers, screwdrivers, feeler guages, plugs, points, condensors and carburretors (sp), not plug in diagnostics.

I can't make my mind up.

Golf 16v looks good on the face of it, but isn't that full of electronic gadgetry too?

it has a very basic ecu which controls fuel injection,but the rest is pure oldschool,you could even put a set of twin 45 webbers on one if you wanted to,its quite a common conversion,but no they are not in any way complicated,myself and another member on here recently swapped the dead engine out of his for a good one,he has no mechanical expierience at all,but even he now admits that after doing it once,and building up the new engine from a bare block he could do it again without a problem,they are mechanically very simple

it has a very basic ecu which controls fuel injection,but the rest is pure oldschool,you could even put a set of twin 45 webbers on one if you wanted to,its quite a common conversion,but no they are not in any way complicated,myself and another member on here recently swapped the dead engine out of his for a good one,he has no mechanical expierience at all,but even he now admits that after doing it once,and building up the new engine from a bare block he could do it again without a problem,they are mechanically very simple

Something like this one then ey gary? :p

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1438487.htm

My Primera GT (1997) was easy to work on. Simple electronics and the computer diagnostics could all be accessed / cleared without any leads, computers etc.

Good handling and reasonably nippy too (150bhp as standard and about 1250kg). Only real weakpoint with the cars is the driveshafts which have balancing weights that trap water, rusting through the shaft where you can't see it. One day you're pulling out of a junction and snap, stranded. About £150 ish to change them including labour from an independant garage.

Something like this one then ey gary? :p

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1438487.htm

if the shell is solid on that it would be a find,there was a guy on edition not so long ago looking for an unmolested valver,and he had a lot more coin to spend too

Second that MK2 16V Golf. fantastic cars. Had a few in my time. Very simple mechanics. Easy to swap engines, cylinder heads, brakes etc. Watch out for the ISV on the engine (Idle stab valve) long cyclinder type thing at fron of engine to RHS. Needs to buzz with ignition on. Replacement over £150.00 I bought one for £2000 a few years back. Ran it for 3 years and sold it for £1990