Well as it's pi$$ing down outside thought I'd post a few thoughts after 24hours ownership.

Picked up a '54 VRS yesterday, 69k, fsh, cruise & 6CD, in a private sale from a lass in the RAF transferring to Bahrain. Car had obviously been looked after, though interior was a mess, as she was a keen mountain biker, but it was allowed for in the price, and she threw in her bike rack and satnav. A couple of hours this morning with damp cloths, a little carpet shampoo and plenty of elbow grease and the inside has come up like new (well almost)

Have now done about 100miles and have to say pretty impressed - have always been a fan of small cars with surprising engines - couple of Lupo GTis I've owned come to mind. Nice smooth surge of torque, and a damn site more comfortable that my 1 Series M Sport on runflats.

The neighbours have been taking the mickey a bit, especially give the other cars I've owned/own, but am looking forward to owning a car I can tinker with (Haynes manual already purchased) and the g/f loves it - which is a great bonus given the whole reason for buying it was for her to learn to drive in it.

Obviously, being a 7 year old car not everything is perfect..

- All the alloys are kerbed, but not bothering sorting those until someone has got her license

- The a/c needs re-gassing as its not running particularly cold plus it made a very strange noise yesterday which has not happened today (almost like a small fan screeching) so hoping a full a/c service will cure that and its nothing serious - previous owner wasn't a believer in using it much.

- Strange knocking sound which (from the drivers seat at least) seems to be coming from behind the baulkhead near the o/s/f wheel - doesn't appear to be suspension given when it occurs, but when it's a bit dryer will go and investigate more thoroughly - and it didn't happen during the test drive.

- rear spoiler, and to a lesser extend rear valence, have faded - again, when it's dryer some elbow grease should cure those.

So, pretty pleased with it - no major plans for mods etc though will be replacing the stereo with something iPod/bluetooth compatible - wonder if there's anything that would still interface to the CD changer - and keeping an eye out for a spare set of wheels for winter tyres

Looking forward in participating on this site, and perhaps meeting a few similarly minded enthusiasts

Well as it's pi$$ing down outside thought I'd post a few thoughts after 24hours ownership.

Picked up a '54 VRS yesterday, 69k, fsh, cruise & 6CD, in a private sale from a lass in the RAF transferring to Bahrain. Car had obviously been looked after, though interior was a mess, as she was a keen mountain biker, but it was allowed for in the price, and she threw in her bike rack and satnav. A couple of hours this morning with damp cloths, a little carpet shampoo and plenty of elbow grease and the inside has come up like new (well almost)

Have now done about 100miles and have to say pretty impressed - have always been a fan of small cars with surprising engines - couple of Lupo GTis I've owned come to mind. Nice smooth surge of torque, and a damn site more comfortable that my 1 Series M Sport on runflats.

The neighbours have been taking the mickey a bit, especially give the other cars I've owned/own, but am looking forward to owning a car I can tinker with (Haynes manual already purchased) and the g/f loves it - which is a great bonus given the whole reason for buying it was for her to learn to drive in it.

Obviously, being a 7 year old car not everything is perfect..

- All the alloys are kerbed, but not bothering sorting those until someone has got her license

- The a/c needs re-gassing as its not running particularly cold plus it made a very strange noise yesterday which has not happened today (almost like a small fan screeching) so hoping a full a/c service will cure that and its nothing serious - previous owner wasn't a believer in using it much.

- Strange knocking sound which (from the drivers seat at least) seems to be coming from behind the baulkhead near the o/s/f wheel - doesn't appear to be suspension given when it occurs, but when it's a bit dryer will go and investigate more thoroughly - and it didn't happen during the test drive.

- rear spoiler, and to a lesser extend rear valence, have faded - again, when it's dryer some elbow grease should cure those.

So, pretty pleased with it - no major plans for mods etc though will be replacing the stereo with something iPod/bluetooth compatible - wonder if there's anything that would still interface to the CD changer - and keeping an eye out for a spare set of wheels for winter tyres

Looking forward in participating on this site, and perhaps meeting a few similarly minded enthusiasts

Congrats on the purchase

Knocking can be from a few things. A common one to check is the front anti roll bar drop links - I'd highly recommend replacing them with Meyles HD parts from http://www.vwspares.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=178 as they are a bit stronger.

I recently had knocking from the near side myself which, after replacing ball joints, drop links (twice) and track rod ends turned out to be the front anti roll bar bushes. These can appear visually fine, but actually be totally knackered. Symptoms were a hollow muted sort of clonking noise over rough roads in a straight line - seemed absolutely find over speed bumps and such. The bushes themselves are only a couple of quid each from the dealer, and it's about an hours labour. You can do them yourself if you're handy enough, I hear it's a bit fiddly getting the D clamps off and one side has the drive shaft in the way.

For iPod connection, look for Connects2 leads - I have one, it plugs into autochanger port on the rear of head unit, and I have an iPod classic sitting in my glovebox with my whole music collection on it

You will have to sacrifice the autochanger this way but no biggie IMO