Does a model automatically become a classic just because its predecessor is? There's a lot going for it, and it gives you the opportunity to buy a classic while it's still cheap. The Golf 3 could be such a model.
There are several signs that the Golf 3 is going to be labeled a classic. Several car dealers in Europe refer to nice examples as classics. Moreover, the Golf 3 appears more and more often at car meets, especially GTIs. But does the Golf 3 have what it takes to become a classic?
Modern for its time
The Golf 3 still seems like a fairly new car. At first glance, it's hard to believe that the model is 30 years old – produced between 1991 and 1997. It's not just the design that has held up well. Safety is almost on par with today's cars. The Golf 3 is considered the model that brought airbags and ABS to the masses. The safety means that – if you buy a car for fun – you can let other family members use it with a clear conscience. With manual gearbox, this is a safe practice car for young drivers.
Missing "flare"
I have only driven the Golf 3 as a new car. Compared to the Golf 2, it seemed a bit boring on the road. Heavy and safe, but had lost a bit of the dynamics from the Golf 2. Power steering was a plus at the time, but the steering did not seem as sharp as in the Golf 2 without servo. The main impression was of a car that seemed slower and less spontaneous - a car that did not inspire mischievous driving. I experienced it the same way when I went from the Opel Kadett E to the Opel Astra F.
GTI
I have only driven cars with standard engines. Owners of the GTI and VR6 probably experienced far more driving pleasure behind the wheel. The GTI was first produced with the Passat engine – a 2-litre with 115 HP. From model year 1994, it could also be delivered with a new 16-valve 2-litre with 150 HP, although the 115-horsepower engine followed the model program all along. I am fairly certain that the GTI versions will be most sought after as hobby and collector cars.
VR6
It was sensational news that the Golf 3 could be delivered with a 6-cylinder engine. The VR6 engine was originally a 2,8 liter V6 SOHC 12V with 174 HP. Cylinder angle of 15 degrees meant that the large engine had a place in the Golf. Later came the 3,6 liter version with a cylinder angle of 10,5 degrees. The first cars to get the VR6 engines were the Passat (B3) and Corrado in 1991. The only Audi models equipped with the VR6 were the Audi TT and the Audi A3, both of which are built on the Golf 4 platform **). Many VR6 customers chose the automatic transmission. Audi's V6 engines (AAH) received automatic gearboxes from ZF, while the Golf was equipped with one of the Volkswagen Group's own gearboxes which could not withstand the high torque as well as the ZF gearboxes. On forum sites, VR6 owners complain about problems with their automatic transmissions. VR6 with manual transmission may therefore be the best in the long run.
Convertible
The Golf 3 came as a cabriolet version only in mid-1993 as a 1994 model. Until then, the cabriolets were based on the Golf 1. Production of the Golf 3 continued after the host model went out of production. When the Golf 4 was introduced as a 1998 model, the cabriolet edition only received the new one the front from the Golf 4, while the rest of the car remained identical to the Golf 3. This model is often referred to as the Golf 3,5. I mentioned earlier that the Golf 3 brought airbags and ABS to the people. You could probably also say that it brought the convertible to the people. If you want a convertible, the Golf 3 is a good choice. There are many of them - and they are relatively cheap compared to other convertibles. Most are equipped with the 1,8 liter engine - either 75 or 90 HP. They were also produced with the 1,9 TDI and with the GTI engines.
The campaign models
Model names with rock bands were cool in the 90s. The campaign models in Norway were as follows:
1994 Pink Floyd
1995 Rolling Stones
1996 Bon Jovi
1997 jokers
These models were specially equipped editions of the CL variant with specially designed interior fabrics, some additional equipment - such as white instruments, sunroof - as well as exterior decals. Besides the CL, the GL and GT were popular trim levels. The differences were mainly lavish seats as well as colors and materials in the interior.
Engines
Briefly summarized, the engine program for the Golf 3 was as follows: 1,4 60 HP, 1,8 75/90 HP, 2,0 115 HP, 2,8 174 HP (VR6). From the 1994 model you could get the GTI with 2,0 16v 150 HP. From 1996, the model got a 1,6 (8v) engine with 75 or 100 HP. Golf 3 was also the first Golf that could be delivered with a TDI engine of 90 or 110 HP. Today - as a hobby car or a fun car - the pump-nozzle turbodiesel engines are not the first choice, even though they were excellent alternatives for their time. The problem with the TDI versions is also that they were used cars that have been driven to shreds. The most applicable standard engine is probably 1,6 liters with 100 HP. This was a popular engine option. The 1,8-litre engine with 90 HP also appears to be a good engine choice.
Prices
In 1996, the list prices of the Golf 3 were as follows:
CL 1,6 100 HP 5D: NOK 185
GL 1,6 100 HP Business 5D: NOK 188
GL 2,0 115 HP 5D: NOK 227
GTI 2,0 115 HP 5D: NOK 238
GTI 2,0 16V 150 HP 5D: NOK 280
VR6 2,8 V6 174 HP: NOK 382
— with automatic: NOK 393
Cabriolet 1,6 100 HP: NOK 236
(Source: Skatteetaten.no)
Today's prices for the Golf 3 (standard car and convertible) can look like this:
20-30: Driven cars with recent EU approval.
30-40: Cars in better than average condition.
40-60: Cars in very good condition for their age.
Watch out for the following
Golf 3 is actually notorious for poor quality. When the model was launched, there were waiting times. In autumn 1992, customers had to wait 6 months for a new car. Whether it was high gear in production that caused problems is not known, but the cars towards the end of the model's life are probably better than early models. I have heard that many errors were corrected in cars produced from the second half of 1995.
On cars that are 25-30 years old, you can really expect anything. Then you should know that the share access is great. You can buy practically any part. Therefore, the biggest problem is rust. Rear fender arches in transition to ducts, ducts and front strut mounts are exposed. Low km is no guarantee against rust. Another point of irritation is the ABS if there is a fault in the system - something you have to reckon with. The Golf 3 diagnostic system is not OBD2 compatible. Uses KKL (OBD1).
Not all old ladies are equally trustworthy
Most Golf 3s sold today go to people who want a simple, everyday means of transport. But it is now possible to acquire a splendid example with one owner, for example an elderly lady. In the video below, you can see how to proceed.
*) Link to advertisement
**) The article has been updated on 27.07.2022/6/XNUMX regarding the VRXNUMX engines
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