RE: Volkswagen Lupo GTI: Spotted
Discussion
I’ve owned 2 of these and can only add how much fun they are. You don’t need oodles of power to have fun on a twisty B road, the lightness, handling and connected to the road feeling, are what put a smile on your face. If I had the spare cash and space, I’d have one of these again. Great little cars that are only going to become more sought after IMO.
Jonesy
Jonesy
Kolbenkopp said:
Looks like they really hold their value well. Drove one for a couple of years, really liked the thing.
Warning to those thinking these are just slightly more plush Twingo RS / 106 Rallye type cars -- from my experience much safer / grown up / 'boring' at least out of the box. For good or bad, typical VW. OEM chassis setup made for a safe Autobahn VMax, always on ESP, bit heavy for the size.
My 2003 Gti has no ESP or any other driving aid other than ABS?Warning to those thinking these are just slightly more plush Twingo RS / 106 Rallye type cars -- from my experience much safer / grown up / 'boring' at least out of the box. For good or bad, typical VW. OEM chassis setup made for a safe Autobahn VMax, always on ESP, bit heavy for the size.
My take on the Lupo GTi is that if it had never existed and was bought to market now by VW instead of the UP we'd all be fapping over it
It had a real feel of big car quality at the time, was fun ( maybe not the most fun but still very fun ), frugal and perfectly proportioned.
My best mate had one and we had some ace times in it......boot was a standing joke but with the back seats down it could be useful.
Smashing little car and I couldn't think of much i'd rather spend £4k on now for a town/station/fun hack.
I always remember it was a little tricky getting performance tyres in the right size......
It had a real feel of big car quality at the time, was fun ( maybe not the most fun but still very fun ), frugal and perfectly proportioned.
My best mate had one and we had some ace times in it......boot was a standing joke but with the back seats down it could be useful.
Smashing little car and I couldn't think of much i'd rather spend £4k on now for a town/station/fun hack.
I always remember it was a little tricky getting performance tyres in the right size......
Neil-b3l6l said:
I had one of these for a couple of years and enjoyed it - it was a bit hollow feeling but overall a great car to own. Currently I drive an R53 Mini Cooper S and find it to be a class above the Lupo GTi, just feels a bit better built, nicer to drive and not quite so flimsy.
I sometimes think about getting another GTi, but I think I’d be disappointed behind the wheel of one after spending over £4k on it, considering what’s available that’s similar and for half of that price.
I had both and prefer the lupo gti because it actually feels light whereas the mini doesn't. I sometimes think about getting another GTi, but I think I’d be disappointed behind the wheel of one after spending over £4k on it, considering what’s available that’s similar and for half of that price.
they are special cars I think, the suspension has to be changed though as it transforms the car (the standard is way too soft)
eta- not been mentioned yet but another nice detail was the battery was located in the boot for better weight distribution !
Edited by WCZ on Monday 19th March 12:23
On the day I put mine up for sale you post this topic - having doubts now! 
I've owned two GTIs and they do feel a bit special compared to similar cars of that era. The xenon lights are exceptional, the general build quality is very good and although they wouldn't see which way a Clio 172 went on a decent road, they are still great fun to drive. The Up, although it does look a good package and is probably great to drive, will never have that same feel.
I've owned two GTIs and they do feel a bit special compared to similar cars of that era. The xenon lights are exceptional, the general build quality is very good and although they wouldn't see which way a Clio 172 went on a decent road, they are still great fun to drive. The Up, although it does look a good package and is probably great to drive, will never have that same feel.
Leptons said:
It’s a hot hatch, that’s why it’s being compared to a mk1 GTI and not a Golf R.
A Golf R/M135i/R26R is not a hot hatch anymore.
Ok, so I'll bite (as nobody else has). A Golf R/M135i/R26R is not a hot hatch anymore.
What makes an R26R not a hot hatch? It is a hatchback, and pretty fast (so hot right?), or am I missing something.
These are cracking little toys, i've been lucky enough to have driven a standard one and a modified one with coilovers/wider wheels/+20hp and that was crazy fun.
Money wise, it's clear that due to there being circa 500 of them and most owners tend to keep them a while or for example at least 4 people I know have had more than one they will trade at a premium. Even the 1.4 16v 100hp and their cousin the Seat Arosa have been creeping up in price recently.
Perhaps comparing the values with the 106 Rallye is fairer compared with the newer & far more common Swift Sport.
Money wise, it's clear that due to there being circa 500 of them and most owners tend to keep them a while or for example at least 4 people I know have had more than one they will trade at a premium. Even the 1.4 16v 100hp and their cousin the Seat Arosa have been creeping up in price recently.
Perhaps comparing the values with the 106 Rallye is fairer compared with the newer & far more common Swift Sport.
TheTyreAbuser said:
Ok, so I'll bite (as nobody else has).
What makes an R26R not a hot hatch? It is a hatchback, and pretty fast (so hot right?), or am I missing something.
Because it’s in a different league? Ok maybe the R26r is more of a crossover car. You seriously can’t see the blur between a Clio Sport/Fiesta ST e.t.c and something like a golf R/A45 AMG?What makes an R26R not a hot hatch? It is a hatchback, and pretty fast (so hot right?), or am I missing something.
Car-Matt said:
s m said:
Car-Matt said:
I always remember it was a little tricky getting performance tyres in the right size......
I should imagine there's a lot on Toyo T1-R!Is there any other known brands available?
Car-Matt said:
s m said:
Car-Matt said:
I always remember it was a little tricky getting performance tyres in the right size......
I should imagine there's a lot on Toyo T1-R!Is there any other known brands available?
Seem hard to find though
s m said:
Yeah, Dunlop SP Sport 2000E according to the road test up above on the MY2000
Seem hard to find though
You wouldn’t want the Dunlop SP2000’s though even if you can still find them - they are an appalling tyre. Toyo T1-R is/was the only decent tyre in the correct original size of 205/45. For more choice people usually change to 195/45.Seem hard to find though
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