VW Golf GTI: Market Watch
Approaching its 40th year PH takes a look back at the archetypal hot hatch in all its versions
VW's Golf GTI started life in 1973 as the pet project of VW test engineer Alfons Loewenberg - yet the proposition that people would buy a sports version of VW's new small family hatchback seemed faintly ludicrous at the time. But Alfons found support for the idea from marketing expert Horst-Dieter Schwittlinsky and Anton Konrad - the then head of Volkswagen PR.
An official assignment was sent to the R&D department to develop a sporty version of the Golf and - after five of the original six prototypes were rejected - the 'Sportgolf' as the car had become known created quite a stir when it was demonstrated to management in 1975.
Chief designer Herbert Schaefer was responsible for all the details that would distinguish the 'Sportgolf' from its rivals, including the red stripe on the radiator grille, the larger front spoiler, the wheel arch extensions, the matt black frame on the rear windscreen, the black roof-liner; the golf-ball gearknob and of course those chequered seat covers.
Following its Frankfurt Motor Show debut, interest in the GTI - as it was now called - was substantial, with an initial run of 5,000 vehicles ordered by VW to fulfil expected demand. However dealers managed to sell 10 times the planned number in their first year of sales and the Golf GTI has continued to be a huge seller ever since. Six incarnations and 38 years later, more than 1.7 million Golf GTIs have been sold globally.
But not all generations have been equally well received: whilst some make excellent used buys, others are less appealing. Some are rising in value, whilst others deliver the best tuning potential. And of course, a few iterations of this iconic hot hatch are destined to become future classics.
Introduction
VW Golf GTI Mk1 (1976-1984)
VW Golf GTI Mk2 (1984-1992)
VW Golf GTI Mk3 (1992-1998)
VW Golf GTI Mk4 (1998-2004)
VW Golf GTI Mk5 (2005-2008)
VW Golf GTI Mk6 (2009-2012)
VW Golf GTI Mk7 (2013-on)
Many thanks to AMD Essex, Revo Technik, Midland VW, Rupert Pontin, Chief Car Editor at Glass's and Club GTI for their help with this feature
Subjectively, it doesn't seem to be as popular as it once was, although £30k prices may well answer that one.
For me the highpoints were the Mk2 and Mk5...
I bought one, and it was great. But not £30k great.
And since all the press cars/a large number of customer cars use the plastic bumpers, it's what I'm most used to seeing and the coloured ones just don't look quite right to me.
And since all the press cars/a large number of customer cars use the plastic bumpers, it's what I'm most used to seeing and the coloured ones just don't look quite right to me.
SS7
No, the most unforgiving thing about the Mk3 is that they were appallingly badly made by VW standards, VW were meant to be 'everyman quality' not luxurious as such, but well made and reliable - but early MK3's were terrible - I've never owned a car that would rust as quickly as my MK3 VR6 - but then I've never owned a Layland or 70's Fiat either.
Several MK2 16v, Mk4 GTi ( that was crap so gave it to the wife ) Mk5 Edition 30 and a Mk6.
Having just sold my Edition 30 I don't presently have a GTi in my life so am looking around for inspiration.
I am considering a Mk2 16v as an investment or a Mk5 Edition 30 again as I loved that car so much.
Good timing for this article, lots to choose from.
Would love a Mk1 but budget may be out of reach and I need to use it daily.
It's also very spacious inside (I'm 6'2" and you can fit a 6 foot person behind me comfortably).
SS7
I owned a Mk2 16v back in 1990 when they were new. It really was an enjoyable little machine: really well screwed together, quick for its day, really chuckable - just all-round enjoyable (at speeds that didn't need to threaten licence and liberty)!
I think it's the memory of how good an all-rounder the Mk2 was that inspired me, last week, to buy a used Mk5. I'd been looking for a new (to me) daily drive for a month or two and the Mk5 looked like it would do everything I needed. After a few minutes test driving the car I eventually bought, it was obvious the '5' has many of the attributes of the '2', as well as being a lot more brisk and really easy to tune (it was re-mapped within 4 hours of being bought)! The 5s are also really good value now (mine's a main dealer, 2008 car with only 40,000 miles and was still under £9000). Good to read that the depreciation on well looked-after cars should be low too. Just like the '2' back in 1990, the '5' does indeed do the 'great all-rounder' very well indeed. Pleased I bought it.
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