Ok, it's been a while (13 years, in fact) but I've finally gotten over the heartbreak that Volkswagens have caused and I want to try another. I'm looking at the first four generations of Golfs. I'll have $2500 to spend for the project starting point—at least that's what I think I can squeeze out of my checking account and the adoption fees I'll get from the Neon.
Golf 1/Rabbit:
Pros: definitely old school cool at this point. The one I want would be as old as possible and wouldn't mind a four door. Really even wouldn't mind a first gen Jetta.
Cons: surprisingly hard to find nowadays, especially without terminal rust here in Florida—around the windows particularly. Getting a bit old for the target GRM demographic/advertiser interest.
Golf 2/Jetta 2.
Pros: Lots of parts available, still interest from autocrossers and road racers, a little bit more 'real' of a car.
Cons: Getting harder to find. Definitely feel BTDT personally, also getting a bit old for the target GRM demographic/advertiser interest.
Golf3 Pros: very cheap, and if you find a Golf Sport, you get essentially a nice 8v Gti that's not as heavy as you'd expect. More real than a A2
Cons: Electrical nightmares.
Golf4:
Pros: now we're talking a real car. 1.8Ts are getting down to this price range for the project and they've got loads of potential.
Cons: See Golf3, add a turbo.
I think he's too busy to do much with it now anyway.
