The GTI is a 2- or 4-door, 5-passenger sports coupe, or sports sedan, available in 4 trims, ranging
The GTI is a 2- or 4-door, 5-passenger sports coupe, or sports sedan, available in 4 trims, ranging from the 2.0T Coupe to the 2.0T Sedan PZEV.
All trims are equipped with a standard 2.0-liter, I4, 200-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 21-mpg in the city and 31-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional.
Weaknesses: Suspension may be a hair too soft. Maybe a little more turbo boost.
Summary: This is my third VW I starterd out with a Scirocco in 1983 and bought the 16v GTI when it came out in 1988. After a few years of bouncing around in Japanese cars with no soul ,I stumbled across my MkIV at the dealership and did a test drive . WOW! I remembered my old 16v with fondness , but this one had way more power and the interior was set up just right .In short someone at VW got all of the shortcomings of the older versions fixed. I love this body style so I will be in no hurry to go after the new MkV which in my opinion is too round , but I guess we will get used to it. So far only one mechanical problem , a squeaky rear shock that was replaced under warranty .
Similar Products Used: 88 GTI, 82 Scirocco
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Strengths: Transmission. The 6 spd. is to die for. Drive one with, then one without and you'll have made up your mind. It is nearly flawless and if I had to pick one issue, it would be a slightly (and this is really nitpicking) unusual clutch release. The actuation is quite a bit lower on the pedal that what you may be used to (at least initially).
Usable performance. The car delivers when power is needed and can be entertainingly quick when called upon. It pulls well from all gears and actually has quite usable brakes as well. Quite a bit more body-roll than I'd like, but the ride is pleasant, and that's going to be a trade-off. Shod with thin-profile Michelin Pilots, even with the 17" rims the car does very well in every department and is a nice compromise.
Styling. Understated and quite pure. I am really disappointed in the exterior styling of the new gen vehicles. The Jetta is disgusting and from what I have seen, the new Golf/GTI isn't much better. With factory 17" rims and dual exhaust tips, the Mk4 car has the appearance of a fantastic little street machine. I can't help but wonder what it would look like with mild, integrated fender flares... but that's just my Porsche affinity coming out. Nobody does flares like Porsche.
Resale. GTIs seem to do quite well in the used vehicle market. Even today, Gen III VR6 GTIs command quite a premium. That's at least a little reassuring.
Accessories and layout. Little details, the rain-sensing wipers for example, that work very well (the wipers themselves are also extremely effective). The control layout is very practical and the seams of various materials throughout the interior mate quite well.
Seats. Supportive and effective with fairly nice leather. I was surprised that the leather was equal in quality to that of every BMW I've ever sampled. That was pretty impressive. The front seats also feature easy (and clever) manual adjustments and provide easy access to the rear seats.
Weaknesses: Insurance. Quite expensive, even through one of the best companies in the industry - USAA. Believe it or not, more expensive than the 330 we almost went after.
Occasional rattles. Again, a minor annoyance and not serious.
Monsoon Stereo. I am certain that enough people have complained about this one already and my remarks would be redundant. Certainly not a fitting system for this vehicle on many different levels.
Cruise control. Can be finicky and takes a little while to adjust to at first.
Cup-holders. Being really anal now - but the holders significantly block access to the stereo controls. This is really reaching, however.
Summary: My wife and I bought our GTI after a prolonged debate between it and a 2002 BMW 330CI. In the end, the GTI offered a very similar feel and performance for 10k less. The choice made itself.
We've put roughly 10k miles on the car, and it has been an enjoyable little machine. We considered buying new, but with the advent of the MK V vehicles coming out next year, decided to hedge our bet and go with a certified pre-owned. As it turned out, we also got the balance of the factory warranty (car had ~27k) and so wound up with quite a bit of service coverage. We were lucky in that we found exactly the car we wanted with every available option.
This brings up a few important points.
Most notably, the behavior of each of these vehicles changes drastically with different options. The 6 spd/VR6 arrangement with optional wheels, climate control, full leather and seat-warmers is an entirely different beast than, say a 1.8T with a 5spd, basic climate control and few options. It is, quite literally, night and day between differently optioned cars so remember this and act accordingly in your search. You'd be better off driving one of each and deciding which one fits you (and your budget if that's the case).
This having been said, I would not have settled for anything less than the 6 spd./VR6 package. This is probably the most potent combo that VW has ever offered on any model (limited and SE models, i.e. the R32 excluded). The current 2.8L iteration of the VR6 is a wonderful engine, capable of lugging down in any gear and accelerating away smartly. It produces a wonderful, dare I say it - exotic tone at high RPMs, and it revs willingly. The true strength of the vehicle however, is the 6spd. I was worried it would be toy-like (Miata, S2K, etc..) but in reality the shifting mechanism itself is nearly flawless. Some will complain about the length of the throws; they are perfect for me. When I am performance driving, the shifting action had better not feel like a fisher-price playset and this car delivers. This includes shifting in -20 deg. temps - absolutely effortless. VW really has the 6 spd. nailed down.
As for performance, the car is "nice." It is not, say, a 944 Turbo or a WS6. Too many kids today with Hyundai Tiburons and Civic SIs think that a 7 second 0-60 makes a car quick; this vehicle is entertaining, but a performance car it is not. That goes for the 1.8Ts as well.
While I'm talking about the 1.8Ts, it is important to note that we avoided them on purpose. This is not an easy thing to do - they are literally everywhere. That having been said, our Porsche mechanic (with 35 years experience) warned me against buying a 1.8T based on the experiences of his friend, a shop-chief at a dealer in Chicago. I would avoid them like the plague... and besides, the VR6, despite its premium in price, is the engine to have as a daily-driver. It's 20 HP up on the 1.8 and delivers gobs more TQ when it counts. If you're modifying the car, then I suppose the 1.8T is the better choice, but we bought this car as a daily-driver and I am reviewing it accordingly. But, I digress. The fact remains - NA power is the heritage of the GTI and the VR6 is a worthy successor to the 16V fours of the heady GTI days of old.
As far as mait. issues, roughly a month after buying the car I noticed a drop of coolant on some freshly fallen snow. When I took the vehicle into the dealership (White-Allen in Dayton) they determined that the radiator was defective. During the inspection, they also noticed a weaping seal. Long story short, I received a new radiator, new headgasket and a 30k service, completely free. I wasn't complaining.
I've since put another 5k on the vehicle over several months and have not had any more issues. I can tell you, initially I was rather upset - but, I was supplied with a free loaner (A base-model Jetta - like flying a Cessna 172 after piloting a Learjet) and the job was finished in LESS than 24 hours. Needless to say, I wasn't exactly concerned after the ordeal was complete. Thus far, I am the only person I know of to have had these issues.
The craftsmanship of the vehicle is very nice. I've been really happy that VW has avoided the tacky faux-wood/carbon-fiber trend that has infected the mainstream automobile industry. The fit and finish is very nice, nearly on par with BMW (but not quite) and the vehicle is extremely solid (your ears will pop when rolling down the windows). We've been particularly pleased with these aspects of the car.
Similar Products Used: 924/944/968 series cars - the most balanced series of sports cars ever produced.
E36/46 BMWs - Will probably replace this GTI with a new gen M3 when they come out. Very nice cars.
A2 VWs - fun little cars, getting to the point now where they will nickel and dime you to death.
Other performance-oriented cars - Miatas, Mustangs, etc.
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Strengths: Torque; speed; agility; overall balance of small luxury sedan and quickness; gorgeous quality interior; FWD in snow; gorgeous 24V VR6 engine 'note' when accelerating; reliability thus far.
Weaknesses: Not as aggressive looking as a GTI should be for this model year; pricey; not as lowered as body should be.
Summary: This is my 3rd VW since 1983, having previously owned GTI's and plain Golf's. I purchased my 24V VR6 GTI fully loaded, with black leather interior, and it has been a dream to own! I've had the car since October 2002 (as a daily driver), and have had NO problems with it whatsoever. NONE! The 24V VR6 engine pulls like the dickens, with gobs of usable torque, and it drives as smoothly as a more expensive German sedan. I truly feel like I have 'the best of both worlds' with this car (luxury and sports), given it's quickness, agility, and luxurious, well-appointed interior. I change the oil only once a year with full synthetic. The interior is expensive looking and gorgeous, with fit and finish that rivals Audi, BMW, and Benz. The red on blue instrumentation comes alive at night, looking like a jet fighter cockpit. Without question, the 24V VR6 incarnation of the legendary GTI was one of the best ever, if you value quality, and a good balance of luxury and speed. The car itself will hit 60 MPH from a standstill in 6.5 seconds. It will also pull hard in most gears, requiring less overall shifting, and better gear useability, given it's excellent torque characteristics. Overall, this is one of the best cars I, or my family has ever owned. It is as reliable as a Japanese car, and even more fun to drive. It puts a grin on my face every time I turn the ignition key, given it's 'fun factor' and reliability. I realize that certain model year GTI's have been plagued with problems, but my 24V has been bulletproof. 'Knock on wood', as they say. I plan on keeping this car well past 100K miles. All in all, a GREAT car and car owning experience!
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Strengths: 1.8t ROCKS! I have killed V8's with this car! Amazing handling, beautiful luxury interior with the leather option, easy to clean, great car.
Weaknesses: The only 2 things I could complain about would be the creek noise in the door hinge, and the stupid cup holders.
Summary: I have just passed the 20000 mile mark on my 2003 GTI with no complaints. I loved this car the second I drove off of the lot with it, and I love it even more now!
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Strengths: Great handling , turbo WOOOOOSH!!!, Rims, Seats, options, Just go to a VW dealer and look for your self
Weaknesses: My car , right off the lot has a Steering rack noise ( loud bang ) but every car company has a few cars with glitches, and no matter how hard they try, this is the real world , and nothing is purfect.
Summary: Germans do a lot of things diffrent than amercian cars , so don't ever have the same expectations as most people do when going car shoping .Expect more.... I have the 1.8t motor , and i really love it. i drove the vr6 ,and the four is a better buy.
Since it uses high grade gas which can get expensive ( i only Use Sunoco 94). With 180 hp on tap , the car can really hurry from point A, to point B. But I do warn you, if thats all you want out a a car is to get to point A from point B , dont get this car, leave these cars for people who just really love driving.
The turbo produces a sound only car nuts would love. Driven once,then perhaps you can understand why turbo's really are mans best friend.Plus , audi, porsche and VW's are all the same company so , Porsche tech. is being appiled to every corner , and they really have mastered the turbo.
With only a K&N air filter ,( and being very kind to my car) i get about 42 MPG Which is great since gas is 1.89 a gallon.
Though it is a mini wagon , and reseambles nothing like the race cars we are used to, Should the time come that you hafta push this car, it will show its teeth and leave others in a look of aww. be forwarned , this car is a Hardcore sleeper, that when driven right-( using the turbo's boost at the right shift points ) this car is Really fast.
Perhaps its because i have experienced so many cars ( worked in many dealerships )that i can say this, but for your dollar, the gti is Real good bargin, doubt me, test drive one, even if you arent looking for a new car,or just find the mini wagon looks really akward ( the aztek is just awful looking )I can say with a warm heart, that you will be smiling afterwards .
Similar Products Used: wrx, 300zx, 911 turbo, boxster s, amg, S4,and so fourth .....I haven driven lots of cars,( worked in many dealerships ) and the gti is as close as i can get to a porsche, while still going to school a
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