I had the pleasure of owning a Mk.2 GTI from new and covered 120,000 miles over ten years until I wrote it off after skidding on an untreated icy road last Christmas. Even though this model lacked airbags, etc. it still performed well in destruction testing leaving everyone in one piece and ... Read review
Yes Car Credit helps you purchase the vehicle you want - even if you have had problems in the past, if you are in the armed forces, or self-employed. We can say Yes. Apply online now.
Advantages: great to drive and built to last Disadvantages: bit boring
I had the pleasure of owning a Mk.2 GTI from new and covered 120,000 miles over ten years until I wrote it off after skidding on an untreated icy road last Christmas. Even though this model lacked airbags, etc. it still performed well in destruction testing leaving everyone in one piece and limping home under its own power. With the great fun I had with this car over the last decade convinced me to buy another GTI. I bought a Mk.4 GTI Turbo in January ... ...I drove this car on test I was impressed by just how far VW had progressed over the last ten years. This car really is a quality item with everything well screwed together and a really nice interior with grippy Recarro seats. On the safety front the car has driver and passenger front and side airbags and three proper three-point seatbelts in the rear. I'm a bit of a car nut so I'd read all the quality car mags. before buying and I knew that the Turbo ... more
I had the pleasure of owning a Mk.2 GTI from new and covered 120,000 miles over ten years until I wrote it off after skidding on an untreated icy road last Christmas. Even though this model lacked airbags, etc. it still performed well in destruction testing leaving everyone in one piece and limping home under its own power. With the great fun I had with this car over the last decade convinced me to buy another GTI. I bought a Mk.4 GTI Turbo in January and have now covered 8,000 miles without any problem. When I drove this car on test I was impressed by just how far VW had progressed over the last ten years. This car really is a quality item with everything well screwed together and a really nice interior with grippy Recarro seats. On the safety front the car has driver and passenger front and side airbags and three proper three-point seatbelts in the rear. I'm a bit of a car nut so I'd read all the quality car mags. before buying and I knew that the Turbo was supposedly the pick of the range but even I was surprised by just how nice this car is to drive. Even when it was brand new and the engine and gearbox were tight it went really fast and remembering how the last Golf didn't really loosen up until 50,000 miles I'm looking forward to this one getting even better as time goes on. I didn't like the Mk.3 GTI but I think this model is nicely understated, especially in Black with those lovely alloys and only the red 'I' on the badge to distinguish it from lesser Golfs. It's grown up over the years and hopefully won't get the same negative reactions from vandals and traffic cops as the last one attracted. Comparing it to the Mk.2 its not better in every way - you need to remember to drop a gear or two after slowing to enter a roundabout otherwise it can bog-down until the revs rise and the turbo smooths things out. There isn't any real turbo lag and the turbo kicks in very softly c. 2000 rpm and then it really accelerates. It doesn't have the Mk.2's phenomenal acceleration around 50-70mph in top which made that car so much fun to drive and the suspension is quite a bit softer which combined with the nicely weighted power steering make it a lot more comfortable but a bit less communicative. It can gently bounce a little at speed on undulating motorways and you either have to accelerate through this or back off a bit. I'm told VW build and import some cars from South Africa and these can be a bit rattly but mine was built in good old West germany and is as solid as a rock. This car is a good example of german enginnering at its best!!!!!!!!!!!
Advantages: Its fantastic in so many ways! Disadvantages: They dont sell them today!
What can I say the title says it all. The Mk2 Golf Gti 8v is the answer for all people. Its cheap to run, I can get 38mpg (brimming the tank and calculating it from the mileometer), although when I thrash it (accelerate & brake with nothing in between) it will avg 28mpg although day to day will give me 33-35mpg normally, its quick, fun to drive, and people still recognise it for what it is and pull over on the motorways when you want to press on. ... ...most highly spec'ed being an 02 Saab 9-5 Aero yet I got rid of that becuase £70 fuel bills for 300-350mile ranges is not fun the speed was nice but handling was poor. I have had my mk2 since nov 1997, I bought it with 86k miles on the clock for £4,700, its a 91 3 door in black. The anniversary models like mine come with all the extras including extra wide BBS alloys which are £400 a piece new!
The car has 162k miles on the clock (June 05) and its ...
tricky911t 05.06.2005
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Volkswagen Golf II GTI
Advantages: Cheap, reliable, fast, and long lasting. Excellent choice for a used car. Disadvantages: None except they are getting on now - choose with care!
Having owned a good few used cars over the years I can recommend the 8v as a superb cheap buy. Many have mileages close to 150000 or more and yet with careful looking after they continue to go well. The handling is very good and it goes round corners on rails. Low down torque enables overtaking to be done with confidence. The Mark two Golf is still highly sought after and with a little care good examples can be found.
However you need to check out ... ...car. Check the bodywork, walk all the way round the car. Does it look cared for? Get on your hands and knees and look around for the dreaded tin worm underneath and in the bottom of the doors. Three doors are probably best as the body is supposed to be stiffer. A favourite spot for rust is the front of the windscreen on the scuttle - although it usually isn't terminal also the rear hatchback needs careful looking at, but again repacements can be ...
Richlyn 24.10.2002
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Volkswagen Golf II GTI
Value for Money
Road Handling
Comfort
Features
Fuel consumption
Looks
Quick review of Volkswagen Golf II GTI
I have the golf mk2 8v GTI 91 model, with a high milage of 294 000 km on the clock! And still going strong. When I purchased it the previous owner added a branch freeflow and a 260 cam. This car is amazing I love it, the handling is great, acceleration good, left a couple shocked faces behind on the road! The GTI's will always demand their respect on the road and even the old mk2 GTI's still dominate! I would recomend this car to anyone, just expect to spend a lil extra cash on small things just like any older second hand car. I find this car demands to be driving hard! Thats when it shines. ...
Scotty_369 31.05.2007 (29.05.2007)
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Volkswagen Golf II GTI
Advantages: Fast, excellent handling, easy maintenance, plethora of parts available. Disadvantages: None.
I owned a 1987 VW Golf Gti 16V for around 2 years until I had to sell it recently. Although they are becoming rare, and any good ones that are left are quire expensive, this is a very good car. A lot of motoring enthusiasts agree that the mk II Gti was the last tru Golf Gti until the mk V came along. The mk III and IV are far too heavy for the power that their engines produce nad this weight affects the handling too.
The 16V mk II has 137bhp as ... ...rapid - 0-60 in under 8 seconds and a top speed of around 130mph.
You have to drive this car to appreciate the handling compared to newer Gtis - it is very sure-footed and agile, and never understeers unless it is on a very wet, slow corner.
Maintenance is also far simpler compared to most modern cars as all parts are readily available and everthing on the car is easy to fix yourself, or easy to access for a mechanic. Parts are also cheap since ...
biffo0911 05.12.2007
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Volkswagen Golf II GTI
Advantages: Reliability, low down power. Disadvantages: Common, Boy racer image
Ive saddly just got rid of my golf. What can i say these thins are reliable and i mean reliable mine had over 200,000 miles on the clock yet went like it had only 20,000. The great thin about the 8 valver sis there amazing low down power put your foot down in any gear and they just pull like a train whats more they are smooth and refined with it they sound pretty mean too. Comfort the standard fitment recaroes are a gem better than any other car ... ...great support and comfort. Handling well they're a cult car for a good reason though paus em beyound there traction limits especially in the wet and it can get scary bearing in mind they're a heavey car. Mind you heavy is good these thing's are built lioke a sherman tank. Space is good with good stowage space and a decent size boot. Fuel economy is good for a car with this much tourque. Stuff that goes wrong and to be checked when buying are second ...
brambridge 08.12.2002
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Volkswagen Golf II GTI
Value for Money
Road Handling
Comfort
Features
Fuel consumption
Looks
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "Volkswagen Golf II GTI"
The GolfGti is one of those cars that can generate quite a lot of passion, either from Volvo drivers who feel that they are driven, often badly by novices 2 days out of their driving test or by real car enthusiasts looking for the best balance between speed, agility and comfort. One wonders therefore what the hell VW were thinking of when they launched the new GolfGti 1.8 just over 2 years ago! Its not a bad car, its just that the whole experience is underwhelming.
So, specifics..
Acceleration - 0-60 in 9.9 Seconds! Hardly inspiring.
This is a GTi, it should at least drive like one.
Handling - Can be a bit of a handful at times due to the soft, bouncy response from the suspension, doesn't inspire confidence at speed (once you get there!) I could have had the suspension lowered and I suggest that if you are considering one ...
