Buy the cleanest unmolested example you can find

The single most repeated piece of advice in these threads is that most Mk4 GTIs, and especially the special editions, were modified hard, passed through many owners and rusted in salt states, so condition is everything. Owners who tried to restore neglected 20ths reported spending nearly $19,000 in repairs and NOS parts, arguing it is cheaper to pay up front for a preserved car. …