Mk2 vibrating gear lever, lumbar

Technical Area Engine, Transmission, Exhaust etc
2

First post, and what a title!

Looking at buying a 2003 1.8 with quite low mileage (37 000km ish) and all seems great but when I tested it I thought the gear lever vibrated a fair bit at low speed. As I moved up to 30-40mph I thought I could feel it in my lower back. It’s the first I’ve ever driven so I don’t know if “they all do that sir”.

 I’ve just put a deposit down so I’m hoping this is not a sign that the car will fall to pieces! Seems perfect otherwise, and it’s from a dealer. He muttered about tyre pressure which I thought seemed a bit off.

 You may think I’m mad buying the first one, but there is a reason for it, trust me.

 Can anyone advise if this is a known problem / characteristic?

 Many thanks!

3

The gear levers do virbrate, basically becaue they go straight in to the box, rather than through a series of linkages like most cars - so there is no ball joints and so on to absorb the vibration/movement.

Feeling it through the seat though isn’t normal though - I assume you were not labouring the engine?