SOT: Considering a MK2, 3 or 4 VW GTI for my new DD, Give me the good, the bad, and the ugly... Options

[Gint]

I don't want to spend a fortune and I don't buy new cars anymore anyway. I like the fact that I can get into cars I've always liked without losing my shorts or spending a a ton of cash. I have a 914, a 4WD truck and a DD (the DD will be replaced with this car) so absolute dependability isn't the most important factor as I can deal with one car having a little down time.

I've been wanting to get an old water cooled VW again for quite awhile. While I'd prefer a MK1 Scirocco or GTI, they aren't exactly plentiful anymore. So I'm looking at the later GTIs. Of course a Scirocco wouldn't be out of the question either. But I can go as late as the early MK4's GTIs. I've heard different things about the reliability of these cars, but I respect most everyone's opinion here and know a lot of you guys have probably owned a few of these. So give me the run down on the different years and their strengths/weaknesses?

[pete-stevers]

Mike here are a few of my thoughts
Steer clear of any dub 91 or newer as they are just trouble!!
but the early mk1 and 2s are great, with plentiful parts to be had
an early round headlight rabbit are tons of fun and can be pumped up with all sorts of goodies
but for a daily i would pick a two/four door 85-90 golf with an 8 valve head and a five speed(simple is better) with stock suspension and 10.1 fronts,and big rear drums
i am not a fan of jettas as they don't have the cargo space
the roccos are super cool but not as practical for hauling 914 parts
(but i would also stay clear of any sixteen valve engines unless they are well documented rebuilds if you need a screamer build up an solid lifter 8v)
and if you come across any early audi 2.0 in your hunt give me a call (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)