FAST FORD GTi ON A BUDGET

Advantages: quite nippy 115bhp engine. looks great. cheap to obtain.
Disadvantages: repairs can be pricy, problems with coolant system

...of shopping around for insurance on a car like this.I was amazed at the range of prices quoted! (one company quoted nearly £1500 fully comp!!?) Think it was either confused.com, or moneysupermarket.co.uk that came up with the lowest in the end. And I highly recommend keepin it in a driveway if you can, or in a garage if you have one. LOOKS This really is a smart looking car for being so little above the average family hatchback. And there are only two discreet GTi badges that give it away that it is actually a GTi. So it's not a look at me, I own a great car sort of ride, but it whispers style and has the performance to back it up. PERFORMANCE Developing 115bhp (in nearly new condition, but maybe only 105-110 in any of the slightly higher mileage ones.) from a 1.8l Zetec engine, you really notice the acceleration difference from...

freeridemtber 19.11.2006 (18.04.2007) · Read review
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Review of Ford Escort GTi

Awesome-GTI, bringing "awesome" to your car.

Advantages: great customer service, skilled and knowledgeable, quick and reasonably priced
Disadvantages: Could do with a bigger catologue

...Awesome-GTI (http://www.awesome-gti.co.uk/) is one of those rare companies where the clue is in their name. Yes, they are in fact awesome and yes, they do sell stuff for GTI?s (and TDI?s for that matter). As anyone that has read my previous reviews will know, I am a total petrol head. I got into modding my VW Golf (MK4 TDI) via being a member of an owners club and seeing what you could do to improve your car over the manufacturers standard. That forum/community has sponsored companies that offer discounts and support to the members. Awesome-GTI is one of them, but that is not the reason I am writing the review. Bar one American company, Awesome-GTI is, in my opinion, the best performance parts company on the world wide web. Their customer service is top notch, they ship and deliver quickly, but most importantly they offer a wide...

AgeUK 05.11.2009 · Read review
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Review of awesome-gti.co.uk

VW MK5 Polo GTI 2000 - 2001

Advantages: Small, nice to drive, nippy
Disadvantages: expensive to buy, hard to find, poor gearboxes

...I fist purchased my MK5 VW Polo GTI back in january of last year and i have become so impressed with the car i decided to write this review. I'll start off with a quick over view of the car.Statistics report that only 3,000 were made. I have not seen this officially reported by VW however. It is reported that 1000 of three colours were made. Red, Black and silver. 500 five door and 500 three door of each colour. So you tend not to see too many around and a lot of people confuse it with the golf GTI The MK5 ' can also be known as a 6N2,It was only made from 2000 until 2001. Now for a quick guide to the specification: Xenon Discharge Headlights with automated washer jets Red Stitched GTi Steering Wheel GTi Gearknob GTi "1" Seats 15mm Lowered Suspension 6CD Changer in the boot Heated Rear Window/Heater Electric...

polo_princess 19.02.2008 · Read review
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Review of Volkswagen Polo GTI

VW Polo GTi as a 2nd hand Car

Advantages: Nippy for a small engine size, good handling, good build quality, tons of equipment!
Disadvantages: Gearbox bearings can wear between 60 and 80k, pedal box recall, bbs alloys corrode easily.

...I bought my W plate Polo GTi in October 2006 and decided to write a review covering what you should look for if you are looking to buy a 2nd hand Polo GTi. I did a lot of research while I was looking for my car and feel that this knowledge could be a great help to others. I'll do the basic information first. The Polo GTi was only ever made in 3 colours, Red, Silver and Black - any other coloured car you may see badged up as a GTi will either be an import or an engine conversion. The car came as either a 3 or 5 door and had a subtle bodykit which included a black plastic splitter on the bumper, honeycomb grills, front fog lights, side skirts and a spolier. The car also benefitted from a sports suspension which sat 15mm lower than that of the standard car. Inside, the car had chromed dial surrounds, leather 'GTi' gearknob and steering...

bryonyp 05.07.2007 · Read review
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Review of Volkswagen Polo GTI

Golf GTI

Advantages: Smooth handling, reliable.
Disadvantages: Boring, has little character, expensive price and insurance.

...I am a learner driver, and am insured on my mother?s Golf GTI. Luckily for me, thanks to my mother?s work circumstances, this is free ? unfortunately, learner drivers should expect to pay up £6000 for insurance on this car. The Golf GTI is a beast ? about a tonne of metal and smooth German engineering. Being a diesel car only adds to the power under the hood, and some may find 6 gears a little daunting. The gearbox is smooth, as is the power steering. The controls are user-friendly and accessible. The pedals are very responsive ? I would say that the breaks, in my car at least, are just a touch too sharp. The clutch pedal throbs just a tiny bit, not enough to be noticeable or off-putting but enough to appreciate the engine. The acceleration pedal does not require as much pressure to achieve the desired revs ? it is very responsive...

Manic_expressive 22.07.2007 · Read review
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Review of Volkswagen Golf IV 1.8 T GTI

My Little GTI

Advantages: Quick, Looks Good, Lots of Extra's, Retaining Value
Disadvantages: Fuel Economy

...I fell in love with my little beast when i saw here advertised by the dealer on the website. I drove round that afternoon and as soon as i saw it i knew i was gonna buy it. I was a little worried as i'd had a Golf GT TDI bedfor and didn't tihnk it'd be up to the same spec. As it was a little car i thought it'd feel cheap and stuff. The test drive went well, the car was responsive and handled like a little go-kart, ideal!!! The insurance was cheaper than i thought (even with 3 points and a write-off it was under a grand (i was 22 at the time) You get ABS, CD Multichanger, Climate Control, Electric Mirrors/Windows. The styling on the GTI is awsome, not too much but enough to give it that bit of class. The racing style seats hug you, although i guess for bigger poeple could bea problem. It's quick off the lights, and i...

idaviesuk 01.03.2005 · Read review
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Review of Volkswagen Polo GTI

At last I own a Golf GTI!

Advantages: Outstanding build quality, tons of extras, Solid and dependable
Disadvantages: Not the fastest GTI, expensive parts,

...When my brother in law offered me his 1999 Golf MkIV GTI with only 34,000 miles on the clock I had to jump at the chance. I had only been in it previously as a passenger, but I found the seats extremely comfortable and supportive, the interior was very high quality with none of the cheap plastic I was used to in my previous cars! As my brother in law lives in London, the Golf was used very little, averaging around 4200 miles a year. In fact, when I checked the service history, it had only done 2,400 miles since the year before! Once I had taken delivery of it, I found it very smooth, the steering and pedals give a good amount of feedback (which I fine crucial to enjoyable driving) and the brakes are sharp and precise. It is solidly built, and so much bigger than the last car I had (renault 5) that I feel as if I am driving...

Jon1977 09.10.2007 · Read review
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Review of Volkswagen Golf IV 1.8 T GTI

Best Gti ever.

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 standard and the engine revs to 7500rpm, making it very 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...

biffo0911 05.12.2007 · Read review
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Review of Volkswagen Golf II GTI

The Refined GTI

Advantages: Smooth, economical, fast without feeling it, well made
Disadvantages: Expensive, poor gear change, bad dashboard layout

...This is a grown-up GTI. Refined is definately the word. I have been driving my 1.8 GTI Turbo for over a year now and have been very impressed with the car. When I first drove the car the first thing I noticed was how smooth and refined a GTi experience could be, the engine hardly has to try to pull you away at speed. This is not a revy street monster, just a gentle squeeze of the pedal and you get an unfussed push in the back. If you're looking for GTi fuss, noise or attention, this is not the car for you. Another benefit of this low-revving engine seems to be the fuel economy. When I relax and cruise along the motorway, near the legal limit, I can get a journey average of 40 mpg. When I'm pushing it the figure drops to around 33 mpg. The handling and brakes are smooth, safe and just excellent. I was hoping that...

Shonman 10.08.2000 · Read review
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Review of Volkswagen Golf IV 1.8 T GTI

Baby 306 gti-6

Advantages:
Disadvantages:

...I have had two 306 GTI-6's and this little sister packs in all the fun of those cars without the price tag [and comfort]. These cars are absolutly great fun to drive, not for people who want to enjoy their ride though. The gear change is chunky, the acceleration is harsh and you feel EVERY stone chip on the road due to the REALLY HARD suspension. All this just adds to the thrill of driving this car. Like its bigger brother, thte acceleration and handling are fantastic, almost the same in fact. Luxurys are missing though inside, as is any form of top speed. The engine loves to operate over 5000rpm and red lines at 7500rpm. It loves accelerating through corners and never feels unstable. If you want a GTI-6 but cant afford one. BUY THIS CAR!!!!!!!...

stefanwilliams 11.07.2000 · Read review
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Review of Peugeot 106 GTI