Is 16v MkIII Golf GTi really any better than 8v?

I'm thinking of trying a MkIII Golf for a while, and wondering if there is much difference in the drive between the two. I know the figures are much stronger for the 16v, but is real life driving much different? Do you really need to top 4,000 revs to get the extra power?

Also, is there any difference in value and resale value? Do you think 16v fetch a little more than 8v? Are they a more sound investment? I've heard that the 16v engines aren't as reliable/long-lived as the 8v...?

I really want a fun family car for a few months, as I'm leaving the country in May.

Thanks for any advice!

 

What about a VR6?

 

8v is the way to go

dunno why they ever made the 16v tbh

 

cos its faster - 8V Mk3 is slow as a very slow thing

 

i drove an 8v when I was 18 and looking for a new car, and thought it was not quick enough to warrant the insurance premium and drove a 16v and that seemed loads better.

A 16v will always be easier to sell if nothing else....

 

For daily normal speed town driving 8v is really good, vr6 is great for motorways but more costly, i'd imagine 16v is more suited towards latter also judging on most 16v engines (tho i never even been in a mk3 16v)

 

anyone wanna line an 8v against a 16v?

similar mpg (in fact my 16v does more mpg than a fair few 8v i konw too) and miles more than a vr6.

16v all the time

 

i had a traffic light grand prix against an 8v once, and after first gear I was about a yard ahead!!! i was thinking wtf!!!! then once into second a 16v pulls away like they are stood still...... a VR6 is no quicker in normal road use imo, untill you get on the motorway then it seems to have ooodle's of power

 

anyone know how many 8v, 16v and vr6s were sold in the uk?

 

16v everyday.

When you pop the bonnet on an 8v it always looks like somethings missing lol. Theres just too much space under there lol.

 

There were only about 1000 16v apparently. And there seem to be tons of 8v around.

 

16v has the much stronger 02a gearbox, the 8v is still on the rod change and all of them have a whining reverse gear

16v all the way

 

12v FTW!!

 

12volt hybrid?

 

16v will always be worth more and will always be a better car. With that in mind expect to pay more for a decent 16v as they are a lot rarer than the common 8v.

Like for a 1996 onwards model and you're laughing

 

that sounds like anni figures, its certainly not normal 16v figure

 

Have a test drive in both and see what you think.

As for reliability, our lasses mk3 16v has over 180000 mile on the clock and i think Matt82s mk3 has silly miles on it too. So dont let mileage put you off as long as it has been looked after.

 

176k. i want the highest mile abf ever lol the car defies all logic. i drive it hard when i can, it still returns over 30mpg on every tank. make sure there is not too much rot and itll love you long time

 

So does the G/F.

You only have another 9.000 mile to go to catch up.